Australian singer Jimmy Barnes has announced his first New Zealand tour since having open heart surgery in 2023.
Barnes will play shows in Christchurch, Wellington, New Plymouth and Auckland in July, with his doctors giving him the all clear to return to performing.
The Hell of a Time tour will celebrate the anniversary of his 1993 album Flesh and Wood.
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Barnes was hospitalised in November 2023 with bacterial pneumonia, however, he became very unwell, developing a staph infection which required surgery.
The infection then progressed further causing endocarditis, a life threatening condition that without treatment could have been fatal.
This then affected Barnes’ aortic valve and required urgent cardiac surgery to replace it.
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The Cold Chisel frontman says he is looking forward to getting back to New Zealand, a country he has toured many times over the years.
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“I’m excited about getting back on stage, in front of the band and playing for my Kiwi mates. I really want to thank everyone for their support and good wishes while I was ill. The family were passing on your messages of care and it really lifted my spirits.”
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On his health, he added that he is feeling fitter and stronger with each passing day. “I’ve visited all my doctors now and they all tell me the same thing. I am ready to rock.”
Tickets for Barnes’ tour go on sale on April 10.
This story originally appeared on Stuff and was republished with permission. Read the original here.
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