I Certainly Hope '80s Version of INXS Has More Staying Power Than Rock Star: INXS
Saturday September 20, 2008
Do a quick search on the Internet for information on the band INXS, and you'll invariably find more than a few mentions of the recent reality show Rock Star: INXS and the band's current lead vocalist, J.D. Fortune. That's understandable, I suppose, given the program's popularity and the short-term memory that tends to plague the collective American pop culture. Still, I wonder how many kids nowadays know the band INXS but remain embarrassingly devoid of knowledge and appreciation of Michael Hutchence and the solid period of time when he was the band's frontman. Yeah, I know this makes me sound like an old fogey, but I bristle a bit when I consider the legacy this significant pop/rock band will have when all is said and done: '80s masters of versatile, dance-inflected pop or one of the major flashpoints of reality television? Check out my INXS Profile and Top INXS Songs of the '80s list for a refresher course on what I believe is clearly the band's most indispensable period of activity, its journey from semi-new wavers to bona fide '80s superstars.
Comments
Amen, brother! INXS are really an awesome rock band. Solid, talanted musicians. A band that can play live and has thousands of times to millions of people. And I agree young kids now don’t even know them and if they do, like you said, it’s for thier reality show. Michael Hutchence himself should not ever be forgotten for the amazing performer and lyricist he was. It’s bad enough his talent is gone now, wasted. It makes me sad enough that the band themselves seem to avoid the topic of their former band mate. Have you noticed that? Very rarely is he mentioned and if he is, it’s the interviewer who has brought him up.
Let’s at least hope JD shows himself and the band gets another album out before even long time INXS fans forget them. (Not that I ever *really* would…)
So glad I’m not the only out there who still remembers & appreciates the “old” INXS. I still have the earlier stuff on vinyl & cassette! What well-crafted, awesomely-performed songs. I wish JD & the boys well but truly miss the old lineup.
I think the best thing from the 80’s are the commercials from Life Alert they were so great!