From a humble start to famous rocker, Jimmy Barnes has never been one to slow down.

The Australian icon will hit stage in Adelaide tonight to kick off a solo national tour in celebration of his 21st studio album Defiant.

“The name says it all, I’ve been defiant since I was a young man,” he told 9News.

Originally from Scotland and growing up in Adelaide’s northern suburbs, Barnes left his position with SA Railways at 16 to start the legendary Australian rock band Cold Chisel.

Today, with millions of devoted fans worldwide, he has launched 10 new tracks that remain true to the working-class persona that first captivated audiences fifty years ago.

“I was trying to write lyrics on my phone and a few melodies and ideas I had,” he said.

“When I was singing in my phone, a couple of the nurses thought I was in pain.

“They wanted to come and calm me down. I was like ‘it’s ok, it’s just the way I sing’.”

Barnes has shown that you can’t hold the iconic rocker down for long.

Last year, the singer celebrated Cold Chisel’s memorable 50-year anniversary tour, wrapping up with a spectacular final performance in front of tens of thousands at the Adelaide 500.

Now, he is back on home soil to shred the stage again. 

“I just think it is really fitting,” he said.

“After all that turmoil and health problems to come back and reset and to do it where I started is an incredible thing.”

Barnes is set to perform sold-out shows in Adelaide, Sydney and Canberra.

“As long as I can sing, as long as there is an audience who wants to hear me sing and what I’m doing is relevant, I’m happy to do it,” he said.