INXS Turns the Page With New Book ‘Calling All Nations’: First Look

INXS’ incredible ride from the stages of sweaty pubs in their homeland, to stadiums and across airwaves around the globe is captured for a new book, lovingly retold by fans.

Set for release Oct. 3, Calling All Nations – A Fan History Of INXS is the first-ever book on the new wave legends to be written by their fans, The Music Network can exclusively reveal.

Calling All Nations

Featuring a forward penned by Live Nation chairman Arthur Fogel, Calling All Nations is a colourful account of the great Australian band, told through supporters’ stories, memories, and life-changing moments.

It’s a space for fans to “share what INXS has meant to them throughout their lives in their own words,” and, in turn, “tell the story of one of the greatest bands of all time,” reads a statement.

A sizzle reel for the tome is now live and can seen in full below.

“This book is a beautiful representation of our history from the people that matter,” reads a message from the band.

“As life goes on, it’s easy to forget the impact we had on so many people and this book brings back so many forgotten memories, thankfully “the fans”…just remember.

“It is truly wonderful and thank you to everyone who contributed to this book, listened to our music and came out and watched us play live.”

Those fans number in the tens of millions.

Formed in Perth in the late 1970s, and led by the charismatic Michael Hutchence, the rockers scored six U.K. top 10 albums, including a No. 1 with Welcome To Wherever You Are from 1992, and five U.S. top 20 albums.

At the peak of their powers in the late 1980s and early-to-mid 1990s, INXS was one of the biggest stadium acts on the planet.

Worldwide career sales top 60 million.

The 1987 album Kick smashed down the doors in the United States, with a peak of No. 3 on the Billboard 200.

It remained on the chart for 81 weeks, and four of its singles – “New Sensation,” “Never Tear Us Apart,” “Devil Inside” and the No. 1 “Need You Tonight” – cracked the Top 10.

Kick came in at No. 2 in Rolling Stone Australia’s list of the 200 greatest Australian albums of all time, behind only AC/DC’s Back In Black.

INXS was inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2001, four years after the death of Hutchence, aged 37.

The band has been eligible for induction into the Rock And Roll Hall of Fame since 2006, though, to date, the surviving band members haven’t been tapped.

Among those calling for Rock Hall glory is Giles Martin, the British-born music producer, composer and arranger, and son of the late, great Beatles producer George Martin.

“They’re a great rock band,” Martin recently told The Music Network.

“I couldn’t believe it, being in Japan during a rehearsal when they started playing in this room. They reminded me, in those days because they were at that peak, they were like the Stones. And Michael (Hutchence) was as good a frontman at his peak, as far as his presence, and he just sounded so good.”

Published in hardback, Calling All Nation is a project of Petrol Records, UMe, and uDiscover Music in partnership with This Day In Music Books.

Preorders and bundles are here at the official INXS online store.