Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I hear you complaining... and you really shouldn't..., November 20, 2005
Forget whether you do or don't like the people in this band, forget if you do or don't agree with the find-a-new-singer-on-TV thing, and just read it for what it is - a really interesting story that you already know has a sad ending.
Mr. Bozza doesn't fall on his face here:
I'm certain though that a lot of people are going to pan this book because they'll feel like it doesn't give them enough raw, gut-wrenching `inside' scoop about what `really' happened. This is a long and hazy story at best and what is most apparent when reading it is that there wasn't anything this band was trying to hide or omit as much as they were trying to find a graceful, publicly digestible way to close what is likely to have been the longest chapter in their careers.
Because there has always been a dreadful amount speculation and spectacle surrounding Michael Hutchence death, it seems unavoidable that many will be disappointed to hear what little these men felt like they could actually share of their very personal tragedy (that's a different book actually - "What Does it Feel Like to Have One of Your Best Friends Die Suddenly Under Mysterious Circumstances" -- to be found in the Self Help isle). In my opinion they share just enough to make you realize that sharing any more would be trading in on something too hard to explain to yourself, much less to the masses.
The book is poignant in its attempt to admit to the fissures in judgment by all involved as it simultaneously tells the tall, often funny, tales of growing up while on tour -- with all the glorious excess of the late 70's, 80's and early 90's (`hey mate could someone please pass the fruit bowl of coke, now!'). None of the men in this band were or are saints -- they do nothing to have themselves presented in any other light than that of the reality they knew as thier own: they were a group of wildly different guys who lived as they did because they loved the fun of making music and playing to crowds.
Should have Mr. Bozza arm wrestled more pictures from them, absolutely - after all, we are more or less a simple- minded folk who like our picture books. But if you can leave the armchair quarterback judgment calls out back, and are a fan of the band, or are just curious about how this group is now trying to find their footing again after fate put the big smack-down on their world, give it a read. There are several places that will make you pause and think to yourself, `god what a journey - I wish I had the talent and the balls to...' [insert that thing you wish you could do with your life instead of being in this big heard of dumb driven cattle]
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15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
YOU THINK YOU KNEW INXS, January 24, 2006
So, you think that you knew INXS. Maybe what you knew was what you read or saw on TV. Well, here's your opportunity to know the truth as this is the only biography of the band that is sanctioned and participated in by the band. INXS is a band of brothers, three blood brothers, Farriss, and three soul-brothers, Beers, Pengilly, and Hutchence. This is a book that allows the reader an opportunity to see a glimpse of their rise to fame, their perserverence in an often difficult music world, and the tragic events that led to Hutchence's departure from this world.
The reader is allowed to glance at the remaining band members' sorrow and their soul searching that Hutchence's death brought about. It is also the story of a journey, of the path that led the remaining members of the INXS family to seek a new member of the band, not to replace Hutchence, but to continue the musical journey that was begun by all six members of the band. This is a band whose light was dimmed by the loss of Hutchence, but whose light was never completely doused. This is a band who, like the family that they are, needed private moments to reflect, needed to wrap their minds around the events that led to their brother's death, and needed to have an outlet to express themselves. Music has always been INXS' outlet and has always allowed them the opportunity to work out their problems, insecurities, and dreams. And the music had ended without an encore in November of 1997.
Any true fan of INXS should read this book. Please read the book with an open mind. Even those fans who believe that replacing Hutchence through the reality TV series Rock Star INXS was tastless and commercial should read this book. Listen to what the remaining band members say. Listen to how they describe themselves and listen to how they describe Hutchence. It is plain to see that these are men who have done an incredible amount of soul searching, who have blamed themselves for not being able to stop their brother's downward spiral, who have replayed those final hours in their minds so many times that they became raw from the experience. This book is about the hope that they each have been able to take from their self-reflection and about the vision that they each believe INXS has yet to complete. Finally, ask yourself as you read this book, if I died would I want my family to break apart and not be the same family ever again, or would I want my family to try to continue as a family? I, personally, would want my family to try to move on without me. I would never want my family to disentigrate because of my death.
Finally, this book is about healing. The band's healing from the death of Hutchence and about the fan's healing through an understanding of the true personalities of the remaining members of INXS. As a true INXS fan from the early moments of their careers, I am happy that they participated in this book and I am happy that, once again, the bright beacon of INXS music is being heard throughout the world. And I am pleased that INXS went about the task of finding a lead singer in such a fan-friendly way as to allow the fans the opportunity to participate in their three month live audition to find a new lead singer. I am also thrilled that, like me, JD Fortune, Jason, to the other members of INXS, is a huge INXS fan. He, like other INXS fans, is aware of and in awe of Hutchence and will always keep Hutchence's light shining. To INXS, I say, good on ya, mates!
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
INXS : Story to Story, November 17, 2005
I am now a firm fan of Anthony Bozza. I felt the book after the introduction was a bit of a hard start but quickly devolped into one that I didn't want to put down. I believe there was a great mix of facts presented by Mr. Bozza and stories from the guys themselves. There were many times humor, guts and sorrow shared in very humorous, kind and compassionate way. Way to go Mr. Bozza, you managed to make these humble men very human in your writing of their story as told to you. Awesome Book!
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