‘Knocked me for six’: Jimmy Barnes offers health update amidst ongoing battle with bacterial pneumonia

Legendary Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes has been forced to cancel more performances as he continues to struggle with a severe episode of bacterial pneumonia.

The 67-year-old was expected to perform at the the By The C festival in Torquay, Victoria, on Saturday, December 2, however, the Cold Chisel frontman revealed there was “no chance that the Doctors will let me out of bed”.

“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 as I’d hoped,” he said.

“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.

“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.

“Again, I’d like to apologize to everyone – if I could be there I would be there – but it’s still going to be a helluva show.”

 

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Devoted fans quickly showered Barnes with well-wishes for a swift recovery, urging him to prioritise his health above all else.

“Your health is the first priority, if they are real fans, they’ll understand. Get well soon,” one fan wrote.

“I’m so sorry to hear you haven’t recovered yet. I hope you’re ok. Infections like that can be nasty and really take it out of you.”

“Wishing you a speedy recovery! Bacterial Pneumonia knocked me for a six a few year ago with a long recovery. Take Care,” commented another.

“Do as the Drs advise, so you will be fit for your families Christmas wishing you a speedy recovery Jimmy.”

Fans had no doubt been anxiously awaiting news on Barnes’ health after he recently announced that he was being treated in hospital.

“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 at the time.

“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.

“I’d like to apologise sincerely to everyone for the inconvenience and disappointment this has caused, but the doctors have confined me to bed for 2 days. The timing couldn’t be worse.”

Barnes’ recent health scare comes almost a year after the singer was admitted to hospital to undergo hip and back surgery in December 2022.

The procedure forced Barnes to cancel his touring commitments at the time after persistent hip and back pain left him in a state of constant agony.

The singer attributed his health woes to a lifetime of high-energy performances in which he would regularly jump around on stage but claimed that he was committed to addressing the issues in order to continue rocking out for fans.

“I’ve been jumping off PA’s and stomping around stages for nearly 50 years, but it’s finally caught up with me,” Barnes said on social media at the time.

“I’ve had niggling back and hip issues for years, but things suddenly got a lot worse over the last few weeks and I’m now in constant and severe pain.

“As everybody knows, it’s against my religion to blow out gigs but the Doctors tell me I need an operation as soon as possible and it will really limit my movement for a few months.

“As much as it kills me to inconvenience everyone, I have to get this fixed so I can jump around onstage for another 50 years.”

As the music world eagerly awaits further updates regarding his latest health battle, there’s no doubt that fans eagerly await Barnes’s swift return to the stage where he can once again unleash his electrifying performances.