INXS was an Australian rock band formed in Sydney in 1977 by brothers Andrew, Tim and Jon Farriss, singer Michael Hutchence, bassist Garry Gary Beers, and guitarist and saxophonist Kirk Pengilly. Initially known as the Farriss Brothers, the group adopted the name INXS in 1979 and developed a reputation on Australia's pub circuit before releasing its self-titled debut album in 1980.
The band's early music combined rock with elements of new wave, funk, soul, and dance music. The first two albums, INXS and Underneath the Colours (1981), established the group in Australia, while Shabooh Shoobah (1982) began to attract international attention. Its single "The One Thing" became an early success in the United States, and "Don't Change" became one of the band's most enduring songs.
INXS refined its rhythmic, stylish sound on The Swing (1984), which included "Original Sin," a single produced with Nile Rodgers. The album marked a significant step toward the rock-funk fusion that would define the band's commercial peak. Listen Like Thieves followed in 1985 and produced "What You Need," the group's first major American hit.
The breakthrough came with Kick (1987). Produced by Chris Thomas, the album balanced hard rock guitars, dance-oriented grooves, polished pop production, and Hutchence's charismatic vocal presence. It generated a remarkable run of international singles, including "Need You Tonight," "Devil Inside," "New Sensation," and "Never Tear Us Apart." "Need You Tonight" became INXS's first US number one single, while Kick established the band as one of the leading international rock acts of the late 1980s. The accompanying music videos, particularly those for "Need You Tonight/Mediate" and "Devil Inside," helped define the group's visual identity during the peak of the music television era.
The band followed Kick with X (1990), which continued its success through songs such as "Suicide Blonde" and "Disappear." Its 1991 concert album and video Live Baby Live documented the scale of the group's touring career, including a celebrated performance at London's Wembley Stadium. INXS then moved in a more exploratory direction with Welcome to Wherever You Are (1992), an album that incorporated orchestral arrangements and a less conventional approach to songwriting. Although critically respected, it did not match the commercial impact of its predecessor. Full Moon, Dirty Hearts (1993) and Elegantly Wasted (1997) found the band working to adapt to a changing musical climate.
Michael Hutchence died in Sydney on November 22, 1997, bringing the band's most prominent era to an abrupt end. INXS subsequently worked with several guest and permanent vocalists. In 2005, Canadian singer J.D. Fortune joined the group after winning the television series Rock Star: INXS, and he appeared on the album Switch. The band later recorded Original Sin (2010), featuring reworked versions of earlier songs with various guest singers.
INXS announced in 2012 that it would no longer tour. The band's legacy rests on its distinctive blend of rock, funk, dance, and pop, as well as the songwriting partnership between Andrew Farriss and Hutchence. Their strongest recordings remain influential examples of how an Australian band transformed a rhythm-driven sound into international arena rock without abandoning its musical identity.