Jimmy Barnes slammed by Logies viewers as the rocker opens the show with iconic anthem: ‘Needs to retire’

The iconic rocker took the stage at The Star in Sydney and belted out his lauded anthem, Working Class Man. 

But viewers tuning into the ceremony at home were less than enthused by the 69-year-old’s performance. 

Several shared their thoughts on X, offering some less-than-flattering reviews. 

‘Jimmy Barnes. Poor bastard is incoherent, can’t understand a thing he’s singing,’ commented one fan. 

‘1988 called. It’d like its entertainment back,’ said another, one more adding, ‘One for the boomers on the boomers’ medium.’

‘Unpopular opinion – Jimmy needs to sit down, chill out and retire. He has earned it,’ yet another said. 

‘He’s doing himself no favours singing everything in a screaming rasp, there’s no light and dark anymore and he’s butchered that classic,’ they added. 

‘Maybe choose an opening act that would play a casino in real life rather than an RSL,’ someone else commented. 

‘Barnesy is a legend but that was a rough watch,’ another viewer chimed in, with another saying, ‘Jesus Christ make it stop.’

Others enjoyed the performance, with one fan writing, ‘The bloody Logies has peaked too early, how can they top this!’ 

Another agreed: ‘Jimmy Barnes rocks the #Logies2025!’ while someone else called him a ‘legend.’

One more fan said: ‘Leading with Barnsey means it will be downhill from here.’ 

After a difficult year in which he faced several health challenges, Barnes this week announced a tour to celebrate the 40th anniversary of his classic single Working Class Man.

First released in November 1985, the song was a top five hit Down Under and became the singer’s personal anthem.

For the upcoming concert series, which kicks off in November, Jimmy will be joined by ’80s hitmaker Iva Davies and his band Icehouse, and fan favourite Kate Ceberano.

As a special treat for fans, the Scottish-born Oz rock hero will be playing every track from his For the Working Class Man album, which went to number one in Australia soon after its release in 1985.

Jimmy’s six-date tour begins on November 22 in Victoria at the Mount Duneed Estate in Geelong.

A show at Queensland’s Sirromet Winery on November 29 follows, before Jimmy heads to NSW for a gig at Bimbadgen Wines in the Hunter Valley on December 6.

After taking a break over Christmas, Jimmy will resume the tour for a concert in the new year at the Regatta Grounds in Hobart on January 17, 2026, before travelling to South Australia’s Barossa Valley for a show at Peter Lehmann Wines on January 31.

The Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour will finish off on February 7 in Western Australia at Sandalford Wines in the Swan Valley.