Farnham was a teen pop idol from 1967 until 1979, known as Johnny Farnham. He then went on to have a very popular career as an adult popular music singer. In his career, he has mostly been as a solo artist. However, from 1982 to 1985, he was the lead singer of the rock band Little River Band. He has been called one of his country's best-known and most popular musical performer. In September 1986, his solo single "You're the Voice" was released. It peaked at No. 1 on the Australian singles charts. The song was also No. 1 on Sweden's Sverigetopplistan and on West Germany's Official German Charts. He has also performed on stage with lead roles in Australian productions of "Charlie Girl", "Pippin" and "Jesus Christ Superstar" (1992).