After a string of health battles over the past few years, Jimmy Barnes says he’s fighting fit again – but the positive update comes after his near-death experience.
After being rushed to hospital with pneumonia in late 2023, doctors discovered a life-threatening infection had attacked his heart, which required the 69-year-old Aussie music icon to undergo emergency open-heart surgery.
“I literally turned to Jane and said, ‘I think this might be it. I think it might have caught me finally’,” Jimmy told 7NEWS Chief Reporter Chris Reason.
Thankfully, the rocker has made a full recovery and has since released his brand-new album, aptly titled Defiant, and embarked on a national tour.
“I’m really looking forward to getting back on stage,” Jimmy, who was forced to cancel several tour dates last year due to illness, recently said.
.png?resize=380%2C285)
He also added that his poor health only made his new music better!
“I was writing these songs, I was sort of incapacitated, but I was just going, ‘I want to get on stage and play some rock and roll.’ This is what I do best.”
As the Cold Chisel lead vocalist reflects on his recovery and the power of music and family, we’re taking a look back at his health journey over the past few years.
HIP REPLACEMENT
Jimmy Barnes was hospitalised after experiencing “unbearable” hip pain on August 1, 2024.
“I’ve got some bad news unfortunately,” Jimmy shared on social media at the time. “I had a twinge in my hip when I was leaving Dunedin on Thursday morning and by late last night the pain was unbearable so I went off to hospital.
“The doctors have recommended a remedial medical procedure ASAP followed by some physio to address the issue. These doctors don’t muck around! Providing all goes to plan, I’m expected to make a full recovery in six weeks.
“As you know, I hate to let anyone down, but I’m also never going to compromise the quality of my gigs. I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause everyone – I HATE moving shows! – but thank you for understanding.”
After his update, the rock legend’s wife Jane Barnes shared one of her own from the hospital alongside images of the singer. After thanking everyone for their outpouring of support, she wrote: “You are an incredible online community of family, friends and followers who offer up your kindness and thoughtfulness during trying times like these.
“Jimmy is out of ICU and recovering well. I brought in some healing chicken soup and chocolate chip cookies for afternoon tea, a bit of home always helps hospital days.
“Our kids always around watching over us. Full of love.”
On Saturday, August 10th, Jimmy shared a positive health update from his hospital bed along with photos of him surrounded by his adorable grandchildren.
He wrote, “Last hip procedure done and dusted. The hardest part is over. I’m surrounded by the best of care, now all I have to do is follow orders… onwards and upwards”.
BACTERIAL PNEUMONIA
In late 2023, Jimmy suffered a severe infection – bacterial pneumonia – and he was rushed to hospital and forced to cancel his shows in New Caledonia.
“I’m sorry to let you know that I’ve been receiving intravenous antibiotics over the last 36 hours to treat bacterial pneumonia,” he wrote on Facebook.
Another statement was shared to Jimmy’s Instagram account on December 13, 2023, revealing he would be “out of action for a while,” as he underwent open-heart surgery after the infection spread to his heart.
“Unfortunately I got some bad news late yesterday… despite everyone’s best efforts the bacterial infection I’ve been battling over the last fortnight has apparently now spread to my heart. It’s infected an otherwise healthy valve that was replaced some years ago due to a congenital defect, so I’ll be getting open heart surgery over the next few hours to clear our this infection and put in a clean valve,” he began.
“… It still feels hugely frustrating. Just a few weeks ago I was the fittest I’ve been in decades! Anyways, as you can hopefully appreciate, this has all happened very suddenly so it’s going to take a few days for everyone to figure out what’s going to be doable with my upcoming shows. I’m really sorry for all the inconvenience this will cause but please be patient…”
“In the meantime I’d like to thank my darling Jane for her around the clock love and care over the last few weeks in particular – as always I’d be lost without her.
“Given the serious nature of this operation I probably won’t be posting again for the next few weeks so all the best to you and yours for the holidays. Here’s hoping 2024 is full of much better things! Love from Jimmy,” he concluded.
In the following hours, Jimmy’s wife Jane shared an update from the hospital.
“I’m happy to let you know that our Jimmy has made it through his surgery and is now recovering in the ICU. We are so grateful for the incredible medical team looking after him. Thank you for all the love and support. I will keep you all posted. 🙏♥️,” she wrote.
Jane was a constant by his side, often making “one of [his] favourite meals” – “bangers & sweet potato mash, peas and onion gravy.”
In January 2024, Jimmy provided fans with another positive update on his health.
“Always good to leave the hospital smiling,” the rockstar said. “There’s still a long road ahead and many more checkups. There was a team of 7 specialists working on me, so there is a lot to follow up on. Another set of good bloods and it’s off with the ‘PICC Line’. I’m sure it’s saved my life but I cannot wait to be free.”
Jimmy first had surgery in December 2022. (Credit: Instagram)
HIP & BACK SURGERY
Jimmy’s severe health issues first began in December 2022 when he had surgery to resolve eight year’s worth of chronic pain.
The surgery resulted in his November 2022 tour being cancelled after “stomping around stages for nearly 50 years” had caught up with him.
Two weeks after the surgery, Jimmy was up and on his feet.
“Have to be patient, that’s a tough one for me,” he confessed with a photo of him smiling on a exercise bike.
During this time his daughter, Elly-May Barnes, took over his social media to reassure fans that he was on the mend.
“My incredible dadda is doing so well and is already on crutches today. I’m so proud of him!” she wrote.
Following surgery, Jimmy and Jane assured fans that Jimmy would be home for Christmas!
In a post on X (formally Twitter), Jane shared to Jimmy’s account a picture of him smiling happily with the caption, “On the 6th Day of Christmas my true love said to me … ‘the doctor says I can go home on Friday’. Jimmy will be home for Christmas, that’s the best present I could ever wish for 🙏”.
Jane shared a series of photos to reassure fans of Jimmy’s recovery. (Credit: Instagram)
