Rock legend Jimmy Barnes shares story about performing on the Gold Coast for the first time 46 years ago

Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes has revelaed what it was like performing on the Gold Coast for the first time 46 years ago, saying he had a few “wild times I wish I could forget”.

JIMMY Barnes’ memories of playing on the Gold Coast date back 46 years.

He recalls encounters with all the surfies in the southern end of the strip and a few “wild times I wish I could forget”.

“I have fond memories at the Kirra Beach Hotel and down Coolangatta way,” Barnes told the Bulletin.

“I joined Cold Chisel when I was about 16-and-a-half or 17 and we went on tour around that time.

Jimmy Barnes. Photo: Sam Ruttyn

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“I probably wasn’t allowed to be in pubs but I was playing in them.

“We knew all the surfies there. We would eat at the cafes and play for next to nothing.

“I have played so many times at Twin Towns too. It’s like going in for a rehearsal. You go in and they go ‘Oh, it’s really straight, you need to be reserved’, but we always tear the place up.”

Barnes, who returns to the Gold Coast in October for By The C at the Home of the Arts (HOTA), said playing at venues “like that on the Gold Coast was a big part of my childhood”.

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Kirra Beach Hotel. Photo: Brendan Radke.

“I have a good connection with the place – and I’ve had a few wild times I wish I could forget.”

Asked how the Gold Coast audience compares to the rest of Australia, he said: “The Gold Coast audience tends to be a fairly lively bunch.”

“I don’t like to generalise but they can get a bit rowdy. Which is good.

“A lot of people are there on holidays and wanting to have a good time.

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Jimmy Barnes. Picture: Stephanie Barnes

Jimmy Barnes has announced his 'Shutting Down Your Town' national tour. Picture: Gary Herry

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“It’s quite a unique place to play. You can play on the Gold Coast two or three times in a matter of six months and it would be a different audience (each time).”

Barnsey last performed on the Gold Coast in 2018 as part of Surfers Paradise Live.

Tickets go on sale today at Ticketek for By The C on October 20 as part of his Australian tour Shutting Down Your Town.