With his new memoir Working Class Man about to be released, Jimmy Barnes is striking out for a huge 30-date Australian tour next year, telling stories from his life alongside reworked versions of his classic hits.
“In book one I faced the damage that a broken home and a broken heart can bring,” Barnes says, referring to his first memoir Working Class Boy.
“In book two I face the impact that a childhood like mine can have on a man,” he continues. “Don’t get me wrong. I’m not blaming anyone for any of this. We all do the best with what we have. But in book two the blame rests squarely on my shoulders, and until I work a lot of things out I carry a lot of baggage around with me…
“I have done a lot of great things. I have a beautiful family and wonderful friends. But there were many times, dark times, that I almost let it all slip through my fingers.
“In the end I asked for help. I used to think that if someone asked for help they were weak. But the toughest thing I ever did was reach out and ask for help. And that was when I started to heal.”
The memoir will also be accompanied by a special two-disc remastered version of the classic Cold Chisel LP For The Working Class Man, including a recording of their ’84 performance at Queensland’s Playroom.
The tour runs from March 3 to May 30, head to Jimmy Barnes’ website for details or check out the full list of dates below.
What else could Jimmy Barnes have named his second memoir but ‘Working Class Man’?
Jimmy Barnes 2018 Australian tour dates
Tickets on sale 10am Monday October 23 / pre-sale tickets from 19 October via Jimmy Barnes’ mailing list
Thursday, 15 March – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
Friday, 16 March – Anita’s Theatre, Thirroul
Saturday, 17 March – Canberra Theatre, Canberra
Wednesday, 21 March – Devonport Entertainment Centre, Devonport
Thursday, 22 March – Country Club Showroom, Launceston
Friday, 23 March – Wrestpoint Entertainment Centre, Hobart
Thursday, 5 April – Parklands Resort & Conference Centre, Mudgee
Friday, 6 April – Civic Centre, Newcastle
Saturday, 7 April – Bathurst Entertainment Centre, Bathurst
Thursday, 12 April – Brisbane City Hall, Brisbane
Friday, 13 April – Empire Theatre, Toowoomba
Saturday, 14 April – The Star Theatre, Gold Coast
Wednesday, 18 April – Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre, Bunbury
Thursday, 19 April – Perth Concert Hall, Perth
Saturday, 21 April – Keith Mitchell Theatre, Port Pirie
Sunday, 22 April – Thebarton Theatre, Adelaide
Thursday, 26 April – Frankston Arts Centre Theatre, Frankston
Friday, 27 April – Costa Hall, Geelong Performing Arts Centre
Saturday, 28 April – The Palais Theatre, St Kilda
Sunday, 29 April – Ulumbarra Theatre, Bendigo
Thursday, 3 May – Centennial Hall, Sydney Town Hall
Sunday, 20 May – Darwin Entertainment Centre, Darwin
Tuesday, 22 May – Tank Arts Centre, Cairns
Wednesday, 23 May – Tank Arts Centre, Cairns
Friday, 25 May – Townsville Entertainment & Convention Centre, Townsville
Saturday, 26 May – Plenary Halls, Mackay Entertainment & Convention Centre, Mackay
Sunday, 27 May – Pilbeam Theatre, Rockhampton
Tuesday, 29 May – Caloundra Events Centre, Caloundra
Wednesday, 30 May – Saraton Theatre, Grafton