Australian rock band INXS says its touring days are over
PERTH, Australia, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- The surviving members of the Australian rock band INXS announced at a concert in Perth they don't plan to go on tour again.
Drummer Jon Farriss broke the news to fans at the opening weekend of the new Perth Arena and the final night of the Matchbox Twenty/INXS Australian tour Sunday.
INXS began its career in the Western Australian city 35 years ago, with front man Michael Hutchence, who hanged himself in 1997 at the age of 37.
Matchbox Twenty's Rob Thomas joined INXS and vocalist Ciaran Gribbin on stage and performed the band's signature closer, "Don't Change," at Sunday's show.
The remaining band members of INXS -- Tim, Andrew and Jon Farriss, Kirk Pengilly and Garry Beers -- issued a statement on the group's website confirming their intention to never tour again.
"We understand that this must come as a blow to everybody, but all things must eventually come to
an end. We have been performing as a band for 35 years, it's time to step away from the touring
arena," the band said in its online message. "Our music will, of course, live on and we will always be a part of that. We would like to express our heartfelt thanks to all the friends and family that have supported us throughout our extensive career. Our lives have been enriched by having you all as a part of the journey."
Jon Farriss said the band is still mourning the loss of Hutchence.
"It's been 35 years for INXS as a live touring band and unbelievably it's been 15 years ago since we lost Michael," said Jon Farriss. "We lived for each other in the trenches and we loved each other. It was the six of us against the world and then suddenly and inexplicably we were but five. We were lost right at the moment we were on top."
"We never took a soft option, it was the adversity, the challenge and the struggle that forged us into the live working band we became. And this was as big as it could possibly get when it came to a challenge," said Andrew Farriss, "and in the end we decided for a whole bunch of reasons to march forward. To us there was no other option, families always move forward."
"They believed unconditionally in each other and they also believed unconditionally in the music. People fade, sometimes way too early," the band's manager Chris Murphy said. "That is
life whether we like it or not. To live to 80 plus is a life well lived. To lose Michael so young was a
tragedy for all of us. But with this band, their legacy, their music was just so damn good, it was
always destined to live beyond all of us."
National Geographic Channel to air Hurricane Sandy documentary
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- National Geographic Channel says it plans to air an in-depth documentary about Sandy, the hurricane that devastated parts of New York and New Jersey.
NGC President Howard T. Owens said Monday the 1-hour program "Superstorm 2012" will premiere Thursday. It airs globally this month in 172 countries under the title "Superstorm New York: What Really Happened."
Hurricane Sandy caused more than 110 fatalities in the United States and paralyzed life for millions of people.
"This was a storm that is rewriting the record books," Owens said in a statement. "We watched the initial weather coverage, saw the tragic, ever-present news images of whole neighborhoods under water, cars floating in the streets of Manhattan and a coastline in ruins, and continue to follow the daunting stories of recovery and cleanup. Our goal in producing this film is to get the complete picture on why it happened, understand the science behind its extreme forces, and learn how it left behind such a tableau of damage, destruction and grief."
National Geographic Channel said it has also committed to running Red Cross PSAs during the premiere this week in the United States.
"It is important to not only bring our viewers the incredible detail behind this destructive storm and the unbelievable impact it had, but to also allow them an opportunity to reach out and help those affected by the aftermath," said Courteney Monroe, chief marketing officer for National Geographic Channels.
ABC orders full season of 'Nashville'
LOS ANGELES, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- ABC says it has picked up its country music-themed freshman drama "Nashville" for a full season.
The network previously announced full-season orders for the sitcom "The Neighbors" and the political drama "Scandal."
Starring Connie Britton, Hayden Panettiere, Charles Esten, Eric Close, Clare Bowen, Jonathan Jackson, Sam Palladio, Robert Ray Wisdom and Powers Boothe, "Nashville" airs Wednesday nights.
Madame Tussauds to unveil Colbert figure
WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Madame Tussauds Washington says it has created a wax likeness of television personality and political satirist Stephen Colbert.
Colbert is scheduled to help unveil his figure at the attraction Friday.
Madame Tussauds D.C. said it is renovating its Media Room and creating a replica set of "The Colbert Report" where guests will be able to interact and take photos behind the desk, seated next to the figure.
"It's ironic that the last seven days began with one of the most significant days in United States politics and today we are capping it off by announcing a wax figure of one of the nation's most renowned political satirists," Dan Rogoski, general manager for Madame Tussauds D.C., said in a statement Monday. "Stephen Colbert was an ideal choice to immortalize in wax and we know our guests and especially his fans, will enjoy stepping onto the show's set and interacting with his figure."
