INXS cofounder talks Michael Hutchence, going country
Updated Dec 15, 2020;
The guy who made some of the best dance-rock music ever has been a country fan most of his life.
As a teenager growing up in rough-and-tumble Australia, Andrew Farris - cofounder, multi-instrumentalist and a primary writer with ’80s hitmakers INXS - connected with outlaw sounds by Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Johnny Cash.
Farriss liked Dolly Parton’s countrypolitan hits too.
And Hank Williams’ high-lonesome vibe.
Of course, Farriss and his INXS bandmates, including late great frontman Michael Hutchence, were destined for MTV stardom. The quintet’s strobe-beat guitar hits, like “What You Need,” “Need You Tonight” and “Devil Inside,” were songs rockers and poppers could all jam to.