How the hell this guy wasn’t a global sensation is beyond me.

Oh no the studio version isn't crap. Dont ever believe any one that says that...however you will soon discover that he is soooooo much better live. You only get the perfect voice on a studio version, but live you still get a studio perfect voice just amped up and you get all the rest as well. Charisma, energy, best musos in Austrlaia backing him up, interaction with the audience, and he's damn fine to look at too.

It’s not that the studio version is crap. Let’s face it, it’s a 1980s music clip that was performed on a shoe-string. John had musical friends and actor friends helping him as this was the make or break song for him. Needless to say he never looked back and us Aussies are so thankful to have him in our lives. I have attended many concerts throughout my life but when John was in town, you knew you were going to get your monies worth. He NEVER disappointed. So thankful I seen him in Brisbane November 2019 - just before the Pandemic and probably one of the last of his live performances.

Yep that was Farnsey, how good is he man the greatest singer and entertainer of all time. The way he sings live, his tone his power his belting is unmatched plus he loves everyone when it comes to his band, back up singers, audience he gives everyone respect

John still is huge! The entire country is sending him love as he recovers from his surgery. Agree, the studio version is definitely not crap but John's charisma and energy is unequalled live.. Rodney is right, we don't compare John to anyone ... he is as unique as they come. Anything from this concert is absolute class. "Long Way to the Top", "Playing to Win" and his cover of the Beatles' "Help" are very popular. Get well Farnsey! 💕

John has this ability. Not only is he a vocally superb, he has this connection with the crowd. Despite his skills, he is a genuinely humble, approachable bloke, who will always stop for a chat!

As everyone has said, he’s the best and Australia’s favorite son and always watch him live wherever possible, and watch out for his mic stand tricks.

John Farnham is probably the best tenor voice ever in popular music. He did everything from little pop ditties to musical theatre to straight out rock. He ruled them all.

yeah he was and still is untouchable .. never once in his career did he make a mis step all while being such a beacon of hope and caring for everyone ! ... he is trully a amazing human being !

Please know... we Australians are so happy the internet arrived (and btw we were the ones to pretty much invent wi-fi or make it accessible to everyone lol) and NOW we can share decades of our music with the rest of the world.... we get ignored because we are so far away... there are only a few international artists who have ever bothered to continuously come to Australia.... Pink is one... she actually loves us as an audience.. because we aren't celebrity stans... we let people know when we aren't happy lol..... and you don't make it in Australia UNLESS you can sing live.... we don't do lip sync, auto tuning or anything else... thanks mate for reacting x

Yeah heads up don’t compare John to anyone as their is no one like him. he been around since 1968 so for over 50 years we Aussie have been lucky to have this amazing talent perform for us he can sing any genre even opera. He’s a living a legend and one we are very protective of. He is The Voice and no one comes close even Freddy Mercury said that he had the perfect voice he has ever heard. John is a phenomenal live performer, the best on the planet he and his band kick arse everytime, the standards are high in Australia if you can’t sing live don’t bother stepping out on that stage as a lot of Americans artists have found out we don’t tolerate lip syncing here. That’s why our Australian artists are so good because our singers and bands perform live it’s just a given here. anyway John rabbit hole is a very long and you can find most of it on here to listen too even some of he’s concerts.. And us Aussie will help you as to which ones to listen too but always do John live if you can because it’s just next level. 😊🇦🇺

I hate when people diss the studio version, that album was record breaking, everyone bought that album and played it over and over, otherwise that arena wouldn't have been packed to the rafters, with everyone (including me 😁) singing along at the top of their lungs, creating that atmosphere. Yes, he's even better live, but his studio recordings are as good as it gets. Great reaction, thank you. ❤

John Farnham - help (live with the melbourne symphony orchestra) reaction next please, you will love it.

I love all the farnsie stuff. Especially all the hidden gems....someone found Looking Through A Tear the other day....surprised the hell out of me.

Nothing John can't sing. This is his most famous well known song came out in 1986. Have you noticed how far away at times he holds the mic away from him. He is known as The Voice in Australia and this is their unofficial National Anthem to this day. Just love John with his banter with the crowd and interaction. He has so much charm and personality.Queen first asked John to be their frontman when Freddie passed away. Great reaction thank you.

"Help" live with the Melbourne symphony Orchestra and "when there's something wrong with my baby" .. live of course. Please and thank you 😊

This is the last concert of a national tour….and they’re all still giving it ALL!!!

I always loved this song since I was a little boy. John really has so much energy. The song is such an anthem. Great live version.

John has given us his supreme entertainment and his amazing voice for the last 50 yrs... He could sing the phone book, Our National Treasure.

“Pressure down” is another song of him I love!

He has performed this live with Celine Dion and Coldplay, when they brought their concerts to Australia. Robbie Williams performed this pre game of the AFL Grand Final back in September as a tribute to John Farnham at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The crowd was 100,024 and it was amazing to see and hear the crowd sing this “anthem” with Robbie. We grew up with John Farnham on our black and white TVs since 1967 when he had his first hit with Sadie the Cleaning Lady. John was named Australian of the Year in 1988, which was the bicentenary of the first fleet of convicts settling Australia in 1788.

John is a true entertainer. Every concert was worth the ticket price. He performed many times at our "Carols by Candlelight" as did many other Australian entertainers. He cares about the audience and hopes that they all have a good time. That song was written for him by some very talented people. You would hard pressed to find an Aussie who doesn't know this song. It doesn't really matter which song you choose, they all great. II could tell you were hyped up. After watching a full concert you won't sleep for a week. John teases the audience when they want him to sing "Sadie, the cleaning lady" by saying NO and Piss Off, but in the end he sings it. Unfortunately John had to have surgery for mouth cancer a couple some months ago (within a week of Olivia Newton Johns passing away) John and Olivia were friends and performed many times together here in Australia. We all hope he makes a full recovery but we all know there is a chance he will never perform again.

Three more HARD ROCK songs by John Farnham are are : *'It's A Long Way To The Top If You Want To rock And Roll'(cover of AC/DC)- in concert *'Playing To Win' (written by himself and others)- in concert *'Black Dog' (cover of Led Zepellin) a warm-up song for concerts-audio only Please remember that John can sing in over twenty genres.

You should listen to him singing "Help" by the Beatles.

Touch of Paradise live on Hey hey, it’s Saturday is exquisite and has NEVER had a reaction. You will not regret it.

Help (live) from the same concert. And Age of reason live also but a different concert. Literally anything of his live is better than the studio version.

The official video is good, but only because the song is amazing, but both the song and John were made to be experienced live. I saw John in Sydney in 1996 or so. I was only about 7 years old but I still remember the atmosphere. What you see and feel on this video is magnified by 8 when you're there! He's a very fan focused singer, which is why it took him like 50 times to retire as everyone kept begging him to come back, which is how I got to see him in concert. He spends a lot of time interacting with the audience through the concert, and spent ages out the back with us fans afterwards which is where I got a photo of me giving him a cuddle and a kiss......and he gave me his cold lol

John Farnham sounds like John Farnham. The more you hear him the more you’ll realise, he’s out there on his own. Lots of singers sound like aspects of John, rather than him sounding like anyone else. Great reaction, pick any song live… they’re all great 👍

He is one of Australian greats.

Anything by John is best live as you now know - thank you - you will never be disappointed, from rock to operetta to jazz to pop to dramatic stage to ballads to soul.

TRUE OZZY LEDGEND!!! WE ABSOLUTELY LUV HIM IN OZZ AND WE ARE ALL PRAYING FOR HIM TO GET BETTER AND ENJOY HIS LIFE, HE HAS GIVEN US SOOOOO MUCH OVER THE YRS WE WANT HIM NOW JUST TO GET BETTER💚💛👍🇦🇺

John singing ……HELP …… Live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra will blow you away…

As a Scot I can only say one thing - there's nothing that can't be improved with the sound of the bagpipes. Although I'm sure that there are many from England or Wales who would forcefully disagree. :)

There’s a live version of Farnsey singing “When The War is Over” that is a must see.

One of the best voices ever.

I love this performance! Especially with the authentic Scottish regalia on display with that amazing bagpipe solo... Muah!!

Just FYI...John Farnham (known as Johnny Farnham back then) was a pop idol in Australia back in the late sixties, right through the seventies and beyond. He was voted "King of Pop" multiple years in a row. His career started to falter however because despite his incredible voice, his songs were a little "daggy" (you might have to look up that slang word). So he went into early retirement but...his long time manager and friend, Glenn Wheatley, never lost faith in him. Glenn wanted John to put out another album. John was a bit doubtful as he hadn't been around the music scene for quite awhile. He thought people had forgotten about him. Glenn put together a bunch of session musicians and hired some of the best songwriters and back up singers in the country. He didn't have the money to pay them so he remortgaged his house, so it was do or die. The album (Whispering Jack), produced by Ross Fraser, was released in October 1986 and peaked at number 1 on the Australian music album charts and stayed at number 1 for 25 weeks. It ended up going 24 X platinum, sold over 1.68 million copies and was awarded the 1987 "ARIA" award for "Album of the Year" (ARIA=Australian Record Industry Award). John toured Australia and Europe and sold out concerts everywhere he went. After that, John's career went from strength to strength and Glenn bought himself a new house 😂.

Now you have to listen to John singing Help at the same concert. It is an encore and amazing after more than two hours of that voice. One of the reason he is called The Voice, he has one of the best in the world and he is loved. There is no one anywhere that John can be compared to. He is our legend. After you see the energy he puts into Help. Look for the video of Black Dog by John if you want hard rock, it is a Led Zeppelin song that John uses for sound checks and warm up. He never recorded it but someone did and we are grateful. I watched John sing this song with Celine Dion, he got a bit emotional when she told him she was his number one fan. I believe John was 70 then. Thank you.

Great Music Lives On So We Can Be Lucky To Hear It🎙🎸🥁🧡Keep The Good Times Rolling 👊

Yes, there is a big Scottish influence in Australia. I'm 7th generation Australian of Scottish ancestry.

Bon Jovi & Bryan Adams can only dream of having a pitch perfect voice like our John ❤❤🇦🇺🇦🇺👌

I was a member of the Victorian Scottish Regiment B.Coy 5/6 RVR in Melbourne. The Unit's history dates back to the Colonial era of Victoria and the Scott's of the Riverina and their raised Militia for early Victorian law and order. Oh and yes we were a Kilted Unit and feirsly proud of it

I just love this beautiful soul for everythijg everyonevhas said in earlier comments. I listen to his music every day. He is simply the best!!

He is super dynamic live.

This concert unbelievable, When it comes to John we don’t compare John to anyone, it’s not arrogance Just a fact, John can sing anything to opera if you react to this whole concert you’ll see what I mean. John performed in Jesus Christ superstar in Sydney. I guarantee you won’t find a bad performance from John, if you want to see something big check out it’s a long way to the top, another one at this concert.

Meaning hes a wholesome entertainer and he's got da ozzziez behind him . Ozzie's know how to rock and roll

Listen to John sing "help" with the Melbourne Symphony orchestra, it's a cover of the Beatles song, John Lennon had said that's the way they wanted to sing it, but the people who have the day, wanted it upbeat.

John was born to sing live his concerts just full of energy. This legend can sing any genre of music he's that talented he loves interacting with the crowd, doing mic stand spins also he throws a bit of comedy in. The man is loved in New Zealand just as much and he's the best performer I've ever seen.

Yes, many of us Australians have Scottish ancestry. I’m sixth generation Australian and all my ancestry is Scottish, Irish and a teeny bit of English. My first ancestors to come here arrived in 1803 as free settlers who escaped The Clearances and came here for the promise of a better life.

Farnsy could sing with 2 octaves at once just like Jeff Martin from the Tea Party, both have very distinctive voices. I'm so glad John didn't want to take his voice overseas tho even tho he deserved to, he was ours and ours alone but now belongs to the whole world!!

It's not without reason that in Australia we call him "The Voice". And yes, I think it's something like 8% of Australians cite Scottish ancestry?

HELP Live at the same concert (with the MSO). It's his version of the Beatles song that he originally recorded in 1980. John Lennon heard Farnsie's version before he died and he loved it.

So appreciate the way you kept the video running and added comment along the way instead of stopping and starting. Much appreciated!

I was only a kid when I saw Farnham on the whispering jack tour and I remember it like it was yesterday and it’s still my favourite 80s album along side icehouse’ man of colours

Try John with Anthony Warlow singing opera it will show you the extent of his voice and also John singing acdc classic at this same concert with MCO absolutely rocking it

You should listen to John do It’s a long way to the top if you wanna rock and roll with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. John can sing in any genre.

The studio version certainly isn't crap - it's amazing. But THIS version is phenomenal - and I'm so excited to see you react to it. I'm absolutely addicted to it. The salute to the bagpiper - and the throwing/catching/throwing the mic just add to the buildup of it all. I don't know any other JF songs but if you want to see another incredible live concert performance - check out the Somebody to Love cover by George Michael at Wembley stadium. Can't remember if you've done it or not. Also Bryan Adams does a fantastic duet with Tina Turner called it's Only Love. Another amazing concert performance. Cheers from a fellow Canadian :)

Great reaction. With John there are so many to choose from but yes - always live. His recorded versions are good but as you have identified, his energy and charisma shine live. At the same concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra he covers ACDC It's a long way to the top if you want to rock and roll - which is fun. (Not sure if you are familiar with ACDC) Also the version he did on Hey Hey It's Saturday with Jimmy Barnes - Something is Wrong with my Baby. Same concert he covers Help from the Beatles and I think it was John Lennon who said that they way it should have been sung. There are so many good ones.

Omg I love your reaction! One of our best ever. Luv from Australia ❤️🎼❤️🎼

What a great performance! The energy just lifts your spirit up!

This is one of three encores, after a two plus hour concert; his version of The Beatles classic song Help from this concert is epic.

Saw him sing this a few years back, at the age of 70+ his voice was just as powerful.

I agree - he's like a rockstar who happens to be wholesome. It's not a common mixture of traits but when you have that much talent, you don't need a bad boy persona to sell it. He's as lovely and humble as a favourite mate you'd meet down the pub for a beer and yet he's effortlessly filled stadiums for decades. I 'd love for you to react to another song from this exact same concert: HELP live with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra. Its a cover of the Beatles classic and it's a legendary and beloved arrangement here in Australia.

Farnham is phenomenal on recording but spectacular live.

Bloody Awesome.

Our dear John has had major cancer surgery 😢 for mouth cancer probably never sing again 😢 please hold dear he was by far the best live singer I've ever seen

Have a look at Playing to win and Help from the same concert. They are full of energy

"Age of Reason" was a hit song for John and it's my favorite song of his. And it has a message, like most of Farnsey's do. Check it out, Anton. Not sure John will ever sing again, after his major cancer of his jaw surgery, but God Speed on his recovery. John also performed with the Little River band (another Australian group) for a few years; another great band with lots of hits.

In regards to the Scottish influence. The European settlers were convicts first. And most were not just British but also Irish and Scottish.

His first Aussie hit was way back in 1967 Sadie the cleaning lady

OMG, Anton, you're friggin' killing me right now. I play this in my car on most days. it's from the movie Working Girl. Anton, seriously, man. you're the goat 4 sure. 💯👋

Is scotish influence big in Oz. Someone needs to check out Jimmy Barnes XD. Seriously though there are big celtic roots in Oz largely due to deportations way back in history and emigrations later, there is a love of pipes and classic celtic folk music in Australia

Hey Anton, great reaction to the live version of You're the Voice. There's a song duet with John Farnham and Jimmy Barnes (and another Aussie icon Johnny Diesel on the guitar) called 'When Something is Wrong with My Baby'. I don't recall seeing it on your channel, though I could be mistaken. If you haven't already, I definitely recommend it. The studio version is great. There are several live versions online that you can find, and they'll definitely knock your socks off too!! Oh, and there's another duet with John Farnham and Olivia Newton John called 'Please Don't Ask Me'. Can't recommend that one enough either. All the best to you and yours for the upcoming holidays ✌

There is Angus on the band's kit and then there are 4 other sets of drums in the orchestra - 5 sets of drums!

Yep you're right he is huge in Australia. Apart from his unique talent he is very much a people's person and very down to earth. You feel like you know him.

Living legend

ok you have just come across john so you do not know but he has sung opera, musicals hard rock to ballads and more The American music execs did not like him in his hey day as they could not pin him down in one genera He also is called 'The Voice" for a reason his vocal rang is incredable F2 to D5 Plus he is a super nice and humble bloke as well as what we call a showman and why his live performances are the best to watch as he feeds on te audience reactions

Agreeeed studio and live are excellent live goes up a level

I will apologise here for my fellow Australian's enthusiasm. Us Aussies are a passionate bunch when it comes to Farnsey, and Barnsey. If any of us have gone a little too hard in the comments, I'm sorry. You have an awesome channel. Much respect. *Salutes*

I never get tired of this song, and this is one of the best performances of it. Pay very close attention to the mic stand throw and catch..the one before he throws it to stage left. He twirls it up in the air, and catches it ...ON THE BEAT!! I first discovered this song on the "Merlin" BTS videos...when Arthur (Bradley James) and Merlin (Colin Morgan) are lip sync'ing to it.

Celine dion-you're the voice in melbourne 2019 with john farnham. You're all welcome

You should listen to John singing Help from the same concert.

the studio version is brilliant....the live version is phenomenal....

John is still huge legend over here!!! You need to check out his cover of Help by the Beatles and AC/DC’s long way to the top from the same concert with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra.. will blow your mind Suss out “The Main Event” tour with John, Olivia Newton-John and Anthony Warlow. And possibly his and Olivia’s last Performance in the Fire Fight concert in 2020 just before Covid hit ❤

Loved it 👍

If you want to see his energy, try "Playing to Win" from the same concert. How he can be so active and still sing perfectly, I'll never know.

So glad you did this Anton. He has always been amazing live and he is such a sweetheart he thrives on live performances and interaction. I am old enouigh to have seen him live in the times when Australia had small venues and there was a place called the Muso's Club. Saw him there a few times, and a lot of amazing acts. He will ALWAYS be THE VOICE. I do not know if you are aware of what has been happening lately - he had a large malignant tumour removed which was in his jaw. He was in ICU and had to have part of his jaw removed and I believe he is working with his prosthetic to learn how to speak and eat. He is just such a lovely person and it is so sad he is having this battle. He will always be the voice

Check out, playing to win, an AC/DC cover It's a Long Way to the Top if You Want To Rock n Roll and a Beatles cover of Help from this same concert, they'll blow you away, cheers

Michael Hutchence was another rocker who could hold a huge crowd in his hand, lead singer of INXS. And of course, Freddie Mercury.

The late great Michael Hutchence was a frontman that oozed charisma on stage and off with INXS. Farnsy never disappoints , every song in concert stands on its own legs and is an individual masterclass every time.

had the chance to travel the world

❤

John may not be Bon Jovi or any of the other singers you named, John sings everything from rock to Opera, his range is sensational. He is known in Australia as THE VOICE. We love him!

No it wasn't your imagination, yes John throws the mic stand, he did it 3xs during that song alone.He also catches the tambourine as well , but not as successful. When I went to the concerts, I was always watching what he and his band where doing, to see if they were having fun,and they were. 👋💕🇦🇺

Boom Boom......

Everything John does, John does well. He doesn't take shortcuts or do things half-arsed; it's all or nothing with him. Another 'The Voice' performance you might want to check out is the Firefight Australia one where he performs a sensational version of You're The Voice with the late Olivia Newton-John (another much loved Australian singer) and Brian May (from Queen) on guitar. This version also includes a Mitch Tambo aboriginal interlude along with accompanying didgeridoo. Sound quality isn't fantastic as this was a televised event put together on short notice to raise funds for those affected by the 2019-2020 Australian bushfires but it's ok. Adding to that it's a fact what others are saying about the live music scene in Australia. It's like a baptism of fire: if you can't sing live or entertain the crowd then you'd best get the hell off stage (just ask Meatloaf after his 2011 AFL Grand Final performance). Don't know how the whole Scottish topic came up, however I did notice that no one made mention of Malcolm and Angus Young from AC/DC also being Scottish and only making it when they came to Australia (Now there's a real baptism of fire story for you if you know their history of playing in pubs). Here's the Firefight Australia link: kzfaq.info/get/bejne/oteagbqmspjeXYU.html

Heart released this song at the same time as John but here in the states that song went nowhere. I listened to Hearts version and back to Johns. Same song note for note, same lyrics word for word. But no charisma. I was a Heart fan in the 80’s and I didn’t know that they released this. Never heard it until I heard John belt it. I love that guy. I’m sad I went most of my life never knowing he existed. Sad. I have 5 decades of awesome to catch up on.

if you think this has a lot of energy you should see his cover of long way to the top from the same concert. which was one of the last songs of a 2.5 hour concert

Favourite song from him. Also love 1 pressure down 2 that’s freedom 3 reasons

Australia was a British Penal settlement, take a guess how many of us can trace our ancestors back through the Scotts and Irish :) I'm a fan of the studio version also, but he is almost always better live. He gets an energy, and a synergy with the crowd. And his voice does not suffer from a live performance. Also of note for something different again, is his perfomance as Jesus in Jesus Christ Superstar. Both "Everythings all-right" which I'd recommend the performance they did on the show Hey Hey it's Saturday, and his Gethsemane (spelling?) which I believe the performance from the last night of the production is up on youtube also.