Jordis Unga
Encyclopedia
Jordis Unga is an American rock singer, songwriter and performer from St. Paul, Minnesota. After years of building a cult following in Minneapolis, Unga reached international fame for her outstanding performances on the first season of the CBS
television reality show Rock Star: INXS
where 15 contestants competed to become the lead vocalist for the Australian rock band INXS
.
Contestants were housed in the Paramour Mansion, and squared off in a singing contest featuring well-known rock songs. Each week, viewers voted for their favorite contestant. The three contestants with the least number of votes performed an INXS song the following night. Except for the second week, each week one finalist was asked to perform an encore performance of the song they performed the night before, noted as an "Encore Performance".
, Polynesia, moved the family around a lot when she was young. Eventually the family settled down in St. Paul, Minnesota when she was about 10 years old.
In 2000, Unga attended the Perpich Center for Arts Education
for her senior year of high school. She lived in the dormitory and studied music.
Through her aunt's side of the family, she is related to Sione Vailahi
, a professional wrestler.
Early 2002 Unga was the front singer for The Fighting Tongs. The band adopted the name from the movie “Big Trouble in Little China.” The Fighting Tongs supported Twisted Sister
, Anthrax
, Sevendust
and Damage Plan. The Fighting Tongs dissolved after recording a self-financed EP, ‘Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.’ Ex-members including Unga, guitarist Corey Frazee and drummer Mike Hitchcock formed Liars Club.
Unga first appeared on television as a contestant on Star Search
(2004) but was knocked out of the competition in the first round.
’s 'Baba O'Riley
'. Dave Navarro
, one of the judges, declared, “Let’s close the competition now!” Unga scored high marks in the second round of the competition with Nirvana
’s 'Heart-Shaped Box
'. Half-way through the competition, Unga was invited by Navarro to perform The Clash
’s 'Should I Stay or Should I Go
' with his band Camp Freddy
at the West Hollywood House of Blues
. Camp Freddy featured former The Cult
bassist Billy Morrison
on guitar and ex-Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins
.
During the show, Unga achieved the feat of simultaneously having the top four most downloaded songs on MSN Music
. Reaching the No. 1 position on the MSN charts being an unprecedented feat for an unsigned artist.
Unga did not win the competition but placed fifth and was eliminated on September 7, 2005. She left the show with an Epic Records
recording contract.
Unga’s performances on Rock Star: INXS by week of the performance:
's David Hodges
and the duo Anne Preven
and Scott Cutler
of Ednaswap
.
Unga’s first official live performance was October 15, 2005, singing the national anthem at Staples Center
in Los Angeles, California
for the boxing event ‘The Rematch; Mora vs. Manfredo Jr.’
Unga was personally invited by Yolanda ‘Lonnie’ and Muhammad Ali
to perform at the Grand Opening for the Muhammad Ali Center
located in Louisville, Kentucky
on November 19, 2005. She performed John Lennon
’s 'Imagine
'. As a part of the ceremonies, Unga shared the stage with James Taylor
, Richie Havens
, Hootie and the Blowfish, Jim Carrey
, Chris Tucker
and Herbie Hancock
. Other celebrities in attendance were President Bill Clinton, Angelina Jolie
, Brad Pitt
, B.B. King, Evander Holyfield
, and Montel Williams
. Right before the show’s finale, Unga was told to go to the green room. Unga said, "Bill Clinton wanted to shake my hand."
Unga has co-written music with Oscar-nominated songwriters Anne Preven
and Scott Cutler
, Grammy winning artist and producer David Hodges
, and Kevin Griffin
(lead singer of Better than Ezra
).
Currently, Unga is not signed with a recording studio.
' and Mig Ayesa
performing 'Baby, I Love Your Way
'.
The list of the contestants' performances is as follows:
"The Best of Rock Star: INXS" was the second album. It featured 3 of Unga’s performances.
Switch
(Composers: Casey, Farriss, Fortune, and Unga)
, Marty Casey
, Mig Ayesa
, Suzie McNeil
, Jordis Unga, and Ty Taylor
) as well as the post-finale mini-concert by INXS & J.D. Fortune, short behind-the-scenes footage, and extras including the contestants' casting interviews and a photo slideshow. Unga’s performances for Rock Star: INXS The DVD were taken from episodes throughout the series:
CBS
CBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
television reality 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....
where 15 contestants competed to become the lead vocalist for the Australian rock 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...
.
Contestants were housed in the Paramour Mansion, and squared off in a singing contest featuring well-known rock songs. Each week, viewers voted for their favorite contestant. The three contestants with the least number of votes performed an INXS song the following night. Except for the second week, each week one finalist was asked to perform an encore performance of the song they performed the night before, noted as an "Encore Performance".
Early Years
Unga comes from a musical family. Her father, originally from TongaTonga
Tonga, officially the Kingdom of Tonga , is a state and an archipelago in the South Pacific Ocean, comprising 176 islands scattered over of ocean in the South Pacific...
, Polynesia, moved the family around a lot when she was young. Eventually the family settled down in St. Paul, Minnesota when she was about 10 years old.
In 2000, Unga attended the Perpich Center for Arts Education
Perpich Center for Arts Education
The Perpich Center for Arts Education is an agency of the State of Minnesota that works to improve arts education for Minnesota students and educators through programs and partnerships centered in the arts. A campus in Golden Valley houses the Center's three main components: the Professional...
for her senior year of high school. She lived in the dormitory and studied music.
Through her aunt's side of the family, she is related to Sione Vailahi
Sione Vailahi
Sione Havea Vailahi is a professional wrestler best known in wrestling as The Barbarian.-Life and career:Born and raised in Tonga, Sione was one of five teenagers sent by the King of Tonga to Japan to study Sumo wrestling in the mid 1970s. Tonga Fifita was one of the other teenagers...
, a professional wrestler.
Early 2002 Unga was the front singer for The Fighting Tongs. The band adopted the name from the movie “Big Trouble in Little China.” The Fighting Tongs supported Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister
Twisted Sister is an American heavy metal band from Long Island. Musically, the band implements elements of traditional heavy metal bands such as Iron Maiden and Judas Priest, along with a style that is similar to early glam metal bands...
, Anthrax
Anthrax
Anthrax is an acute disease caused by the bacterium Bacillus anthracis. Most forms of the disease are lethal, and it affects both humans and other animals...
, Sevendust
Sevendust
Sevendust is an American heavy metal band from Atlanta, Georgia. Formed in 1994 by bassist Vince Hornsby, drummer Morgan Rose and guitarist John Connolly. After their first demo, lead vocalist Lajon Witherspoon and guitarist Clint Lowery joined the group...
and Damage Plan. The Fighting Tongs dissolved after recording a self-financed EP, ‘Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.’ Ex-members including Unga, guitarist Corey Frazee and drummer Mike Hitchcock formed Liars Club.
Unga first appeared on television as a contestant on Star Search
Star Search
Star Search is a television show that was produced from 1983-95, hosted by Ed McMahon, and created by Alfred Masini. A relaunch was produced in 2003-04. The show was originally filmed at the old Earl Carroll Theatre at 6230 Sunset Blvd...
(2004) but was knocked out of the competition in the first round.
Rock Star: INXS
As the youngest contestant at age 22, Unga received international notoriety for her rendition of The WhoThe Who
The Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
’s 'Baba O'Riley
Baba O'Riley
"Baba O'Riley" is a song written by Pete Townshend for the English rock band The Who. Roger Daltrey sings most of the song, with Pete Townshend singing the middle eight: "Don't cry/don't raise your eye/it's only teenaged wasteland"...
'. Dave Navarro
Dave Navarro
David Michael "Dave" Navarro is an American guitarist who plays in the alternative rock band Jane's Addiction and cover band Camp Freddy. He has also played with the Red Hot Chili Peppers, The Panic Channel, and many others.- Early life :...
, one of the judges, declared, “Let’s close the competition now!” Unga scored high marks in the second round of the competition with Nirvana
Nirvana
Nirvāṇa ; ) is a central concept in Indian religions. In sramanic thought, it is the state of being free from suffering. In Hindu philosophy, it is the union with the Supreme being through moksha...
’s 'Heart-Shaped Box
Heart-Shaped Box
"Heart-Shaped Box" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. The song was released as the first single from the group's third and final studio album, In Utero, in 1993. It was one of two songs from the album mixed by Scott Litt in order to augment...
'. Half-way through the competition, Unga was invited by Navarro to perform The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
’s 'Should I Stay or Should I Go
Should I Stay or Should I Go
"Should I Stay or Should I Go" is a song by the English punk rock band The Clash, from their album Combat Rock. It was written in 1981 and featured Mick Jones on lead vocals. It became the band's only number-one single on the UK Singles Chart, a decade after it was originally released. In November...
' with his band Camp Freddy
Camp Freddy
Camp Freddy is a group of established musicians who play rock and roll covers at various shows around America. The band is composed of core members Dave Navarro , Billy Morrison , Matt Sorum , Donovan Leitch, Jr. and Chris Chaney...
at the West Hollywood House of Blues
House of Blues
House of Blues is a chain of 13 live music concert halls and restaurants in major markets throughout the United States. House of Blues first location was in Cambridge's Harvard Square. It was opened in 1992 by Isaac Tigrett, co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe, and Dan Aykroyd, star of The Blues Brothers...
. Camp Freddy featured former The Cult
The Cult
The Cult are a British rock band that was formed in 1983. They gained a dedicated following in Britain in the mid 1980s as a post-punk band with singles such as "She Sells Sanctuary", before breaking mainstream in the United States in the late 1980s as a hard rock band with singles such as "Love...
bassist Billy Morrison
Billy Morrison
Billy Morrison is an English guitarist, singer and actor who performs with the Los Angeles-based cover band Camp Freddy. Morrison is also a member of Billy Idol's current touring band, and has previously fronted the hard rock act Circus Diablo...
on guitar and ex-Jane’s Addiction drummer Stephen Perkins
Stephen Perkins
Stephen Andrew Perkins is an American musician and songwriter. A drummer and percussionist, he currently plays with Jane's Addiction and Hellflower....
.
During the show, Unga achieved the feat of simultaneously having the top four most downloaded songs on MSN Music
MSN Music
MSN Music was a part of the MSN web services. It delivered music news, music videos, spotlights on new music, artist information, and live performances of artists. In 2004, Microsoft created an MSN Music download store to compete with Apple's iTunes Music Store, though its sales in comparison were...
. Reaching the No. 1 position on the MSN charts being an unprecedented feat for an unsigned artist.
Unga did not win the competition but placed fifth and was eliminated on September 7, 2005. She left the show with an Epic Records
Epic Records
Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...
recording contract.
Unga’s performances on Rock Star: INXS by week of the performance:
Post Rock Star: INXS
After the competition, Unga spent time writing songs and recording demos for her debut album. But it was never released. Epic Records paired her with various collaborators, including EvanescenceEvanescence
Evanescence is an American rock band founded in Little Rock, Arkansas in 1995 by singer/pianist Amy Lee and guitarist Ben Moody. After recording private albums, the band released their first full-length album, Fallen, on Wind-up Records in 2003. Fallen sold more than 17 million copies worldwide...
's David Hodges
David Hodges
David Hodges is a songwriter, producer, composer, keyboardist and vocalist from Little Rock, Arkansas. He is best known for his work with the band Evanescence, which he left in 2002. He has also been part of the bands Trading Yesterday, The Age of Information, Avox, and David Hodges solo...
and the duo Anne Preven
Anne Preven
Anne Preven is an American songwriter and musician, originally from New York. She has co-written songs for Beyoncé , Katy Perry, Madonna, Natalie Imbruglia, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Sinéad O'Connor, Charice, The Hush Sound, Jordin Sparks, Miranda Cosgrove, Black Veil Brides, Pnau, Pixie Lott,...
and Scott Cutler
Scott Cutler
Scott M. Cutler is an American musician and music producer.-Personal life:He recently had his 1st son "Lane" and his 2nd son "Duke" with his wife Meredith Morton.-Career:...
of Ednaswap
Ednaswap
Ednaswap was an alternative rock band from Los Angeles, United States, that existed between 1993 and 1998.Over a span of five years, the band released four major label records on East West, Elektra Records and Island Records...
.
Unga’s first official live performance was October 15, 2005, singing the national anthem at Staples Center
Staples Center
Staples Center is a multi-purpose sports arena in Downtown Los Angeles. Adjacent to the L.A. Live development, it is located next to the Los Angeles Convention Center complex along Figueroa Street. Opening on October 17, 1999, it is one of the major sporting facilities in the Greater Los Angeles...
in Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
for the boxing event ‘The Rematch; Mora vs. Manfredo Jr.’
Unga was personally invited by Yolanda ‘Lonnie’ and Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali
Muhammad Ali is an American former professional boxer, philanthropist and social activist...
to perform at the Grand Opening for the Muhammad Ali Center
Muhammad Ali Center
The Muhammad Ali Center, a museum and cultural center built as a tribute to the champion athlete and his values, is located in Louisville, Kentucky's "Museum Row" in the West Main District of downtown....
located in Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville, Kentucky
Louisville is the largest city in the U.S. state of Kentucky, and the county seat of Jefferson County. Since 2003, the city's borders have been coterminous with those of the county because of a city-county merger. The city's population at the 2010 census was 741,096...
on November 19, 2005. She performed John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
’s 'Imagine
Imagine
-Music, film and television:* Imagine , an album by John Lennon** "Imagine" , the title track** Imagine , a 1972 film by John Lennon and Yoko Ono** Imagine: John Lennon, a 1988 documentary film...
'. As a part of the ceremonies, Unga shared the stage with James Taylor
James Taylor
James Vernon Taylor is an American singer-songwriter and guitarist. A five-time Grammy Award winner, Taylor was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2000....
, Richie Havens
Richie Havens
Richard P. "Richie" Havens is an African American folk singer and guitarist. He is best known for his intense, rhythmic guitar style , soulful covers of pop and folk songs, and his opening performance at the 1969 Woodstock Festival.-Career:Born in Brooklyn, Havens was the eldest of nine children...
, Hootie and the Blowfish, Jim Carrey
Jim Carrey
James Eugene "Jim" Carrey is a Canadian-American actor and comedian. He has received two Golden Globe Awards and has also been nominated on four occasions. Carrey began comedy in 1979, performing at Yuk Yuk's in Toronto, Ontario...
, Chris Tucker
Chris Tucker
Christopher "Chris" Tucker is an American actor and comedian. He is best known for playing the role of Detective James Carter in the Rush Hour film series.-Early life:...
and Herbie Hancock
Herbie Hancock
Herbert Jeffrey "Herbie" Hancock is an American pianist, bandleader and composer. As part of Miles Davis's "second great quintet," Hancock helped to redefine the role of a jazz rhythm section and was one of the primary architects of the "post-bop" sound...
. Other celebrities in attendance were President Bill Clinton, Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie
Angelina Jolie is an American actress. She has received an Academy Award, two Screen Actors Guild Awards, and three Golden Globe Awards, and was named Hollywood's highest-paid actress by Forbes in 2009 and 2011. Jolie is noted for promoting humanitarian causes as a Goodwill Ambassador for the...
, Brad Pitt
Brad Pitt
William Bradley "Brad" Pitt is an American actor and film producer. Pitt has received two Academy Award nominations and four Golden Globe Award nominations, winning one...
, B.B. King, Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield
Evander Holyfield is a professional boxer from the United States. He is a former undisputed world champion in both the cruiserweight and heavyweight divisions, earning him the nickname "The Real Deal"...
, and Montel Williams
Montel Williams
Montel Brian Anthony Williams is an American television personality, radio talk show host and actor. He is best known as host of the long-running The Montel Williams Show, and more recently as a spokesperson for the Partnership for Prescription Assistance...
. Right before the show’s finale, Unga was told to go to the green room. Unga said, "Bill Clinton wanted to shake my hand."
Unga has co-written music with Oscar-nominated songwriters Anne Preven
Anne Preven
Anne Preven is an American songwriter and musician, originally from New York. She has co-written songs for Beyoncé , Katy Perry, Madonna, Natalie Imbruglia, Miley Cyrus, Demi Lovato, Sinéad O'Connor, Charice, The Hush Sound, Jordin Sparks, Miranda Cosgrove, Black Veil Brides, Pnau, Pixie Lott,...
and Scott Cutler
Scott Cutler
Scott M. Cutler is an American musician and music producer.-Personal life:He recently had his 1st son "Lane" and his 2nd son "Duke" with his wife Meredith Morton.-Career:...
, Grammy winning artist and producer David Hodges
David Hodges
David Hodges is a songwriter, producer, composer, keyboardist and vocalist from Little Rock, Arkansas. He is best known for his work with the band Evanescence, which he left in 2002. He has also been part of the bands Trading Yesterday, The Age of Information, Avox, and David Hodges solo...
, and Kevin Griffin
Kevin Griffin
Kevin Griffin is an American guitarist, vocalist, producer, and songwriter.Griffin formed the alternative rock band Better Than Ezra in 1988. The band had great success in the 1990s with hits such as "Good", "In the Blood", and "Desperately Wanting", and has continued in the 2000s with hits such...
(lead singer of Better than Ezra
Better Than Ezra
Better Than Ezra is an American alternative rock trio based in New Orleans, Louisiana.-Formation and early success:Better Than Ezra was formed in 1988 by its four original members - vocalist and guitarist Kevin Griffin; Joel Rundell, the lead guitarist; bassist Tom Drummond; and drummer, Cary...
).
Currently, Unga is not signed with a recording studio.
Discography
Rock Star: INXS spawned the album A Night at the Mayan Theatre, containing the performance from each contestant from the premiere episode, as well as two bonus tracks of Unga performing 'The Man Who Sold the WorldThe Man Who Sold the World
The Man Who Sold the World is the third studio album by David Bowie. It was originally released on Mercury Records in November 1970 in the United States and in April 1971 in the UK. The album was Bowie's first with the nucleus of what would become the "Spiders from Mars", the backing band made...
' and Mig Ayesa
Mig Ayesa
Miguel Alfonso Ramon Legarda "MiG" Ayesa is an Australian rock vocalist.-Biography:Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Sydney, Australia, and has three-fourths-Spanish maternal ancestry and fourth-Ilonggo paternal and maternal ancestries. His Spanish ancestry came from Preysler lineage...
performing 'Baby, I Love Your Way
Baby, I Love Your Way
"Baby, I Love Your Way" is a song written and performed by singer Peter Frampton that was first featured on Frampton's 1975 album, Frampton...
'.
The list of the contestants' performances is as follows:
- J. D. Fortune - "American WomanAmerican WomanAmerican Woman is the seventh album by Canadian rock band The Guess Who, released in 1970. It peaked at #9 on the Billboard Pop Albums charts...
" (The Guess WhoThe Guess WhoThe Guess Who are a Canadian rock band from Winnipeg, Manitoba. Initially gaining recognition in Canada, they also found international success from the late 1960s through the mid-1970s with numerous hit singles, including "American Woman", "These Eyes" and "Share the Land"...
) - Marty CaseyMarty CaseyMartin Xavier "Marty" Casey is an American rock musician who is the lead singer, primary songwriter and second guitarist of the band Lovehammers....
- "You Really Got MeYou Really Got Me"You Really Got Me" is a rock song written by Ray Davies and performed by his band, The Kinks. It was released on 4th August 1964 as the group's third single, and reached Number 1 on the UK singles chart the next month, remaining for two weeks...
" (The KinksThe KinksThe Kinks were an English rock band formed in Muswell Hill, North London, by brothers Ray and Dave Davies in 1964. Categorised in the United States as a British Invasion band, The Kinks are recognised as one of the most important and influential rock acts of the era. Their music was influenced by a...
) - Mig AyesaMig AyesaMiguel Alfonso Ramon Legarda "MiG" Ayesa is an Australian rock vocalist.-Biography:Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Sydney, Australia, and has three-fourths-Spanish maternal ancestry and fourth-Ilonggo paternal and maternal ancestries. His Spanish ancestry came from Preysler lineage...
- "Smells Like Teen SpiritSmells Like Teen Spirit"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
" (NirvanaNirvana (band)Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
) & "Baby, I Love Your Way" (Peter FramptonPeter FramptonPeter Kenneth Frampton is an English musician, singer, producer, guitarist and multi-instrumentalist. He was previously associated with the bands Humble Pie and The Herd. Frampton's international breakthrough album was his live release, Frampton Comes Alive!. The album sold over 6 million copies...
) - Suzie McNeilSuzie McNeilSusan Jane "Suzie" McNeil is a Canadian pop rock recording artist.-Early life:McNeil was born in Mississauga, Ontario. She has a sister, Laura Norris, a teacher at a public high school in Toronto.-Rock Star: INXS:...
- "RemedyRemedy (The Black Crowes song)"Remedy" is the second track by The Black Crowes from their second album, The Southern Harmony and Musical Companion. It reached #1 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart in May 1992 and stayed at #1 for 11 weeks. On the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the song peaked at #48...
" (The Black CrowesThe Black CrowesThe Black Crowes are an American rock band formed in 1989. Their discography includes nine studio albums, four live albums and several charting singles. The band was signed to Def American Recordings in 1989 by producer George Drakoulias and released their debut album, Shake Your Money Maker, the...
) - Jordis Unga - "Baba O'RileyBaba O'Riley"Baba O'Riley" is a song written by Pete Townshend for the English rock band The Who. Roger Daltrey sings most of the song, with Pete Townshend singing the middle eight: "Don't cry/don't raise your eye/it's only teenaged wasteland"...
" (The WhoThe WhoThe Who are an English rock band formed in 1964 by Roger Daltrey , Pete Townshend , John Entwistle and Keith Moon . They became known for energetic live performances which often included instrument destruction...
) & "The Man Who Sold the WorldThe Man Who Sold the World (song)"The Man Who Sold the World" is a song by David Bowie. It is the title track of his third album, released in the U.S. in November 1970 and in the UK in April 1971. The song has been covered by a number of other artists, notably by Lulu in 1974, and Nirvana in 1993.-Inspiration and explanation:The...
" (David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
) - Ty TaylorTy TaylorTy Taylor is an American musician best known for being the guitarist and vocalist of R&B group Dakota Moon and was also a contestant on the reality TV show Rock Star: INXS. He is currently the lead singer and guitarist for Los Angeles based Soul/Rock band, Vintage Trouble...
- "Cult of PersonalityCult of Personality (song)"Cult of Personality" is a song by funk metal band Living Colour. It was the first single from their debut album, Vivid, released in 1988. "Cult of Personality" reached #13 on the Billboard Hot 100 and #9 on the Billboard Album Rock Tracks chart. It also won the Grammy award for "Best Hard Rock...
" (Living ColourLiving ColourLiving Colour is an American rock band from New York City, formed in 1984. Stylistically, the band's music is a creative fusion influenced by free jazz, funk, neo-psychedelia, hard rock, and heavy metal...
) - Deanna Johnston - "Piece of My HeartPiece of My Heart"Piece of My Heart" is a song written by Jerry Ragovoy and Bert Berns and originally recorded by Erma Franklin in 1967. The song came to greater mainstream attention when Big Brother and the Holding Company covered the song in 1968 and had a hit with it...
" (Janis JoplinJanis JoplinJanis Lyn Joplin was an American singer, songwriter, painter, dancer and music arranger. She rose to prominence in the late 1960s as the lead singer of Big Brother and the Holding Company and later as a solo artist with her backing groups, The Kozmic Blues Band and The Full Tilt Boogie Band...
) - Jessica Robinson - "Celebrity SkinCelebrity SkinCelebrity Skin is the third studio album by American alternative rock band Hole, released worldwide by Geffen Records on September 7, 1998 and one day later in the United States...
" (HoleHole (band)Hole is an American alternative rock band that originally formed in Los Angeles in 1989. The band is fronted by vocalist/songwriter and rhythm guitarist Courtney Love, who co-founded Hole with former songwriter/lead guitarist Eric Erlandson...
) - Brandon Calhoon - "Rock and Roll All NiteRock and Roll All Nite"Rock and Roll All Nite" is a song by Kiss, originally released on their 1975 album Dressed to Kill. It was released as the A-side of their fifth single, with the album track "Getaway." The studio version of the song peaked at No. 57 on the Billboard singles chart, besting the band's previous...
" (KISSKISS (band)Kiss is an American rock band formed in New York City in January 1973. Well-known for its members' face paint and flamboyant stage outfits, the group rose to prominence in the mid to late 1970s on the basis of their elaborate live performances, which featured fire breathing, blood spitting,...
) - Tara SloneTara SloneTara Slone is a Canadian rock vocalist.Born in Montreal, Quebec, and raised in Nova Scotia, Slone began pursuing classical voice training at the age of 12 with the goal of becoming an opera singer. At the age of 18, she attended Concordia University to pursue a degree in music...
- "Middle of the RoadMiddle of the Road (song)"Middle of the Road" is a single that appears on The Pretenders' album Learning to Crawl.It is a song that has a 60s-style rhythm, and it peaked at #19 on the US pop singles chart and #2 on the US mainstream rock chart in January 1984, where it stayed for four weeks.The number is at least...
" (The PretendersThe PretendersThe Pretenders are an English rock band formed in Hereford, England in March 1978. The original band consisted of initiator and main songwriter Chrissie Hynde , James Honeyman-Scott , Pete Farndon , and Martin Chambers...
) - Heather Luttrell - "Burning Down the HouseBurning Down the House"Burning Down the House" is a song by New Wave band Talking Heads, released as the first single from their fifth studio album Speaking in Tongues.-Background:...
" (Talking HeadsTalking HeadsTalking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
) - Daphna DoveDaphna DoveDaphna Dove is an American musician born in 1975. She is best known for her appearance on the TV Show Rock Star: INXS-Early life:Daphna was born in Germany in 1975 and raised in New York City, to which she moved at age 3 with her parents, Jewish-Israeli-German singer-mother Elisa Gabbai and her...
- "One Way or AnotherOne Way or Another"One Way or Another" is a song by American New Wave band Blondie.-Song information:Written by Debbie Harry and Nigel Harrison for the band's third studio album, Parallel Lines , the song was inspired by one of Harry's ex-boyfriends who stalked her after their break up. The song was released as a...
" (BlondieBlondie (band)Blondie is an American rock band, founded by singer Deborah Harry and guitarist Chris Stein. The band was a pioneer in the early American New Wave and punk scenes of the mid-1970s...
) - Neal Carlson - "Brown SugarBrown Sugar (song)"Brown Sugar" is a song by The Rolling Stones. It is the opening track and lead single from the English rock band's 1971 album Sticky Fingers...
" (The Rolling StonesThe Rolling StonesThe Rolling Stones are an English rock band, formed in London in April 1962 by Brian Jones , Ian Stewart , Mick Jagger , and Keith Richards . Bassist Bill Wyman and drummer Charlie Watts completed the early line-up...
) - Wil Seabrook - "Heroes" (David BowieDavid BowieDavid Bowie is an English musician, actor, record producer and arranger. A major figure for over four decades in the world of popular music, Bowie is widely regarded as an innovator, particularly for his work in the 1970s...
) - Dana Robbins - "Knockin' on Heaven's Door" (Bob DylanBob DylanBob Dylan is an American singer-songwriter, musician, poet, film director and painter. He has been a major and profoundly influential figure in popular music and culture for five decades. Much of his most celebrated work dates from the 1960s when he was an informal chronicler and a seemingly...
)
"The Best of Rock Star: INXS" was the second album. It featured 3 of Unga’s performances.
Switch
Switch
In electronics, a switch is an electrical component that can break an electrical circuit, interrupting the current or diverting it from one conductor to another....
(Composers: Casey, Farriss, Fortune, and Unga)
Videography
A DVD titled Rock Star: INXS The DVD was released on November 29, 2005, containing selected performances by the final six contestants (J.D. FortuneJ.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 :...
, Marty Casey
Marty Casey
Martin Xavier "Marty" Casey is an American rock musician who is the lead singer, primary songwriter and second guitarist of the band Lovehammers....
, Mig Ayesa
Mig Ayesa
Miguel Alfonso Ramon Legarda "MiG" Ayesa is an Australian rock vocalist.-Biography:Born in Manila, Philippines and raised in Sydney, Australia, and has three-fourths-Spanish maternal ancestry and fourth-Ilonggo paternal and maternal ancestries. His Spanish ancestry came from Preysler lineage...
, Suzie McNeil
Suzie McNeil
Susan Jane "Suzie" McNeil is a Canadian pop rock recording artist.-Early life:McNeil was born in Mississauga, Ontario. She has a sister, Laura Norris, a teacher at a public high school in Toronto.-Rock Star: INXS:...
, Jordis Unga, and Ty Taylor
Ty Taylor
Ty Taylor is an American musician best known for being the guitarist and vocalist of R&B group Dakota Moon and was also a contestant on the reality TV show Rock Star: INXS. He is currently the lead singer and guitarist for Los Angeles based Soul/Rock band, Vintage Trouble...
) as well as the post-finale mini-concert by INXS & J.D. Fortune, short behind-the-scenes footage, and extras including the contestants' casting interviews and a photo slideshow. Unga’s performances for Rock Star: INXS The DVD were taken from episodes throughout the series:
-
- Week 1, Episode 2: Jordis Unga - "Heart-Shaped BoxHeart-Shaped Box"Heart-Shaped Box" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana, written by vocalist and guitarist Kurt Cobain. The song was released as the first single from the group's third and final studio album, In Utero, in 1993. It was one of two songs from the album mixed by Scott Litt in order to augment...
" (NirvanaNirvana (band)Nirvana was an American rock band that was formed by singer/guitarist Kurt Cobain and bassist Krist Novoselic in Aberdeen, Washington in 1987...
) - Week 4, Episode 11: - "The Man Who Sold the WorldThe Man Who Sold the World (song)"The Man Who Sold the World" is a song by David Bowie. It is the title track of his third album, released in the U.S. in November 1970 and in the UK in April 1971. The song has been covered by a number of other artists, notably by Lulu in 1974, and Nirvana in 1993.-Inspiration and explanation:The...
" - Week 8, Episode 23 - "ImagineImagine (song)"Imagine" is a song written and performed by the English musician John Lennon. It is the opening track on his album Imagine, released in 1971...
" (John LennonJohn LennonJohn Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
)
- Week 1, Episode 2: Jordis Unga - "Heart-Shaped Box