The architect behind INXS's global sound was a piano-playing peacekeeper
In short: While Michael Hutchence became the face of INXS, Andrew Farriss built its musical spine. From preventing school fights to co-writing nearly every US top-40 hit, his journey from an instinctive pianist in Sydney to a Hall of Fame songwriter reveals the quiet mechanics behind rock stardom.
Born in Perth in 1959, Andrew Farriss moved to Sydney in 1971. It was there that he developed the musical foundation for what would become one of Australia's most successful exports. While his brother Tim took up guitar, Farriss instinctively gravitated toward the piano. His entry into the music scene was marked by a moment of mediation: after preventing a fight between students at Davidson High School, he befriended Michael Hutchence. The two formed the band Doctor Dolphin in 1976 with several other classmates.
As INXS evolved, the creative dynamic solidified into a powerhouse partnership. The group's output was mainly driven by Hutchence providing lyrics and Farriss composing music starting with Shabooh Shoobah, their third record. Farriss contributed to nearly every US top-40 hit for the ensemble throughout the 1980s and 1990s, excluding just one. While he is primarily known as a keyboardist, his musical contributions expanded to include guitar, harmonica, and various percussion instruments on stage.
Beyond the global fame of INXS, Farriss established himself as a versatile producer and collaborator within the Australian music scene. He won Producer of the Year in 1990 for his work with New Zealand singer Jenny Morris and has worked with diverse acts ranging from Aboriginal bands like Yothu Yindi to country singers and Scottish rockers. His legacy was formally recognized in 2016 when he was inducted into the Australian Songwriters Hall of Fame, an institution established in 2004 to honor lifetime achievements in songwriting.
In recent years, Farriss has balanced his legacy with a solo career, releasing several singles and albums since 2019. Despite his international success, he has expressed a personal preference for domestic life over the rigors of touring, currently residing on a cattle farm in New South Wales.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Andrew Farriss
- Also: Wikidata — Andrew Farriss · CC0
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