# Living legend honoured without him

> John Farnham's absence looms large at a sold-out Melbourne tribute concert raising money for Head and Neck Cancer Australia.
- Title: Living legend honoured without him · the Guardian | Shortify
- Summary: John Farnham's absence looms large at a sold-out Melbourne tribute concert raising money for Head and Neck Cancer Australia. Over one hundred twenty artists…
- Keywords: john farnham, tribute concert, rod laver arena, head and neck cancer australia, celine dion, chris martin, hugh jackman, melbourne, oral cancer, australian music, news, world
- Source: the Guardian — https://theguardian.com/music/2026/sep/21/john-farnham-living-legend-concert-melbourne-celine-dion-chris-martin-hugh-jackman-tribute
- Published: 2026-09-21T02:01:01+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: john farnham, tribute concert, rod laver arena, head and neck cancer australia, celine dion, chris martin, hugh jackman, melbourne, oral cancer, australian music, news, world
## A concert without its star
John Farnham will not perform or attend his own tribute concert at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne, though more than one hundred twenty artists will celebrate his songs.
## Why Farnham must stay home
Farnham's family confirmed on Saturday evening he requires twenty-four-hour nursing care. He now needs continuous oxygen support and uses a wheelchair for mobility.
## The cause of his decline
The seventy-seven-year-old's surgeries from his oral cancer battle in two thousand twenty-two mean he can no longer sing in public. His last live performance was at a bushfire benefit concert in February two thousand twenty.
## Stars perform from afar
Céline Dion, Hugh Jackman and Chris Martin made special appearances via live telecasts. Keith Urban, Human Nature, Tina Arena, Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi and Jessica Mauboy performed on stage.
## Dion's own health battle
Céline Dion performed You're the Voice from Paris, her first full-length concert since being diagnosed with the incurable neurological disorder stiff person syndrome. She recalled singing the song with Farnham eight years ago.
## A legend's legacy in song
Farnham was Australian of the year in nineteen eighty-seven after Whispering Jack became the highest-selling album by a domestic artist in Australia. He won twenty-one Aria awards and is the only Australian artist with a number one record across five consecutive decades.
## Raising money for cancer care
The concert, titled the celebration concert for a living legend, raised money for Head and Neck Cancer Australia, the charity that supported Farnham during his oral cancer battle.
## A final tribute to his voice
The final song was You're the Voice again, with Mitch Tambo performing the opening lines in Gamilaraay and other performers including Jimmy Barnes, Vanessa Amorosi, Tina Arena and Farnham's son Rob joining on stage.
## A voice that will outlive him
Chris Martin sang a line for his remote performance that evening: One day we'll all be gone but the thing about John Farnham songs is they'll be living on.

> One day we'll all be gone but the thing about John Farnham songs is they'll be living on.
## Key takeaway

Over one hundred twenty artists performed John Farnham songs at a sold-out Melbourne concert he could not attend due to health needs from his two thousand twenty-two oral cancer battle.