New INXS Singer Will Be Decided on Reality Show
Posted: June 15, 2004 4:14 pm
From Billboard.com:
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/artic ... 1000531344
Australian rock act INXS will be the band at the center of television producer Mark Burnett's new reality show, "Rock Star." As previously reported, the latest show from the creator of such hits as "Survivor" and "The Apprentice" will see a new lead singer chosen for the veteran rock act.
"I am a long-time fan of INXS and feel very fortunate that INXS approached us with this idea and have entrusted us with their future," Burnett says in a statement posted today (June 14) on the band's official Web site. "I feel there's room on TV for more than one great music-based show, and I feel that rock music has been totally left out of that mix. 'Rock Star' is the perfect aspirational show and is a great fit with the [Mark Burnett Productions] brand."
Since the death of INXS singer Michael Hutchence in 1997, surviving band members Andrew Farriss, Tim Farriss, Jon Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers have occasionally performed with fellow Australian Jon Stevens on vocals. That lineup played during the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney and toured North America in 2002 with Simple Minds.
"After Michael died, we wanted to search the world for a new singer but didn't know how we could effectively do that," Tim Farriss says. "By having Mark and everyone at MBP embrace the concept, we've now found a fantastic way to make that happen."
"Rock Star" auditions will be held on five continents. The winner and INXS will record a studio album, the band's first since 1997's "Elegantly Wasted" (Mercury), and then head out on a world tour.
Unlike other music reality shows such as "American Idol" and "Nashville Star," the viewing audience will not be the sole arbiter of the show's outcome. Band members will also assess contestants in tandem with leading entertainment industry specialists.
"Times have changed and television is now a valued medium to reach people all over the world," Andrew Farriss adds. "[Burnett's] record speaks for itself -- he is an amazing producer and we are confident that together we are going to create something very different and very special."
-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.
http://www.billboard.com/bb/daily/artic ... 1000531344
Australian rock act INXS will be the band at the center of television producer Mark Burnett's new reality show, "Rock Star." As previously reported, the latest show from the creator of such hits as "Survivor" and "The Apprentice" will see a new lead singer chosen for the veteran rock act.
"I am a long-time fan of INXS and feel very fortunate that INXS approached us with this idea and have entrusted us with their future," Burnett says in a statement posted today (June 14) on the band's official Web site. "I feel there's room on TV for more than one great music-based show, and I feel that rock music has been totally left out of that mix. 'Rock Star' is the perfect aspirational show and is a great fit with the [Mark Burnett Productions] brand."
Since the death of INXS singer Michael Hutchence in 1997, surviving band members Andrew Farriss, Tim Farriss, Jon Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers have occasionally performed with fellow Australian Jon Stevens on vocals. That lineup played during the closing ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Olympic Games in Sydney and toured North America in 2002 with Simple Minds.
"After Michael died, we wanted to search the world for a new singer but didn't know how we could effectively do that," Tim Farriss says. "By having Mark and everyone at MBP embrace the concept, we've now found a fantastic way to make that happen."
"Rock Star" auditions will be held on five continents. The winner and INXS will record a studio album, the band's first since 1997's "Elegantly Wasted" (Mercury), and then head out on a world tour.
Unlike other music reality shows such as "American Idol" and "Nashville Star," the viewing audience will not be the sole arbiter of the show's outcome. Band members will also assess contestants in tandem with leading entertainment industry specialists.
"Times have changed and television is now a valued medium to reach people all over the world," Andrew Farriss adds. "[Burnett's] record speaks for itself -- he is an amazing producer and we are confident that together we are going to create something very different and very special."
-- Barry A. Jeckell, N.Y.
...sorry to find you on such a negative topic... 
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