Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) has signed a global publishing agreement with INXS members Andrew Farriss (keyboards and guitar), Jon Farriss (drums), Kirk Pengilly (guitar, saxophone), Tim Farriss (guitar) and Garry Gary Beers (bass) for the core INXS catalog of music, as announced today by Zach Horowitz, Chairman and CEO, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). Although UMPG has previously published the band's early material through a prior arrangement, the new agreement brings essentially all of INXS's music to UMPG. The company also publishes the rights of the group's late lead singer Michael Hutchence for songs written on the band's first four albums.
After forming in the late 1970s, INXS became one of the most popular and successful rock groups in the world, releasing a string of critically and commercially successful albums and singles on their way to selling over 30 million records, including No. 1 hits in four continents, six UK Top 10 albums, and five US Top 20 albums.
“INXS is simply one of the greatest rock bands of all time, and we couldn't be more thrilled to bring their core catalog and all of their hits to UMPG worldwide,” said Zach Horowitz, Chairman and CEO, UMPG. “We're particularly excited to work with the group and their visionary creative consultant, Chris Murphy, in finding new and innovative ways to take their music to the next level--including the upcoming TV mini-series about their career, movies, and theatrical plays. We're looking forward to connecting new generations of fans with the band's timeless music.”
“INXS has become a music brand that breaks media and entertainment barriers on all fronts,” said Chris M Murphy, INXS Creative Director and Global Strategist. “Zach Horowitz ‘got it’ from my very first meeting with him, and his passion for INXS’ music was undeniable. We’re over the moon that we’ll be working with him and the outstanding UMPG team to write the next chapter in the band’s illustrious history. The new TV mini-series about the band’s untold story, which will debut in the first quarter of 2014, is just the beginning. Films, the ‘ultimate’ documentary, and a musical are all on the way.”
“INXS are thrilled to be under one roof with such a dynamic team as Universal, the world and INXS' songs and music just got closer and much bigger all at the same time,” said Andrew Farriss (keyboards and guitar).
Among INXS' most successful albums are 1984's The Swing, which was certified platinum in the US; 1985's Listen Like Thieves and 1990's X, both of which went double-platinum in the US; and 1987's Kick, which was certified 6x platinum in the US and sold over 10 million copies worldwide to become the group's best-selling album. Kick also launched a series of hit singles now administered by UMPG, including “New Sensation,” “Never Tear Us Apart,” “Devil Inside,” and “Need You Tonight,” the latter of which was a No. 1 hit on the Billboard Hot 100. Other hit singles from INXS' catalog include “Original Sin,” “What You Need,” “The One Thing,” and “Suicide Blonde,” among others.
INXS' songs have been covered by a variety of popular artists across many different genres, including Justin Timberlake, Rob Thomas, Tom Jones, Beck, Joe Cocker, Paloma Faith, Liv Tyler, The Goo Goo Dolls, St. Vincent, Tricky, Pat Monahan, Ben Harper, Nikki Costa, Os Mutantes, Liars, Natalie Imbruglia, My Morning Jacket, AFI, Lostprophets, and more.
The band's music is regularly featured in popular films (Donnie Darko; Hot Tub Time Machine; Face/Off; Monster; Pretty In Pink; The Lost Boys; Adventureland), television programs (“Dancing With The Stars”; “30 Rock”; “Glory Daze”; broadcasts of the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games), and advertisements (Givenchy; John Lewis). INXS will also be the focus of the highly anticipated upcoming TV miniseries “Never Tear Us Apart: The Untold Story of INXS,” which is set to debut on the Australian television network Seven next year. Both the band and its manager Chris M Murphy worked directly with the network to create the show, which stars Australian actor Luke Arnold and traces the band members’ rise to rock stardom.
