Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy

The story

With nine #1 albums to his name, Jimmy Barnes is one of Australia’s greatest rock icons. But his success masked a life of hardship and abuse, where the music that once saved him from oblivion almost came back to destroy him. Before Jimmy Barnes was Jimmy Barnes, he was James Dixon Swan, a troubled kid from the mean streets of Glasgow – and the even meaner streets of North Adelaide – trying to survive against a backdrop of addiction, alcoholism, poverty and abuse. For Jimmy, escape was the only option and he found it with a band called Cold Chisel. But the rock’n’roll lifestyle has its own temptations and the scars of childhood are always waiting to take you home. Based on the bestselling memoir and directed by veteran Australian filmmaker Mark Joffe, Working Class Boy is both an inspiring story of rock and redemption told in Barnes’ own words and an unflinchingly honest reflection on fame, creativity and depression.

In the same saga

Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Collection

In release order

This film

Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Boy

2018

Jimmy Barnes: Working Class Man

2025

Cast

J Jimmy BarnesHimself D David CampbellHimself M Mahalia BarnesHerself J Jane BarnesHerself I Ian MossHimself D Don WalkerHimself