Working Class Boy

A Memoir of Running Away

Jimmy Barnes, Jimmy Barnes, Freight Train Music , Bolinda Studios

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CD-Audio

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English

ABC/ Bolinda Audio
01 August 2017

Rock & Pop music; Autobiography: arts & entertainment; Humanities

"The time I have spent writing this book has caused me a lot of pain. Sometimes because of what I have remembered about my childhood and sometimes because of what I couldn't remember. It is funny how your mind blocks things out when those things can hurt you. There are a lot of things I wish I didn't remember..."

A household name, an Australian rock icon, the elder statesman of Ozrock - there isn't an accolade or cliche that doesn't apply to Jimmy Barnes.

But long before Cold Chisel and 'Barnesy', long before the tall tales of success and excess, there was the true story of James Dixon Swan - a working class boy whose family made the journey from Scotland to Australia in search of a better life.

Working Class Boy is a powerful reflection on a traumatic and violent childhood, which fuelled the excess and recklessness that would define, but almost destroy, the rock'n'roll legend. This is the story of how James Swan became Jimmy Barnes. It is a memoir burning with the frustration and frenetic energy of teenage sex, drugs, violence and ambition for more than what you have.

Raw, gritty, compassionate, surprising and darkly funny, Jimmy Barnes's childhood memoir is at once the story of migrant dreams fulfilled and dashed. After arriving in Australia in the summer of 1962, things went from bad to worse for the Swan family - Dot, Jim and their six kids.

The scramble to manage in the tough northern suburbs of Adelaide in the 60s would take its toll on the Swans as dwindling money, too much alcohol and fraying tempers gave way to violence and despair. This is the story of a family's collapse, but also of a young boy's dream to escape the misery of the suburbs with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join a rock'n'roll band and get out of town for good.

"A fierce, graphic, bawdy account of his working class childhood - truly harrowing, and yet often tender and funny. I couldn't put it down because, above all, it is also a story of resilience and bravery." - Sam Neill

"Visceral, brave, honest: it's like Angela's Ashes meets Trainspotting - only more brutal. A deep, guttural howl of a book, it speaks of the pain and hurt that haunt so many men. And it may just save lives." - Magda Szubanski

By: Jimmy Barnes
Producer: Freight Train Music, Bolinda Studios
Read by: Jimmy Barnes
Imprint: ABC/ Bolinda Audio
Country of Publication: Australia
Edition: Unabridged edition
Dimensions: Height: 134mm, Width: 146mm, Spine: 28mm
Weight: 190g
ISBN: 9781489411709
ISBN 10: 1489411704
Publication Date: 01 August 2017
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: CD-Audio
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for Working Class Boy: A Memoir of Running Away

'a stunning piece of work - relentless, earnest, shockingly vivid.' -- The Australian 'A powerful, deeply emotional and transformative production.' -- The Daily Telegraph '... anyone seeking an emotional, dark, funny, exciting theatrical event - and a powerful singer still in great voice - will be thrilled.' -- The Sunday Mail 'You know you've been to a pretty good gig when the songs of your youth are redefined.That is just what this old Cold Chisel fan is feeling right now after spending a wonderful 150 minutes listening to Australian rock great Jimmy Barnes tell his life story with yarns and song.' -- The West Australian