‘I was born afraid’: The untold story of Jimmy Barnes’ harrowing childhood

IN Sunday’s issue of Stellar, Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes talks to his son David Campbell about his harrowing childhood.

Jimmy Barnes opens up about his childhood to son David Campbell in this week’s Stellar magazine. Photograph: Steven Chee

IN this Sunday’s issue of Stellar, Jimmy Barnes sits down with his son David Campbell for an exclusive interview about his forthcoming memoir Working Class Boy.

The book is a raw and honest reflection on Barnes’ violent and desperate upbringing. Speaking to his son for the first time about his memoir, Barnes reveals his apprehension about revealing the horrific details of his childhood.

Grab a copy of Stellar in this Sunday’s paper for the full story.

As a child growing up in the tough northern suburbs of Adelaide, his life was marred by alcoholism, domestic violence and fear.

Following the passing of his mother last month, the 60-year-old wrestled with sharing his story. He was tempted to change parts of the book when his mother was on her deathbed, but decided to leave his recollections as they were.

Barnes is adamant that his story needs to be told. Because as “f*cking abnormal” as his childhood was, in writing the book he realised “it is probably more normal than we think.”

In telling his story, Barnes hopes to improve the lives of his children, including Campbell. “Every step I take forward, my children take a step forward,” he says.

Grab a copy of Stellar in this Sunday’s paper for the full story.

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Originally published as ‘I was born afraid’: The untold story of Jimmy Barnes’ harrowing childhood