Jimmy Barnes Withdraws From Performing Commitments

Jimmy Barnes has called off his performances for the next couple of months.

The veteran performer requires both back and hip surgery, which will keep him out of the game until the second half of 2023.

He said he’d been jumping off PAs and stomping around stages for nearly 50 years, which had finally caught up with him.

“I’ve had niggling back and hip issues for years, but things suddenly got a lot worse over the last few weeks and I’m now in constant and severe pain,” he said.

“As everybody knows, it’s against my religion to blow out gigs, but the doctors tell me I need an operation as soon as possible and it will really limit my movement for a few months. As much as it kills me to inconvenience everyone, I have to get this fixed so I can jump around onstage for another 50 years.”

He also apologised to all music workers and fans who would be impacted by the change.

Barnes will still headline Valo Adelaide 500 on Saturday, Dec. 3, which will be his final performance for the year.

He will not be available for Bluesfest next year.

His Coffs Harbour By The C gig has moved to Oct. 21, 2023 and Sandstone Point will be on Aug. 5. His Hobart By The C visit has been cancelled due to line-up and venue availability issues.

The upcoming Wollongong and Torquay By The C events and Live in the Vines at Rochford Estate early next year will feature the Hoodoo Gurus instead of Barnes. Barnes said he was grateful to the band for headlining the three big gigs in his absence.

Barnes said he was grateful to the Gurus for headlining the three big gigs in his absence.

“We played some great shows together last summer so I know audiences will be in good hands. Their addition to the top of the Wollongong, Torquay and Rochford line-ups also means that the other bands on the bill, like The Living End, Wolfmother and Noiseworks, will still get their chance to rock. That’s important for everyone after all the disrupted touring over recent years so I strongly encourage people to #keepyourticket and support some of our finest Aussie artists at these shows,” he said.

Similarly, Jon Stevens, Daryl Braithwaite and Diesel will fill in Barnes’ spot at Summernats 35 in Canberra on Jan. 6. Barnes has confirmed he will be back on stage for Summernats 36 in January 2023.

Stranded in the Whitsundays has also been rescheduled to Aug, 23-28.

The performer’s first-ever collection of Christmas songs came out last Friday.

“At least I know what present I’ll be giving everyone this year”, he joked.

“The operation will keep me cooped up over summer and I’m a notoriously cranky patient, so I probably need to buy noise cancelling headphones for my family too – that way they’ll hopefully still be talking to me when I’m back on my feet.”