Glenn Wheatley | Long Play Series

Glenn Wheatley has had many roles during his career as a musician and talent manager for artists such as Little River Band, John Farnham and Delta Goodrem. Born in Brisbane in 1949, Wheatley began his musical journey in Brisbane as guitarist with Bay City Union before gaining national attention as bass guitarist for legendary Australian band, The Masters Apprentices. During the 1970s and 1980s, Wheatley turned his attention to management helping Little River Band to break into the competitive American market and reviving the career of friend and colleague John Farnham by mortgaging his house to finance what would become the No.1 selling Australian album of all time, Whispering Jack.
In this interview, Glenn speaks to Brian Nankervis about his earliest musical memory, seeing Elvis performing on The Ed Sullivan Show, and how it started his lifelong love affair with music. He recalls an infamous Masters’ gig where he was stripped naked on stage by over-zealous fans, and shares his memories of travelling to London to record at Abbey Road Studios where he used the same piano that Paul McCartney had used to record ‘Let It Be’. He also reflects on his time as a talent manager working in America with David Bowie and the Little River Band, and on his lifelong friendship with singer, John Farnham.
For more Australian Music Vault stories and information visit www.australianmusicvault.com.au/
As part of our commitment to capturing and sharing great Australian music stories, the Australian Music Vault asked some of the country’s most influential trailblazers and unsung heroes to open up about their lives in music as part of our Long Play Series.

[@stevegordon8474]

Glenn Wheatley is a legend and a visionary. He was an extremely hard worker who opened the world to Australian music with Little River Band, who had ten top 10 hits in America, gold and platinum albums too. He also introduced Australia to FM radio, with EON-FM, the first FM station. And that's just 2 of his achievements, both firsts that he accomplished. He was a great manager because he had been in good bands as a guitarist and bassist so knew what artists had to go through. That made him very different to most other managers and gave him a great loyalty to the artists he managed that was not always returned. To my mind, Glenn was under-appreciated by the wider public but he was an exceptional person, a good man. His resurrection of John Farnham's career by mortgaging his house to finance the Whispering Jack album, Australian biggest-ever selling record, is testimony to the person Glenn was.

[@AngelaWalters-xr5wx]

Loved this interview with Glenn. Always the gentleman. R.I.P .

[@user-iq3mp5zo8z]

Just found this interview. Having only discovered John Farnham last year I'm soaking up everything Farnsey, and his management, band and backing singers on youtube. I'm a committed Farnsey fan, and am truly grateful that Glenn wheatley made John's solo career take off. And I'm enjoying learning about other Aussie artistes and bands. My condolences to Gaynor and the Wheatley family, and to John and his friends and family. Feb. '24. UK E ❤

[@parisjackson9310]

What an engaging dear, sweat, kind gentleman. He's even more remarkable for operating in a cesspit of ruthless types. What a loss. Sympathies to his family and John Farnham.

[@alanstrom2221]

Words fail me as the tears flow. Glenn was a very important person in the Australian music industry. The feelings run very deep for music fans everywhere. He wasn't just Glenn Wheatley, he was GLENN WHEATLEY.!!!! I'm currently playing a Best of Masters CD and track 10 is a LIVE version of FUTURE OF OUR NATION. When I was 10 yrs old I got the compilation album EXPLOSIVE HITS 1971 and FUTURE OF OUR NATION really grabbed my attention. The year before I heard TURN UP YOUR RADIO and my brother and sisters and myself would take turns jumping off the lounge when Jim Keays would unleash those famous screams. Well, somebody had to put the needle on the record, it was 1970. LOL!! Glenn will always be remembered as an icon of Australian music and the man that re-ignited the career of John Farnham. Glenn mortgaged his house to fund the manifestation of WHISPERING JACK, the biggest selling Australian album of all time. With a heavy heart, I send my condolences to Glenn's family, friends and his supporters. RIP Glenn Wheatley

[@tmnl8037]

So sorry to hear the sad news of the passing of Glenn Wheatley. The Australian music industry owes a lot to him for what he did for the artists he managed and him being in the Masters Apprentices. He has gone to heaven to be with his mate Jim Keays.

[@seanmcwha9325]

What a great interview, and what a humble man. RIP Glenn. You are already sadly missed. ❤️

[@graemewy]

Wow ! This was the best interview I have ever watched. I always like Glenn Wheatley but he was always in the background. I really enjoyed his story. Just imagine him managing your act . Unbelievable!!!

[@DavidJKil]

Fantastic interview. A sad loss, but what incredible achievements.

[@dawnthomson9269]

Fabulous interview, what an interesting life. He’s a lovely man no wonder he & John Farnham are great mates.

[@andysalter7192]

Absolute legend, we wouldn't have John Farnham without Glenns trust and belief in his talent. RIP Mr Wheatley.

[@bernadettelanders7306]

Totally shocked at the passing of Glenn Wheatley. There is far more to Glenn than I ever knew watching this video quite a while ago than I ever knew. A great loss to the Australian music industry 😢

[@alanlane3670]

R.I.P. Glen..............so much talent...

[@lisaclancy3979]

Rest Peacefully Mr Wheatley, thankyou for your music contribution to Australia 🌹

[@carolinejanssen9034]

We have lost someone who cared about the Aussie music industry around Australia and abroad. I feel for Johnny as Glenn helped organised the bush fire relief. I love the last performance when they incorporated our First Nation people with Mitch it was amazing. Your the vice what a performance in 2019. He had an interesting life. Thank you for all you done. Everyone remember him as kind, caring and a family man. What a life.

[@cherylolsen4420]

RIP Glenn, thank you for the music !

[@thisiswright]

What a great, relaxed and informative interview. Raw and honest. Happy Birthday, Glenn (23/1/20).

[@bernadettelanders7306]

Watched from beginning to end in one go. An amazing story of Glenn’s life that I had a little knowledge of and more info on our Australian music industry that I thought I knew about, I was wrong. I learned so much more . It was a cross between watching a movie in my mind of all Glenn’s experiences and everyone he worked with, but also like a fascinating documentary. Brilliant interview.

[@SpottoBotto]

Fantastic interview. Farewell, Glenn 🇦🇺

[@johnfarnhamexperience]

Great interview... and Wheatley, what a magnificent life he's had... remarkable man...

[@chrislowe5926]

What an amazing interview! Put it on to listen while I worked. One and a half hours - no work done! What a wonderfully engaging man expertly nudged and guided through his amazing reminiscences. Congratulations and thanks Brian & Glen.

[@TonyB1950]

Wonderful insight in our music industry history as well as Glenn’s career. Well done guys. 🎸🥁

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks Tony! Great to hear you enjoyed it.

[@JamesMolyneux62]

What a great interview. Both Brian and Glenn so committed, open and natural. And what a fortuitous meeting Wheatley and Farnham were, for themselves, for the Australian rock Music business and the rock music lover.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks Jim for the feedback - such a fortuitous meeting for all!

[@cactusjohn9145]

Get the autobiography Paper Paradise. Confessions of a rock n roll Survivor. Glen always, from his youth kept a diary so the events and anecdotes are a blast.

[@philmoore71]

really really interesting interview... safe for posterity

[@Aussietari]

VALE.: - Glenn🥀Wheatley. Such a Gentleman.😌

[@MyOwnWayMusic]

Very enjoyable and informative interview and I like how relaxed and comfortable the tone was. Also very pleased to hear Glenn credit Laurence Myers.. Laurence was a major force in looking after the interests of artists and songwriters .. he helped hit songwriter Tony Macaulay (writer of Love Grows Where My Rosemary Goes and dozens of other hits) to get out of a terrible publishing contract with the Schroeder v Macaulay case (1974). Laurence also was the first (along with his brothers) to create hit pop compilation albums.. Also he setup GTO Records, GEM & got into movies (Never Too Young To Rock).. Glenn was a very nice friendly polite person.. I met up by chance at Crown Casino in the Sanity Music store and we got chatting.. Sad loss of his passing.. Thank you for this marvellous interview about his life in the music business.

[@bettinahansen7630]

Amazing interview! interesting life, interesting career. nice guy, no wonder he and john are friends! thank you♥️

[@Rick-kj9dd]

That was very entertaining and enlightening interview. Kudos to the interviewer. He seemed to be a lovely man with a great foresight.

[@australianmusicvault4604]

Thanks Rick for your feedback, this interview was with Brian Nankervis.

[@anthonymcdibble9496]

That Nankervis dude is very comfortable with himself. (Not just in this interview, but in other scenarios.)

[@Hushhush9201]

What a great interview and fact you got this with Glenn as we lost a giant who did amazing things and says it all here. RIP Glenn

[@chazman74]

Should have asked Glenn about selling the rights to LRB's name without the original members knowledge. This is according to Graeham Goeble.

[@lexpeters735]

Maybe that question was off limits, but I would have loved to hear his take on it.

[@nancyadcock4899]

I’m sure it was off limits. I recently watched an interview of Graeham Gobel where he went into great detail about it. It’s absolutely mind boggling.

[@anthonymcdibble9496]

Didn't ask about Delta Goodrem either.

[@philmoore71]

very good qn, seems gaol was off too

[@WrestlingErnestHemingway]

Doesn't matter now, but I still wonder who FORGED Beeb Birtles name that basically gave away his rights to the LRB name title? Still curious about that. Guess we will never know now & I suppose that doesn't & hasn't ever mattered. It's all been "water under the bridge" for many years I guess. So be it.

[@psychedelicprawncrumpets9479]

He's got photos of Sean lennon as a baby from the recoding sessions at Abbey Road in 1970.. Total BS as Sean wasn't born until 1975 lol

[@annehat4833]

This is so infested with lies....need to get the story straight...16 !!?..opened a night club !...2 bands....stepped over 16 girls...mummy said no to going to melb...he owned a fkn nightclub.!...he did front door...and did the posters during the day...yeh dad drove trucks...mum went to concerts though....cant bear to watch anymore of this rubbish...but i will and i will be back !....can see it loved its 7s !

[@psychedelicprawncrumpets9479]

Don't forget the bit where he reckons he saw John lennon holding Sean as a baby in Abbey Road while they were recording choice cuts album in 1970.. Apparently Sean got born again later in 1975 🤦‍♂️

[@annehat4833]

@@psychedelicprawncrumpets9479 dont you love it !! what a laugh

[@psychedelicprawncrumpets9479]

@@annehat4833 I mean he even says he has photos of John holding Sean as a baby which is obviously impossible as Sean wasn't alive yet for another 5 years.. You start believing your own bullshit after a while they say 🤷‍♂️

[@annehat4833]

@@psychedelicprawncrumpets9479 I think its more they wish you to believe their bs....the last 2 yrs has taught me a shitload !

[@annehat4833]

" trust no barstard" as my pop used to say !