GREATEST AUSSIE ROCK'N'ROLL LOVE STORIES!

From John Farnham to Jimmy Barnes, Woman's Day meets the women who fell for our favourite rock gods

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JOHN & JILL FARNHAM

John Farnham was already a popstar heartthrob when he met the love of his life, Jill Blackman, in 1971, when they were both starring in a musical in Melbourne.

That personal connection to the musical world explains why John was so thrilled to see a chapter of his life story play out on the theatre stage at the end of last year when Whispering Jack: The John Farnham Musical showed at Sydney Theatre Company.

“Musicals have always held a very special place in my heart as it’s where I met Jill,” the singer, 76, says.

The musical coincided with the 40th anniversary of John’s hit album Whispering Jack, shining the spotlight on the five years leading up to the 1986 release, which delivered classic tracks such as You're The Voice and Pressure Down.

By that point, he already had his supportive wife Jill firmly by his side, having met the dancer when they were both in the musical Charlie Girl.

“Jillie came out of the theatre and I saw her,” he told 60 Minutes. “At that stage, she had very long dark hair, down to her very petite bum, and I was history.”

But he had to work hard to get the girl! “It took me about three months to get a kiss,” he said.

It wasn’t long before the couple got engaged, and they exchanged vows in Glenroy on April 11, 1973.

Six years later, they had their first child, son Robert, followed by James a year on. Last June, John and Jill became grandparents, with James and partner Tessa welcoming baby boy Jett.

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