Born James Dixon Swan, Australia’s quintessential “working class man” Jimmy Barnes is a rock’n’roll folk hero.
Born in 1956 in Glasgow, Barnes moved with his family to the tough streets of Adelaide in 1961. He was just 16 when he first fronted Cold Chisel, one of this country’s most successful rock bands with hits like Flame Trees, Cheap Wine and When The War Is Over.
Barnes launched his stellar solo career a month after playing Chisel’s “Last Stand” farewell tour and his chart-topping success for four decades has made him one of the most popular and best-selling Australian music artists of all time.
Known for his hard-living ways, a now reformed Barnes is also well regarded for his wide-ranging charity work. He most recently released an album to aid the victims of the 2011 Queensland floods and has been an active campaigner for a wide range of causes, including the Cerebral Palsy Foundation and The Red Cross.
With 14 Australian Top 40 albums for Cold Chisel and nine number one solo albums, Barnes has been inducted to the Aria Hall of Fame twice. He now uses his old man of rock’n’roll status to mentor young acts, including his own children.
This person has made the short list for the title National Living Treasure, this title is conferred when someone accomplishes an outstanding achievement, swelling the country’s consciousness with admiration, pride and acknowledgement... be they scientists or sports stars; actors, artists or Indigenous activists; politicians, philanthropists or explorers, The National Trust’s 2012 nominees are a true cross section of our country’s finest.
Click here to see the full nomination list and vote for your favourite.
