INXS REUNITE for first time in six years and reveal plans to replace ‘talented and dynamic’ late frontman Michael Hutchence 26 years after his death
INXS reunited earlier this week for the first time since 2017.
The group, consisting of Tim Farriss, Kirk Pengilly, Garry Gary Beers, Andrew Farriss and Jon Farriss, was managed by Michael Hutchence until his death in 1997.
On Tuesday the group performed together at the Intercontinental Hotel in Sydney to mark the release of their new book, a ‘love letter’ from more than 400 to the group. During the show, backing vocalist and keyboardist Andrew spoke about Michael.
He said: ‘As people lose someone as talented and dynamic as a frontman as Michael, it became real in our minds that, okay, we created this legacy and we own it. And so we decide when we want to play or not…
“That’s the important point, that it’s not dictated by what we can and can’t do when we feel like it. What appeals to me is who that singer could be.
Happy Days: INXS reunited earlier this week for the first time since 2017 (Kirk Pengilly, ANDrew Farriss, Tim Farriss and Jon Farriss pictured in 2006)
Get lost! The group, consisting of Tim Farriss, Kirk Pengilly, Garry Gary Beers, Andrew Farriss and Jon Farriss, was managed by Michael Hutchence until his death in 1997.
“There must be someone we haven’t even thought about, discovered or found yet. That could be something amazing.”
Michael died by suicide at the Ritz Carlton in Sydney, now known as the Intercontinental Hotel Double Bay, while depressed and under the influence of alcohol and drugs.
His partner Paula Yates claimed that he probably died accidentally while choking himself for sexual pleasure a year before her own death, as the pair had engaged in similar sex games.
A post-mortem examination found alcohol, cocaine, codeine, Prozac, Valium and other prescription benzodiazepines – or ‘benzos’ – in Hutchence’s urine and blood. He didn’t leave a suicide note.
In late 1995, Hutchence told British music magazine Vox: ‘I don’t want to be a cliché. I don’t have to drop off in a hotel bath. I’ve come close, though. I’m surprised I survived, and so are many of my friends.’
After their formation in 1977, the Australian-born group was one of the most successful rock bands of the eighties and stormed the charts with songs such as The Loved One, Good Times, New Sensation and Kick.
They split in 2012 after 35 years together.
In January, Andrew, who co-wrote many of INXS’s hits, revealed he was in Nashville working on new music before supporting Don McLean on tour.
The happy couple: His partner Paula Yates claimed a year before her own death that he probably died accidentally while choking himself for sexual pleasure, as the pair had engaged in similar sex games (the couple pictured with their daughter Tiger Lily in 1996)
Happy Days: The group is pictured in 2014
Hitting back: Last year, Andrew’s brother Tim revealed he was ‘very disappointed’ when he lost his bid for more than $1.2 million in damages after his finger was severed in a boating accident
He wrote music with his friend and collaborator Jeffrey Trott.
Last year, Andrew’s brother Tim revealed he was “very disappointed” when he lost his bid for more than $1.2 million in compensation after his finger was severed in a boating accident.
He sued the owners of the Sydney boat Omega after his finger became entangled in a chain while trying to anchor in Akuna Bay in Sydney’s north on January 24, 2015.
He alleged that they had been negligent and that they had failed in their duty to maintain the boat, warn him of the risk and provide him with proper instructions.
Judge Richard Cavanagh ruled in favor of the motor cruiser’s owners, John William Axford and Jill Mary Axford, and the agent who rented it out.
The NSW Supreme Court judge did not accept that they had failed to exercise reasonable care and ordered Farriss to pay their legal costs. He said that if Farriss had been successful, he would have awarded him $622,000 in damages.
Rock on: INXS hits the LA stage in 2011