Jimmy Barnes

Nationality: Australian Born: Height: Star sign: Taurus Famous for: Quirky Quote:

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Born James Dixon Swan in Glasgow, Scotland on 28 April 1956, Jimmy Barnes is one of Australia’s most successful musicians. Arriving in Australia in 1961, Barnes’s parents soon divorced and he decided to take the last name of his stepfather, Reg Barnes. Barnes, affectionately known as “Barnesy” in Australia, is well known for both his role as lead singer of rock band Cold Chisel (1973 – 1984) and as a solo artist.

At just 16 years old, Barnes joined the band Orange and regularly played gigs from the back of a truck. Orange soon changed their name to Cold Chisel and by the late 1970s were one of the biggest bands in Australia. Once signed to a record label, their first single was Khe Sahn, which was banned from commercial radio but is now considered one of Australia’s unofficial national anthems. Barnes was famous for his performances at Cold Chisel’s sell-out concerts and was also a notorious drinker and womaniser.

After Cold Chisel’s final concert in 1984, Barnes pursued a solo career that was a success overseas as well as in Australia. To date he has released 16 CDs (including greatest hits compilations) with major hits including Too Much Ain’t Enough Love, When a Man Loves a Woman, River Deep Mountain High and Working Class Man, which became another favourite Aussie anthem. Barnes is married and has three daughters and a son.