BAGPIPER'S LINK TO FARNHAM HIT
YOU don’t often hear bagpipes in major musical hits, but one John Farnham song wouldn’t be the same without the unique sound.
You’re The Voice was released in 1986, and is still one of Farnham’s top hits today.
The bagpipe that can be heard in the song was written and played by Toowoomba man Ross Campbell.
Mr Campbell was a teacher at Scotch College in Melbourne at the time and was approached by Farnham’s team to write a pipe score for the song.
Composer David Hirschfelder visited Mr Campbell’s home and sung him You’re The
Voice, and just by listening Mr Campbell was able to write it out in staff notation.
He then put together a small group of pipers who performed on the album.
“Back then it was just another job for me,” he said.
“It turned out to be a very iconic song, and although the bag piping is only a small part of the song, it somehow makes it.”
YOU don’t often hear bagpiping in major musical hits, but one John Farnham song wouldn’t be the same without the unique sound.
You’re The Voice was released in 1986, and is still one of Farnham’s top hits today.
The bagpiping that can be heard in the song was written and played by Toowoomba man Ross Campbell.
Mr Campbell was a teacher at Scotch College in Melbourne at the time and was approached by Farnham’s team to write a pipe score for the song.
Composer David Hirschfelder visited Mr Campbell’s home and sung him You’re The Voice, and just by listening he was able to write it out in staff notation.
Mr Campbell then put together a small group of pipers who performed on the album.
“Back then it was just another job for me,” he said.
“I appreciate John Farnham as a musician and he was there during our recording session.
“He seemed very nice and was a good man to work with.
“It turned out to be a very iconic song and although the bag piping is only a small part of the song, it somehow makes it.”
Mr Campbell was paid a session fee and to express his thanks, Farnham sent him a CD of Whispering Jack with the message: “Ross - the pipes have caused an enormous reaction all over the world - I’m glad you were part of it and I wish you luck in all you do. John.”
When Farnham toured with the song, Mr Campbell wasn’t able to go along as he was dedicated to his teaching and they required a “full-on” band.
So it was the Melbourne Pipe Band who played the bagpipe section of You’re The Voice while the song toured the country.
Mr Campbell said he was grateful for the experience and memory of working with Farnham.