Who is Jimmy Barnes?
Jimmy Barnes is a Scottish-born Australian rock singer, famous as the frontman of Cold Chisel and for a long solo career. He has had more number one albums in Australia than any other Australian artist.
Born in Glasgow in 1956, Barnes moved with his family to Elizabeth, near Adelaide, in 1962. His childhood was marked by poverty and violence, which he later described in his best-selling memoirs Working Class Boy and Working Class Man.
He joined Cold Chisel as a teenager, and his raw, powerful voice became the band's trademark on songs such as Khe Sanh and Goodbye (Astrid, Goodbye).
Solo career
After Cold Chisel split in 1983, Barnes launched a solo career with albums such as Bodyswerve and For the Working Class Man. Hits include Working Class Man, No Second Prize and Lay Down Your Guns.
His 1993 soul covers album, Soul Deep, was a huge success. Barnes has had well over a dozen number one albums when solo and band releases are combined.
He has also spoken publicly about addiction and recovery, and he continues to tour with Cold Chisel and as a solo artist. He underwent heart surgery in 2023 and returned to performing.
Did You Know?
Barnes's wife Jane and several of his children, including Mahalia and Elly-May, are also singers.