Jimmy Barnes Announces New Book 'Highways And Byways'

Jimmy Barnes has announced his latest book, Highways And Byways, “a collection of stories” that celebrate the singer’s “Scottish heritage, family, friends, music and the adventure of a grand life”.

To date, the Cold Chisel vocalist has released seven books, including the critically acclaimed Working Class Boy and Working Class Man, Killing Time, Where The River Bends (written by Jimmy and Jane Barnes), and the children’s books Rosie The Rhinoceros, Och Aye The G’nu, and The Recorded Poems of Och Aye The G’nu.

Adding another touching story to his repertoire, a synopsis of Barnes’ upcoming book notes that it contains “larger-than-life adventures” and “vivid and poignant tales of the imagination”.

The synopsis also hints at some of the stories you’ll read, such as the singer performing with a list of American musicians, unearthing family secrets in Glasgow, ghosts of the recent and distant past, experiences with superfan traffic police, and pondering his mortality.

The description concludes, “Charming, personal and poignant, Highways And Byways is a collection that celebrates Jimmy's Scottish heritage, family, friends, music and the adventure of a grand life.”

Highways And Byways will be released on Wednesday, 16 October. You can pre-order the book here.

Barnes’ recent health scare seems to have jumpstarted the artist with a new lease on life, with the singer springing back into action following open-heart surgery for a valve replacement in December. 

Two crucial months of recovery helped Barnes heal from a staph infection that had spread rapidly to his heart, causing vulnerability for one of his heart valves that had been replaced prior due to a congenital defect. 

Earlier this year, Jimmy Barnes returned to the stage at Bluesfest Byron Bay and will be busy for the remainder of the year on Cold Chisel’s enormous 50th-anniversary Australian tour.

Of the career-defining tour, which has been expanded to include 23 shows, Barnes said, “Cold Chisel are never apart. We’re as close as brothers. Some of the best moments of my life have been spent on stage with those boys, and I hope we keep going ‘til the day we drop. 

“The Big Five-0 is a landmark moment. There have been plenty of times where I never thought I’d live to see this day, so I’m going to make the most of it. I can’t wait to celebrate with my mates and with all the fans who have been such a big part of our story. We’re gonna smash it!”