John Peter Farnham AO (born 1 July 1949, Dagenham, Essex, England), (formerly billed as Johnny Farnham from his professional debut 1967 until 1980), is an English-born Australian pop singer. Farnham was a teen pop idol from 1964 to 1979, and has since forged a career as an adult contemporary singer. His career has mostly been as a solo artist although he temporarily replaced Glenn Shorrock as lead singer of Little River Band during 1982–1985. In September 1986 his solo single, "You're the Voice" peaked at No. 1 on the Australian singles charts. The associated album, Whispering Jack, held the No. 1 position for a total of 25 weeks, and is the highest-selling album in Australian history. Both the single and the album had Top Ten success internationally including No. 1 in Sweden.Domestically he has remained one of Australia's best-known performers with a career spanning over 45 years, and he is the only Australian artist to have a number one record in five consecutive decades (echoing that of Cliff Richard in the UK) with singles: "Sadie (The Cleaning Lady)" in 1967, "Raindrops Keep Fallin' on My Head" in 1969/1970, and "Age of Reason" in 1988; and albums: Age of Reason, Chain Reaction in 1990, Then Again... in 1993, Anthology 1: Greatest Hits 1986–1997 in 1997, 33⅓ in 2000 and The Last Time in 2002.Farnham has been recognised by honours and awards including 1987 Australian of the Year, 1996 Officer of the Order of Australia, and 19 ARIA Awards including his 2003 induction into the Hall of Fame. From 1969 he was voted by TV Week readers as the 'King of Pop' for five consecutive years. Aside from his recording career, Farnham performed on stage with lead roles in Australian productions of Charlie Girl, Pippin and 1992's Jesus Christ Superstar. He starred in his own TV series and specials including It's Magic (With Colleen Hewett) and Bobby Dazzler and as a guest on numerous other popular shows such as Countdown and Hey Hey It's Saturday. Australian rock historian, Ian McFarlane described him as "the most successful solo artist in the history of Australian rock and pop ... Farnham has retained an affable sense of humour and a simple, unpretentious 'everyman' charm which also makes him one of the most respected celebrities in Australian entertainment history."
Finished Australia wide tour "The Last Time" on June 15th 2003. Has just finished recording a new version of Queen's "We will rock you" to be the Rugby 2003 Anthem. [September 2003]
He replaced Glen Shorrock as the lead singer for the Little River Band in 1982 making his debut on the Greatest Hits LP with the hit 'The Other Guy' as well as the band's last few hits with 'We Too' and 'You're Driving Me Out of My Mind' (both 1983) and 1985's 'Playing to Win'
5
Holds the record for the 'Most broken microphone stands'.
6
'Sadie the Cleaning Lady' which was John's 1967 hit, is one of the most famous songs in Australian history. The audience is always yelling the name of this song at concerts.
Performed at the Opening Ceremony of the 2000 Sydney Olympic Games, with Olivia Newton-John.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Gintberg på kanten
2016
TV Series documentary performer - 1 episode
Red Oaks
2015
TV Series writer - 1 episode
The Voice
2015
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa
2013
performer: "You're the Voice"
Celebrity Splash! Australia
TV Series performer - 1 episode, 2013 writer - 1 episode, 2013
Dancing with the Stars
2012
TV Series writer - 1 episode
20 to 1
2007-2010
TV Series documentary performer - 4 episodes
It Takes Two
2008
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Hot Rod
2007
performer: "You're the Voice"
Idol - Jakten på en superstjerne
2006
TV Series writer - 1 episode
Australian Idol
2003-2005
TV Series writer - 3 episodes
Under the Lighthouse Dancing
1997
performer: "Angels"
Top of the Pops
1987
TV Series performer - 1 episode
Whispering Jack: In Concert
1987
Video performer: "Pressure Down", "One Step Away", "Going, Going, Gone", "Paper Paradise", "Infatuation", "Let Me Out", "A Touch Of Paradise", "When The War Is Over", "Comic Conversations", "All In Love Is Fair", "Amazing Grace", "Reasons", "No One Comes Close", "Trouble", "Love To Shine", "Playing To Win", "One", "Down On The Border", "Help", "You're The Voice" / writer: "Going, Going, Gone", "Let Me Out", "A Touch Of Paradise", "Playing To Win"
Rad
1986
performer: "Break the Ice", "Love Theme from 'Rad'", "Thunder in Your Heart"
Fletch
1985
performer: "Running For Love"
The Slugger's Wife
1985
performer: "LOVE IT'S JUST THE WAY IT GOES"
Savage Streets
1984
music: "Nothing's Gonna Stand In Our Way" Instrumental / performer: "Justice For One" instrumental, "Nothing's Gonna Stand In Our Way" Instrumental, "Innocent Hearts", "The Quiet Ones You Gotta Watch" / producer: "Justice For One" instrumental, "Nothing's Gonna Stand In Our Way" Instrumental, "Innocent Hearts", "The Quiet Ones You Gotta Watch" / writer: "Justice For One" instrumental, "The Quiet Ones You Gotta Watch"
Voyage of the Rock Aliens
1984
performer: "My World Is Empty Without You"
The Don Lane Show
1975-1976
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
The Ernie Sigley Show
1974-1975
TV Series performer - 6 episodes
The Graham Kennedy Show
1972-1975
TV Series performer - 8 episodes
Countdown
1974
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
Ted Hamilton and Johnny Farnham, Together Again for the Very First Time
1973
TV Movie performer: "Blue Suede Shoes", "Only You", "Jailhouse Rock", "Chantilly Lace", "See You Later Alligator", "Rock Around the Clock", "Everything Is out of Season" - as Johnny Farnham
In Melbourne Tonight
1969-1970
TV Series performer - 2 episodes
The Johnny Farnham Special
1969
TV Movie performer: "In My Room", "My Yiddishe Momme", "Sunday Will Never Be the Same" - as Johnny Farnham / writer: "In My Room"
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Preaching to the Perverted
1997
Bouncer / Roadie
Abra Cadabra
1983
Abra Cadabra (voice)
At Last... Bullamakanka: The Motion Picture
1983
Policeman
Bobby Dazzler
1977-1978
TV Series
Bobby Farrell
Me & Mr Thorne
1976
TV Movie
Bobby Fletcher
The Last of the Australians
1975
TV Series
Salesman
Division 4
1975
TV Series
Tom
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
City Homicide
2009
TV Series song performer - 1 episode
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
The Australian Music Community Presents: Sound Relief
2009/I
TV Special documentary
Himself
Australia Unites: The Victorian Bushfire Appeal
2009
TV Movie
Himself
Dancing with the Stars
2005
TV Series
Himself
The Great Outdoors
2005
TV Series
Himself
Rove Live
2003
TV Series
Himself
60 Minutes
2003
TV Series
Himself
Sydney 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony
2000
TV Movie
Himself
The Games
2000
TV Series
Himself
Hey Hey, It's Saturday
1999
TV Series
Himself - Guest
The Panel
1999
TV Series
Himself
The Russell Gilbert Show
1998
TV Series
Himself
The Main Event
1998
TV Movie documentary
Himself
The D Generation: The Bottom Drawer
1997
Video short
Himself
The Late Show
1992-1993
TV Series
Himself
Fast Forward
1990
TV Series
Himself
The Prince's Trust Rock Gala
1989
TV Movie
Himself
Home and Away
1988
TV Series
Himself
Cliff Richard - 30 års jubilæum
1988
TV Movie documentary
Himself
Top of the Pops
1987
TV Series
Himself
Whispering Jack: In Concert
1987
Video
Himself
The Royal Charity Concert
1980
TV Movie
Himself
Opportunity Knocks
1976
TV Series
Himself - Host: Sydney
The Don Lane Show
1975-1976
TV Series
Himself
Opportunity Knocks
1976
TV Series
Himself - Host
The Ernie Sigley Show
1974-1975
TV Series
Himself
The Graham Kennedy Show
1972-1975
TV Series
Himself
Countdown
1974
TV Series
Himself - Host / Himself
It's Magic
1974
TV Series
Himself (as Johnny Farnham)
Ted Hamilton and Johnny Farnham, Together Again for the Very First Time