JIMMY’S SOFT SPOT FOR GOLD COAST

THE Playroom at Tallebudgera was rock’n’roll heaven on the Gold Coast for decades until it was bought by the State Government, knocked down and turned into a car park.

It has a special place in the heart of Jimmy Barnes, who says he has a story in his next book, Working Class Man, about the hard-rock nightclub where he and Cold Chisel performed many times, along with bands like INXS, Midnight Oil and Skyhooks,

Stories abound about Playroom owner Beryl Carnell and how she jumped on stage with Cold Chisel one night, wanting to join Barnes in singing the band’s hit, Cheap Wine.

Legend has it she grabbed his vodka bottle and took a huge swig, thinking Barnes was bluffing and only quaffing water. But it was vodka and as Barnes recalled yesterday, she nearly killed herself.

“I do talk about playing at The Playroom, particularly one night,’’ he said.

The band was playing there over several nights and filming the act.

“My No. 2 daughter was born during the second show,’’ he said. “She was born while I was on stage in The Playroom. Eliza-Jane Barnes, my baby.’’