‘Timing couldn’t be worse’: Jimmy Barnes returns to hospital following recent health scare

Iconic Aussie rocker Jimmy Barnes has been forced to cancel an upcoming performance after revealing he is being treated in hospital for a serious infection.

The 67-year-old Cold Chisel frontman took to social media to share the news, revealing that he had been admitted to the hospital as he battles bacterial pneumonia.

“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.

“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.

“I’m expected to make a full recovery in time to perform live at By The C in Torquay.”

 

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Supportive fans across the country rallied together on social media, showering Barnes with a stream of heartfelt wishes for a speedy recovery.

“Mend well Jimmy and rest up,” one fan wrote.

“A serious illness, not to be trifled with . All the best, rest and do your coughing and breathing exercises. A couple of years ago I was struck with bilateral pneumonia and ended up in an induced coma on life support for 8 days. So do as you must and get well soon.”

“Your health comes before performing Jimmy. Always. Rest up and take care, wishing you a speedy recovery,” another commented.

“Gotta take care of yourself first Jimmy. Hope you get better soon.”

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.”

Following his major surgery, Barnes made a committed effort to keep his fans in the loop regarding his recovery while offering his gratitude to fans for their continued support.