INXS album Kick approaches 39th anniversary

The iconic 1987 album ‘Kick’ by the Australian band INXS is approaching its 39th anniversary. The record, which blended rock, funk, pop, and dance, became the group’s most commercially successful work and helped elevate singer Michael Hutchence to international stardom.

Historical accounts reveal that the album faced significant resistance during its development. Atlantic Records, the group's U.S. distributor, reportedly doubted the potential of the new material because its stylistic blend deviated from the band's established North American sound. According to businessman Chris Murphy, then-label president Doug Morris offered the musicians $1 million to return to Australia and record a different album. The band refused the offer, opting to stick with their musical direction. Success was eventually achieved through alternative promotion strategies, such as targeting U.S. college radio stations with the track ‘Need You Tonight’.