Jimmy Barnes shares health update, reveals he’s back rehearsing with Cold Chisel
Cold Chisel frontman Jimmy Barnes has announced he has returned to rehearsals after he underwent surgery earlier this year.
The Australian music legend spent six weeks with a peripherally inserted central catheter sending antibiotics to his heart around the clock.
He ended up in the ICU in August for an undisclosed “remedial” hip surgery following pain in the joint which he felt during a tour of New Zealand
The hip pain followed approximately a year after the now 68-year-old had open-heart surgery to fend off a bacterial infection.
Barnes appeared to be fighting fit as he toured New Zealand before he was struck down again in early August.
However, the singer has taken to social media to share that he is well on the way to recovery.
On Friday he announced the tube, which allowed him to recuperate at home rather than the hospital, had been removed.
“This part of my recovery is now over and with the help of (doctors), nurses, physiotherapists, family, friends, you guys and my Jane, everything is on track.”
Barnes posted a photo of himself in front of a blackboard calendar, which shows various Cold Chisel rehearsals and shows for the coming months.
“Rehearsing with Cold Chisel this week has topped things off,” the post reads.
“I can even get back behind the wheel. Aah! FREEDOM.”
Cold Chisel is playing a 50th anniversary tour around Australia from early October, plus three shows in New Zealand.
Jimmy Barnes reveals staph infection has ‘hit his hip’ as he shares health update and reveals whether he will continue tour
Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes has shared an update on his health following recent surgery and confirmed his plans to return to the stage with Cold Chisel.
The singer, 68, who had been grappling with both hip replacement and open-heart surgery, shared his progress after enduring another health scare in August.
The Cold Chisel frontman revealed that a stubborn staph infection, which previously targeted his heart, had returned, this time attacking his hip.
‘Staph infections love to hide in places like scar tissue or prosthetics,’ Barnes told The Daily Telegraph on Sunday.
‘It decided to throw a party in my back and heart last year, and now it’s hit my hip.’
The rock icon was forced to postpone his solo Hell of a Time tour in August after being hospitalised in New Zealand, experiencing unbearable pain following a string of shows.
Despite the setback, the Cold Chisel 50th anniversary tour scheduled for October remains unaffected, and fans will soon see him back on stage with the iconic band.
In a heartfelt message on Facebook, Barnes explained the unexpected need for surgery at the time and apologised to fans.
‘I had a twinge in my hip when I was leaving Dunedin, and by the evening the pain was unbearable. The doctors are moving fast, but I’m expected to make a full recovery in six weeks.’
The post was accompanied by a photo of Jimmy in a hospital bed, giving a thumbs-up, with his wife Jane by his side.
Fans offered overwhelming support, and the rocker assured them that his postponed shows, which included dates in Wyong, Toowoomba, Thirroul, and Sydney, would be rescheduled soon.
Despite the health issues, Barnes has been optimistic, crediting his love for music as a motivator in his recovery.
‘I’m doing physio every day, walking miles while lifting weights, and I’ve started singing while doing it,’ he shared.
‘It’s just going to be a joy to get out and play music again. That’s what’s helped me recover so fast.’
Staph infections are bacterial infections and can turn deadly if the bacteria invades deeper into the body or enters the bloodstream.
Earlier this year, Barnes had posted a playful image from his Thailand holiday, showing him in a boxing ring.
‘This is the first hotel gym I’ve found with a Thai boxing ring. I can see another hip replacement… Maybe not,’ he joked, displaying his trademark humour and resilience.
Despite the recent challenges, Barnes remains focused on getting back to his passion.
‘It’s a joy to play music again,’ he said, eager to return to the stage later this year.
The Cold Chisel 50th anniversary tour, dubbed ‘The Big Five-0,’ has already sold over 150,000 tickets across 16 shows, making it one of the most highly anticipated tours of the year.
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