International star from Australia…
In a country of 20 million people John Farnham is the one Australian artist who stages arena sized concerts whenever he tours to satisfy the demand. He is without challenge Australia’s most successful solo artist, on stage and on record. His Whispering Jack album was the first album to sell over a million copies in Australia alone.
In September 1967 at the age of 18 he was signed to a recording contract and in December of that year released the novelty single ” Sadie The Cleaning Lady” which became the biggest selling single in Australia at that time. As a song the record’s success almost defies logic. What fans were responding to was “Johnny” Farnham’s bright boy-next-door personality. He was someone teenage girls and the mothers could both like. Farnham was also a fine singer and survived “Sadie” to release a long string of pop hits between 1967 and 1973, including the local hit versions of Three Dog Night’s “One,” B J Thomas’ “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head” (#1) and David Cassidy’s “Rock Me Baby. He also starred in the stage musicals Dick Whittington And His Cat, Charlie Girl and Pippin. His schedule denied Farnham trying his luck internationally or developing on record. Success continued virtually on the basis of his talent and that personality alone and in the late to mid seventies his career was reduced to nightclub and cabaret performances trading on his past. Even his record company lost faith in him and dropped him.
In 1980, changing from Johnny to the more mature John Farnham, he set about resurrecting his career. The trigger was a dramatically rearranged impassioned performance of the Beatles’ “Help” on a nationally broadcast Royal Command TV concert. He reminded everyone what a fine singer he was, and in July released Uncovered, a well received comeback album recorded under the production eye of Little River Band’s Graham Goble. In September 1982 long-time Farnham fan Goble was inspired to convince the rest of LRB they should take the radical move of removing Glenn Shorrock, singer of all the band’s hits, and making Farnham their lead singer. The band’s American record company was in shock. So were non-Australian fans. It was a hurdle Farnham could not overcome, and at the end of 1985 he left LRB and began work on a new make or break solo album.
The anthemic single “You’re The Voice restored Farnham to #1 for the first time in 17 years. The carefully crafted adult contemporary October 1986 album Whispering Jack was No.1 for 18 weeks, and became the biggest selling album in Australian history. “You’re The Voice” sold a million copies in Europe and reached the top ten in England. A consummate singer and performer since 1986 Farnham has been Australia’s No.1 attraction, with successive big selling albums and sold out concert tours. International interest has continued to beckon but the dedicated family man is happy with his career as it is.
Words from allmusic.com
Discography
Together In Concert
BMG Records 2005
Tracks: Mama Told Me Not To Come, 200 Pounds Of Heavenly Joy, Man Of The Hour, What Am I Living For, It’s Not Unusual, Burn For You, Playing To Win, My Yiddishe Momme, You’re The Voice, That Driving Beat, Hold On I’m Coming, Try A Little Tenderness, What’d I Say, Sweet Soul Music & It’s A Long Way To The Top.
Musicians on the Together In Concert album: John Farnham and others.
I Remember When I Was Young
BMG Records 2005
Tracks: Come Back Again, Heading In The Right Direction, One Perfect Day, I Remember When I Was Young, Downhearted, Even When I'm Sleeping, Green Limousine, Girls On The Avenue, Forever Now, Reckless, Come Said The Boy, No Aphrodisiac & Overkill.
Musicians on the I Remember When I Was Young album: John Farnham and others.
One Voice
BMG Records 2003
Tracks: Disc 1: We Will Rock You, That's Freedom, Age Of Reason, Pressure Down, Don't You Know It's Magic, A Touch Of Paradise, Help, When Something Is Wrong, Chain Reaction, Raindrops, Sadie (The Cleaning Lady), A Simple Life, Burn For You & The Last Time. Disc 2: You're The Voice, Two Strong Hearts, Everything's Alright, One, Seemed Like A Good Idea, Talk Of The Town, Angels, Have A Little Faith (In Us), Hearts On Fire, Every Time You Cry, Reasons, No Ordinary World & Man Of The Hour.
Musicians on the One Voice album: John Farnham and others.
The Last Time
BMG Records 2002
Tracks: Last Time, No Ordinary World, Lonely Man, When I Can't Have You, Undeniably Real, Keep Talking, Sometimes, One More Try, Even After All This Time & Eternally.
Musicians on the Last Time album: John Farnham and others.
Love Songs
BMG Records 2002
Tracks: Love To Shine, You're The Voice, Touch Of Paradise, Please Don't Ask Me, She Says To Me, Jillie's Song, On My Own, Help, Listen To The Wind, We're No Angels, In Days To Come, Burn For You, I Can Do Anything, Treated This Way, The Reason Why & Romeo's Heart.
Musicians on the Love Songs album: John Farnham and others.
33 1/3
BMG Records 2000
Tracks: That Driving Beat, Trying To Live My Life Without You, You Don't Know Like I Know, Everything Is Gonna Be All Right, Man Of The Hour, I've Been Lonely For So Long, That's What Love Will Make You Do, I Can't Get Next To You, You're The Only One, I Thank You, Soul Reason, The Way & Walk Away.
Musicians on the 33 1/3 album: John Farnham and others.
Uncovered
BMG Records 2000
Tracks: Matilda, She Says To Me, Jillie's song, Infatuation, On My Own, Back To The Backwoods, I Never Did Get Through, Please Don't Ask Me & She's Everywhere & Help.
Musicians on the Uncovered album: John Farnham and others.
Live At The Regent Theatre
BMG Records 1999
Tracks: Reasons, One, Everything's Alright, Help, Touch Of Paradise, Age Of Reason, Burn For You, Raindrops, Chain Reaction, Infatuation, Don't You Know It's Magic, Comic Conversations, Who's Lovin' You, Everytime You Cry, That's Freedom, Playing To Win, I Wish & You're The Voice.
Musicians on the Live At The Regent Theatre album: John Farnham and others.
Anthology Vol. 3: Rarities
BMG Records 1997
Tracks: I Feel Fine, Susan Jones, Birthday, Legs, Black Dog, Dream People, Good Company, Take You Back, Love's in Need, You're the Voice (Swing Version), Little Piece of My Heart, Break the Ice, Running for Love, Burn for You, Cool Water & Don't Let It End.
Musicians on the Anthology Vol.3: Rarities album: John Farnham and others.
Anthology Vol. 2: Classic Hits
BMG Records 1997
Tracks: Sadie, Looking Through A Tear, One, Raindrops, Comic Conversations, Don't You Know It's Magic, Everything Is Out Of Season, Help, Matilda, Infatuation, Please Don't Ask Me, That's No Way To Love Someone, Playing To Win, Justice For One, When The War Is Over & And I Love Her.
Musicians on the Anthology Vol.2: Classic Hits album: John Farnham and others.
Anthology Vol. 1: Greatest Hits
BMG Records 1997
Tracks: You're The Voice, Pressure Down, A Touch Of Paradise, Reasons, Two Strong Hearts, Age Of Reason, That's Freedom, Chain Reaction, Burn For You, Seemed Like A Good Idea (At The Time), Talk Of The Town, Angels, Have A Little Faith (In Us), A Simple Life, Hearts On Fire, When Something Is Wrong With My Baby (with Jimmy Barnes) & Every Time You Cry (with Human Nature).
Musicians on the Anthology Vol.1: Greatest Hits album: John Farnham and others.
Memories Of Christmas
EMI Records 1997
Tracks: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Christmas Is, The Ringing Reindeer, Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, Good Time Christmas, Christmas Happy, White Christmas, The First Noel, Silent Night, There's No Place Like Home, Little Boy Dear, It Must Be Getting Close To Christmas & Everything Is Beautiful.
Musicians on the Memories Of Christmas album: John Farnham and others.
Romeo´s Heart
BMG Records 1996
Tracks: Have A Little Faith (In Us), Little Piece Of My Heart, A Simple Life, All Kinds Of People, Romeo's Heart, Don't Let It End, Hearts On Fire, Hard Promises To Keep, Over My Head, May You Never & Second Skin.
Musicians on the Romeo´s Heart album: John Farnham and others.
Johnny Farnham
EMI Records 1995
Tracks: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, The Summer Knows, Where Do I Begin?, Comic Conversation, Summertime, A Day In the Life Of A Fool, Something, This Must Be The End, One, Ma Cherie Amour, Speak Softly Love, Your Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face & Pretty Things.
Musicians on the Johnny Farnham album: John Farnham and others.
Memories Of Christmas
EMI Records 1995
Tracks: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Christmas Is, The Ringing Reindeer, Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, Good Time Christmas, Christmas Happy, White Christmas, The First Noel, Silent Night, There's No Place Like Home, Little Boy Dear, It Must Be Getting Close To Christmas & Everything Is Beautiful.
Musicians on the Memories Of Christmas album: John Farnham and others.
Where Do I Begin?
BMG Records 1995
Tracks: Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head, The Summer Knows, Where Do I Begin?, Comic Conversation, Summertime, A Day In the Life Of A Fool, Something, This Must Be The End, One, Ma Cherie Amour, Speak Softly Love, Your Song, The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face & Pretty Things.
Musicians on the Where Do I Begin album: John Farnham and others.
Classic Gold Collection
BMG Records 1995
Tracks: Sadie, Underneath The Arches, Friday Kind Of Monday, Jamie, Rose Coloured Glasses, One, Raindrops, Comic Conversation, Acapulco Sun, As Long As Life Goes On, Baby Without You, Walking The Floor On My Hands, Rock Me Baby, Don't You Know It's Magic, Everything Is Out Of Season, I Can't Dance To Your Music, Shake A Hand, One Minute Every Hour, Things To Do, Please Don't Ask Me, Down On The Border, The Other Guy & Playing To Win.
Musicians on the Classic Gold Collection album: John Farnham and others.
Full House
RCA Records 1994
Tracks: When the War Is Over, Age of Reason, Don't You Know It's Magic, Two Strong Hearts, Comic Conversations, Help!, Chain Reaction, Burn for You, Reasons, You're the Voice, Touch of Paradise, That's Freedom, One, Playing to Win, Pressure Down & Please Don't Ask Me.
Musicians on the Full House album: John Farnham and others.
Then Again
RCA Records 1993
Tracks: Angels, Seemed Like A Good Idea (At The Time), Only Women Bleed, Talent For Fame, When All Else Fails, What You Don't Know, Treated This Way, Always The Same, The Reason Why, So Long In Love, It All Comes Back To You, Diamonds, Rolling Home & Talk Of The Town.
Musicians on the Then Again album: John Farnham and others.
Chain Reaction
RCA Records 1990
Tracks: That's Freedom, In Days to Come, Burn for You, See the Banners Fall, I Can Do Anything, All Out Sons and Daughters, Chain Reaction, In Your Hands, New Day, Time Has Come, First Step Time and Money.
Musicians on the Chain Reaction album: John Farnham and others.
Time Brings Change
Axis Records 1990
Tracks: Charlie Girl, Who Can I Turn To, Hair, Saturday Dance, For Once In My Life, Take Me To The Pilot, Diana, Memphis Tennessee, Rag Mama Rag, Things To Do, Band Of Gold, Day By Day, White Christmas & Till Time Brings Change.
Musicians on the Time Brings Change album: John Farnham and others.
Age Of Reason
RCA Records 1988
Tracks: Age Of Reason, Blow By Blow, Listen To The Wind, Two Strong Hearts, Burn Down The Night, Beyond The Call, We're No Angels, Don't Tell Me It Can't Be Done, The Fire, Some Do Some Don't, When The War Is Over & It's A Long Way To The Top.
Musicians on the Age Of Reason album: John Farnham and others.
Another Side Of John Farnham
Axis Records 1987
Tracks: Cabaret, Your Song, Something, As Long As Life Goes On, Summertime, On The Street Where You Live, Hello Dolly, While Singing In The Rain In Spain, A Aay In the Life Of A Fool, First Time Ever I Saw Your Face, Tow, You'll Never Walk Alone & This Must Be The End.
Musicians on the Another Side Of John Farnham album: John Farnham and others.
The John Farnham Phenomenon
J&B Label 1987
Tracks: Don't You Know It's Magic, Everything Is Out Of Season, Jamie, One Minute Every Hour, Rock Me Baby, One, Comic Conversations, Something, You'll Never Walk Alone, Raindrops, Friday Kind Of Monday, Rose Coloured Glasses, Underneath The Arches, I Can't Dance To Your Music, Sadie, Acapulco Sun, Things To Do & The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face.
Musicians on the John Farnham Phenomenon album: John Farnham and others.
Whispering Jack
RCA Records 1986
Tracks: Pressure Down, You're The Voice, One Step Away, Reasons, Going Going Gone, No One Comes Close, Love To Shine, Trouble, A Touch Of Paradise & Let Me Out.
Musicians on the Whispering Jack album: John Farnham and others.
The Best Of Johnny Farnham
Axis Records 1980
Tracks: Raindrops, Comic Conversation, Rock Me Baby, Don't You Know It's Magic, Everything Is Out Of Season, I Can't Dance To Your Music, I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus, Things To Do, One, Jamie, Rose Coloured Glasses, Sadie, Underneath The Arches, Friday Kind Of Monday, Walking The Floor On My Hands , Acapulco Sun & One Minute Every Hour.
Musicians on the The Best Of John Farnham album: John Farnham and others.
The Best Of Johnny Farnham
Axis Records 1980
Tracks: Raindrops, Comic Conversation, Rock Me Baby, Don't You Know It's Magic, Everything Is Out Of Season, I Can't Dance To Your Music, I Saw Mummy Kissing Santa Claus, Things To Do, One, Jamie, Rose Coloured Glasses, Sadie, Underneath The Arches, Friday Kind Of Monday, Walking The Floor On My Hands , Acapulco Sun & One Minute Every Hour.
Musicians on the The Best Of John Farnham album: John Farnham and others.
Uncovered
RCA Records 1980
Tracks: Matilda, She Says To Me, Jillie's song, Infatuation, On My Own, Back To The Backwoods, I Never Did Get Through, Please Don't Ask Me & She's Everywhere & Help.
Musicians on the Uncovered album: John Farnham and others.
Greatest Hits
WRC Records 1976
Tracks: Sadie, Underneath The Arches, Friday Kind Of Monday, I Don't Want To Love You, Jamie, Rose Coloured Glasses, One, Raindrops, Comic Conversation, Rock Me Baby, Don't You Know It's Magic, Everything Is Out Of Season, I Can't Dance To Your Music & Corner Of The Sky.
Musicians on the Greatest Hits album: John Farnham and others.
Greatest Hits
EMI Records 1976
Tracks: Sadie, Underneath The Arches, Friday Kind Of Monday, I Don't Want To Love You, Jamie, Rose Coloured Glasses, One, Raindrops, Comic Conversation, Rock Me Baby, Don't You Know It's Magic, Everything Is Out Of Season, I Can't Dance To Your Music & Corner Of The Sky.
Musicians on the Greatest Hits album: John Farnham and others.
J.P Farnham Sings
EMI Records 1975
Tracks: Some People Sing, I Must Stay, Don't Rock The Boat, Till Time Brings Change, Saturday Dance, Most People I Know, Show Me The Way, Running To The Sea, Things To Do, I Can't Fly, To Be Or Not To Be & So Many Years.
Musicians on the J.P Farnham Sings album: John Farnham and others.
Everybody Oughta Sing A Song
Columbia Records 1974
Tracks: Everybody Oughta Sing A Song, Jamie, There Is No Season To My Love, Two-Bit Manchild, The Last Thing On My Mind, Strollin', Scratchin' Ma Head, I Don't Want To Love You, Confidentially, Rose Coloured Glasses, Grand Unspeakable Passion, Sunday Will Never Be The Same & You Can Write A Song.
Musicians on the Everybody Oughta Sing A Song album: John Farnham and others.
Sings The Hits From The Movies
EMI Records 1974
Tracks: Cabaret, Speak Softly Love, Everybody's Talkin', The Summer Knows, Carnival, Hi-Lili Hi-Lo, Raindrops, The Rain In Spain, Singing In The Rain, Theme From 'Love Story', Where's The Birdie, The First Time Ever I saw Your Face & Mrs Robinson.
Musicians on the Sings The Hits From The Movies album: John Farnham and others.
Sings The Big Hits Of ´73 Live
EMI Records 1973
Tracks: I Knew Jesus (before he was a star), Where is the Love, Baby Don't Get Hooked On Me, My Love, Gilbert O'Sullivan Medley, Alone Again (Naturally), You Are The Sunshine Of My Life, Nothing Rhymed, Tie a Yellow Ribbon, The Morning After, And I Love You So & Free Electric Band.
Musicians on the Sings The Big Hits Of ´73 Live album: John Farnham and others.
Hits, Magic And Rock And Roll
EMI Records 1973
Tracks: Everything Is Out Of Season, Nobody's Fool, It's Up To You, If You would Stay, Sweet Cherry Wine, Don't You Know It's Magic, Rock Me Baby, Lucille, Blueberry Hill, Johnny 'B' Goode, Diana & Memphis Tennessee.
Musicians on the Hits, Magic And Rock And Roll album: John Farnham and others.
Sings The Shows
Axis Records 1972
Tracks: Charlie Girl (Charlie Girl), With A Little Bit Of Luck (My Fair Lady), Gonna Build A Mountain (Stop The World I Want To get Off), I Whistle A happy Tune (The King & I), Who Can I Turn To (The Roar Of The Greasepaint), Hair (Hair), Day By Day (GodSpell), My Favourite Occupation (Charlie Girl), You'll Never Walk Alone (Carousel), Where Is Love (Oliver), On The Street Where You Live (My Fair Lady), Consider Yourself (Oliver), Hello Dolly (Hello Dolly) & Jubilation T Cornpone (L'il Abner).
Musicians on the Sings The Shows album: John Farnham and others.
Together
Axis Records 1971
Tracks: Baby Without You, The Green Green Grass Is Dying, You're Alright With Me, Stay Awhile, I Don't Mind The Rain, Singing Our Song, That's Old Fashioned, Come On Round To My Place, Aint Nothing Like The Real Thing, Nobody Knows, Better Put Your Love Away & Get Together.
Musicians on the Together album: John Farnham, Allison Durbin and others.
The Best Of Johnny Farnham
WRC Records 1971
Tracks: I've Been Rained On, Everybody Oughta Sing A Song, Jamie, I Don't Want To love You, Painting A Shadow, Sadie, Raindrops, One, Two, Friday Kind Of Monday, The Last Thing On My Mind & Rose Coloured Glasses.
Musicians on the Best Of Johnny Farnham album: John Farnham and others.
Johnny
HMV Records 1971
Tracks: For Once In My Life, Band Of Gold, Stick Of Incense, Knock Three Times, Rag Mamma Rag, Take Me To The Pilot, Your Song, Ma Cherie Amour, Something, Summertime, Rose Garden & This Must Be The End.
Musicians on the Johnny album: John Farnham and others.
Christmas Is...
Columbia Records 1970
Tracks: Santa Claus Is Coming To Town, Christmas Is, The Ringing Reindeer, Little Drummer Boy, Jingle Bells, Good Time Christmas, Everything Is Beautiful, White Christmas, The First Noel, Silent Night, There's No Place Like Home, Little Boy Dear, It Must Be Getting Close To Christmas & Christmas Happy.
Musicians on the Christmas Is... album: John Farnham and others.
Looking Thru A Tear
Columbia Records 1970
Tracks: One, I've Been Rained On, Mirror Of My Mind, The World Goes Round And Round, All Night Girl, You're Breaking Me Up, Two, Raindrops, Looking Through A Tear, Visions Of Sugarplums, What Can I Do, In A Moment Of Madness, Aint Society Great & 1432 Franklin Pike Circle Hero.
Musicians on the Looking Thru A Tear album: John Farnham and others.
Everybody Oughta Sing A Song
Columbia Records 1968
Tracks: Everybody Oughta Sing A Song, Jamie, There Is No Season To My Love, Two-Bit Manchild, The Last Thing On My Mind, Strollin', Scratchin' Ma Head, I Don't Want To Love You, Confidentially, Rose Coloured Glasses, Grand Unspeakable Passion, Sunday Will Never Be The Same & You Can Write A Song.
Musicians on the Everybody Oughta Sing A Song album: John Farnham and others.
Sadie
Columbia Records 1968
Tracks: Friday Kind Of Monday, Are You Havin' Any Fun?, Turn Around, Painting A Shadow, Pay The Waiter, There's Got To Be A Word, Sadie (The Cleaning Lady), Woman Woman, The Old Bazaar In Cairo, Come On Back To Me, Miss Elaine E.S. Jones & Otherwise It's Been A Perfect Day.
Musicians on the Sadie album: John Farnham and others.