Jimmy Barnes to share the stories of his harrowing childhood with Working Class Boy spoken word tour

AUSTRALIA’S favourite rocker Jimmy Barnes will take to the theatre stage for a unique show of stories and songs in support of his new memoir.

JIMMY Barnes will swap his trademark howl for his own raw voice for his first spoken word tour inspired by his memoir Working Class Boy.

The book reveals his harrowing childhood and the scars which remain from domestic violence and addiction.

Working Class Boy: An Evening Of Stories and Songs will take him away from his home on the rock stage for the past four decades and into theatres with a unique production which blends his the never-told stories of his childhood in Glasgow and then Adelaide.

“Just like the book, this live show will tell the story of an imperfect childhood that has led to me becoming an imperfect adult,” Barnes said.

“I spent most of my life running from my childhood and now it seems like my time to face it. “So this is the story of a lifetime spent running away. Running from fear. Running from shame but at the same time running from hope. I’m not running anymore.”

The Barnes tour will support the Luke Batty Foundation. Picture: Eugene Hyland

Barnes will draw songs from his early career for the tour. Picture: Gregg Porteous.

The tour will also support the work of the Luke Batty Foundation and Rosie Batty’s campaign to combat family violence.

The intimate soundtrack for the show will draw from his early musical career.

Tickets for the tour will go on sale from 10am on September 19.

The tour kicks off at the Wendouree Centre for Performing Arts in Ballarat on November 15 and runs through regional and capital cities including Regent Theatre, Melbourne on November 19, Her Majestys Theatre, Adelaide on November 25, Brisbane City Hall on December 1 and Sydney Opera House on December 10.

For all dates, jimmybarnes.com

Originally published as Jimmy Barnes to share the stories of his harrowing childhood with Working Class Boy spoken word tour