INXS

Good songs, a tight band, and a charismatic lead singer to deliver them… it’s a time honoured rock formula, and one nailed by Andrew Farriss, alongside brothers Jon and Tim, when they formed INXS with Michael Hutchence in late seventies Sydney. Although they had more hope than certainty when early singles “Stay young” (1980) and “Just keep walking” (1981) began getting serious radio airplay, they could scarcely have imagined the massive worldwide success that would follow.

“Kick”, released in 1987, delivered fame and fortune, including a US #1 single in “Need you tonight”. Although, surprisingly, the LP did not hit the top of the national chart in Australia, the two previous releases had both been #1 albums, ensuring that while they had become enormously popular around the world, Australia was where the band were loved and revered. So the untimely death of Michael Hutchence in 1997 was felt deeply here, there, and everywhere. INXS continued with a range of singers for many years after this body blow, releasing several energetic live albums and a number of compilations of hits. With albums such as “The Swing”, “Listen Like Thieves” and of course, “Kick”, the legacy of INXS as one of the biggest bands of the 1980s is assured.