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 68-year-old singer, who had been dealing with a hip replacement and open-heart surgery, shared his progress after enduring another health scare in August.
The Cold Chisel frontman revealed that a persistent staph infection, which previously attacked 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.
“Last year he decided to throw a party on my back and my heart, and now he’s hit me in the hip.”
The rock icon was forced to postpone his Hell of a Time solo tour in August after being hospitalized in New Zealand and experiencing excruciating pain following a series of shows.
Despite the setback, Cold Chisel’s 50th anniversary tour scheduled for October was not affected and fans will soon see him back on stage with the iconic band.
In an emotional Facebook post, Barnes explained the unexpected need for surgery at the time and apologized to fans.
Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes has updated fans on his health following recent surgery and confirmed his plans to return to the stage with Cold Chisel.
“As I was leaving Dunedin I felt a sharp pain in my hip and by the afternoon the pain was unbearable. Doctors are working fast but I am 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 gesture, 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 his health problems, Barnes has remained optimistic and credits his love of music as a motivator in his recovery.
“I do physical therapy every day, walk for miles while lifting weights, and I started singing while doing it,” he shared.
“It’s going to be a joy to get back out there and play music. That’s what’s helped me recover so quickly.”
Staph infections are bacterial infections and can become fatal if the bacteria invade deeper into the body or enter the bloodstream.
“I do physiotherapy every day, walk for miles while lifting weights and have started singing while doing it,” he told The Daily Telegraph this week.
Earlier this year, Barnes had posted a fun picture from his holiday in Thailand, which showed him in a boxing ring.
“This is the first hotel gym I’ve come across with a Thai boxing ring. I’m imagining another hip replacement operation… Maybe not,” he joked, displaying his characteristic humour and resilience.
Despite recent challenges, Barnes remains focused on returning to his passion.
“It’s a joy to be playing music again,” he said, looking forward to returning to the stage later this year.
Cold Chisel’s 50th anniversary tour, dubbed ‘The Big Five-0’, has already sold over 150,000 tickets across 16 shows, making it one of the most anticipated tours of the year.
Late last year, Jimmy suffered a life-threatening infection that attacked his heart; he then underwent successful open-heart surgery.