Jimmy Barnes reveals how Jane’s family helped him learn about love in new Story Time episode
As Jimmy Barnes prepares to release his third book, he reveals how his wife and her extended clan taught him about love. LISTEN TO THE PODCAST
Music
Don't miss out on the headlines from Music. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Before Jimmy Barnes met “my girl” Jane Mahoney, his concept of family was framed by the violence he experienced in his childhood.
As his new book Killing Time: Short stories from the long road home reveals, his wife and her extended clan showed him the flip side. They taught him about love.
Although they could fight like Glaswegians too.
LISTEN TO HIS NEW PODCAST HERE:
“Jane’s family became (my) template for what a family was,” Barnes says during the next episode of his Story Time podcast.
“My family, we’re Scotsmen, we feud, we hold grudges. I’ve had a fight with my (late) mum and not spoken to her for years. And only spoke to her because Jane insisted.
“Whereas Jane’s family, they would have big fights, say horrendous things, get emotional and scream, and then a minute later ‘Can I get you a cup of tea, dear?’ And I would be like ‘What? Are you serious?’
“From the minute I met Jane and joined he family … they were the way I learnt about love.”
If his first two books, Working Class Boy and Working Class Boy, documented the profound impact of childhood poverty and abuse, tales of his family, Killing Time features several chapters about his experiences with Jane’s family in Thailand, Australia and even a remote coral atoll.
Killing Time’s stories are a companion to the decades-long love story which thousands of fans have witnessed during the regular Jimmy and Jane performances, meal preps and flower arrangements on social media over the past six months.
MORE NEWS
Surprise special guests on new Midnight Oil song
Sinead O’Connor drops new song
Noel’s shocking words for Liam
In conversation with award-winning Australian author Debra Oswald for the fourth episode of the Story Time with Jimmy Barnes podcast this weekend, the rocker agrees with the observation his writing pays tribute to the emotional anchor of his wife.
“Jane is my rock. And sometimes she wants to smash herself over my head,” Barnes jokes. As he has often admitted, any serious declaration is almost instantly tempered by humour.
The family will be by his side on Tuesday when he launches Killing Time with readings, performances and a fan Q&A at what is being hailed as Australia’s biggest virtual book launch.
– THE BOOK
Get your copy of Killing Time by Jimmy Barnes, published by HarperCollins Australia. In stores from October 7 — pre-order now at Booktopia
– THE PODCAST
Experience why Story Time with Jimmy Barnes is rocketing up the charts. Join Jimmy and his all-star mates wherever you get our podcasts — plus exclusive behind-the-scenes content at storytimewithjimmybarnes.com.au
– THE LIVE EVENT
Join Barnesy at Australia’s biggest ever virtual book launch on October 6. Jimmy will read excerpts from Killing Time plus sing a few songs with family and friends. Joining the party is free, just register via killingtime.jimmybarnes.com