New Inxs Frontman Named

[spanky debrest]

http://www.usswisconsin.org/Pictures/1950%...uise%201957.JPG

A funney picshure! I LOLLED! Men being hung is very safe for teh work!!!1 - Alan

[spanky debrest]

But seriously:

New INXS frontman named

Wednesday Sep 21 16:30 AEST

After a global search, INXS has chosen Canadian singer JD Fortune to front the iconic Australian rock outfit.

The 32-year-old was named the group's new frontman, replacing Michael Hutchence, who took his own life at a Sydney hotel in 1997.

"Michael's light will always be a part of this band and I think there are talented artists here that just haven't finished their dream and I am just happy to be along for a part of that," Fortune told Australian journalists from Los Angeles.

INXS original members Kirk Pengilly, Tim Farriss, Jon Farriss, Andrew Farriss and Garry Beers earlier this year embarked on an international search to replace Hutchence, joining forces with reality TV guru Mark Burnett.

Together they created the reality TV show Rock Star: INXS, with thousands of budding singers auditioning around the world with the ultimate goal of fronting the band.

Fortune, who grew up in Nova Scotia and whose name is Jason, was up against Australian contestant Mig Ayesa and Marty Casey, from the United States, in the final vote of the TV series, screened in Australia on pay TV.

His rendition of INXS hit What You Need secured him the gig.

While a fan of INXS growing up, Fortune never saw the group live with Michael Hutchence up front.

"I was living in a really small town ... I never got a chance to see any concerts when I was younger," he said.

"(But) a huge chunk of who I am as a singer, songwriter and performer, comes from the influences of INXS and to be able to say that we are INXS at this point is more than a dream."

INXS formed in 1977 and went on to sell more than 35 million albums worldwide with hits such as New Sensation, Devil Inside, Disappear and Need You Tonight.

"Tonight was one of the most significant moments of this band's entire career," Tim Farriss said of the show's climax.

"The last time this band made a significant anything was at our dear and beloved brother Michael Hutchence's funeral ... thunder and rain happened and it happened again this morning.

"I don't know if it has got anything to do with anything in the world but it is pretty kind of weird and out there."

Farriss said INXS was not looking for a clone of Michael Hutchence.

"Jason ... is not trying to fill his (Hutchence's) shoes. We never expected him to," Farriss said.

"Here we are with a brand new person that completes our band and we are just so grateful."

INXS has attempted to find a replacement lead singer several times since 1997. At one stage Terence Trent D'Arby fronted the band before Jon Stevens took over.

But neither relationship worked out.

INXS will release a single on Thursday through Sony BMG, titled Pretty Vegas.

A new INXS album, the first in eight years, will be released in November and will be followed by a world tour starting in January.

The final episode of Rock Star: INXS was to air on Fox8 at 8.30pm (AEST) on Wednesday night.

©AAP 2005

[superpretend]

INXS Rock Star is the worst reality music show I've ever watched. Everyone knows the best thing about these shows is watching all the shit contestants who can't sing in the early rounds butchering songs.

Remove that element and you just have Very Dry TV.

[spanky debrest]

Yeah, the whole thing stank.

However, I look forward to the new, revitalised and reinvogorated INXS setting the world alight.

[the_debaser]

I thought the show was pretty cool, at least the performance bits. All the singers were ace and the band that played with them rocked HARD.

Oh yeah, it had Dave Navarro too who is a God.

And Brooke Burke as well.

[Hello Goaty ♥]

I hated INXS

so much, that I used to think their name was pronounced Ink's.

[Hawkeye]

I've seen this show by default as the wife watches it, and it was obvious who they would choose. I told my better half it would be him weeks ago.

They just got rid of all the women, rid of the black guy and then you had the three possibles left. One was as rock as a rich tea biscuit, another was too rock for the old foggies in INXS leaving the muppet installed as lead singer. Trying to carry on under the name INXS after the death of the most charismatic member is mental in my opinion.

[Hello Goaty ♥]

same as Queen then.

[superpretend]

I'd forgive Queen for not doing a reality TV show, but just trying to continue without Freddie Mercury is sooo wrong that they get the Shit of Disapproval as well.

[Eighthours]

"Michael's light will always be a part of this band and I think there are talented artists here that just haven't finished their dream and I am just happy to be along for a part of that," Fortune told Australian journalists from Los Angeles.

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Anyone else feel nauseous reading that? Bleeeurgh!!

[shirubagan]

However, I look forward to setting the new INXS alight.

←

Corrected.

[christaylor]

http://www.usswisconsin.org/Pictures/1950%...uise%201957.JPG

A funney picshure! I LOLLED! Men being hung is very safe for teh work!!!1 - Alan

←

The guy in that photo's got his trousers on the wrong way round!

What the hell is that all about?!

[Rygal - Reader of Threads]

I'm looking forward to the show when Joy Division look for a new singer.