A new documentary about John Farnham reveals the untold story of the Australian singer’s rise to fame

A trailer has been released for John Farnham’s new documentary, which shows the Australian music icon as fans have never seen him before.

As the singer continues to recover from major mouth cancer surgery last year, an authorized documentary, John Farnham: Finding the Voiceaims to tell the story of the performer’s rise to fame and the struggles he faced along the way with depression and poverty.

Written and directed by Poppy Stockel, the powerful biopic traces Farnham’s personal and public struggles to become the nation’s most beloved music artist.

The trailer also features interview teasers from Farnham’s famous friends, including Richard Marks, Jimmy Barnes, Robbie Williams and the late Olivia Newton-John.

“His voice was incredible,” Celine Dion said to the camera, and Williams agreed: “He fills the void where religion should be.”

“Music is so important to us. It can heal you, it can go straight to someone’s heart,” Newton-John said in a voiceover recorded before she died of cancer last August, aged 73.

Farnham’s long-time manager and good friend Glen Whitley also appears, with his interviews among the first filmed segments for the doco.

“I tried to get him a record deal and they all went through,” said Wheatley, who was instrumental in the comeback of Farnham, famous for mortgaging his family home to finance the singer’s. Whispering Jack comeback album.

“John, you are the best singer in the country. The voice. You don’t like to think of yourself as a legend, but you are.

The premiere of the documentary also coincides with the 38th anniversary of Whispering JackFarnham’s 12th studio album, released in 1986, which became the best-selling Australian album of all time.

Farnham has been in and out of hospital for the past year following a harrowing 12-hour operation to remove a cancerous growth from his mouth. However, he suffered a major setback last month when he was hospitalized and treated for a respiratory infection.

“John has received ongoing treatment, care and rehabilitation support in recent months from his medical team,” the family said.

“He is currently being treated for a respiratory infection in hospital but is comfortable and receiving the best care.” He is responding well to the specialist care he is receiving.’

John Farnham: Finding The Voice opens in theaters on May 18.