John Farnham, in his new memoir, The Voice Inside, reveals that his former manager, Darryl Sambell, secretly drugged him for years during the early period of his career. Farnham claims that Sambell would slip substances into his coffee without his knowledge, controlling nearly every aspect of his life and career. The singer first became aware of this when he found a half-dissolved pill at the bottom of his coffee cup. Despite being initially deceptive about the situation, Sambell eventually admitted to drugging Farnham to help him stay awake. This discovery left Farnham feeling ashamed for not recognizing the manipulation at the time.
Reflecting on the deceit and its effects, Farnham reveals a deep sense of regret and self-blame for not speaking up or realizing what was happening with his former manager. He attributes his lack of reaction to being young, under stress, tired, and unsure of his own instincts. Farnham admits that Sambell’s control extended beyond drugging, recalling how the manager made unwanted advances towards him during their professional relationship. Despite repeatedly rejecting these advances, Farnham believes that Sambell’s attraction turned into jealousy, hatred, and a desire for control as a result.
Farnham eventually ended his professional relationship with Sambell in 1976 after a decade of working together. However, the emotional scars from that time lingered, and it took him years to come to terms with what had occurred. He expresses a sense of sorrow when looking back on that period of his career, feeling annoyed with himself for being so gullible and trusting. The singer struggled to unpick and confront the trauma of his past experiences with Sambell, but by revealing the truth in his memoir, he comes to a new understanding of his past and the effects of Sambell’s actions.
Sambell’s behavior towards Farnham extended beyond drugging and unwanted advances. The singer also recalls how Sambell isolated him from friends and family, attempted to keep him away from his wife, and made him believe that his success was solely because of Sambell. Farnham describes how Sambell’s open homosexuality during a time when it was illegal in Australia led to aggressive sexual advances towards him. Despite repeatedly declining these advances, Farnham believes that Sambell’s rejection turned into jealousy and a desire for control over him.
John Farnham’s memoir sheds light on the dark and manipulative aspects of his early career, particularly his traumatic experiences with his former manager Darryl Sambell. By sharing his story, Farnham seeks to expose the abuse and deceit he faced during those years, as well as the lasting impact it had on his life. The singer’s revelation of Sambell’s drugging and manipulation highlights the importance of speaking out against abuse and holding perpetrators accountable, even years after the fact. Farnham’s journey towards confronting his past trauma and finding closure serves as a powerful example of resilience and healing in the face of adversity.
