by Cindy Robinson

January 22nd would have been the 51st birthday of the late INXS singer, Michael Hutchence. His charismatic style, strong vocals, sexy swagger and heartbreaking smile are missed round the world by legions of INXS fans but his birthday is a day to remember the joy and passion Michael infused in his vocal performances. A day to remember the plethora of chart topping hits this band created, share the memories with friends and enjoy classic songs like Don’t Change, Never Tear Us Apart and New Sensation. Today we celebrate some of Australia’s finest exports, Michael Hutchence, the band INXS, and all that they’ve given to music in their 30 year career with over 30 million albums sold worldwide. Happy Birthday Michael! We miss you.

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INXS, with sometime singer, J.D. Fortune are about to embark on their first tour in over 3 years that begins in Australia on January 25th at the Robert Oatley Winery in Mudgee, NSW, Australia. The tour continues as follows: 

• January 26 2011,   Centennial Vineyards, Bowral, NSW, Australia
• January 29 2011, Bimbadgen Estate, Hunter Valley, NSW, Australia       
• January 30 2011,   Sirromet Wines, Mt Cotton, QLD, Australia
• February 03 2011, Kings Park & Botanic Gardens, Perth, WA, Australia
• February 05 2011, Annie’s Lane, Clare Valley, SA, Australia                   
• February 06 2011, Rochford Wines, Yarra Valley, VIC, Australia             
• February 12 2011, All Saints Estate, Rutherglen, VIC, Australia
• February 18 2011, Movistar Arena, Santiago de Chile, Chile
• March 02 2011, Sound Academy, Toronto, ON, Canada

The band are promoting their latest CD, Original Sin, an album of reworked classic INXS songs featuring guest vocalists such as Matchbox 20’s Rob Thomas and Pat Monahan from Train along with sultry voiced Australian Dan Sultan on the early INXS track Just Keep Walking. With scattered dates in Chile, Toronto, Canada and a possible date in Portugal in June, it looks like this band may be headed around the world to a summer concert theater near you but their lackluster management, Chris Murphy of Petrol Records ought to get on the ball and release the full tour schedule and get some promotion going. Heavy hitters like My Chemical Romance, Duran Duran, U2, Katy Perry and newcomer Bruno Mars are heating up the summer schedules.

Do you have a favorite INXS story or song? Share a memory with us on this day to remember the late great Michael Hutchence.

Who are you most excited to see on tour this summer? Send us the info, maybe we can get some reviews going on them too!