Artists Profile: JIMMY BARNES

31 August 2023

Jimmy Barnes is the heart and the soul of Australian rock and roll.

His name evokes the sound of ear-splitting rock classics plus signature readings of soul standards. He has enjoyed nineteen #1 albums here – more than The Beatles - and sold more records in this country than any other local artist. For well over 40 years he has delivered some of our most intense and iconic live performances and sung unforgettable hits like Working Class Man, Flame Trees, No Second Prize, Khe Sanh and Shutting Down Our Town. From a wild youth fronting the legendary Cold Chisel to his more recent years as a beloved family man, Jimmy has been through it all, and literally lived to tell the tales. He is truly in a league of his own, having been inducted into the ARIA Hall of fame ... twice.

Recent History:

Flesh And Blood, Jimmy’s twentieth studio album, was released in July 2021. Borne out of the live-from-home performances that comforted millions via social media during their pandemic isolation, these ten brand new recordings featured multiple contributions from Jimmy’s extended family. The title track was debuted at the State Memorial Service for Jimmy’s close mate, Michael Gudinski and went on to be nominated for an APRA Award as Australia’s “Most Performed Rock Work”.

Adding to Jimmy’s record-breaking cache of #1 Albums, in June 2022 his reimagined and remastered Soul Deep 30 debuted at the top spot on the ARIA chart, taking his career total to 14 solo number ones plus five with Cold Chisel. The accompanying Soul Deep 30 arena tour received glowing reviews.

Jimmy has also been made an Officer of the Order Of Australia (AO) for “distinguished service to the performing arts as a musician, singer and songwriter, and through support for not-for-profit organisations, particularly to children with a disability”.

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