Jimmy Barnes

Jimmy Barnes is an Australian folk singer who was born in Glasgow, Scotland.

In 1961/62 his family moved to Australia. After playing in a school band (he replaced Bon Scott (who joined AC/DC) as lead vocalist in the band Fraternity. Then, aged 16, he joined Cold Chisel in 1973. After playing in pubs across Australia for a few years, they got a recording contract in 1976 but they split up in 1983.

Backing Tracks

Let’s Make It Last All Night

Driving Wheels

I’d Die To Be With You Tonight

Lay Down Your Guns

 Little Darling

Stand Up

Stone Cold

The Weight

Too Much Ain’t Enough Love

When Your Love Is Gone

Working Class Man

No Second Prize

Before The Devil Knows You’re Dead

Good Times

Bring It On Home To Me

Official Website

Biography

 

Jimmy started his solo career and his first album’Bodyswerve’, produced by Mark Opitz, was published in 1984. It included the hit singles ‘No Second Price’and ‘Daylight’ and went straight to number one in the Australian album chart. In 1985 Jimmy recorded a few new songs and recut some of the tracks from ‘Bodyswerve’ for his American debut ‘For The Working Class Man’. The title track was used for Ron Howard’s movie ‘Gung Ho’, the album was mixed for American audience and recorded with American musicians. It sold very well in Australia (several times platinum, one of the biggest selling albums down under). In America it didn’t sell at all.

He recorded two songs (‘Good Times’, ‘Laying Down The Law’) together with INXS for the’Lost Boys’ soundtrack and in 1988 his first live album ‘Barnestorming’ was published (and it sold several times platinum down under). Then, in 1990, he recorded ‘Two Fires’, his fourth studio album. In 1991 he recorded a cover album containing his favourite soul classics (‘Soul Deep’) and in 1992 he went into a studio together with Tina Turner and Diesel to record a great new version of ‘The Best’.

In 1993 ‘Heat’ was another brilliant Barnes album that went straight to the number one of the Australian album chart. An acoustic album, called ‘Flesh And Wood’, was recorded in the same year. On this record Barnes was supported by The Badloves, Joe Cocker, Ross Wilson, Tommy Emmanuel, Diesel, Don Walker, Deborah Conway and Archie Roach. His last album, ‘Psyclone’, was published in 1995. It contains the song ‘Come Undone’ that was written by Diesel, Jimmy’s brother-in-law (he married Janes sister Jep Mahoney). Jimmy recorded a different version of this song with the Dutch band ‘The Pilgrims’, the new version was recently published in the Netherlands.