Jimmy Barnes has made it through surgery and is now recovering in ICU. Photo: Jimmy Barnes, Facebook.
Aussie rock legend Jimmy Barnes announced earlier this week he had to pull out of a starring role at Summernats for a second time.
Barnes was set to perform alongside Daryl Brathwaite and the Screaming Jets on the main stage on the Friday night at Summernats 36 but broke the “bad news” of his withdrawal to his social media followers on 13 December.
“Despite everyone’s best efforts, the bacterial infection I’ve been battling over the last fortnight has apparently now spread to my heart … so I’ll be getting open-heart surgery over the next few hours to clear out this infection and put in a clean valve,” he wrote.
“This has happened very suddenly so it’s going to take a few days for everyone to figure out what’s going to be doable with my upcoming shows … I’m really sorry for all the inconvenience this will cause … Here’s hoping 2024 is full of much better things.”
Barnesy was scheduled to perform at Summernats 35 in January this year, but had to pull out due to hip and back surgery.
“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,” he said at the time.
“As much as it kills me, I have to get this fixed so I can jump around onstage for another 50 years.”
Summernats co-owner Andy Lopez said the team were “really sad to hear about Jimmy’s health situation” and “send him our love and good vibes for a full recovery”.
Phil Jamieson from the Grinspoon is keen to front the “mad Summernats crowd” in Jimmy Barnes’ place. Photo: Michelle Kroll.
Barnes might be a hard act to follow, but Andy is confident his replacement will be an “epic treat”.
“We knew we had to bring something special for the fans, and Grinspoon are a band the Summernats fanbase have been screaming for us to book,” he said.
Grinspoon was founded in Lismore, NSW, fronted by Phil Jamieson on vocals and guitar with Pat Davern on guitar, Joe Hansen on bass guitar and Kristian Hopes on drums.
Phil Jamieson said, “We’re absolutely stoked to be coming to the Nats and proud to step in for Jimmy Barnes while he gets on the mend”.
“We haven’t been to Canberra in a long time. It’ll be great to hook up with Daryl Braithwaite and the Screaming Jets in front of that mad Summernats crowd.”
Summernats 36 will be held at Exhibition Park in Canberra (EPIC) from Thursday, 4 January to Sunday, 7 January, and according to the organisers, tickets are selling faster than ever before.
Some of the cars will also take to Braddon for the ‘Fringe Festival’ from 5 pm on the Thursday, Friday and Saturday nights as well.
On the main stage, Saturday evening at EPIC will feature the “world’s only time-travelling DJ”, Hot Dub Time Machine.
Tickets to Summernats 36 are available online.
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