John Farrar ( /ˈfɑrər/; born on 8 November 1946 in Melbourne Australia) is a music producer, songwriter, music arranger, singer and guitarist who is best known for his work with Olivia Newton-John with whom he wrote and produced many hit songs.
Farrar is a former member of several groups including The Shadows, Marvin Welch & Farrar, The Strangers and The Mustangs. He is also the father of Phantom Planet bassist Sam Farrar as well as Golden Ghost guitarist/keyboardist Max Farrar.
Farrar began playing guitar when he was twelve, and by sixteen had begun playing with local rock bands such as The Mustangs.
Shortly after Farrar joined The Strangers, they became the house band for the popular TV music program The Go!! Show. Both Farrar's future wife, Pat Carroll, and Olivia Newton-John appeared on The Go Show as singers.
After returning from a tour with Newton-John, Carroll was obliged to return to Australia because her visa had expired, while Olivia (who was born in the UK) was able to stay on. Carroll dated and married Farrar. Following her marriage, Carroll ceased to pursue her headliner status and settled into occasionally reprising her duo work with Newton-John and back-up singing, mainly in session work for Farrar/Newton-John productions.