John Farnham is widely regarded as Australia's top performing artist, boasting a remarkable career spanning over three decades. Born in Essex, England, John immigrated to Australia in 1959 at the tender age of 10, marking the beginning of his incredible journey.
Since his debut in 1967, John has had numerous successes as a solo performer, with his solo album Whispering Jack (1986) continuing to be Australia's biggest selling album of all time by a local artist, boasting sales in excess of 1.4 million and earning him an Outstanding Achievement Award from the Australian Record Industry Association.
In addition to his local success, Whispering Jack and the single You're the Voice achieved chart-topping hits throughout Europe, England, and Canada, cementing John's international recognition. The multi-award-winning singer was named Australian of the Year in 1988, a testament to his immense talent and dedication to his craft.
In 1989, John was invited to launch the Greenpeace's 'Rainbow Warriors' album in Moscow, a unique opportunity that showcased his versatility and global appeal. The following year, he recorded the role of Jesus for the Australian cast of Jesus Christ Superstar - The Album, then toured with the stage production.
John's impressive career continued to soar, with him being awarded the coveted Australian Music Awards' Crystal Trophy for Outstanding Contribution to the Industry in 1992. On Australia Day in 1996, he was honoured with the Order of Australia for Services to Music and Charity, a fitting recognition of his tireless efforts to give back to his community.
Throughout his illustrious career, John has undertaken numerous local and international tours, including a national Australian tour with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, which has earned him a reputation for breaking attendance records. His Australian tours are renowned for their magnitude, with the Chain Reaction Tour in 1990 being a particular highlight, featuring eight sell-out performances at Melbourne Park.
John's 1996 Jack of Hearts Live in the Round Australian tour, a $5 million production, was broadcast live on national television and simulcast on national radio concurrently, solidifying his status as a household name. Since Whispering Jack, John has released several successful albums, including Age of Reason, Chain Reaction, Full House, Then Again, and Romeo's Heart, all of which have an impressive list of credits with respect to awards and record sales.
In late 1997, the Anthology series was released, featuring three albums: Anthology 1 (3 times Platinum),Anthology 2 (Platinum),and Anthology 3 (Gold),further cementing John's legacy as a musical icon. In the same year, John was recognised as the Most Broadcast Australian Recording Artist by the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia.
In 1998, John toured Australia with Olivia Newton-John and Anthony Warlow in 'The Main Event', accompanied by The John Farnham Band and a 40-piece orchestra, a phenomenal production that sold close to 300,000 tickets in a limited season. The album, "Highlights from The Main Event", reached Quad Platinum status within four weeks of release.
John's remarkable career continued to flourish, with the "I Can't Believe He's 50" tour following in 1999, in celebration of John's 50th birthday, marking an incredible milestone in his illustrious career.
