It soundtracked a generation. Now it’s back on tour: Aussie rock legend announces tour in celebration of 40th anniversary
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Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes is set to hit the road once again, and this time he’s celebrating a milestone that’s close to the hearts of fans across the country.
That’s right, Barnesy is marking the 40th anniversary of his iconic anthem, ‘Working Class Man’, with a blockbuster national tour, and he’s bringing some very special friends along for the ride!
For many, ‘Working Class Man’ isn’t just a song—it’s a slice of Aussie history.
Released back in November 1985, the track quickly shot up the charts, becoming a top five hit and cementing Jimmy’s place as the voice of everyday Australians.
Now, at 69, the Scottish-born, Adelaide-raised rocker is ready to relive those glory days and share them with a new generation of fans.
This isn’t just any tour. Jimmy’s pulling out all the stops, inviting some of the biggest names in Australian music to join him on stage.
Fans can look forward to seeing ‘80s synth-pop legend Iva Davies and his band Icehouse, the ever-talented Kate Ceberano, and, in a real treat for Cold Chisel devotees, Jimmy’s old bandmate and guitar virtuoso Ian Moss.
But the real showstopper? Jimmy will be performing every single track from his classic 1985 album, ‘For the Working Class Man’.
That means you’ll get to hear not just the title track, but also beloved hits like ‘Paradise’ and ‘I’d Die to Be with You Tonight’—all performed live, just as you remember them.
The six-date tour kicks off on November 22 at Mount Duneed Estate in Geelong, Victoria.
From there, Jimmy and his all-star crew will make their way to Sirromet Winery in Queensland on November 29, before heading to Bimbadgen Wines in the Hunter Valley, NSW, on December 6.
After a well-earned Christmas break, the tour resumes in the new year at Hobart’s Regatta Grounds on January 17, 2026.
Source: Sunrise / Youtube.
Next up is Peter Lehmann Wines in South Australia’s Barossa Valley on January 31, before the grand finale at Sandalford Wines in Western Australia’s Swan Valley on February 7.
Here’s a fun fact that might surprise even the most die-hard fans: ‘Working Class Man’ wasn’t actually written about Jimmy himself.
Source: Jimmy Barnes / Youtube.
In a recent interview, Jimmy revealed that the song’s writer, Jonathan Cain (of Journey fame), penned the track after hearing about Jimmy’s audience—hardworking Aussies who’d spend their weeks on the tools and their weekends letting loose at his gigs.
Jimmy recalled, ‘I told him [Cain] about my audience being hard working, doing nine-to-five in factories, and come Saturday night, kicking their heels up and going berserk. You could see him taking it all in.’
A week later, Cain called Jimmy and said, ‘I’ve written a song for you called Working Class Man.’ At first, Jimmy thought it was a bit on the nose, but when he heard the demo, he knew it was something special—a song that would define his career and speak to millions.
Jimmy Barnes is no stranger to the spotlight. With 21 number-one albums and a spot in the ARIA Hall of Fame, he’s one of Australia’s most decorated musicians.
And he’s not slowing down—he’s also set to headline the 65th TV Week Logie Awards at The Star Sydney on August 3, promising to ‘get the party jumping’ with four decades’ worth of hits.
If you’ve ever seen Jimmy live, you’ll know he gives it everything he’s got—every time. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or you’ve never seen him in concert before, this anniversary tour is shaping up to be one for the ages.
If you’re keen to secure your spot, here’s what you need to know: Telstra Plus Member pre-sales open on August 4, with general pre-sales available from August 6.
These shows are sure to sell out fast, so don’t miss your chance to be part of Aussie rock history.
Read more: After a record-breaking tour, this international star sets sights on Australia again
Are you planning to catch Jimmy Barnes on his Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour? Do you have a favourite memory of seeing him live, or a story about what his music means to you? We’d love to hear your thoughts and memories—share them in the comments below!
That’s right, Barnesy is marking the 40th anniversary of his iconic anthem, ‘Working Class Man’, with a blockbuster national tour, and he’s bringing some very special friends along for the ride!
For many, ‘Working Class Man’ isn’t just a song—it’s a slice of Aussie history.
Released back in November 1985, the track quickly shot up the charts, becoming a top five hit and cementing Jimmy’s place as the voice of everyday Australians.
Now, at 69, the Scottish-born, Adelaide-raised rocker is ready to relive those glory days and share them with a new generation of fans.
This isn’t just any tour. Jimmy’s pulling out all the stops, inviting some of the biggest names in Australian music to join him on stage.
Jimmy Barnes has announced a national tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his classic anthem 'Working Class Man', performing every track from the iconic 1985 album. Image source: Sunrise / Youtube.
Fans can look forward to seeing ‘80s synth-pop legend Iva Davies and his band Icehouse, the ever-talented Kate Ceberano, and, in a real treat for Cold Chisel devotees, Jimmy’s old bandmate and guitar virtuoso Ian Moss.
But the real showstopper? Jimmy will be performing every single track from his classic 1985 album, ‘For the Working Class Man’.
That means you’ll get to hear not just the title track, but also beloved hits like ‘Paradise’ and ‘I’d Die to Be with You Tonight’—all performed live, just as you remember them.
The six-date tour kicks off on November 22 at Mount Duneed Estate in Geelong, Victoria.
From there, Jimmy and his all-star crew will make their way to Sirromet Winery in Queensland on November 29, before heading to Bimbadgen Wines in the Hunter Valley, NSW, on December 6.
After a well-earned Christmas break, the tour resumes in the new year at Hobart’s Regatta Grounds on January 17, 2026.
Source: Sunrise / Youtube.
Next up is Peter Lehmann Wines in South Australia’s Barossa Valley on January 31, before the grand finale at Sandalford Wines in Western Australia’s Swan Valley on February 7.
Here’s a fun fact that might surprise even the most die-hard fans: ‘Working Class Man’ wasn’t actually written about Jimmy himself.
Source: Jimmy Barnes / Youtube.
In a recent interview, Jimmy revealed that the song’s writer, Jonathan Cain (of Journey fame), penned the track after hearing about Jimmy’s audience—hardworking Aussies who’d spend their weeks on the tools and their weekends letting loose at his gigs.
Jimmy recalled, ‘I told him [Cain] about my audience being hard working, doing nine-to-five in factories, and come Saturday night, kicking their heels up and going berserk. You could see him taking it all in.’
A week later, Cain called Jimmy and said, ‘I’ve written a song for you called Working Class Man.’ At first, Jimmy thought it was a bit on the nose, but when he heard the demo, he knew it was something special—a song that would define his career and speak to millions.
Jimmy Barnes is no stranger to the spotlight. With 21 number-one albums and a spot in the ARIA Hall of Fame, he’s one of Australia’s most decorated musicians.
And he’s not slowing down—he’s also set to headline the 65th TV Week Logie Awards at The Star Sydney on August 3, promising to ‘get the party jumping’ with four decades’ worth of hits.
If you’ve ever seen Jimmy live, you’ll know he gives it everything he’s got—every time. Whether you’re a lifelong fan or you’ve never seen him in concert before, this anniversary tour is shaping up to be one for the ages.
If you’re keen to secure your spot, here’s what you need to know: Telstra Plus Member pre-sales open on August 4, with general pre-sales available from August 6.
These shows are sure to sell out fast, so don’t miss your chance to be part of Aussie rock history.
Read more: After a record-breaking tour, this international star sets sights on Australia again
Are you planning to catch Jimmy Barnes on his Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour? Do you have a favourite memory of seeing him live, or a story about what his music means to you? We’d love to hear your thoughts and memories—share them in the comments below!
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so was the Logies thank goodness for the channel changer.
