INXS Quitting? Australian Band May Have Played Its Last Show

Posted on Nov 12th 2012 12:00PM by Jason MacNeil
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Patrick Riviere, Getty

INXS have yet to issue an official statement but it appears the band may have brought an end to their career over the weekend at an Australian gig. At least that's what many are believing will be made official tomorrow.

According to the Australian, the group's concert in Perth opening for Matchbox Twenty was their finale with drummer Jon Farriss making a statement during the concert.

"I'm getting teary," Farriss said before the band performed "Need You Tonight."

There's no mention on the band's site regarding their end nor via Twitter or Facebook, leading some to think INXS was simply referring to the show concluding their jaunt with Matchbox Twenty. The band's current singer Ciaran Gribbin reportedly wrote on Facebook regarding the band's clarification of the onstage comments.

"Please try and be patient as the Band plan to release a full statement on the subject ASAP," Gribbin said. "I'm sorry I can't say anymore at this time and hope this helps ease a few worries and concerns." The statement however can't be found on Gribbin's Facebook page or has been removed.

"Thanks Perth for an amazing & emotional night," Gribbin tweeted. "Thanks also to the great men of Matchbox Twenty and Evermore @ThisIsRobThomas @matchboxtwenty."

Sources close to the band told The Australian the band and its manager Chris Murphy had a meeting confirming Sunday's show was their final gig, with the band en route to Sydney to issue the official statement.

"...so this is how it ends now...for them...xo," former INXS singer J.D. Fortune tweeted, later adding, "They are my friends and I feel very sad for them. It was an honour to have been a part of the bands history. Love and Mayhem."

Formed in Sydney in 1977, INXS rose to prominence in the 1980s with a bevy of hit singles. Led by the dynamic Michael Hutchence, the group -- featuring brothers Jon, Andrew and Tim Farriss, Garry Gary Beers and Kirk Pengilly -- reached its zenith with 1987's Kick album. The record featured "New Sensation," "Never Tear Us Apart," "Need You Tonight" and "Devil Inside." The follow-up album, 1990's X, also included "Bitter Tears" and "Suicide Blonde."

However, the band endured tragedy in 1997 after releasing Elegantly Wasted when Hutchence was found dead in a Sydney hotel room on Nov. 22. The surviving members carried on touring in 2001 with Jon Stevens on lead vocals. The post-Hutchence phase never compared to band's heyday, though. In 2005 Fortune became the band's singer after winning Rock Star: INXS, the reality show to find a new lead singer. INXS released their last studio album of original material that same year entitled Switch. The band also released 2010 album Original Sin, which was reworkings of earlier hits with guest singers.

Fortune and INXS parted ways in 2011 with the band announcing Gribbin was their new singer.

Watch INXS "Disappear" Video