John Farnham heard for first time since throat surgery in new audiobook version of his memoir The Voice Inside
John Farnham’s voice has been heard for the first time since undergoing throat surgery in August 2022.
The legendary Australian singer is narrating his upcoming memoir The Voice Inside, which is out later this month.
WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Hear John Farnham for the first time in years.
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By continuing you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy.The Morning Show’s entertainment reporter Peter Ford was first to report the news, sharing his delight at hearing Farnham’s voice once more.
Ford said Farnham co-wrote the book with Poppy Stockwell, who directed his recent Logie-winning documentary The Voice Inside.
He said the documentary was “brilliantly done,” and “obviously John feels safe and a great connection with her”.
“So they’ve written it together now.
“We got the news that John was going to do the audio version of the book, and also his wife Jill will actually be writing two chapters.”
Jill is also expected to be heard narrating her chapters of the audiobook.
Farnham can be heard in a sample of the book, the first time his voice has been heard in public since his cancer surgery was revealed.
“This is for the first time now in many years,” Ford said.
“We haven’t heard John. We haven’t seen John. We know what he’s been going through. So this is great for that reason.
“He’s older and there has been some impact on his voice because of the surgery. But, you know, the delivery, the tone, the cheekiness, it’s all there. It’s instantly John Farnham.”
“I‘m just thrilled to hear his voice and to think he’s doing something, and what a rollercoaster that would have been for him,” Ford says.
“It’s one thing to sit down with Poppy and tell her the stories and share the memories, but to actually get behind a microphone and deliver it.
“John, as we know, is a performer who always gives 120 per cent. He would have really been challenged, I think, in delivering some of those sadder stories of recent times.”
The marketing material for the book suggests a comprehensive journey through his long career.
“Growing up in London and Melbourne, music was always part of John Farnham’s world,” the publisher’s blurb reads.
“But the young John never dreamed of what was to come. Pop stardom in the 1960s. The release of Whispering Jack, the critically acclaimed and highest-selling Australian album of all time.
“A decades-long touring career. Twenty-one ARIA awards. Australian of the Year. The list of accolades and achievements is long — so, at first glance, the John Farnham story is one filled with remarkable highs.
“It is, however, so much more than that. It is the story of the resilience John found as his stellar career stalled, record companies turned their backs, and he faced financial ruin.
“John has never shown how hard he fell and how difficult it was to stay true to himself in an industry that can be ruthless. It is the story of family, friendship and finding your voice.
“Throughout a lifetime filled with the highest of highs and the lowest of lows, John has remained steadfast, never losing his unique musical talent, creative strength nor his powerful ability to make human connections through his music.
“After his devastating cancer diagnosis and far too many goodbyes, John is now telling his story, his way.”
In August 2022 Farnham underwent 12-hour surgery after being diagnosed with throat cancer, with doctors removing a tumour from his mouth and reconstructing his jaw.
Originally published on The Morning Show
