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Jimmy Barnes Releases Tribute Cover of Rose Tattoo's 'Rock 'n' Roll Is King
Confirmed
In Short: Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes released a cover of Rose Tattoo's 'Rock 'n' Roll Is King' as a tribute to his late friend Angry Anderson.
Australian rock icon Jimmy Barnes has released a cover of Rose Tattoo's 'Rock 'n' Roll Is King' as a tribute to his late friend Angry Anderson, the band's frontman who died recently.
Barnes had discussed the idea of covering the song with Anderson before his death, and Anderson was excited about hearing Barnes' interpretation.
Barnes recorded his version of the song for his most recent album, but decided to release it as a tribute after Anderson's passing.
Anderson, born Gary Anderson, was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2006. Barnes' son Jackie, a drummer, played with Anderson in Rose Tattoo after joining the band in 2018.
Barnes reflected on a friendship that dates back to their early days in Cold Chisel and Rose Tattoo, when the two bands frequently crossed paths on the touring circuit.
Barnes recalled nights at venues such as Chequers and the Bondi Lifesaver in Sydney, and Bombay Rock and Bananas in Melbourne, where musicians from the two bands would often meet after shows.
Barnes said, 'If there was ever anyone who deserved to be called a rock'n'roll singer, it was him.' He also noted that the song 'Rock 'n' Roll Is King' captured the philosophy shared by both bands.
Barnes added, 'I couldn’t wait to sit down with Angry and play it to him because the song takes on a whole new meaning for me now, looking back through all those years and all those gigs.
The song 'Rock 'n' Roll Is King' originally appeared on Rose Tattoo’s 1981 album Assault & Battery.
Barnes' tribute not only honors Anderson but also highlights the lasting impact of Rose Tattoo on the Australian rock scene and beyond.
Though never major chart forces in the U.S., Rose Tattoo left a significant mark on American hard rock, with Guns N’ Roses covering their song 'Nice Boys' on their 1986 EP Live?!*@ Like a Suicide and later on G N’ R Lies.
Barnes' tribute underscores the enduring legacy of Anderson and Rose Tattoo in the Australian rock community and beyond.
What this adds
Barnes' tribute recording dates back to work he had been doing for his previous album.
The recording was intended for his most recent album but was released posthumously as a tribute to Anderson.
Barnes and Anderson's friendship and shared history on the touring circuit are highlighted in Barnes' statement.
What's confirmed
- “Angry was a devoted father, and much-loved bandmate, friend, and member of the wider music and entertainment community.” Barnes had recorded his version of “Rock ’n’ Roll Is King” — originally from Rose Tattoo’s 1981 album Assault & Battery — before Anderson’s death, having intended it for his most recent album.
- “If there was ever anyone who deserved to be called a rock’n’roll singer, it was him,” Barnes said.
- “Throughout our early careers Rose Tattoo and Cold Chisel’s paths crossed a hell of a lot,” Barnes recalled.
What's still developing
- Barnes also revealed why the new recording did not appear on his previous album.
- “I just want to tip my hat to my mate and let the world know what great songs he and his band wrote,” Barnes said.
- Following Anderson’s death last month, Barnes has now chosen to release the track as a tribute, with all proceeds going to Support Act.
- The recording dates back to work Barnes had been doing for his previous album.
- For Barnes, however, the song represents much more than another Rose Tattoo composition.
- “We travelled the same country, playing the same gigs, on the same endless tours that took us to every single bar that would let a rock’n’roll band play their music LOUD.” Those encounters extended beyond the stage.
- After our shows we would invariably all end up in one of these bars again, looking to wind down but somehow we always seemed to get wound up and ready to rock again.
- They showed those so-called hard rock bands overseas how it was REALLY done.
- All proceeds from Barnes’ tribute will be donated to music charity Support Act.