Episode #267 | 3.3.26
INXS Pt. 2: Rock ‘n’ Roll Riots, Radio Bans, and a Letter Bomb
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In this episode
The wild west of the Australian pub rock scene that ended in fire. A hit record stalled by controversy. A pilot passed out at 30,000 feet. And a bomb sent to a rock star’s hotel room. Listen to find out how INXS chased the world, touched a nerve, topped the charts – and learned that fame only multiplies the danger.
Sources
INXS: Story to Story – The Official Autobiography, by INXS and Anthony Bozza
Burn: The Life and Times of Michael Hutchence and INXS, by Ed St. John
The day Michael Hutchence survived a letter bomb: Bodyguard reveals near-miss on The Morning Show (Daily Telegraph)
Crazed Fan Tried to Kill INXS Singer Michael Hutchence (My Singing Lessons)
Michael Hutchence - Official Website - Chapter 4
Essential Atlantic: INXS, THE SWING (Rhino)
3 Ways Nile Rodgers Made "Original Sin" One of INXS’ Most Enduring Hits (American Songwriter)
The 1986 Music Video That Nearly Cost INXS Their Lives: "It Was Like a 'Crocodile Dundee' Movie” (American Songwriter)
‘Go sharp or go home’: the competitive subculture practices of historical Australian youth culture known as ‘Sharpies’ (Taylor & Francis)
Lost tapes from Newcastle's Star Hotel riot resurface in new documentary series (ABC News)
Long Way to the Top: Episode 4 – Berserk Warriors 1973-1981 (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Long Way to the Top: Episode 5 – INXS, In Exile 1976-1988 (Australian Broadcasting Corporation)
Duran Duran Teases New Music with Nile Rodgers (Rolling Stone Australia)
INXS The Swing: Album Tales – How It Happened (Stack #197)
INXS’s dance-rock: Political punch (Columbia Spectator, 22 October 1984)
Credits
Hosted by Jake Brennan.
Written by Zeth Lundy.
Copy edited by James Sullivan.
Mixed by Matt Beaudoin.
DISGRACELAND theme song, “Crenshaw Space Boogie,” written and produced by Jake Brennan. Performed by Jake Brennan, Bryce Kanzer, Jay Cannava, and Evan Kenney. Mixed and engineered by Adam Taylor.
*illustrations by Avi Spivak @avispivak