John Farnham Still Sings at Home Despite Oral Cancer Surgery

Legendary Australian musician John Farnham continues to sing at home for his grandson, according to his son Rob Farnham. This comes after the 77-year-old revealed earlier this year that he would never perform live again due to the effects of multiple surgeries for oral cancer.

Rob Farnham shared that his father spends significant time with his grandson, Jett, engaging in singing and playful activities. "He sings to Jett all the time. He sings all the jingles on the TV. Every now and then he'll belt out a big note," Rob told A Current Affair. "The voice is still there, it's just doing shows and big stuff like that is not something that he can do, but he can still sing. He'll never lose that."

John Farnham had previously stated that the surgeries on his mouth and face made performing on stage impossible. "Because of the surgeries to my mouth and face over the past few years, singing on stage is not something I can consider again. It's just not possible," he said.

Despite stepping away from live performances, Farnham remains a focal point of a tribute concert, "Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend – The Celebration Concert," held at Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena. Proceeds from the event benefit Head and Neck Cancer Australia.

The star-studded concert features performances from artists including Celine Dion, Hugh Jackman, Keith Urban, and Tina Arena. Tickets for the event sold out quickly after going on sale.

Farnham initially hesitated about a tribute concert but agreed when organizers explained its fundraising potential for those battling head and neck cancers. He described the support from fellow artists as "truly humbling."

Farnham's health battle began when his wife, Jill, urged him to have a persistent mouth ulcer examined. Doctors discovered a cancerous tumor, leading to a 12-hour surgery that involved removing part of his jaw and reconstructing sections of his face. He subsequently underwent eight weeks of radiation treatment and was declared cancer-free.

In his memoir, "The Voice Inside," Farnham detailed the impact of the surgeries on his voice, explaining that the reconstruction affected his ability to open his mouth properly and produced sounds necessary for singing. He described the experience as painful and confronting.

Fans will also have another opportunity to celebrate Farnham's career with the upcoming premiere of "Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical" in Sydney. The production, developed by Sydney Theatre Company and the Michael Cassel Group, marks the 40th anniversary of his album "Whispering Jack."