Working Class Boy

About this book

Long before Cold Chisel long before Barnesy there was the true story of James Dixon Swan A household name an Australian rock icon the elder statesman of Ozrock - there isnt an accolade or cliche that doesnt 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 rocknroll 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 Barness 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 familys collapse but also of a young boys dream to escape the misery of the suburbs with a once-in-a-lifetime chance to join a rocknroll band and get out of town for good. Nothing will prepare you for the power of Jimmys memoir. A fierce graphic bawdy account of his working class childhood - truly harrowing and yet often tender and funny. I couldnt put it down because above all it is also a story of resilience and bravery. - Sam Neill Visceral brave honest: it is like Angelas 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