Great Australian band that have been together since 1977 and have produced some of the best tunes of the 80s and early-90s. Around their Listen
Like Thieves album, they became increasingly
popular in the US and around the world. 1987's Kick album made them superstars. X sold less in 1990 but as a live band, many consider them to be one of the best ever. They did a huge show at Wembly Stadium in July 1991 in front of
72,000 which was recorded and is called Live
Baby Live. It is one of the best concert DVDs in existence.
Later, the band fell out of favor with the rise of the grunge movement and changing tastes. Their 1992 album, Welcome to Wherever You Are, was brilliant and diverse, and ultimately one of their best, but sold poorly. Full Moon, Dirty Hearts in 1993 did not do well in sales or among critics. They released one more album before Michael Hutchence's death in 1997, Elegantly Wasted, which is a
disappointment overall. Michael's death had a profound and lasting effect on the band.
They kept playing into the early 2000s with guest singers, and finally decided on a new singer, JD Fortune, through the show Rock
Star INXS. His voice is similar in many ways to Hutchence but no one can replace Hutch's singing and songwriting
talent, sexiness, or immeasurable charisma.