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John Farnham’s sons reveal the telltale sign their legendary rockstar father missed before he was diagnosed with life-threatening cancer — as they opened up about his marathon surgery and the subtle cue he gave them in hospital that put them at ease
- John Farnham’s sons revealed a telltale sign that led to the father’s cancer diagnosis
- Beloved Australian musician underwent 12-hour cancer surgery in August
- Up to 26 surgeons removed cancerous tumor from Farnham’s mouth and jaw
- His sons, Robert and James, credited Mother Jill for her strength during the ordeal
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The sons of music legend John Farnham have revealed how their father mistook a cancerous tumor for a painful mouth ulcer and the subtle sign he made in hospital to put his concerned family at ease.
The 73-year-old is still recovering from a 12-hour operation that saw 26 surgeons remove a cancerous tumor from his mouth and part of his jaw on Aug. 23.
His sons, Robert, 41, and James, 34, said: A current matter their father was determined to make a full recovery and revealed how he assured them that it would be all right.
“When we first went in and saw him, he couldn’t really talk, but we said, ‘Dad, you keep going. You’re going to fight,’ said Robert.
“He kept putting his fist in the air and said ‘yes’.”
His sons, Robert and James, (pictured) said their father was determined to make a full recovery and revealed the subtle sign he used to put them at ease
Younger brother James first revealed how his father got his oral cancer diagnosis.
“He wasn’t sleeping well, he likes to sleep on his side, and he had a lump in his cheek, which Mama noticed and forced him to the dentist,” he said.
“The dentist noticed it too and referred him to someone who knew more about it.”
Robert said his father initially thought the lump was a mouth ulcer, which hurt him when he rubbed his teeth.
“It turned out to be cancer,” he said. “It’s damn terrifying.”
The brothers said their father informed them by phone of the diagnosis as soon as they received the news.
“It was unexpected,” James said. “It wasn’t something anyone was prepared for.”
Farnham (pictured in 2020) is still recovering from a 12-hour surgery that saw 26 surgeons remove a cancerous tumor from his mouth and part of his jaw in August
The musician is supported by his wife Jill and their two adult sons Robert and James (pictured, the Farnham family poses for a photo in 2018)
The brothers credited their mother Jill, who has been married to Farnham for 49 years, for being the family’s rock during their father’s cancer fears.
“Without Mom, I think everything would fall apart very, very quickly,” Robert said.
“She’s a very strong woman,” his younger brother James agreed.
He said his dad is recovering from “pretty hairy” surgery and felt a lot of “chirpier” and even joked.
The brothers spoke candidly about what it was like to have a “very public” last name and how they kept the details of their father’s surgery a secret.
The brothers credited their mother Jill, who has been married to Farnham for 49 years, for being the family’s rock during their father’s cancer fears.
Farnham’s sons Robert and James revealed that their father had mistaken a cancer for a painful mouth ulcer and was encouraged by his wife Jill to go to the dentist
“A lot of people are fans and love him, you live with it in public, which can be quite difficult,” said Robert.
“Everyone is just so loving and caring, it was a bit of a cloak and a dagger because people were trying to figure out where he was.
“So we had secret passwords and stuff and nothing ever came out, which is an honor for the people involved.”
Both of Farnham’s sons have encouraged his musical gift with Robert, the lead singer of the rock band Rival Fire, and James, who works as a sound engineer.
More to come