NEW SENSATION INXS TO PUT FORTUNE TO USE AT GIBSON AMPHITHEATRE.Byline: Sandra Barrera Music Writer It's not every day that a veteran multiplatinum rock band finds a new singer on national TV. But that's just what INXS INXS In Excess (band) INXS Internet Exchange Service did last summer, when the viewers of the CBS (Cell Broadcast Service) See cell broadcast. reality series ``Rock Star: INXS'' chose J.D. Fortune, a 32-year-old singer from Nova Scotia Nova Scotia (nō`və skō`shə) [Lat.,=new Scotland], province (2001 pop. 908,007), 21,425 sq mi (55,491 sq km), E Canada. Geography , to step into the role held by the charismatic Michael Hutchence Michael Kelland John Hutchence (January 22 1960 – November 22 1997) was the original lead singer of the Australian rock band INXS. Biography Early life and career until his suicide in 1997. The Australian band has since gone on to record and release the album ``Switch,'' score its highest debut single with ``Pretty Vegas,'' co-penned by Fortune, and sell out venues across the U.S., which includes the Gibson Amphitheatre The Gibson Amphitheatre (formerly Universal Amphitheatre) is a theatre located in Universal City, California, USA. It was originally built in 1972 as an outdoor venue, but was remodeled and converted into an indoor theatre in 1982. at Universal CityWalk Universal CityWalk is a part of Universal Studios Hollywood, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Japan originating from Universal's first park, Universal Studios Hollywood. tonight. As INXS guitarist Tim Farriss Tim Farriss (born Timothy William Farriss, 16 August 1957, Perth, Western Australia, Australia) is a member of the rock band, INXS. Early life and the formation of INXS puts it, ``Everything seems to jell.'' ``I mean, there are times when you really miss your old mate,'' he says. ``But you really appreciate the new mate that you have.'' An out-of-work Elvis impersonator An Elvis impersonator is someone who impersonates or copies famed American musician Elvis Presley, either as a hobby, a career in entertainment or occasionally for fun. Elvis impersonators can range in ethnic background, size and talent. , Fortune was living in his car when he auditioned for ``Rock Star: INXS,'' a reality show not unlike ``American Idol'' in which a winner is chosen through the process of elimination The process of elimination is a basic logical tool to solve real world problems. By subsequently removing options that may be deemed impossible, illogical, or can be easily ruled out due to some sort of explicit understanding relative to the entire set of options, the pool of . The series was the brainchild of INXS, which was founded as a Sydney-based pub band in the late '70s by Farriss and his brothers, Andrew and Jon; Kirk Pengilly; Garry Beers; and Hutchence. During the '80s, the band won international attention on the strength of songs like ``Don't Change,'' ``Original Sin,'' ``What You Need'' and ``New Sensation.'' But also fueling the band's popularity was Hutchence, whose good looks and rock star swagger made him a bona fide [Latin, In good faith.] Honest; genuine; actual; authentic; acting without the intention of defrauding. A bona fide purchaser is one who purchases property for a valuable consideration that is inducement for entering into a contract and without suspicion of being heartthrob. ``He was obviously singled out,'' Farriss says, recalling the time that Rolling Stone offered to put Hutchence, and Hutchence alone, on its cover. But the singer refused, telling the magazine's editors, ``It's the whole band or nothing.'' That mentality has remained with the band, which has spent the years following Hutchence's death (of an apparent hanging) trying out a revolving door of established singers like Terence Trent D'Arby, Jon Stevens and Jimmy Barnes. Nobody seemed to fit. The problem? ``It always seemed like it was us and them,'' Farriss says, adding that INXS wanted ``someone that would fit into our family and ... grow with us'' like Hutchence. And so, auditions for a new INXS singer were held around the world, including in Toronto, where Farriss recalls first seeing Fortune perform. His confident swagger may have impressed the judges enough to qualify him for the show. But in the early part of the series, the band wasn't so sure he was the one. How come? ``He came on too strong,'' says Farriss, explaining that Fortune's arrogance and on-stage mannerisms like crotch-grabbing were off-putting. ``But then he listened and ... the thing that got him through was his desire to be the guy.'' In the end, Fortune, whom Billboard describes as ``easy on the eyes,'' beat out the competition, including runner-up Marty Casey of the Lovehammers, which is currently opening on tour for INXS's new incarnation. Asked how it's going, Farriss says he can't complain. ``The shows are electric,'' he says. ``We're all having a wonderful time.'' Sandra Barrera, (818) 713-3728 sandra.barrera(at)dailynews.com INXS Where: Gibson Amphitheatre at Universal CityWalk, 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. When: 8:15 tonight. (But first you can catch INXS, from 5 to 7 tonight, at the Universal CityWalk Hard Rock Cafe Hard Rock Cafe is a chain of casual dining restaurants. It was founded in 1971 by Isaac Tigrett and Peter Morton, and their first Hard Rock Cafe opened near Hyde Park Corner in London, in a former Rolls Royce car dealerships showroom close to Hyde Park, where in 1979 they began to for a special Star 98.7 FM broadcast. The band also will be donating pieces of memorabilia to the Hard Rock's collection. Admission is free for the early appearance, and all ages are welcome. Information: (818) 622-7625). Tickets: $44.50 to $79.50. Call (213) 480-3232 or www.ticketmaster.com. CAPTION(S): photo Photo: Vocalist J.D. Fortune, left, will join INXS vets Jon Farriss, Kirk Pengilly, Andrew Farriss, Garry Beers and Tim Farriss on stage in Universal City tonight, preceded by an appearance at the CityWalk Hard Rock Cafe. |
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