{"id":701352,"date":"2026-05-29T03:28:11","date_gmt":"2026-05-29T03:28:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/701352\/"},"modified":"2026-05-29T03:28:11","modified_gmt":"2026-05-29T03:28:11","slug":"john-farnhams-tragic-singing-update-as-huge-stars-announce-major-fundraising-concert-gobsmacked","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/701352\/","title":{"rendered":"John Farnham’s tragic singing update as huge stars announce major fundraising concert: ‘Gobsmacked’"},"content":{"rendered":"

Iconic Australian singer John Farnham<\/a> has confirmed that he will never sing in public again.<\/p>\n

The You’re The Voice singer<\/a> was diagnosed with oral cancer<\/a> in August 2022 and stepped out of the spotlight as a result.<\/p>\n

He needed a 12-hour surgery the day he revealed his diagnosis to the public.<\/p>\n

He was declared cancer-free a year later but the gruelling impact of his treatment has led him to confirm he will never perform in public again.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can rule that out,\u201d he told the Herald Sun.<\/a><\/p>\n

RELATED:<\/p>\n

\u201cBecause of the surgeries to my mouth and face over the past few years, singing on stage is not something I can consider again. It\u2019s just not possible.\u201d<\/p>\n

The impact of his cancer treatment was gruelling, with the singer revealing that he needed several facial reconstructive surgeries as a result.<\/p>\n

He was left struggling to speak, eat and sing.<\/p>\n

It took two years following the shock diagnosis for anybody to hear the singer’s voice again, and it was only to narrate his audiobook The Voice Inside, news.com.au<\/a> reported.<\/p>\n

Since stepping out of the spotlight, John’s sons, Rob and James, and his wife Jill have appeared on his behalf.<\/p>\n

\"\"Massive John Farnham concert announced<\/p>\n

The news that John will never sing in public again comes as a massive concert to honour him was announced.<\/p>\n

The show at the Rod Laver Arena will feature a lineup of 120 artists to raise money for Head and Neck Cancer Australia.\u00a0<\/p>\n

It will feature stars such as Keith Urban, Jessica Mauboy<\/a> and Kate Ceberano.<\/p>\n

Hugh Jackman and Celine Dion will perform via satellite.<\/p>\n

John said he was initially “uncomfortable” when he was approached by promoters Paul Dainty and Tony Cochrane about the idea.<\/p>\n

“No one needs to come and do this for me. I\u2019m not dead yet, remember,” he told the Herald Sun.\u00a0<\/p>\n

But things changed when they suggested it be a fundraiser.<\/p>\n

He said he has been “gobsmacked” by the response.<\/p>\n

The Songs of John Farnham: A Living Legend concert will be held on September 20.<\/p>\n

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