Jimmy Barnes | Artist
James Dixon Barnes AO is a Scottish-born Australian rock singer born 1956 in Glasgow, UK. His career, both as a solo performer and as the lead vocalist with the rock band Cold Chisel has made him one of the most popular and best-selling Australian music artists of all time, achieving 15 solo number-one albums in Australia, more than any other artist. Barnes was born James Dixon Swan in the impoverished Cowcaddens area of Glasgow, the son of a prizefighter father. He and his family arrived in Australia when he was five years old in 1962, settling in the working-class suburb of Elizabeth on the outskirts of Adelaide. Shortly afterwards his parents divorced and Jimmy adopted the name James Dixon Barnes, after his stepfather Reg Barnes. From an early age Jimmy was taught to sing by his older brother John, who later became known as a singer under the name Swanee. Barnes took up an apprenticeship in a foundry with the railways in 1973, but the love he and his brother had for music led him to join a band. In 1974, Swanee was playing drums with the band Fraternity which had just parted ways with their singer Bon Scott, who had left to join AC/DC. Barnes took over the role for a while then joined a harder-edged band called Orange, with the organist and songwriter Don Walker, guitarist Ian Moss, drummer Steve Pestwich and bass guitarist Les Kaczmarek. In 1974 Orange changed its name to Cold Chisel and began to develop a strong presence on the local music scene. Between 1978-1984, Cold Chisel released five studio albums, and progressed from the pub-circuit to become one of Australia's most popular rock groups. The band broke up in December 1983, its final performances at the Sydney Entertainment Centre running from 12-15 December 1983. Barnes launched his solo career less than a month after Cold Chisel's Last Stand tour came to an end. He assembled a band that included drummer Ray Arnott from The Dingoes and Mighy Kong, the former Fraternity bassist Bruce Howe, and guitarists Mal Eastick (ex-Stars) and Chris Stockley (ex-The Dingoes) and began touring and writing for a solo album. Signing to Mushroom Records, Barnes released his first single, "No Second Prize" in August 1984, which peaked at #12 on the Australian charts. His first solo album, Bodyswerve, was released in September 1984 and debuted at #1 on the Australian charts. Barnes has continued with a highly successful solo career, releasing 21 studio albums to-date, ranging in style from hard rock, through rockabilly, soul, and country. Standout albums include Bodyswerve (1984), Freight Train Heart (1987), Barnestorming (1988), Hindsight (2014), and Soul Searchin' (2016). He has also collaborated with many other artists including singing on the excellent Live at the Basement (2003) by The Hoochie Coochie Men featuring Jon Lord from Deep Purple. Jimmy Barnes, who at time of writing has just successfully recovered from heart surgery, is a practising Buddhist and has seven children.
Artist Website: jimmybarnes.com
Featured Albums: Jimmy Barnes
Related Artists: Cold Chisel, Fraternity, Swanee
