Veteran Australian musician Peter McFarlane is facing his final days after suffering a stroke, according to a heartfelt social media tribute from his former bandmate and fellow rock legend, John 'Swanee' Swan.
A Heartbreaking Announcement from a Rock Brother
John Swan, 73, the older brother of Jimmy Barnes, took to his Facebook page on Thursday to share the devastating news about his "old mate and drummer." In an emotional post, Swan revealed that McFarlane, after suffering another stroke, is now "ready to go." The famed hitmaker expressed his sorrow, stating he had just received the "terrible news" and had spoken to McFarlane's wife, Kerry, to whom he has been married for 25 years.
"These times are tough, but I'm honoured to have been a part of their journey. Count me in Peter," Swan wrote, signing off with the poignant words, "Be at peace, brother x, John." The post has prompted an outpouring of support and memories from the Australian music community.
The Storied Career of a First-Rate Musician
Peter McFarlane's professional music career began remarkably early, when he was just 13 years old, playing with the Bakehouse Blues Band. He first learned the drums at the age of nine. His big break came when he joined the acclaimed Aussie hard rock band Finch, where he played drums and sang backing vocals between 1973 and 1978.
After Finch dissolved, Swan personally recruited McFarlane to join his own band, Swanee, in 1979. McFarlane spent a year touring with the group before moving on to other projects. His talent was highly sought after, leading him to perform with Phil Emmanuel's Kakadu and, according to his LinkedIn profile, grace the stage supporting international acts like Richie Blackmore's Rainbow, Status Quo, Thin Lizzy, Kenny Rogers, Joan Armatrading, and AC/DC.
Based on the Gold Coast, McFarlane remained active in music until recently, performing with his band, the Sidewinders. Beyond performing, his versatile career also included work in theatre as a sound engineer, studio operator, and record producer.
An Outpouring of Support from the Music World
The comments on Swan's Facebook post quickly filled with messages of love and remembrance from friends and former collaborators. David Hinds, who played with McFarlane in Finch, expressed his shock and sadness, writing, "Oh wow, John, that is such sad news... This is a very tough one to process. Our hearts go out to Kerry and the family."
Other friends shared personal memories, with one noting they had only thought of him recently, and another recalling meeting McFarlane as a teenager in the mid-70s. "He's a great drummer and very sad to hear this," they wrote. A third admirer simply stated, "I remember him as the backbone of Finch," a testament to the foundational role he played in one of Australia's iconic rock acts.
The news marks a sombre moment for the Australian rock scene, as it prepares to say farewell to a respected and gifted musician whose beat drove some of the country's most memorable hard rock anthems.
