JOHN ROONEY ANNOUNCES LONG AWAITED NEW ALBUM DETAILS
HOODWINK – OUT 17 APRIL
“Singing super surgeon”, John Rooney, has announced details of his new album, Hoodwink, to be released on Friday, 17 April 2026 through MGM Distribution.
John Rooney formed his first band The Lonelyhearts in the Sydney suburb of Liverpool, a fiercely talented power pop band that went on to release a number of independent records.
He recently returned to the stage performing the opening slot on Jimmy Barnes’ Working Class Man 40th Anniversary Tour.
With his pure, sweet, wonderfully melodic voice, Rooney has captured new fans and excited old fans, delivering an emotional rapport and unique following.
Rooney’s sumptuous melodies and his diverse and inspirational lyrics caught the attention of A-list producer Kevin Shirley (Joe Bonamassa, Aerosmith, The Black Crowes, Cold Chisel, Silverchair) with Hoodwink being recorded in Los Angeles and Nashville with legendary musicians including Waddy Wachtel(Stevie Nicks, Linda Ronstadt), Rusty Anderson (Paul McCartney), Don Was(Was Not Was, Ryan Adams & The Cardinals), Chris Chaney (Jane’s Addiction, AC/DC), Benmont Tench (Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers), Spooner Oldham (Aretha Franklin, Bob Dylan, Neil Young) and Jim Keltner (Traveling Wilburys, John Lennon, George Harrison). The album was mixed by multiple Grammy Award winner Bob Clearmountain (Bruce Springsteen, The Rolling Stones, Toto, Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams) delivering a lush and uplifting album of pure delight.
The first single from the album, Trouble Always Finds Me, features his old friend, Jimmy Barnes, on vocals. Click below to view the video:
John and Jimmy have a very special connection. On the night that Jimmy married Jane, Cold Chisel were doing a gig at the Comb and Cutter Hotel in Blacktown where the support act was The Lonelyhearts. While Jimmy’s career remained on stage, John’s did a detour and he went on to become one of Australia’s best orthopaedic surgeons. As John said, “Jimmy went to superstardom and I went to being on call at St Vincent’s”.
Jimmy and John’s friendship was rekindled following Barnes’ well documented health issues. As Jimmy said, “This man got me up dancing again when he operated on my hips, not once, not twice but three times.”
John said, “For the last few months I have been opening up for my dear friend Jimmy Barnes on his 40th anniversary WCM tour. A once in a lifetime experience which I can’t thank Jimmy and Jane for enough. It’s not every day you get to put down your scalpel and pick up a microphone!
“Now, I’m excited to finally release my new album, Hoodwink, through MGM Distribution. The list of musicians I got to work with is second to none and the first single, and opening track, is a duet with Jimmy – Trouble Always Finds Me – which could be a reflection on both our lives (maybe his a little more than mine). I hope you enjoy it!”
Hoodwink is released on Friday, 17 April 2026 through MGM Distributionand is available now for pre-order from here.
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