Australia music legends Cold Chisel have been left in shock after their new album shot to the number one spot on the ARIA music chart.
Called 50 Years – The Best Of, the record is a compilation of the band’s most beloved tunes including Khe Sanh, Flame Trees and Cheap Wine.
And the Chisel’s frontman Jimmy Barnes, who is currently recovering from emergency surgery, chose the exciting moment to share a health update with fans.
The 68-year-old, who has led the band since their formation over five decades ago, sounded like he was raring to hit the stage for the band’s upcoming national tour The Australian reported on Friday.
‘I’m so grateful to all the doctors, nurses and physiotherapists who have helped me get back on my feet after some recent hip surgery,’ he said.
‘I can’t wait to be on stage again with Cold Chisel and play these songs for everyone who has followed us for all these years, plus some people who might be seeing us for the very first time.’
Cold Chisel guitarist Ian Moss, 68, expressed his astonishment that the band’s 25-track greatest hits package has been such a smash.
‘If someone told me back in 1974 that we’d be having a number one album in 50 years, I would never have believed it,’ he said.
Australia music legends Cold Chisel (pictured) have been left in shock after their new album shot to the number one spot on the ARIA music chart
According to the publication the album, which includes such beloved tunes as When the War Is Over and you Got Nothing I Want, sold a whopping 4500 just on vinyl in a week.
50 Years – The Best Of is the 6th time the Chisel’s have reached the top spot since they hit number the first time in 1981 with the live album Swingshift.
Their other ARIA number one albums include The Last Wave of Summer (1998), Blood Moon (2019), Circus Animals (1982) and Twentieth Century (1984).
It comes after Jimmy recently shared a health update with fans after undergoing emergency surgery.
Frontman Jimmy Barnes, who is recovering from emergency surgery, chose the exciting moment to share a health update with fans. Pictured with his children Jackie and Mahalia
‘I can’t wait to be on stage again with Cold Chisel and play these songs for everyone who has followed us for all these years, plus some people who might be seeing us for the very first time’ he said. Pictured with wife Jane
The Working Class Man hitmaker underwent hip surgery recently after experiencing severe pain following a series of shows in New Zealand.
The rock star took to Instagram to share a video of himself on the mend.
Dressed in a patient gown, Jimmy walked up a hospital corridor on two crutches, but managed a steady and swift pace.
In the caption to the post, the singer wrote, ‘Day 5 post hip op, I’m on crutches for hallway walks and exercises.
‘I have to thank everyone doing their best to get me back on my feet again. That includes all of you cheering me on,’ he said.
Jimmy had to cancel gigs on his current solo tour after he was stricken with pain following shows in New Zealand.
Meanwhile, Cold Chisel’s upcoming 50th anniversary tour is turning into a blockbuster.
Cold Chisel’s 50th anniversary tour is turning into a blockbuster with 200,000 tickets already sold. Pictured: Cold Chisel in their 80s heyday
Demand has been so great for tickets, the legendary Aussie rockers added six more shows to their already extensive national jaunt.
According to official figures released by the band’s management over 200,000 tickets have been sold.
The tour will kick off at the Petersons Winery in Armidale on October 5 and finish up in Adelaide on November 17.
Cold Chisel formed in Adelaide in 1973, with Ian Moss on guitar and vocals, Steve Prestwich on drums and Don Walker on piano and keyboard and Phil Small on bass.
Barnes joined the band at the end of that year, on lead vocals – he was just 17 at the time.
The band officially split in 1983 but have staged several reunions since.
