Jimmy Barnes reflects on healing, why he won’t be in any TV mini-series, and evolving love of writing

BACK in SA for his latest touring show, Jimmy Barnes reflects on healing, why he won’t be part of any TV mini-series, and his evolving love of writing.

• How growing up in Adelaide shaped early days of Cold Chisel
• Packing Room prize winning Archibald portrait of Jimmy Barnes

Back-to-back ABIA biography of the year awards — quite a remarkable achievement for a rock ’n’ roller. Did you ever think, when you first sat down at the laptop, that your two books would strike such a chord with readers? Not really. I wrote them firstly for myself — to get all of the things I have written about out of my system. This stuff has been killing me for years. The longer it stayed bottled up the worse I got. But the Awards were a great surprise. I was very honoured to receive them. I think it would be hard for anyone else to get this Award two years running. I’ve had a big, big life.

You’re on the record saying that writing those books was a way of exorcising some demons — did it work? It did, but only to a point. Like I have said on the tours, writing this stuff down has started the healing process. Now I need to continue working on myself if I really want to reap the benefits of writing. I am a work in progress, probably will be until the day I die.

Jimmy Barnes succeeds in just about anything. Picture: Stephanie Barnes.

You’re about to wrap up a huge speaking/singing tour — how did it stack up against playing solo or Chisel rock shows? Was it a difficult transition to make? After writing the books, it seemed natural to talk about it, and all shows take commitment and hard work. This was just a different discipline. I love playing live, especially with Chisel, but I have really enjoyed talking to my audience on such a personal level. I lay it all out there when I sing, but this is even deeper.

You tell some pretty harrowing tales, particularly in your first book. I imagine it gives some solace to people who have lived through similar experiences. Do they share their own stories with you? It doesn’t make me feel better to know that other people went through the same as me or even lived harder lives than me. I wish all kids could live happy lives. But what did make me happy was that talking about this stuff myself helped other people start to want to look at their own issues. A lot of people out there are suffering and we need to all help each other and I guess this is my little bit towards helping people.

The poverty you lived through as a kid — and the alcoholism, neglect and violence that often accompanies it — had a profound and lasting impact on you. Is it disappointing that today, 50 years later, that type of poverty still exists in this country. There are too many people living in poverty in our lucky country. Some people are just left to slip through the cracks. What we don’t see we think doesn’t affect us, but poverty affects all of us. If not directly, then indirectly. If our community is suffering, then we all suffer. You can try to live in a bubble but sooner or later it will affect you.

You received your second ABIA on the day you won the Archibald’s Packing Room Prize. Are you now officially a renaissance man? Do you enjoy moving in the worlds of literature and art? I’m still growing and learning. I want to keep making myself a better person and a better human being. If I can do that, I will be happy. We all do the best with what we have.

There’s been talk for some time about a Jimmy Barnes biopic or mini-series — is there any truth to these rumours and, if so, which actor do you think would play the best Barnesy? It is not happening. Not with me involved anyway. I’m sure there are great actors who could play me but it would be too weird. I couldn’t watch it. There are plenty of people who want their lives made into movies. Get them and leave me alone. I’m still changing and living my life. There is a documentary that we have made coming out soon. No dramatisations just reality. Life has enough drama without making it up.

Do you think there’s a third book in you?
If so, what would it be about and what would its title be? I’m sure I will keep writing. I like the idea of looking in and sitting with my feelings. So we will see what comes out. I’m also writing fiction, but it’s early days. ●

Jimmy Barnes Working Class Man: An Evening of Stories and Songs, 8pm, June 10, Thebarton Theatre. Book at ticketmaster.com.au