Prior to INXS’ Sept. 27, 1997 show, there was no way for their fans to know it would end up being their last with frontman Michael Hutchence. But in retrospect, the warning signs had been there for a long time.
The show at the Coca-Cola Star Lake Amphitheater in Burgettstown, Pennsylvania concluded a 77-date tour in support of the group’s tenth studio album “Elegantly Wasted.”
Formation of the band originated from keyboardist Andrew Farris convincing a fellow student at Davidson High School in Australia to join his band Doctor Dolphin. That fellow classmate was Hutchence. The band also featured Garry Beers on the bass. Well In 1977, Andrew’s older brother Tim Farris would invite his younger brother, along with Hutchence and Beers to join his band which included Kirk Pengilly eventually forming INXS.
INXS practically ruled the 1980’s – not only touring the world but also venturing more into rock than pop that in hindsight, it was a great decision, because “The Swing” was released in April in 84’ and was certified double platinum by December. It was 1987’s Kick that would wind up being the ultimate game-changer for not only the band but for rock music collectively.
Although that sound was their key to success, the early 90’s INXS appeared to be boxed in with their sound. The combination of the birth of alternative rock and INXS almost experimenting with a pop-funk sound it wasn’t what the fans wanted to hear anymore: once they were introduced to an edgier rock it ideally puts INXS in a crossroads.
Despite of their sales diminishing, that would stop the band from touring and still recording for their very dedicated fans. Behind the scenes, lead singer Hutchence was battling with some major personal demons; he lived the “typical rockstar lifestyle” whether it was drugs or dating the famous models.
Although he survived quite a lot, it was his uncanny relationship with television personality Paula Yates. Hutchence had known Yates for since the 80’s, but it wasn’t until a very eerie interview between the two when rumors of them dating began to circulate. Already having three daughters of her own with Bob Geldof, Yates would divorce him in 1996, then soon after she gave birth to Hutchence’s daughter Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily. Although things seemed well on the outside, it certainly was not.
While Geldof tried to help Yates’ with her addiction problems, Hutchence was more on the side of being indulgent. Simultaneously, the three were in deep into a custody battle for Yates’ and Geldof’s daughters. Taking that into account and obviously the band’s declining success, it was more than enough for Hutchence to seek some help for his depression.
After the band’s hiatus, they returned to make a new album in 1997 titled “Elegantly Wasted.” The band toured and were planning an anniversary show in Australia in late November.
Sadly, the morning of November 22nd, Yates called Hutchence to inform him that their hearing for the custody battle had been pushed back until December, so she couldn’t bring the kids as they were hoping when the tour began. It had already been a long night before for Hutchence drinking with friends and doing some cocaine.
After receiving the bad news, Hutchence would call Geldof that Bob would go on later to describe as “abusive and threatening.” He was upset he wasn’t going to be able to see his family. A few hours after that, Hutchence would also call both a former girlfriend Michelle Bennett and business manager Martha Troup that both claimed he left voicemails sounded like he was in a dark place. Leaving Troup a voicemail saying, “I’ve f—king had enough.” Then whatever he said to Bennett, it was enough to convince her to check on him at his hotel. She would get there to knock on the door to get no answer.
After Hutchence ‘s tragic death, the band didn’t perform for almost a year. In 1999, Terence Trent D’Arby and Russell Hitchcock collaborated with INXS as guest vocalists so the band could play at the official opening of Stadium Australia, which is a major venue for the Sydney Olympics.
It was on September 20th, 2005, J.D. Fortune was told “you are right for our band,” on CBS by INXS guitarist Tim Farris. Fortune had competed in a reality show Rock Star: INXS which was dedicated to help them find a new lead singer. Just two months later, INXS would release Switch in November and announced a world tour in support by January. Fortune had a tough time adjusting to his newly-found game and turned to drugs and reportedly costed him his job.
Back in 2012, Tim Farris talked with the Sydney Morning Herald about the band’s legacy, “Other bands could have folded. I am proud of it because we’ve had such an incredible career. We didn’t just stick around Australia, we risked everything and put it on a limb and then we ended up huge everywhere in the world. I still don’t think Australia will ever know what it was that we were doing.”
INXS Setlist, Burgettstown, PA, September 27, 1997
Elegantly Wasted (from Elegantly Wasted, 1997)
New Sensation (from Kick, 1987)
Taste It (from Welcome To Wherever You Are, 1992)
Time (from Full Moon, Dirty Hearts, 1993)
I’m Just A Man (from Elegantly Wasted, 1997)
Mystify (from Kick, 1987)
Heaven Sent (from Welcome To Wherever You Are, 1992)
Searching (from Elegantly Wasted, 1997)
Disappear (from X, 1990)
Never Tear Us Apart (from Kick, 1987)
Need You Tonight (from Kick, 1987)
Mediate (from Kick, 1987)
Bitter Tears (from X, 1990)
Girl On Fire (from Elegantly Wasted, 1997)
Kick (from Kick, 1987)
Devil Inside (from Kick, 1987)
What You Need (from Listen Like Thieves, 1985)
Encore:
Don’t Lose Your Head (from Elegantly Wasted, 1997)
Don’t Change (from Shabooh Shoobah, 1982)
Suicide Blonde (from X, 1990)
