INXS
Labelled one of Australia’s most successful rock exports, INXS rocked the 80s and 90s with a mix of new wave and indie rock music fronted by one of the sexiest men in rock-n-roll, Michael Hutchence. The original line-up of Hutchence, Kirk Pengilly, Garry Gary Beers, and Farris Brothers Tim, Andrew and Jon were responsible for a series of hits including Original Sin, Need You Tonight, Devil Inside and New Sensation.
CLICK HERE FOR EVEN MORE UNIQUE INXS VIDEOS
Despite the tragic death of Hutchence in 1997, the band have continued to tour and can claim a career of over 30 years with an induction into the Rock and Hall of Fame, over 30 million records sold and countless industry awards.
The origins of the band start in the late-70s when the band formed and performed across Australia. The members of INXS were not from wealthy families, and like other young Australians, they could look forward to careers in factory work, or perhaps getting into a family business selling cheap classic car insurance. Instead, they followed their passion for music and formed a band that would some day dominate the music charts. By 1980, the band had signed with an independent label run by the former manager of another great Aussie band, AC/DC.
INXS released its first album in December 1980 and it contained the single Just Keep Walking. This song was the first Australian Top 40 single. The band kicked off a series of Australian tours and eventually recorded a song called The One Thing which managed to secure INXS some international interest.
In 1982, INXS signed a deal with labels in North America and Europe. The One Thing was the band’s first video to be aired on MTV.
One year later, the band released the single Original Sin which was to become its first #1.
During 1984, the band embarked on a non-stop global tour and began getting some critical acclaim. The band’s sound was decidedly moving from new wave towards unadulterated rock.
The widely celebrated album Kick was released in October 1987. This album contained the mega-hits New Sensation, Never Tear Us Apart, Devil Inside and Need You Tonight. The band followed with the album X which produced top ten hits in the form of Suicide Blonde and Disappear.
The band released a final album, Elegantly Wasted, with Hutchence in 1997 but it failed to make waves in the charts.
In November 1997, Hutchence was found dead in a Sydney hotel room. The official autopsy labelled it suicide but fans and family staunchly campaign that it was an accidental death.
Throughout the late 90s and 00s, the band has been through two replacement lead singers but following a reality TV show settled on J.D Fortune.
Juanita Appleby
This information is provided as a brief overview and not as a definitive guide, there are other sources on the net for that. If however you have a story or information that is not generally known we would love to hear from you. Content@rokpool.com
