Jimmy Barnes cancels final gig of 2023 as he fights off serious bout of pneumonia

Jimmy Barnes has been forced to cancel his final gig for the year and faces an extended hospital stay after being sidelined with a serious health issue.

Jimmy Barnes faces an extended stay in hospital as he battles a serious bout of bacterial pneumonia which has forced the rocker to cancel his final performance for the year.

The 67-year-old rock icon shared his shock health update on Friday, and apologised to fans he would be unable to fulfil his headlining slot at the By The C festival in Torquay on Saturday.

“I know a lot of people travel a long way for this gig so I’m really sorry that I won’t be able to see you in Torquay,” Barnes said in a statement posted by the By The C promoter.

“This infection has knocked me for six so there’s no chance that the doctors will let me out of bed for the next few days.”

Barnes was admitted to hospital earlier this week, just a couple of days after he opened the Mushroom 50 Live concert with a blistering performance of his debut solo single No Second Prize and then signature anthem Working Class Man.

He was forced to cancel his scheduled performance on the annual Rock The Boat cruise this week.

Barnes opened the smash hit Mushroom 50 Live concert on Sunday in Melbourne before his health scare. Picture: Mushroom Creative House

“I’m sorry to let you know that I’ve been receiving intravenous antibiotics over the last 36 hours to treat bacterial pneumonia,” he said in a post on Tuesday night.

“Unfortunately, this has stopped me travelling to Noumea to join Rock The Boat 2023 as planned. My band will still perform on board, together with my daughter Mahalia and other special guests.”

Barnes shared doctors had “confined him to bed for two days” and he was expected to make a “full recovery” in time to play this weekend but the infection hadn’t improved as quickly as hoped.

His By The C headlining performance this weekend was his last scheduled gig for 2023 with the rocker planning to kick off his 2024 touring calendar at Summernats in Canberra on January 5 before opening the Red Hot Summer festival run in Kiama on January 6.

By The C and Barnes’ team has scrambled with the help of the rocker’s good mates Ian Moss, Jon Stevens and Daryl Braithwaite and children Mahalia and David Campbell to put on a “unique show” on Saturday with his band in his absence.

“I’d like to thank my dear friends Mossy, Jon and Daryl, plus my wonderful kids Mahalia and David for putting together this unique show with my live band.

“It’s never been done before so I wish I could be there to see it myself!”

Soul queen Mahalia Barnes, who also filled in for her father on the Rock The Boat cruise promised fans a “treat” signing off her post with #doingitforjimmy.

“Firstly, Dad’s dear friend Jon Stevens is going to step in and play a set that includes Noiseworks and INXS hits. Then in a really special climax to the show, the band and I will play a set of Dad’s songs (including some Chisel classics) with special guests Ian Moss, Jon Stevens, Daryl Braithwaite, David Campbell and more,” she said.

“I can’t thank you all enough for your care, concern and support through this time, we are all so grateful. I look forward to singing for you all… I promise it’ll be a show to make Dad proud.”

Jimmy Barnes enlists his grandchildren to re-record an Australian Christmas song called If Santa Forgets for his revamped Blue Christmas album. Picture: Instagram

Barnes has also just released an expanded version of his Blue Christmas record that topped the charts on its release last year.

The updated edition features three generations of the Barnes family, including the original Tin Lids and his grandchildren.

Barnes has overcome life-threatening health challenges and wear-and-tear career interruptions over the past two decades.

The revered rocker had open heart surgery to correct a faulty aortic valve in 2007 with post-operative complications sidelining him for almost six months.

Barnes recovering from heart surgery with wife Jane by his bedside in 2007. Picture: Supplied.

He endured another round of surgery and treatment for infection for his back in 2014.

Barnes was in hospital almost a year ago and forced to take time off the road over summer when doctors ordered emergency surgery for his hips and back after the quintessential rock frontman had battled chronic and debilitating pain when performing in recent years.

As he detailed in his series of best-selling memoirs, including Working Class Boy and Working Class Man, the rock hero has also battled addiction and depression.

Originally published as Jimmy Barnes cancels final gig of 2023 as he fights off serious bout of pneumonia