Andrew Farriss
Encyclopedia
Andrew Charles Farriss is a rock musician (born 27 March 1959 in
Perth
, Western Australia), best known as the keyboardist and main composer for the Australian band INXS
.
at Davidson High School
after breaking up a fight between Hutchence and another student. The two eventually became friends, but it would be a long time before Hutchence joined Andrew's band, which would become INXS.
Farriss is credited solely with keyboards on the band's earliest albums, but by 1984's The Swing
, he was listed as playing guitar, as well. On stage, he also plays harmonica and various hand-held percussion instruments.
While INXS' early albums credit the band as songwriters, by their third album, Shabooh Shoobah
, the team of Farriss as composer and Hutchence as lyricist was well established. While there were some INXS songs written by other members of the group, or by Farriss alone, it was this combination that brought INXS the majority of their international success in the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, Farriss co-wrote all of the band's top-40 hits in the US, except for "Disappear," which was written by Hutchence with Farriss' younger brother Jon
, who is the band's drummer.
Despite extensive writing, recording and touring commitments with INXS, Farriss collaborated with many other Australian artists in a songwriting or production capacity. His most significant early collaboration was with Jenny Morris, a New Zealand singer who had sung back-up vocals on INXS' 1984 hit album, The Swing
. Farriss has also co-written and produced with the Australian Aboriginal
band Yothu Yindi
, Australian country singer Tania Kernaghan
and Scottish rockers GUN
.
In 2005, INXS launched a reality TV show, Rock Star: INXS
, a worldwide search for a new lead singer. While all of INXS knew it would be impossible to replace Michael Hutchence, who died in 1997, they wished to carry on bringing their music to the world. Farriss was often seen as introverted compared to his band mates and he appeared shy to offer criticism to contestants. Canadian J.D. Fortune
was the eventual winner, and the band's first album with Fortune, Switch, was released in late 2005.
Farriss later wrote the song By My Side with Kirk Pengilly as a tribute to his wife.
In the official INXS autobiography Story to Story Farriss describes his dislike of touring and being away from his family.
Perth
Perth, Western Australia
Perth is the capital and largest city of the Australian state of Western Australia and the fourth most populous city in Australia. The Perth metropolitan area has an estimated population of almost 1,700,000....
, Western Australia), best known as the keyboardist and main composer for the Australian band INXS
INXS
INXS are an Australian rock band, formed as The Farriss Brothers in 1977 in Sydney, New South Wales. Mainstays are Garry Gary Beers on bass guitar, Andrew Farriss on guitar/keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar and Kirk Pengilly on guitar/sax...
.
Career
Farriss first met INXS lead singer Michael HutchenceMichael Hutchence
Michael Kelland John Hutchence was an Australian musician and actor. He was the founding lead singer-songwriter of rock band :INXS from 1977 to his death in 1997, a period of twenty years. Hutchence was a member of short-lived pop rock group Max Q and recorded solo material which was released...
at Davidson High School
Davidson High School (New South Wales)
Davidson High School, is a school located in Frenchs Forest, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia, on Mimosa Street. It is a co-educational high school operated by the New South Wales Department of Education and Training with students from years 7 to 12...
after breaking up a fight between Hutchence and another student. The two eventually became friends, but it would be a long time before Hutchence joined Andrew's band, which would become INXS.
Farriss is credited solely with keyboards on the band's earliest albums, but by 1984's The Swing
The Swing
The Swing is Australian rock band INXS's fourth studio album, released in 1984. The lead single "Original Sin" was recorded in New York City with Nile Rodgers and featured Daryl Hall on backing vocals...
, he was listed as playing guitar, as well. On stage, he also plays harmonica and various hand-held percussion instruments.
While INXS' early albums credit the band as songwriters, by their third album, Shabooh Shoobah
Shabooh Shoobah
Shabooh Shoobah is Australian rock group INXS's third album. It was the band's first album to be released worldwide.The song "Don't Change" has been covered by The Audreys, The Bravery, Everclear, Face to Face, Goo Goo Dolls, Grinspoon, Zero , and as a bonus track on American rock group A Fire...
, the team of Farriss as composer and Hutchence as lyricist was well established. While there were some INXS songs written by other members of the group, or by Farriss alone, it was this combination that brought INXS the majority of their international success in the 1980s and 1990s. In fact, Farriss co-wrote all of the band's top-40 hits in the US, except for "Disappear," which was written by Hutchence with Farriss' younger brother Jon
Jon Farriss
Jon Farriss is the drummer for the Australian rock band INXS.-Biography:...
, who is the band's drummer.
Despite extensive writing, recording and touring commitments with INXS, Farriss collaborated with many other Australian artists in a songwriting or production capacity. His most significant early collaboration was with Jenny Morris, a New Zealand singer who had sung back-up vocals on INXS' 1984 hit album, The Swing
The Swing
The Swing is Australian rock band INXS's fourth studio album, released in 1984. The lead single "Original Sin" was recorded in New York City with Nile Rodgers and featured Daryl Hall on backing vocals...
. Farriss has also co-written and produced with the Australian Aboriginal
Indigenous Australians
Indigenous Australians are the original inhabitants of the Australian continent and nearby islands. The Aboriginal Indigenous Australians migrated from the Indian continent around 75,000 to 100,000 years ago....
band Yothu Yindi
Yothu Yindi
Yothu Yindi are an Australian band with Aboriginal and balanda members formed in 1986. Aboriginal members come from Yolngu homelands near Yirrkala on the Gove Peninsula in Northern Territory's Arnhem Land...
, Australian country singer Tania Kernaghan
Tania Kernaghan
Tania Maree Kernaghan is an Australian country music singer.She is the sister of Lee Kernaghan and daughter of Ray Kernaghan-Career:In 1992 Kernaghan released her first single, "I'll Be Gone"...
and Scottish rockers GUN
Gun (band)
Gun are a rock band from Glasgow, Scotland, best known for their cover of Cameo's "Word Up!".-Early career:Originally called Blind Allez then for a short time, 'Phobia', GUN were formed in 1987 by Giuliano Gizzi and Cami Morlotti , with Mark Rankin , Alan Thornton and David Aitken...
.
In 2005, INXS launched a reality TV show, Rock Star: INXS
Rock Star: INXS
Rock Star: INXS is the first season of the reality television show Rock Star where 15 contestants competed to become the lead vocalist for the Australian rock band INXS....
, a worldwide search for a new lead singer. While all of INXS knew it would be impossible to replace Michael Hutchence, who died in 1997, they wished to carry on bringing their music to the world. Farriss was often seen as introverted compared to his band mates and he appeared shy to offer criticism to contestants. Canadian J.D. Fortune
J.D. Fortune
J.D. Fortune , is a Canadian rock singer and songwriter. He was the winner of the 2005 CBS reality television series Rock Star: INXS, and fronted INXS until August 2011. - Early life :...
was the eventual winner, and the band's first album with Fortune, Switch, was released in late 2005.
Private life
Farriss met his ex-wife, Shelley Blanks, in 1987; they were married on 22 April 1989. The couple has three children: Grace, Josephine and Matthew.Farriss later wrote the song By My Side with Kirk Pengilly as a tribute to his wife.
In the official INXS autobiography Story to Story Farriss describes his dislike of touring and being away from his family.