Dannielle Gaha, the former John Farnham vocalist whose 1989 duet “Communication” became a Top 20 Australian hit, will return to Farnham’s music for The Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena on September 20.
by Paul Cashmere
Dannielle Gaha will reunite with the music of John Farnham at The Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend, joining the previously announced line-up for the one-night Rod Laver Arena concert on September 20. Gaha, now known as Dannielle DeAndrea, spent years as a vocalist in Farnham’s touring operation and recorded the 1989 duet “Communication” with him. The single reached No. 13 on the Australian singles chart and remains one of the most distinctive collaborations in Farnham’s catalogue.
Gaha’s inclusion gives the concert a direct connection to Farnham’s working band rather than simply drawing on artists influenced by his recordings. Her history with Farnham extends well beyond their studio duet. She was a member of his vocal team across multiple tours and regularly shared the stage with him on songs including “Please Don’t Ask Me” and “Burn For You”.
“Communication” was released on August 14, 1989, during one of the most commercially successful periods of Farnham’s career. The song was recorded in connection with the Australian Government’s Drug Offensive campaign and was issued as a 7-inch single. It peaked at No. 13 on the ARIA chart, placing Gaha alongside Farnham on the national singles chart during the period between his No. 1 albums Age Of Reason and Chain Reaction.
The recording also marked an important early step for Gaha. She had begun gaining industry attention through television talent show Star Search and subsequently worked with Glenn Shorrock, whose own career had included Little River Band. Her association with Shorrock helped lead to the opportunity to record with Farnham.
Gaha’s career subsequently developed well beyond backing vocals. In the early 1990s she relocated to London and recorded for Epic Records, releasing “Stuck In The Middle”, “Do It For Love” and “Secret Love”. “Stuck In The Middle” and “Do It For Love” reached the UK singles chart, while Gaha has been described as the first Australian artist to appear on the UK Soul Chart.
Back in Australia, Gaha adopted the performance name Sheets Afyre and became part of The Nissan Cedrics with Louise Anton on Roy and HG’s ABC television series Club Buggery. The duo subsequently released Going For A Song in 1997. She later moved towards jazz, soul and standards, releasing her album You Don’t Know Me in 2002.
Her work with Farnham, however, continued. Gaha remained part of his extended live vocal ensemble, including the 2009 Live By Demand tour, where the setlist included “Burn For You”, “Chain Reaction”, “Age Of Reason”, “Two Strong Hearts”, “Please Don’t Ask Me”, “Pressure Down” and “You’re The Voice”.
“Please Don’t Ask Me” became one of the more memorable opportunities for Gaha to step beyond the conventional backing vocalist role. Originally written by Graham Goble, the song was recorded by Little River Band and later became a Farnham live staple. Gaha performed it with Farnham during major tours, including The Last Time era performances.
She also worked within the vocal arrangement of “Burn For You”, one of Farnham’s defining songs from the 1990 album Chain Reaction. The album followed Age Of Reason and generated three Top 10 singles, “Chain Reaction”, “That’s Freedom” and “Burn For You”. Noise11’s historical chart record places “Burn For You” at No. 5 in Australia, while “Please Don’t Ask Me” reached No. 21 as a live single.
Gaha’s career has also included international touring and studio work with artists including Sting, while she became a member of Los Angeles vocal group The Songbirds alongside Gaby Moreno and Erica Canales. Noise11 previously reported on The Songbirds’ work, identifying Gaha as a former Farnham backing singer who had also worked with Sting and Jackson Browne.
Her family background is equally rooted in entertainment. Gaha grew up in a household where performance was part of everyday life. Her mother, Janice Breen, operated a performance school that trained young performers in singing, dancing and stagecraft. Gaha was involved with the school while developing her own career. Her brother Eden Gaha subsequently established a career in television production, including senior roles in American reality television. Fun Fact: Dannielle’s mother Janice was one of the “cleaning ladies” in this 1967 Bandstand clip of Farnham performing ‘Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)’.
That background helps explain the breadth of Gaha’s career, which has moved between recording, touring, television, comedy, vocal performance and music for screen. In Los Angeles she has also worked with The Songbirds, with the group releasing Dreamers Dream On in 2022. Noise11 reported the group’s Australian performances in 2024.
For the Farnham celebration, Gaha represents a different part of his musical history from the headline performers. While artists including Vanessa Amorosi, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Diesel, Kate Ceberano, Keith Urban and Celine Dion will interpret Farnham’s catalogue, Gaha was part of the machinery that helped deliver those songs on stage during his touring years.
The September concert will feature more than 120 performers, a 38-piece orchestra, choir and The John Farnham Band, with longtime musical director Chong Lim overseeing arrangements and conducting the orchestra. Farnham himself is not scheduled to perform. The concert will also raise funds and awareness for Head and Neck Cancer Australia.
Tour Date
Sunday 20 September 2026, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
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