Little River Band Hit Vocalist May Never Sing Again
· Ultimate Classic RockJohn Farnham, the vocalist on the Little River Band's most recent Top 40 hits, may never sing again.
He was diagnosed with mouth cancer in late 2022 then underwent a surgical procedure where his jawbone was scraped after all of his bottom teeth were removed. Thankfully, radiation treatment didn't damage his vocal cords, but there's still a problem.
"My facial disfigurement from the surgery means I can't open my mouth wide enough for a strip of spaghetti, let alone to sing a top C," Farnham writes in a new memoir, The Voice Inside. "At this stage, I can't get the movement to make the sounds I want to make, and that's where the vibrations and my voice come from. It’s still a very disconcerting thing – and trying hurts."
READ MORE: How Graeham Goble Hopes to Cement Little River Band's Legacy
Farnham first appeared on a pair of bonus tracks for 1982's Greatest Hits replaced the departing Glenn Shorrock in the Little River Band. "The Other Guy" went to No. 11 in the U.S. "We Two" reached No. 22 on the Billboard Hot 100 before "You're Driving Me Out of My Mind," also from 1983's The Net, hit No. 35.
Watch John Farnham With Little River Band
John Farnham Looks Back on Little River Band Era
Farnham, a former child star in his adopted home of Australia, appeared on 1985's Playing to Win and 1986's No Reins before returning to solo work.
The Voice Inside was written with Poppy Stockell, the filmmaker behind John Farnham: Finding the Voice and reveals some lingering ill will from his time in the Little River Band. Farnham describes an era in which he had to overcome "undercurrents of animosity, jealousy and petty peeves."
Unfortunately, Farnham's recent health problems haven't been limited to the cancer diagnosis. While recovering from surgery, he also fell and broke his back. But Farnham says he hasn't yet given up on his dream to sing again: "I can barely open my mouth but I still wail in the shower."
Kansas: Then
Kerry Livgren was performing in a Topeka-based group called Reasons Why when they changed their name to Kansas in 1970 and merged with Phil Ehart and Dave Hope from the rival progressive rock group White Clover. By 1973, Robby Steinhardt, Steve Walsh and Rich Williams were on board – completing Kansas' career-making initial lineup. Walsh was briefly replaced in the early '80s by John Elefante. Livgren also left in the '80s, returning twice in the '90s. Walsh returned for a lengthy stint through 2014. Steinhardt died in 2021.
Kansas: Now
Kerry Livgren and Dave Hope left the lineup in 2000, followed by Robby Steinhardt in 2006 and then Steve Walsh. Original drummer Phil Ehart and stalwart guitarist Rich Williams remained to guide the ship. Bassist Billy Greer joined for 1986's Power. Ronnie Platt took over as vocalist in time for a creative renaissance that included 2016's The Prelude Implicit and 2020's The Absence of Presence. Then Ehart took a leave of absence in 2024 after suffering a heart attack, and drum tech Eric Holmquist filled in.
Lynyrd Skynyrd: Then
Lynyrd Skynyrd was originally founded by Ronnie Van Zant, Gary Rossington and Allen Collins with classic-era lineups that also included Ed King, Artimus Pyle, Rickey Medlocke, Billy Powell, Leon Wilkeson and Steve Gaines, among others. Van Zant and Gaines were killed in a 1977 plane crash that also left Wilkeson in a critical condition, and Lynyrd Skynyrd disbanded.
Lynyrd Skynyd: Now
Lynyrd Skynyrd reconvened 10 years after the crash when Rossington, King, Wilkeson, Pyle and Powell were joined by new frontman Johnny Van Zant, Ronnie's younger brother. Collins was unable to take part after a car accident. Pyle soon exited, and then King left. Medlocke returned but then Wilkeson died in 2001, followed by Powell in 2009 and Rossington – the last surviving co-founder – in 2023.
Yes: Then
Yes were founded in 1968 by Jon Anderson, Peter Banks, Bill Bruford, Tony Kaye and Chris Squire – the latter of whom was their longest-tenured member before his death in 2015. Banks was gone after just two embryonic albums, followed by Kaye and then Bruford in the early '70s. Kaye eventually returned during Yes' '80s pop renaissance. Anderson remained, off and on, through 2004.
Yes: Now
Steve Howe and then Alan White joined Yes as the band was reaching a creative peak in 1971-72, though Howe left for a time to work with Asia a decade later. Geoff Downes and Billy Sherwood, the latter of whom replaced stalwart Chris Squire, are in their second tenures. Jon Davison came on board in 2012. Ousted founding member Jon Anderson subsequently launched his own short-lived version of the band with Rick Wakeman and Trevor Rabin, before White died in 2022.
Heart: Then
Roger Fisher and Steve Fossen led several early incarnations of Heart (with names like the Army and White Heart) beginning as early as 1967 – long before the first Wilson sister joined in the early '70s. They were then briefly known as Hocus Pocus before things started coming together for the group in the new decade.
Heart: Now
Nancy and Ann Wilson led Heart to multi-platinum success in the '70s before co-founders Roger Fisher and then Steve Fossen departed. Contributors like Denny Carmassi and Gilby Clarke have since moved through the lineup, among many others. Nancy Wilson actually announced her own version of Heart in 2022 amid a lengthy hiatus, before the sisters finally reunited.
REO Speedwagon: Then
Neal Doughty, Alan Gratzer and others formed the earliest iteration of REO Speedwagon in 1967 before Terry Luttrell fronted their self-titled 1971 debut. By then, classic-era guitarist Gary Richrath was on board, too. Singer Kevin Cronin joined just before 1972's 'R.E.O./T.W.O.' then left for a couple of years before returning as the group geared up for a trio of multi-platinum albums that included 1978's 'You Can Tune a Piano, but You Can't Tuna Fish,' 1980's 'Hi Infidelity' and 1984's 'Wheels Are Turnin'.'
REO Speedwagon: Now
Co-founding drummer Alan Gratzer left in 1988, as REO Speedwagon's commercial momentum slowed. (Guitarist Gary Richrath followed him out the door a year later, then died in 2015.) Keyboardist Neal Doughty became the stalwart, remaining on board until he came off the road in 2023. Frontman Kevin Cronin continued with a lineup that included longtime bassist Bruce Hall, who joined in 1977, but that left REO Speedwagon with no original members.
Little River Band: Then
Formed in 1975 in Melbourne, Little River Band found meteoric success with a lineup led by the voices and songwriting of Graeham Goble and Glenn Shorrock. John Farnham also joined during a minor comeback in the early '80s. They'd all departed by the '90s, following fellow co-founder Beeb Birtles out the door.
Little River Band: Now
Graham Goble brought Wayne Nelson in as a bassist in 1980, just in time for Little River Band to mount a small resurgence with songs like "The Other Guy," "Take It Easy on Me" and "The Night Owls" – the latter of which, in a sign of things to come, featured Nelson on lead vocals. By 2000, he'd become Little River Band's frontman. Nelson's longest-tenured current bandmate joined in 2004.
Blood, Sweat and Tears: Then
Bob Dylan sideman Al Kooper co-founded Blood, Sweat and Tears in 1967, but the original lineup didn't last past their first album. Steve Katz and Bobby Colomby then turned to singer David Clayton-Thomas, who contributed to a burst of hit singles at the turn of the '70s including "You've Made Me So Very Happy" and "Spinning Wheel."
Blood, Sweat and Tears: Now
David Clayton-Thomas departed for a third time in 2004, leaving the band name in Bobby Colomby's hands. The former drummer doesn't perform. Instead, he oversees a group of all-new members who tour as Blood, Sweat and Tears. Lineups have included 'American Idol' alum Bo Bice and Ween keyboardist Glenn McClelland, among others. Ex-Tower of Power singer Tom Bowes followed Bice, then was succeeded by Keith Paluso, a former contestant on 'The Voice.'
Thin Lizzy: Then
Childhood friends Brian Downey and Phil Lynott formed Thin Lizzy in 1969 with two former members of Van Morrison's band Them. Guitarists Brian Robertson and Scott Gorham joined just before the group's 1975 commercial breakthrough. Robertson was eventually replaced by Gary Moore. Lynott also worked with members of the Sex Pistols before Thin Lizzy initially split in 1983. He died three years later.
Thin Lizzy: Now
Scott Gorham began leading Thin Lizzy again in 1996, together with co-founder Brian Downey and early '80s-era member Darren Wharton. Ricky Warwick joined as frontman in 2010. Downey has since dropped out. Judas Priest drummer Scott Travis took over as Thin Lizzy mounted a 2016 tour commemorating Phil Lynott's death.
The Hollies: Then
School friends Allan Clarke and Graham Nash co-founded the Hollies in late 1962, eventually adding Tony Hicks, Bobby Elliott and Bernie Calvert then charged up the charts with songs like "Bus Stop." Nash left in 1968 to form Crosby, Stills and Nash, but the Hollies continued their hit-making ways into the '70s with "Long Cool Woman in a Black Dress" and "The Air That I Breathe."
The Hollies: Now
Carl Wayne, former lead singer with the Move, took over after co-founder Alan Clarke announced his retirement in 2000 – only to pass away following a 2004 bout with cancer. He was replaced by Peter Howarth. Early members Tony Hicks and Bobby Elliott continue with the group.
Iron Butterfly: Then
Best known for the side-long hard-rock prototype "In-A-Gadda-Da-Vida," Iron Butterfly formed in 1966 in San Diego, Calif., then found success with a nucleus of organ-playing vocalist Doug Ingle, drummer Ron Bushy, guitarist Erik Brann and bassist Lee Dorman. But the classic-era lineup only lasted from 1967-69. Ingle left for much of the '70s, initially leading to a disbandment.
Iron Butterfly: Now
Iron Butterfly tried getting together without Doug Ingle, then welcomed him back a handful of times. One of his most notable replacements was guitarist Erik Brann, who had contributed a few lead vocals during the band's classic era. By 2018, however, only drummer Ron Bushy remained. He continued forward with two-time guitar-playing singer Eric Barnett (pictured), until dying in 2021 after a battle with esophageal cancer. Barnett was left with a lineup where the other most veteran member initially came on board in 2005.
Ratt: Then
Stephen Pearcy began working with a series of precursor bands in 1973, one of which was called Mickey Ratt. Robbin Crosby joined about a year after the name was shortened to Ratt. Their early-'80s hit-making lineup was complete with the additions of Warren DeMartini, Bobby Blotzer and Juan Croucier. By 1990, they'd split with Crosby, and Ratt disbanded in 1992. Pearcy, DeMartini and Blotzer reunited as Ratt five years later, before Crosby overdosed in 2002. The surviving four members got together again in 2007, but Pearcy left once more in 2014.
Ratt: Now
Bobby Blotzer, who joined about a decade after Ratt's founding, announced a 2016 lineup that also included '90s-era addition Robbie Crane. That sparked a public disagreement with Warren DeMartini, who didn't want the band to continue without Stephen Pearcy. Meanwhile, Blotzer filed legal papers against Juan Croucier, who also had his own Ratt-themed group out on the road at one point. Pearcy subsequently reunited with Croucier to launch still another version of Ratt, with all-new bandmates.
Canned Heat: Then
Canned Heat rose to fame after the Monterey and Woodstock festivals, but they'd been around a few years with lineups featuring co-founding guitarists Alan Wilson and Henry Vestine and frontman Bob Hite. Wilson overdosed in 1970, just as their breakout hit 'Hooker 'n Heat' reached store shelves. Hite also ODed, in 1981; Vestine then died of a heart attack in 1997. Early members Kenny Edwards and Antonio de la Barreda have since passed away too.
Canned Heat: Now
Harvey "The Snake" Mandel, Larry "The Mole" Taylor and Adolfo "Fito" de la Parra joined Canned Heat in time for Woodstock, but decades later only Fito remains. The Snake left in 2014, and then the Mole died in 2019. Bob Hite's old spot was originally filled by the late Richard Kellogg; Dale Wesley Spalding took over in 2008.
Renaissance: Then
Renaissance was originally formed in 1969 as one of two Yardbirds-related offshoots. This folk-prog focused group found Keith Relf and Jim McCarty taking an entirely different tack from Jimmy Page's contemporaneous New Yardbirds, which became Led Zeppelin. Two albums later, both of the former Yardbirds had left Renaissance, and the first of many new lineups began to take shape around guitarist Michael Dunford.
Renaissance: Now
Singer Annie Haslam replaced Anne-Marie "Binky" Cullom in 1971, and helped Renaissance score a No. 10 U.K. hit in 1978 with "Northern Lights." She remains the band's leader today, but with a cast of contributors who joined after 2009. Longtime member Michael Dunford and principal lyricist Betty Thatcher both since died.
Blackfoot: Then
Rickey Medlocke co-founded this Southern rock group in 1969, leading a classic-era lineup that included Charlie Hargrett, Greg T. Walker and Jakson Spires. Into the '80s, however, all three of Medlocke's longest-running collaborators split, leaving him to rebuild the band. An invitation in 1996 to join Lynyrd Skynyrd finally ended his performing days with Blackfoot.
Blackfoot: Now
Classic-era members Charlie Hargrett, Greg T. Walker and Jakson Spires reformed Blackfoot in the '00s; Spires died suddenly, and the others eventually left too. Rickey Medlocke then started an entirely new edition of the group in 2012, installing himself as producer while he continues to work with Lynyrd Skynyrd. The entire lineup changed over again in 2021.
Quiet Riot: Then
Co-founded by a pre-Ozzy Osbourne Randy Rhoads in 1973, Quiet Riot rose to fame in the early '80s when Kevin DuBrow, Carlos Cavazo, Rudy Sarzo and Frankie Banali hit it big with 'Metal Health.'
Quiet Riot: Now
Kevin DuBrow helmed a 2004 reunion, before leadership fell to Frankie Banali – who arrived nearly 10 years after Quiet Riot started. Both have since passed, leaving behind a lineup that included longtime bassist Chuck Wright, and newer additions Alex Grossi and Jizzy Pearl. Rudy Sarzo later returned to replace Wright.
Humble Pie: Then
Humble Pie – which featured Steve Marriott, Jerry Shirley, Greg Ridley, Peter Frampton and then David "Clem" Clempson – are best known for "30 Days in the Hole" and a scorching cover of "I Don't Need No Doctor." Frampton left for solo success prior to the release of 1971's 'Performance Rockin' the Fillmore.' Marriott died in a 1991. Ridley passed 12 years later, after taking part in a Humble Pie reunion that included 2002's 'Back on Track.'
Humble Pie: Now
As with Blackfoot and Blood, Sweat and Tears, the Humble Pie touring group is managed by an original member – in this case, Jerry Shirley. Dave "Bucket" Colwell, a Bad Company alum who took part in Humble Pie's 'Back on Track' sessions, serves as musical director for the current lineup, which is billed as Humble Pie Legacy.
GWAR: Then
The 2014 overdose death of Dave Brockie – aka Oderus Urungus – left GWAR without any original members. Formed in 1984, GWAR initially included Brockie and a rotating cast before things solidified in the late '80s. Mike Derks (Balsac the Jaws of Death) and Brad Roberts (Jizmak Da Gusha) have been with the band ever since, while Mike Bishop is in his third stint.
GWAR: Now
Original Beefcake the Mighty character Mike Bishop took over for Dave Brockie as lead vocalist in 2014, shifting to the Blothar the Berserker persona. Cory Smoot portrayed Flattus Maximus beginning in 2002, before dying some nine years later. Jamison Land started performing as Beefcake the Mighty in 2011, then was replaced by on-again off-again member Casey Orr.