John Farnham, the Australian music legend, made a rare public appearance on Tuesday to celebrate his wife Jill's 70th birthday at Florentino, a renowned restaurant in Melbourne. The 75-year-old singer, who underwent jaw reconstruction surgery in 2022 after being diagnosed with oral cancer, was seen enjoying the evening with family and friends.
Images shared on Instagram by his son Robert showed Farnham in conversation with a family friend, as well as a group photo with his sons Robert and James and their partners. The evening included a montage video of Jill's life and her marriage to John, and a performance by accordion star Hans, who played Kylie Minogue's hit 'Padam Padam'.
Farnham's cancer battle began when Jill insisted he get a persistent mouth ulcer checked, leading to the discovery of a malignant tumour. The 12-hour surgery involved 26 doctors and required the removal of parts of his mouth and jaw. He later underwent eight weeks of radiation and was declared cancer-free 12 months later.
In his memoir 'The Voice Inside', Farnham detailed the impact of the surgery, stating he cannot open his mouth wide enough to sing. However, he expressed hope of performing again one day. He attributed the tumour to his long-term smoking habit, which he started at age 14 and eventually quit.
His son James recently said his father is recovering well, noting, 'He's walking around, kicking goals, and annoying mum as normal.'
