John Farnham’s family has confirmed that the singer’s health has deteriorated in recent months, with the Australian music icon now requiring continuous oxygen, a wheelchair and 24-hour nursing care at home.
by Paul Cashmere
John Farnham will not attend Sunday night’s celebration of his music at Melbourne’s Rod Laver Arena, with his family revealing that the singer’s health has deteriorated significantly in recent months.
In a statement issued on Saturday, Jill, Robert and James Farnham said John had been “deeply moved” by the preparations for The Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend The Celebration Concert, but that his current health needs made attending the event impossible.
The family said Farnham now requires continuous oxygen support, uses a wheelchair for mobility and receives 24-hour nursing care at home. They explained that the details had been kept private while the family adjusted to his changing circumstances, but felt it was now important for his supporters to understand why he would not be at Rod Laver Arena.
The update comes one day before the concert, which will bring together more than 120 performers and musicians for a one-night celebration of Farnham’s catalogue and career.
“John has been deeply moved by everything happening this weekend around the tribute concert at Rod Laver Arena,” the family said.
They acknowledged the work of the producers, the artists who have donated their time and the crews and production teams responsible for mounting the concert.
“None of it is taken for granted by John or any of us, as a family,” they said, adding their thanks on his behalf.
The family said many people had asked whether Farnham would attend the concert and explained that, if his circumstances were different, he would have wanted to be there.
“If things were different, John would have loved nothing more than to attend the concert,” they said. “He would undoubtedly have been a little overwhelmed by all the fuss, but he would also have wanted to thank everyone involved in person.”
Instead, the family has decided that Farnham should remain at home, where he can be safe and comfortable.
“Thank you for your understanding and for the many messages of love and support John continues to receive,” the statement concluded. “And to everyone involved in this weekend’s celebration concert: chookas!”
The Songs Of John Farnham: A Living Legend The Celebration Concert will take place at Rod Laver Arena on Sunday 20 September.
The concert was announced in May as a fundraiser for Head and Neck Cancer Australia, following Farnham’s own diagnosis and treatment for oral cancer in 2022. Farnham has previously said he would not return to live performance.
The event will feature Farnham’s longtime touring band, a 38-piece orchestra and choir, with longtime musical director Chong Lim overseeing the musical production.
The announced Australian performers include Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Mahalia Barnes, Kate Ceberano, Diesel, Hans, Human Nature, Jack Jones, Richard Marx, Jessica Mauboy, Ruby Rodgers, Jon Stevens, Mitch Tambo, Keith Urban, Mark Vincent and Ross Wilson. Celine Dion will appear from Paris and Hugh Jackman from Los Angeles via satellite.
Songs expected to be represented include “You’re The Voice”, “Burn For You”, “Age Of Reason”, “A Touch Of Paradise”, “Pressure Down”, “Chain Reaction” and “Two Strong Hearts”.
The concert will also raise funds for Head and Neck Cancer Australia, supporting patient services, awareness and advocacy.
The venue has a substantial connection with Farnham’s live career. According to organisers, he has performed at Rod Laver Arena 94 times, with more than one million people attending those performances.
The concert therefore represents a return to one of the most important stages in Farnham’s touring history, although the singer himself will not be in the building.
Farnham’s career spans more than six decades, beginning as a teenage performer in the 1960s and reaching a defining commercial peak with Whispering Jack in 1986. The album, led by “You’re The Voice”, became one of the most successful Australian recordings of all time and established Farnham as one of the country’s leading live performers.
Albums including Age Of Reason, Chain Reaction and Then Again extended that success through the late 1980s and 1990s.
His final public performance came at the Fire Fight Australia concert in Sydney in February 2020. His subsequent cancer diagnosis and treatment brought an end to his live performing career.
Sunday night’s concert will instead place Farnham’s songs and musical legacy at the centre of a large-scale performance involving artists from several generations.
For Farnham’s family, however, the immediate priority is his wellbeing at home.
“We have decided that it is best for John to remain at home, where he can be safe and comfortable,” Jill, Robert and James Farnham said.
Tour Dates
20 September 2026, Melbourne, Rod Laver Arena
Ticket Details
The concert is sold out. The event will also be broadcast live in HOYTS cinemas nationally.
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