Ageless singers shine brightly

CONCERT REVIEW by Danny Gocs. Veteran performers John Farnham and Lionel Ritchie showed that age has not affected their voices and their enthusiasm as they shared the bill at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne on March 16.

But unlike 2005, when John Farnham and Tom Jones sang together on their Australian tour, with a highlight being a duet of My Yiddishe Momme, this time Farnham and Ritchie staged separate 90-minute concerts – a double treat for fans.

Farnham, who is 64, kicked off with 1988’s Age of Reason and worked his way through the hits. Chain Reaction got fans out of their seats, while the dancing continued with Pressure Down and That’s Freedom.

His biggest ovations were for the last number on the playlist, You’re The Voice and the encore, AC/DC’s Long Way to the Top.

Farnham loves to interact with the audience, ensuring a fun evening for his fans. With many of Farnham’s long-time backing singers and musicians still in the band, the concert was a big hit.

Richie’s set was a flashier affair as he kicked off with Just For You, followed by hits such as Penny Lover and Ballerina Girl.

The mood in the early part of the concert was laid-back as he sang plenty of Commodores ballads. After getting the audience dancing with You Are, Ritchie settled down at the piano for more ballads including Lady.

Richie, also 64, chatted with the audience throughout the show and regularly had them dancing in the aisles, especially to the sound of Dancing on the Ceiling.

His encore was We Are the World, the 1980s hit he wrote with Michael Jackson.

All in all, the evening was a double treat for the fans.

PHOTO of Lionel Ritchie (left) and John Farnham.

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