September 2000

September 28, 2000:

New Publishing Firm
Australia's InMusic&Media reports that the A&R Company, a new "one stop shop" designed as a publishing facility to assist with the development and management of artists - set up by Tim Reid, Bryan Lynch, Rusty Wallis and David Edwards - has been quietly doing some business of late. It has already signed an impressive list of songwriters and producers to its publishing arm, including INXS members Andrew Farriss, Tim Farriss, Jon Farriss, Garry Beers and Kirk Pengilly. The A&R Company also represents the management of Jenny Morris and Jay Smith. The company has not yet had its official launch, but will be doing so in the coming months.

September 26, 2000

Michael & The Doors
AllStar reports that the late and highly charismatic Michael Hutchence was in many respects the modern day embodiment of the Doors' ageless Lizard King and high poet, Jim Morrison. The INXS frontman certainly conjured up those visions in the mind's eye of former Doors keyboards player, Ray Manzarek when he first saw the Australian outfit on MTV. Ironically, prior to Hutchence's tragic death there were plans to bring the two parties together for a one-off alliance that would span two generations. "We [the surviving members of the Doors] were going to actually play with him on a TV show." says Manzarek. "I guess it was some award show, one of those national, God knows what it was, some big TV show. We were going to fly down to Sydney to play and that never quite happened and then he dies! One of the great tragedies is that Michael Hutchence is not on the [Doors'] tribute album."

Paula Yates Funeral
Paula Yates' last rites were held amid tight security in a private service in St Mary Magdalene church in Davington, Kent. The star's ex-husband Sir Bob Geldof, the couple's three children, and
Paula's daughter, Tiger Lily, were the chief mourners. Paula, 41, was found dead on September 17 at her home at Notting Hill, west London by Tiger Lily, her child by late INXS singer Michael Hutchence. The service took place where her marriage to Geldof was blessed 14 years ago and where the couple's daughters Fifi Trixibelle, 17, Peaches, 10, and Pixie, 7, were baptised. A string of celebrities including Jools Holland, who was her co-presenter on The Tube, singers Bono from U2, Paul Young and Annie Lennox, supermodel Yasmine Le Bon, fashion designer Jasper Conran and actor Rupert Everett all attended. Friends and family fought back tears as close pals Bono and Jools Holland performed a moving song called "Blue Skies" in tribute to Paula.

September 22, 2000:

Funeral Arrangements Revealed
The funeral of Paula Yates will take place at noon on September 23 in the Church of Mary Magdalene in Davington, near the town of Faversham, in Kent, southeast England. The cause of Yates's death is still unknown but British media reports say an empty vodka bottle and a partly empty bottle of painkillers lay by her naked body. An inquest was opened Wednesday and immediately adjourned until Nov. 8 as more tests had to be conducted. The funeral in the 12th century church is expected to attract a list of celebrities, including ex-Beatle Sir Paul McCartney and Jools Holland.

September 19, 2000:

"Hello and be at Peace....please!"
Hi everybody and thanks for everyones heartfelt condolences, needless to say this is a very hard time for all of us.
While we (the band) understand ALL the emotions you feel, it really is a time of mourning for EVERYBODY and I beg restraint, respect, dignity and compassion to all concerned and most of all your prayers for little Tiger Lilly. Blame shouldn't be a part of it, it's beneath all of us. Having said that, I do understand the mixed feelings from you all, I too have mixed feelings of EXTREME sorrow, guilt, loss and yes, anger, it's very natural. Believe me I know alot about mourning now, unfortunately.
I will miss Paula and ask, for Paula, Michael, Tiger and Paula's family that we show compassion and respect for the fallen.
I personally know how much she dearly loved her children and what ever you think, she tried and cried her hardest.
Bless you Paula and may you rest in peace.
All my love, Tim.
(with kind permission from inxs.com)

September 17, 2000:

Paula Yates Found Dead
It is with a sad heart that we report that British television personality Paula Yates has been found dead at her home in London. Her solicitor has confirmed the death, after police were called to a house in West London by an ambulance crew. British police say the cause of death will not be known until a post-mortem examination has been carried out.

Kelland and Susie Hutchence have expressed their deepest condolences following the tragic passing of Paula Yates, their beloved son's partner, and mother to their beloved granddaughter, Tiger Lilly. "It is a very, very sad loss and compounds sorrow upon sorrow for all the family," Kelland Hutchence has told close friends. "I know I will probably not sleep tonight." The news became known to Kell at a particularly hard time, as he is recovering after several days in a Sydney hospital suffering from an acute bronchitis attack. All our love and prayers are with little Tiger, who we pray God will watch over, protect and comfort as she faces enormous challenges in the future.

For News Reports please go to Current Articles.

September 9, 2000:

INXS at Sydney Olympics
In a major coup for the band, INXS has accepted an invitation to perform at the Closing Ceremonies of the Sydney Olympics on October 1 at Stadium Australia. Ex-Noiseworks singer Jon Stevens will again front the band as lead singer. Other acts scheduled to perform at the Closing Ceremonies are Savage Garden and Men At Work. The telecast is expected to reach nearly 2 billion worldwide. If ever there was a showcase for INXS to announce their return to the world scene, this is it!

Indy Grand Prix Ball
The band, who recently cancelled a four-date tour of New Zealand due to poor ticket sales, will also perform with Jon Stevens at the Indy Grand Prix Ball on Friday October 13th. The Indy Grand Prix motor race takes place in Queensland on the Gold Coast. The band's performance at the Conrad Jupiters Casino will be for the race car drivers, media, fans and VIP guests. Limited tickets are available for this black tie event at around $250/person. For further information, please telephone (07) 5592 1133.

Best Live Albums Poll
The UK-based website Top Ten Albums features 25 classic LPs each month and asks visitors to choose their favorites. For the month of September, the site is running a poll on favorite live LPs and have included INXS' 1991 disc Live Baby Live as a choice. Surf on over to their website and vote for INXS!