Jimmy Barnes reacts to Cold Chisel hitting top of ARIA chart after undergoing surgery

Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes has reacted after his beloved band has hit a new music milestone after he was forced to cancel his tour and undergo emergency surgery.

Legendary Australian rockers Cold Chisel have soared to the top of the ARIA chart with the release of their new album, 50 Years - The Best Of.

It’s familiar territory for the beloved band who with this latest achievement, have now notched up six chart toppers in their time together.

The new album - celebrating the band’s 50-year anniversary - landed just seven weeks before Cold Chisel’s sold-out The Big Five-0 national tour kicked off.

More than 200,000 people had snapped up tickets to see the beloved rockers celebrate their golden anniversary in circus tents, arenas and outdoor venues across Australia and New Zealand.

It comes as vocalist Jimmy Barnes underwent emergency hip surgery earlier this month during the New Zealand leg of his tour and was forced to cancel the remaining shows of his Hell of a Time tour.

“I’m so grateful to all the doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who have helped me get back on my feet after some recent hip surgery,” he said.

Cold Chisel have gone to the top of the ARIA music chart. Picture: Supplied/Daniel Boud

“I can’t wait to be on stage again with Cold Chisel and play these songs for everyone who has followed us for all these years plus some people who might be seeing us for the very first

Time.”

Meanwhile, guitarist Ian Moss said he was thrilled at the band’s latest album debuting at number one on the ARIA chart.

“If someone told me back in 1974 that we’d be having a number one album in 50 years, I would never have believed it,” he said.

It’s the band’s fourth ARIA number one joining Twentieth Century (1984), The Last Wave of Summer (1998) and Blood Moon (2019). They also had two more chart topping albums before the ARIA charts began – Circus Animals (1982) and Swingshift (1981).

Barnes said he is “making steady progress” after recently posting a photo of himself out of his hospital bed.

“I turned a corner today. Making steady progress and doing my best not to rush anything. Felt great to get outside for some good old Darlinghurst air,” he captioned an Instagram post alongside a photo of out of his hospital bed and on his laptop.

“Thankful my Jane Barnes is always by my side.”

Jimmy Barnes posts a picture with his wife. Picture: Instagram.`

Jimmy Barnes recovering well in hospital. Picture: Instagram.

Barnes’ wife Jane also updated fans with the news the rocker had a cute visitor: his grandson Teddy.

“Our Jimmy update: Teddy has come across the ditch for his watch. Ninja turtles and hospital ice cream, I don’t know who’s happier,” Jane wrote on Instagram. “Today’s comfort hospital food is Hainanese chicken rice. It’s been a tough day so thanks for all the Love.”

Jane had told fans Jimmy had been moved from ICU and was recovering with home-cooked remedies including her “healing chicken soup” and chocolate chip cookies.

She also thanked the family’s “online community” of friends and fans for their outpouring of support and love for the musician and author.

With photos of Barnes tucking into a delicious chicken soup and a visit from daughter Mahalia and son Jackie, Jane said her husband was “recovering well”.

Jimmy Barnes tucks into some healing chicken soup. Picture: Instagram

“Jane here to thank you once again for all your messages of support for our Jimmy. You are an incredible online community of family, friends and followers who offer up your kindness and thoughtfulness during trying times like these,” she posted.

“Jimmy is out of ICU and recovering well. I brought in some healing chicken soup and chocolate chip cookies for afternoon tea, a bit of home always helps hospital days.

“Our kids always around watching over us. Full of Love.”

Barnes’ latest health setback came after he suffered pain during the New Zealand leg of his tour.

He returned from Dunedin and was forced to cancel the remaining shows of his Hell of a Time tour.

Jimmy Barnes with his daughter Mahalia and son Jackie. Picture: Instagram

“I’ve got some bad news unfortunately. I had a twinge in my hip when I was leaving Dunedin on Thursday morning and by late last night (Friday) the pain was unbearable so I went off to hospital,” Barnes posted.

“The doctors have recommended a remedial medical procedure ASAP followed by some physio to address the issue.

“These doctors don’t muck around! Providing all goes to plan, I’m expected to make a full recovery in six weeks.

Barnes said hated letting his fans down but his upcoming solo shows would be affected.

“However, as a result of this unexpected surgery my August and September solo shows will all be impacted. Ticket holders will be contacted with further info in the coming days once we have new plans in place,” he said.

“As you know, I hate to let anyone down, but I’m also never going to compromise the quality of my gigs. I apologise for the inconvenience this will cause everyone – I HATE moving shows! – but thank you for understanding.”

Barnes underwent hip replacement surgery in December 2022 after suffering constant and excruciating pain when performing, caused by “jumping off PA’s and stomping around stages for nearly 50 years.”

Rocker Jimmy Barnes after undergoing open heart surgery. Picture: Instagram

After several months of rehabilitation, the rocker returned to the stage for The Jane Barnes Band, a tour with family members reprising their regular performances online to keep fans entertained during the pandemic.

But he suffered a life-threatening setback late last year when an aggressive bacterial infection spread to a heart valve and a section of the aorta and Barnes underwent open heart surgery to repair the damage.

“I was critical before they said they had to operate on my heart,” he said in February.

“There were moments there where I said to Jane ‘I don’t think I’m going to make it.’ I was so hot and in so much pain, labouring just to think.”

Barnes returned to the road in March after his lifesaving surgery. Picture: Sam Ruttyn

Barnes made his live comeback at the annual Bluesfest in Byron Bay in March and three postponed Red Hot Summer festival shows in April.

In June, he kicked off his Hell of a Time tour, a tribute to his Flesh and Wood record with tales of his life and facing death which was due to take its final bow at the Sydney Opera House on August 18, with plans to film that show.

Cold Chisel are due to celebrate their 50th anniversary with a national tour in October. Picture: Justin Lloyd.

Barnes will also release the latest book in his memoir series called Highways and Byways, “a collection of stories that celebrates my Scottish heritage, family, friends, music and the adventure of a grand life” with Harper Collins Australia in October.

Originally published as Jimmy Barnes reacts to Cold Chisel hitting top of ARIA chart after undergoing surgery