The Daily Telegraph, Sydney, 26 November 1996
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HERE
A PERFECT FULL HOUSE, SYDNEY THE morning after the biggest night of his life, Neil Finn yesterday was still trying to come to terms with the Crowded House farewell concert at the Opera House. "I was a bit dumb-struck. I didn't know what to say," a weary Finn said yesterday. "It was all there - the songs, all these people, beautiful night, full moon. What else could you say that would evoke any emotion? "It was perfect, a peak moment in my life. I will retain it in my memory forever." Close to 150,000 people crammed the Opera House forecourt and surrounding foreshore on Sunday to bid farewell to one of Australia's most successful rock outfits. By yesterday afternoon, the free concert had raised over $300,000 for the Children's Hospital in Randwick, with money still to be counted. More funds are expected to flow in when the concert is broadcast in a Channel Ten telethon on December 2. Finn said his one concern during the performance was the safety of fans crushed at the front of the stage. "I started to think that as much as it was a great idea and looked amazing, it's probably created a living hell for some people down there. But everyone was very tolerant of it." Although Finn added that much of the concert was a "mind-blowing blur" for him, there were also some emotional, poignant moments that stood out. In particular, there were the two songs where he was joined on stage by his brother and former bandmate Tim Finn. Watching proudly were the Finns' parents, Richard and Mary, who had flown over from New Zealand. Finn's only regret from the night was that he didn't get the chance properly thank the huge crowd that turned out to see off his decade-old outfit. The band spent yesterday afternoon saying their goodbyes to one another before heading off to their various corners of the world.
