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Watch this clip from the first episode of the INXS series 'Never Tear Us Apart'. Courtesy Channel Seven.
- news.com.au
- 09 Feb 2014
- Entertainment
A worldwide hit that does not seem that ending soon ... Anna, voiced by Kristen Bell, Olaf, voiced by Josh Gad, and Kristoff, voiced by Jonathan Groff, in a scene from the animated feature "Frozen" that has produced a soundtrack that keep on selling. Picture: AP / Disney Source: AP
INXS joke they may just have to “let it go” if Frozen beats them to claim the highest selling album in Australia this year.
The Australian rockers reclaimed their heartland in 2014, with the Never Tear Us Apart miniseries not only reminding the true believers of their incredible legacy of hits but also bringing in a generation of new fans.
The No. 1 telemovie of the year also fuelled an extraordinary surge in sales with The Very Best album now quadruple platinum, selling more than 280,000 copies.
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Biggest sellers ... INXS members Kirk Pengilly, Jon Farriss, Andrew Farriss and Tim Farriss were recognised for quadruple platinum sales of The Very Best record. Picture Craig Greenhill Source: News Limited
It was their first No. 1 record in 24 years and dominated the top spot for seven weeks. The relentless popularity of the Frozen soundtrack and Taylor Swift’s 1989juggernaut appear to be their competition for the biggest selling album of 2014.
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Making a late run for best selling album of the year ... Taylor Swift at the 2014 American Music Awards at Nokia Theatre L.A. Live in Los Angeles, California. Picture: AFP / Frederic J Brown Source: AFP
During February, the band had an astounding six albums, including Kick and The Swing, and nine songs, including Never Tear Us Apart and New Sensation, in the top 100.
It was a precious time for the band mates who had never been home to see the collective love for their work when they were one of the biggest superstar acts on the planet in the late 1980s and early 1990s.
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Touring the world had been necessary but also fostered a disconnect between the band and their Australian fans.
“It felt like it was coming home, if you like,” Andrew Farriss said.
His brother Tim added: “It was nice to be hear instead of hearing about what was happening from overseas.”
Superstar selfies ... Everyone wanted a photo with Jon and Tim Farriss at the ARIA Awards. Picture: Bradley Hunter. Source: News Corp Australia
The telemovie drew an audience of 2.8 million in the first episode and 2.6 million for the second.
But most importantly it restored respect for the band who had struggled to find a future after the death of Michael Hutchence in 1997.
They were no longer a guilty pleasure but celebrated for their significant achievements on the world stage.
This was proved when both Arcade Fire and Bruce Springsteen covered their songs during Australian tours this year.
And there was an endless procession of bands and music industry fans, including 5 Seconds of Summer, asking for a selfie at the recent ARIA Awards.
Legacy restored ... The Never Tear Us Apart telemovie reminded fans the band had many hits. Picture: AP / James Minchin. Source: AP
Kirk Pengilly said it now takes him an hour each day to pick up his mail from the local post office as he chats to fans.
“A lot of them are young kids. And mums. One woman told me her eight-year-old son insists on hearing the INXS CD in the car,” he said.
But drummer Jon Farriss remains uncertain as to whether the size of their young audience versus that of Frozen will win them the prize of highest selling album of 2014 for The Very Best.
“My daughter just won’t stop singing Let It Go,” he said.
