John Farnham: Finding the Voice is a story about Farnham's rise to the top of the charts.
But it's also a story about one of the most successful partnerships in the Australian music landscape, between Farnham and his long-time manager, the late Glenn Wheatley.
It was a long, hard road to the top for Farnham, but in 2023, his 1986 album Whispering Jack is still the highest-selling Australian album of all time, according to available records.
Wheatley was himself a musician – a bass guitarist for the rock band The Masters Apprentices. Farnham and Wheatley had the same manager who they both sacked, with Wheatley switching from bass to full-time management, taking over as Farnham's right-hand-man.
The two were even flatmates in St Kilda for some time and became the best of friends. Even Wheatley's jailing in 2007 over tax fraud couldn't dent their rock-solid union.
Farnham paid tribute to Wheatley in a statement released alongside the Wheatley family when Wheatley died aged 74 in 2022 from complications with COVID-19.
"With his passing so many people have lost a part of their lives," it read.
Whispering Jack a roaring success
Wheatley famously re-mortgaged the family home to finance Whispering Jack – hailed as Farnham's comeback album and home to the hit single You're the Voice. It also features hit songs Pressure Down and A Touch of Paradise.
Crucially, it was the boost Farnham needed to deliver more great Australian music. He'd follow it up with the 1988 album Age of Reason featuring the banger Two Strong Hearts which he would later record live as a duet with his good friend, Australian sweetheart Olivia Newton-John.
1990 would bring the album Chain Reaction and the hits That's Freedom and Burn for You.
Farnham last year underwent surgery for mouth cancer and was recently hospitalised from a chest infection, but according to his family he's recovering well.
His sons Rob and James joined Lisa Millar and Michael Rowland on ABC News Breakfast this morning.
"He hasn't seen the documentary yet," Rob said.
"But we'll force him to watch it at some point.
"He's not really the type of guy that likes to watch himself or read everything. So, we'll have to sit him down and watch it with him, which will be a really good experience for us too.
"He's definitely over the moon about the outpouring of support globally and here as well with friends, family and his fans and stuff.
"He doesn't quite understand that sort of side of things.
"He's really humble."
Farnham's humility shines through in John Farnham: Finding the Voice. He comes across as a genuinely nice bloke. One of those rare pop stars who doesn't court controversy. A true Aussie icon.
John Farnham: Finding the Voice is in cinemas from Thursday, May 18 for a limited season.
