Living in the Shadow of Younger Brother Jimmy Barnes
John Swan, known as Swanee, 73, is the older brother of famous musician Jimmy Barnes and a trailblazer for their musical family. He recently opened up about his past struggles, including trauma and drug use, as well as his relationship with his siblings.
Family and Career Reflections
Swanee acknowledged the challenge of living in Jimmy's shadow but said,
“Not many people touch on it, and I think they're just polite.”
Despite the fame of his younger brother, Swanee has always been close to and proud of his siblings. He never saw rivalry as a problem:
“I didn't really give a stuff, because I got offered the gig before he did.”
Early Music Career
Swanee stayed on as a drummer in his band because the pay was steady —
“$25 a week”
— and he couldn’t afford to lose it. He was shocked when he first heard Mossy (Ian Moss) and Steve Prestwich.
He joined Jimmy’s band six months after its formation to sing, but soon realized,
“smart enough to realise that this band doesn't need me.”
Solo Success and Other Endeavors
Afterward, Swanee launched a successful solo career and joined other groups. Notably, he replaced Angry Anderson in The Party Boys and achieved a number one hit with them.
Author's summary: Swanee, the older brother of Jimmy Barnes, forged his own respected path in music despite the challenges of living in his brother’s shadow.