Seven years after singer Michael Hutchence’s death, INXS have announced that they will find their new lead singer through a new Mark Burnett reality show, Rock Star.
Replacing singers is tricky business. Ian Astbury joined The Doors after an actual history in rock with The Cult, but Jim Morrison he ain’t. Oh, and what about Creedence Clearwater Revisited? Yeah, without John Fogerty’s voice, they’re just a drummer and a bassist who used to be in a good band. I know I don’t ever want to hear Scott Weiland try to be Axl Rose, but seeing Duff McKagan, Matt Sorum and Slash makes me want to hear GN’R. George Michael with Queen just makes us mourn Freddie Mercury’s passing that much more.
Michael Hutchence, you will not be forgotten.
Burnett, the creator of Survivor and The Apprentice, was approached by the Aussie group, who have been struggling to remain afloat since Hutchence’s death in 1997. The surviving members have occasionally performed with fellow Australian Jon Stevens on vocals, but with the exception of a Greatest Hits release, 1997’s Elegantly Wasted was the band’s last studio album.
With the success of shows like American Idol and Nashville Star, Rock Star will undoubtedly by another hit for Burnett as the viewing audience at home chuckle at the rawk wannabees with their leather wristbands and ripped jeans.
Unlike the other reality music shows, the audience won’t be the only ones making the final decision. The members of INXS, along with industry specialists, will be assessing all of the contestants in their quest to be the most contrived frontman ever.
