INXS stars reveal the bloated celebrity guest list and backstage blowout at epic Wembley Stadium gig that cost the band their entire $7 million dollar payday

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The members of the iconic Australian rock band INXS have shared insights on how they ended up losing substantial amounts of money from their iconic concert at London’s Wembley Stadium in 1991.

Even though the concert attracted a crowd of 74,000 people and sold out, an overwhelming amount of the box office earnings had already been spent by the time the band started performing on stage.

In modern currency, approximately 1.4 million British Pounds (GBP) or 7 million Australian Dollars (AUD), was utilized for financing a movie based on the concert.

The band’s manager, Gary Murphy, took the lead in making the decision, and he brought on board a well-known British director of music videos, David Mallet, to handle the project.

Nonetheless, as per the accounts of INXS members Jon Farriss and Kirk Pengilly, they found both the event and the subsequent movie to be worthwhile.

The success in the challenging UK market, where they had already achieved two consecutive hit albums (X in 1990 and Kick in 1987), significantly strengthened the band’s standing and reputation.

Critics in the UK disdained them, but fans captivated by the lead singer’s alluring stage persona (Michael Hutchence) appreciated them. Regardless of the critics’ opinions, Farris stated that the band ultimately had the final triumph.

In Farriss’ own words to the Courier-Mail on Sunday, he expressed his belief that our band might have been among the pioneers encountering ‘the tall poppy syndrome’ at such a significant scale.

‘We taught ourselves to stay quiet about it, we just wouldn’t talk about it.’

In another part of the conversation, the seasoned musicians shared that an impressive guest list consisting of approximately 3000 individuals was prepared for their performance at Wembley.

At the event, you’d find some big names, such as Kylie Minogue, who was once linked romantically to Michael Hutchence, and the legendary pop band Duran Duran.

‘Yeah, I heard it was over 2,000, closer to 3,000 people,’ Pengilly, 65, said. 

It seemed extraordinary. To be honest, I didn’t recognize anyone. However, given that it was in London, it was likely a gathering of famous personalities.

This year, previously unheard INXS demos with vocals by the late Michael Hutchence were made public. These demos came out after a long time without being heard before.

These tracks are included in the special edition release commemorating the 40th year anniversary of the legendary band’s 1985 album “Listen Like Thieves,” an album that peaked at number one in Australia.

In the collection of unpublished songs, there’s an authentic studio recording that showcases Michael Hutchence’s captivating voice during initial attempts at their 1980s smash hit “This Time.

INXS saxophonist Pengilly said compiling the tracklist was a moving experience.

I must admit, I became quite sentimental when I saw some behind-the-scenes moments capturing our camaraderie and playful banter, as I shared with The Daily Telegraph.

However, we hadn’t saved much of those items, so it took me aback when the tapes resurfaced. Therefore, finding them feels quite unique and significant, like discovering a genuine time capsule.

The band achieved global success with their 1985 album that peaked at number 11 on the U.S. Billboard chart and was certified double platinum in America.

It also charted in New Zealand, the UK and Canada.

The composition showcased their debut US top-five single, “What You Need,” along with popular tracks like “Kiss the Dirt (Falling Down the Mountain)” and the self-titled one.

The band members carried on playing with Michael Hutchence as the lead vocalist, right up until his untimely passing in Sydney in 1997. Tragically, he took his own life in a hotel room.

The Australian group were one of the world’s most successful rock bands in the late ’80s.

After forming in 1977, they dominated the music charts with hits like “Need You Tonight”, “Good Times”, “New Sensation” and “Kick”.

This band is among the top-selling Australian acts ever, having sold more than 50 million albums globally.

Their 2011 greatest hits album has spent a record 623 weeks on the ARIA top 100 albums chart.

The mini-series released by Channel Seven in 2014 about the band, Never Tear Us Apart, was followed by its subsequent success.

The group disbanded following 35 years of collaboration in 2012, but some original members still get together for special occasions.

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2025-08-10 18:33