Jimmy Barnes Announces ‘Working Class Man’ 40th Anniversary Tour

Jimmy Barnes will mark the 40th anniversary of his career-defining solo album For the Working Class Man with a six-date outdoor tour this summer, dubbed the Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour.

Presented by MG Live and Face to Face Touring, the run opens Nov. 22 at Mount Duneed Estate in Geelong, Victoria, and winds through scenic winery and park venues in Queensland, New South Wales, Tasmania, South Australia and Western Australia before wrapping Feb. 7 at Sandalford Wines in the Swan Valley. The bill includes longtime friends and Aussie favorites ICEHOUSE, Cold Chisel bandmate Ian Moss and Kate Ceberano.

“For the Working Class Man was such a significant album in my life,” Barnes said in a statement. “I got to make the record with some amazing people, and it really set up the rest of my solo career. I’m so excited to be celebrating it with some of my dearest friends and favourite artists. And I can think of no better way to mark this milestone than by performing these songs in some of the most beautiful and iconic outdoor venues across Australia.”

Released Dec. 4, 1985, For the Working Class Man blended re-worked tracks from Barnes’ debut, Bodyswerve, with new material such as its title track — written by Journey’s Jonathan Cain — which became an enduring national anthem and was recently dubbed one of triple j’s Hottest 100 Australian Songs. The set debuted at No. 1 on Australia’s Kent Music Report Albums Chart and reigned for seven straight weeks, ultimately earning a 7×-platinum certification (over 500,000 units).

To coincide with the trek, Mushroom Music will issue a deluxe, remastered 40th-anniversary edition on Nov. 14. Formats include a flame-colored double-vinyl pressing (the album’s first on two LPs), CD, cassette and a box set of colored 7-inch singles. Extras feature a newly stripped-back version of “Working Class Man” and a 10-minute spoken-word reflection from Barnes.

The celebration also doubles as a tribute to late Mushroom Group founder Michael Gudinski, who championed the record on its original release and called it “a record for everyone who’s believed in him … for the working-class man.”

Tickets go on sale Thursday, Aug. 7 at 2 p.m. local time via Ticketmaster. Telstra Plus members can access a presale beginning Monday, Aug. 4 at 10 a.m. local time.

Jimmy Barnes Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour Australian Dates

Nov. 22 — Mount Duneed Estate, Geelong VIC
Nov. 29 — Sirromet Wines, Mount Cotton QLD
Dec. 6 — Bimbadgen, Hunter Valley NSW
Jan. 17 — Regatta Grounds, Hobart TAS
Jan. 31 — Peter Lehmann Wines, Barossa Valley SA
Feb. 7 — Sandalford Wines, Swan Valley WA

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