Jimmy Barnes, 66, cancels summer tour as he battles chronic pain in severe health fight 

Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes announced on Tuesday that he is canceling his summer tour of Australia due to hip and back surgery.

The 66-year-old is in “severe pain” after five decades of very physical performance and can no longer delay medical attention.

While confident that he will make a full recovery and return in the second half of 2023, the musician posted a video on his YouTube account explaining that his upcoming surgery will put him out of action for several months.

Australian rock legend Jimmy Barnes, 66, (pictured) announced on Tuesday that he is canceling his summer tour of Australia as he is forced to undergo hip and back surgery

His final performance will be at VALO Adelaide 500 on Saturday before officially canceling the rest of his tour.

“I’ve been jumping off PAs and stomping on stages for almost 50 years, but it finally caught up with me,” Jimmy said in his video as he sat at his desk.

‘I have suffered from nagging back and hip problems for years, but in recent weeks it suddenly got much worse and I am now in constant and severe pain.’

He continued: “As everyone knows, it’s against my religion to blow out performances, but the doctors are telling me I need surgery as soon as possible and it will really restrict my movement for a few months.”

Jimmy went on to say it kills him to “bother everyone” but explained that it’s important he has the surgery and recovery as soon as possible so he can have “another 50 years on stage” can jump around’.

It comes just over a week after he canceled an in-person appearance in Western Sydney due to rising Covid cases.

The Scottish-born rock legend was set to sign copies of his new album Blue Christmas at the Penrith Panthers Leagues Club on November 26.

But the founder of Cold Chisel stopped performing for public safety reasons, The Western Weekender reports.

Jimmy’s fans learned of the news through the music icons’ official Twitter account.

His final performance will be at VALO Adelaide 500 on Saturday before officially canceling the rest of his tour

“In order to protect everyone, given the current rise in COVID cases,” the post said, “the Penrith Panthers event on Saturday … will not take place. Thank you for your understanding.’

Despite most of the world moving away from any restrictions around the fear caused by the pandemic, Jimmy’s fans praised his decision.

Covid cases had surged across the country, with some states recording an 80 percent increase as variants of the virus ran rampant.

It comes just over a week after he canceled an in-person appearance in Western Sydney due to rising Covid cases