Jimmy Barnes, the working class man himself is coming to Bunbury with his new show Jimmy Barnes, Working Class Boy: An Evening of Stories and Songs which will explore the emotional side of the Cold Chisel front man.
The show is an experience Jimmy said will give dedicated fans an insight into the area of his life that informed the rock and roll years so profoundly and hopes will raise awareness surrounding the repercussions of domestic abuse.
While Jimmy insists he didn’t set out to write a book on domestic abuse in society, the result was a book that addressed a very prevalent issue in society.
“If the number of deaths at the hands of terrorists was the same as Australia's domestic abuse fatality rate we’d be under martial guard, that’s how serious it is,” he said.
Jimmy, who was born in the notoriously rough Scottish city of Glasgow, suffered abuse at the hands of his father and turned to drugs and alcohol in his later life to numb the pain.
He said his experiences detailed in the book are ones repeated across the country by men and women of every generation.
“I don’t think this issue is common of just my generation, it’s one that happens now to thousands of people every day and it happens to people you know, people next door,” he said.
“We’ve got to be thinking about this problem in our country – I wrote this book as a means to air out the wounds I sustained when I was younger but when I had finished I realised this pertains to a lot of people.
“People relate to it on a very personal level.”
Because Working Class Boy is a family driven story Jimmy felt it was only appropriate to team up with his own family to perform the show. His son, daughter and son-in-law all join him on stage to tell the tale of his youth via music and stories from the horses mouth.
Jimmy said he also feels pressure from his fan base since he’s become a role model for many young Australian men.
“I didn’t deal with my issues in a normal and healthy manner, I turned to substances,” he said.
“I’m definitely not happy with everything I’ve done in my life, but I did survive it and it has taken me to where I am today but it’s not something I’d wish on anyone.”
Jimmy said he hopes everyone who sees his show will leave feeling connected to his story and to each other.
Jimmy Barnes, Working Class Boy: An Evening of Stories and Songs comes to the Bunbury Regional Entertainment Centre on December 15 from 8pm.
Tickets can be found at bunburyentertainment.com
If you or someone you know is experiencing domestic violence, you can ring for help on 131 444.
Blayde Grzelka
Journalist for the Bunbury Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
Journalist for the Bunbury Mail, Australian Community Media, and Fairfax Media.
