Well folks, I had a different post planned for today but I’m delaying it because the idea of this post came after I saw a movie recently. I wanted to write a post about an Australian icon, but probably one that if you are reading from outside Australia you won’t have heard of.

His name is John Farnham, previously known as ‘Johnny Farnham’ who was crowned Australia’s ‘King if Pop’ back in the late sixties. Through the late 70s and early 80s his career was at an impasse. He took on the role of lead singer of Australian band the ‘Little River Band’, but otherwise was heading toward obscurity until he teamed up with Glenn Wheatley to create the album ‘Whispering Jack’. With the very first single released on that album back in 1986, his entire career was transformed from ‘famous kid who got washed up quick’ to absolute legend.

That song was ‘You’re the Voice’, and through it John Farnham really did find his voice. From this album on John had control over what he sang and the direction of his career, what he had sorely been missing. He started off at 16-17 years old when he was plucked from obscurity and given the song ‘Sadie, the Cleaning Lady’, a song he has been synonymous with ever since.

Although this song eventually turned into a curse. How could he be taken serious when the above song is what he was primarily known for? Anyways it was nearly 20 years later that he achieved the highest selling album in Australia by an Australian artist of ALL TIME. ‘Whispering Jack was produced in his garage. Radio station refused to play ‘You’re the Voice’ – until one didn’t.

I have somewhere in my record collection ‘You’re the Voice’ on 45 rpm record – this is how singles were released back in the day for all of you not as old as I am! I had to get it – everyone at school knew the song, it was number one for 7 weeks and ‘Whispering Jack’ for 26 weeks. So you see, it was pretty popular.

But here’s the thing, there has ALWAYS been something a bit ‘daggy’ about John Farnham. For starters, he never made it in the States and his European success was mixed and brief. So quintessentially I think this feeds into a psyche we have to some extent here in Australia that we’re not good enough, that we are looked down upon by the rest of the world. Some of our greatest and most popular music acts at home just have never had success outside the country. And whilst I am sure this is common in almost every country in the world, there’s a sting in it for us because we really do believe Farnham should have been an overseas hit.

Interestingly I saw a couple of videos recently on YouTube where American vocal coaches at the request of Aussie viewers critique John Farnham’s voice. Here he is known as ‘The Voice’ – and his voice is truly remarkable. I’m not sure there’s a comparable voice out there, he can sing very high without it really being falsetto. There’s an earthy rasp to his voice but it is incredibly powerful. Listen to his rendition of the Beatle’s ‘Help’ – I can’t imagine there is a better one out there.

But I think this bringing it to the attention of American vocal coaches is a real need for Australians to feel vindicated that he really IS good and we’re not just imagining it. And you know some Australians will feel it’s ‘terribly embarrassing’ to be singing/enjoying John Farnham. Is it because he is daggy? Or is he a ‘bogan’ – he sported a mullet for much of his life. He has a pretty true Aussie accent and loves a bad joke – and so people cringe a little at him. He ain’t sophisticated yeah?

And as we travel we see people from our own country out drunk belting out a song from ‘Farnzie’ or Darryl Braithwaite, or Jimmy Barnes… and we feel it’s a bad look and embarrassing and oh my gosh people will look in disgust over ‘typical uncouth Australians’.

You know it’s hard to compare, but I’m sure that there are thousands of examples of people from a country being embarrassed by others from their own country. It’s a ‘cultural cringe’. Eurovision is a classic example, some love it and embrace it. It’s wild and colourful and yes some songs every year are REALLY BAD, and when I’ve travelled through Europe and mentioned it locals are immediately completely embarrassed that their country is involved. Ironically we LOVE it in Australia. But I think the attitude compares to how many Australians feel about John Farnham.

I probably at times have felt that way about him too. But anyways, a couple of weeks ago I saw a FILM – a documentary – about John Farnham entitled ‘Finding the Voice’. And memories were stirred. And I realised again just how LOVED this man is. For all his dagginess, he is a genuine human being and the sort of person we as a nation can be proud of. A larrikin but not an offensive one in any way. For a long time he HATED his first hit, ‘Sadie the Cleaning Lady’, but at his sold out concerts, and he would fill sports arenas over and over – he loved to tour – he would always bring it out after pretending he didn’t want to sing it. He had his own bit of ‘cultural cringe’ over that song but he got over it.

And I think that’s something we all should do. It doesn’t mean to gloss over what is bad in your country. Decisions by governments, racism, inequality etc, but show some love for cultural icons. Which John Farnham certainly is. And for the acts at Eurovision each year, the songs may be cheesy, but they are out in front of millions of viewers trying to represent their country. That takes a hell of a lot of guts. Some are incredibly young. Some come out of retirement. It can make you, it can break you.

Farnham was all but cooked in the Australian Music Industry. But he kept on battling. He sang with his body and soul, and an immense talent. And he came out on top. Why wouldn’t you be proud of that?

I’ve tried to categorise his music, it is a kind of rock-pop I guess at least around the time of Whispering Jack. He had a propensity for anthems – ‘You’re the Voice’ is one, so was the subsequent ‘Age of Reason’ on a following album. John was diagnosed last year with mouth cancer and is presently in recovery after having it removed late last year and will probably never sing again. So it’s a poignant time to release this film. He’s in his early 70s and I can only hope he has many good years left to live. Born in the UK but an Aussie through and through from Melbourne.

Thanks John for the soundtrack you provided to my life as I grew up. Your voice is unique and your spirit inspirational.

Thanks for reading. Take care wherever you are in the world. May the Journey Never End.