Customer Reviews

INXS: Story to Story: The Official Autobiography

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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]

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!

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!

Another lacklustre biography on INXS and Michael Hutchence. All in all a good entertaining read but for the most part it felt quite rushed and lacking direction. The band input was meagre but the content when they did speak was revealing enough to hold your interest.

I was expecting a more detailed read considering INXS were directly involved with the writing etc...

6/10

I read this a couple years ago & if you're a Michael Hutchence or INXS fan, you will enjoy this book. It was very informative & I learned alot that I did not know about the band. It is a real rags to riches story of how 3 brothers in a band, along with 2 teenage close friends, met Hutchence in high school & started a band at 17 that would make them superstars in their native country of Australia. 20 years later they were about to embark on a 20 year reunion with the band when Hutchence committed suicide by hanging himself in a Sydney, Australia hotel room. In the 80's, INXS became very big in the United States as well through songs played often on the radio & many of their music videos aired on MTV. I became a fan & bought their "Kick" album. Years later after watching the reality show "Rock Star INXS" in the summer of 2004, I became an even greater fan. I bought 20 of their music video hits & from the first one, I was hooked. Hutchence was also a songwriter & he & Andrew Farris wrote alot of their music. They are instrumental with being the first band to successfully implement a disco sound with rock & roll & created some of the best music ever played! I soon bought most of their earlier videos & started my quest of reading about Michael Hutchence's amazing life. I was curious as to what would make such a vibrant & talented & adored young man kill himself. I found my answer & her name was Paula Yates. I still listen to their music & always will. They became my favorite band in the whole world & finally topped my favorite band since a teenager, Aerosmith, who is a close second. Hutchence's 5 bandmates loved him like a brother & they all had a special relationship. When the rest of INXS picked a new lead singer, it was never to replace Michael, as one of the Farris brothers "Andrew" puts it "Nobody could ever replace Michael", but to be able to tour & sing & do what they love best - perform. The band always has a tribute to Michael before concert shows & his life left such a void for so many, especially his look alike little girl, Tiger Lily. I recommend this book!

INXS was one of the best bands to come out of the 80's! I thought I knew a lot about the band from reading Smash Hits as a teenager, but boy was I wrong!

I enjoyed hearing the stories from the bands' point of view and I especially liked the insight into the early years. Although I was surprised at how little was actually mentioned about the years surrounding Listen like Thieves and Kick. Anthony Bozza's writing style covers the excesses of the post-Kick years in detail, but without the cheapening feel of tabloid fodder.

The lack of "tell-all" sensationalism may leave some feeling that the book was boring. While the book does feel slow at times, it's a truly great story. A bittersweet tale of brothers and friends who worked hard to reach amazing heights only to have it all come crashing down around them.

In the late 80's & early 90's the media portrayed Michael Hutchence as the most important member of INXS. After reading this book, I really understood how much all of the members contributed. This book also helps to make a little more sense out of the Rock Star TV show (sort of).

I hope now michael hutchence can finally rest.This book was a great read for me,the facts are true and official from everyone who participated unlike alot of the other garbage the media and people trying to make money off his tragic ending were writting. You must read this if you are a true fan of this band and what they were about. Stop the digging of info and constant bickering of his death. Its done he is gone but never forgotten. This book is definitely a tribute to michael hutchence.

If you are a fan of INXS the book was very entertaining and a good read.Very insightful and an honest prospective from insider of the band.

This book was a pleasant read on some true Aussie rockers. When Chris St Clair brought out an unauthorised biography on Michael Hutchence in early 1998 and books were written by various family members, I wondered if the day would come where an objective account of the band and its members would be penned. Well, this is the one! My one regret was never seeing the band perform live, even though I've lived in Sydney Australia my whole life. This book filled an empty space for me, providing a deeper insight, which was a pleasing compensation.

Nicholas R.W. Henning - Australian Author

Just an awesome book ! From start to finish. It is very hard to read the passing of Michael, but it puts everything into persepctive. If you are an INXS fan, this book is for you !