Fed: Kiwi PM cancels Whispering Jack's Anzac Day performance

AAP General News (Australia)
02-17-2005
Fed: Kiwi PM cancels Whispering Jack's Anzac Day performance

MELBOURNE, Feb 17 AAP - John Farnham's performance at the 90th anniversary Anzac service
at Gallipoli looks to have been cancelled thanks to New Zealand Prime Minister Helen Clark.

Farnham's management team had spent five months organising for him to perform at Anzac
Cove, but Ms Clark is reported to have vetoed his appearance because she believed it was
inappropriate.

Ms Clark is also reported to have rejected Kiwi music legends Neil and Tim Finn for
the same reason.

Farnham's manager Glenn Wheatley told the Herald Sun the star had been looking forward
to the performance.

"John was extremely disappointed," the paper quoted him as saying.

Office of War Graves director Gary Beck said the change in the program was an attempt
to give the event a more sombre tone.

"We've got young people who've been to beer festivals, to Dublin, to bullfights and
we're trying to change their mood, to educate them what Gallipoli is about," the Herald
Sun quoted Mr Beck as saying.

"It was more that singing wasn't appropriate rather than John Farnham. I'd love to
see him there one year, he's a great Australian."

New Zealand government spokesman Ian Kennedy said he did not believe Ms Clark had personally
objected to the program, which was not yet finalised.

"I am authorised to say that New Zealand's prime minister has never heard of Johnny
Farnham," he said.

Mr Kennedy said final decisions on the program would be made by Ms Clark and Prime
Minister John Howard this weekend.

AAP apw/cdh

KEYWORD: FARNHAM

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