Jimmy Barnes has revealed that he has had experiences with the supernatural that he cannot explain.
The Australian rock legend believes he may have been visited by ghosts, including his stepfather Reg Barnes and late Cold Chisel drummer Steve Prestwich.
Steve died at age 56 in 2011 following a surgery to remove a brain tumour, and in recent months, while he was recovering from heart surgery, Jimmy believes Steve visited him through a dream after he agreed to reunited Cold Chisel for a tour.
‘I had the dream after we all spoke about doing the tour, about eight months ago’ Barnes tells the Daily Telegraph, in an extract from his new book, Highways and Byways, which is out on October 16.
‘I woke up and I got out of bed and went downstairs … I didn’t want to go back to sleep because it was so real, I f***ing touched him.
‘I just wanted to enjoy being with my mate, because he felt so close’.
In recent weeks, Barnes shared an update on his health following recent surgery and confirmed his plans to return to the stage with Cold Chisel.
The singer, 68, who had been grappling with both hip replacement and open-heart surgery, shared his progress after enduring another health scare in August.
Jimmy Barnes believes he may have been visited by ghosts, including his late Cold Chisel drummer Steve Prestwich, as he recovered from heart surgery (pictured)
The Cold Chisel frontman revealed that a stubborn staph infection, which previously targeted his heart, had returned, this time attacking his hip.
‘Staph infections love to hide in places like scar tissue or prosthetics,’ Barnes told The Daily Telegraph.
‘It decided to throw a party in my back and heart last year, and now it’s hit my hip.’
The rock icon was forced to postpone his solo Hell of a Time tour in August after being hospitalised in New Zealand, experiencing unbearable pain following a string of shows.
Despite the setback, the Cold Chisel 50th anniversary tour scheduled for October remains unaffected, and fans will soon see him back on stage with the iconic band.
Steve (pictured) died at age 56 in 2011 following a surgery to remove a brain tumour, and in recent months, while he was recovering from heart surgery, Jimmy believes Steve visited him through a dream after he agreed to reunited Cold Chisel for a tour
‘I woke up and I got out of bed and went downstairs … I didn’t want to go back to sleep because it was so real, I f***ing touched him. I just wanted to enjoy being with my mate, because he felt so close’ he said. Pictured with Cold Chisel
In a heartfelt message on Facebook, Barnes explained the unexpected need for surgery at the time and apologised to fans.
‘I had a twinge in my hip when I was leaving Dunedin, and by the evening the pain was unbearable. The doctors are moving fast, but I’m expected to make a full recovery in six weeks.’
The post was accompanied by a photo of Jimmy in a hospital bed, giving a thumbs-up, with his wife Jane by his side.
Fans offered overwhelming support, and the rocker assured them that his postponed shows, which included dates in Wyong, Toowoomba, Thirroul, and Sydney, would be rescheduled soon.
Despite the health issues, Barnes has been optimistic, crediting his love for music as a motivator in his recovery.
In recent weeks, Barnes shared an update on his health following recent surgery and confirmed his plans to return to the stage with Cold Chisel
‘I’m doing physio every day, walking miles while lifting weights, and I’ve started singing while doing it,’ he shared.
‘It’s just going to be a joy to get out and play music again. That’s what’s helped me recover so fast.’
Staph infections are bacterial infections and can turn deadly if the bacteria invades deeper into the body or enters the bloodstream.
Earlier this year, Barnes had posted a playful image from his Thailand holiday, showing him in a boxing ring.
‘This is the first hotel gym I’ve found with a Thai boxing ring. I can see another hip replacement… Maybe not,’ he joked, displaying his trademark humour and resilience.
Despite the recent challenges, Barnes remains focused on getting back to his passion.
‘It’s a joy to play music again,’ he said, eager to return to the stage later this year.
The Cold Chisel 50th anniversary tour, dubbed ‘The Big Five-0,’ has already sold over 150,000 tickets across 16 shows, making it one of the most highly anticipated tours of the year.
