MR

http://www.news.com.au/entertainment/st ... 84,00.html

ROCKERS INXS have sacked JD Fortune, the lead singer they recruited through a US reality show, with the star admitting fame drove him to drugs.

The singer, who was picked to front the group after winning the series Rockstar: INXS, said he was now broke and living in his car in native Canada after being dumped by the band at Hong Kong airport.

"I was in an airport at Hong Kong and literally got a handshake. They said, 'Thank you very much'," Fortune told Canada's Entertainment Tonight.

"I found myself really alone because I had travelled with these guys for 23 months.

"I don't know where I am going, from sofa to sofa, from night to night. I am trying to get through my life."

Fortune - real name Jason Dean Bennison - said his departure could have had something to do with his cocaine use.

"It got as bad as it needed to be for me to numb out the fact that I knew this was going to come to a screeching halt," he said.


Fortune was the latest singer to join INXS, filling the enormous void left by the death of Michael Hutchence in a Sydney hotel in 1997.

One-time INXS singer Jon Stevens famously lashed out at the band for enlisting Fortune through the TV show, warning his successor that he would be "raped and pillaged".

Stevens, who spent three years touring with INXS but never recorded with them, advised Fortune to make sure he had a good lawyer.

"(The show's) main objective is money, money and greed," he said in 2005.

A spokeswoman for INXS said she could not comment on Fortune's sacking, as did band member Kirk Pengilly's fiancee Layne Beachley when contacted by Confidential.

Living in a car. He didn't save one dime it looks like. I guess being a rock star is not all it's cracked up to be, though I'm still trying to figure out how he got the gig. He just seemed so wrong IMO.

When the band booted Jon and went the 'Reality TV' route, the writing was on the wall that there was no longer any respect for the music and they were all just there for the money. Not surprised at all by this, unfortunately.

Well there you go, lads - get your INXS karaoke out on YouTube ASAP...

Arianddu wrote:Well there you go, lads - get your INXS karaoke out on YouTube ASAP...

JSS would blow them away.

And in the end at least he'd get a handshake and a thank you.

Here's an interview clip about it. No surprise, he's plugging a solo record.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=403MHWCB-X8&

I have no sympathy for this guy whatsoever. None.

7 Wishes wrote:I have no sympathy for this guy whatsoever. None.

Proof of the old adage "Cream rises to the top... but so does scum."

It seems that 80's rock band tribute singers don't get paid very much these days.

Sad. Not one damn dime left. Very sad- in a pathetic kind of way.

Wonder how he's scoring his blow now?

Vladan wrote:Fortune - real name Jason Dean Bennison - said his departure could have had something to do with his cocaine use.

Weeding out all the B.S., that was the only relevant part of the story.

That is sad you would have thought he would saved the money.He was good just not for that band.Drugs are not a good thing.

NealIsGod wrote:Wonder how he's scoring his blow now?

Err- I read another article that said he is working a solo album.

Well that is sad. Living in his car? What, he has no family/friends? Some frontmen are irreplacable, and Hutch is definitely one of them. Eventually happens with these bands that are trying to make it with vocal clones of their original. I have a lot more respect for bands like Foreigner and Queen.

Say no to drugs, kids. And be smart about things. That's how you don't end up living in a car.
He brought it on himself, I've no sympathy for him. And INXS is irrelevant since Hutch left us.

Wow, you know things are bad when you envy Larry and his 1 channel of snowy TV.

Deb wrote:Well that is sad. Living in his car? What, he has no family/friends? Some frontmen are irreplacable, and Hutch is definitely one of them. Eventually happens with these bands that are trying to make it with vocal clones of their original. I have a lot more respect for bands like Foreigner and Queen.

+1 I'd rather hear a band with someone trying to be his own self than trying to keep a sound he never had or will obtain.

Suzanne wrote:

Deb wrote:Well that is sad. Living in his car? What, he has no family/friends? Some frontmen are irreplacable, and Hutch is definitely one of them. Eventually happens with these bands that are trying to make it with vocal clones of their original. I have a lot more respect for bands like Foreigner and Queen.

+1 I'd rather hear a band with someone trying to be his own self than trying to keep a sound he never had or will obtain.

Then you won't be attending any Journey shows?

Apparantly he has been clean for 2 years, but that most of his money went up his nose. Anything else he can find he spends on his solo record. This is what I psted on the noticeboard about this story:

jrnyman28 wrote:This sucks. I really enjoyed Switch and thought JD was a solid singer for the band. He certainly had the ability to do the classic material justice while shining on new stuff. The band had a great opportunity to record, promote and actually play new music...something most older bands like this do not get to do.

I remember when JD announced he had written an entire CDs worth of material and that is was a concept CD. He was also wise enough to understand the band would likely not use all of his material but maybe 1 or 2 songs. He seemed like he had his head on right...not overrun by ego.

I certainly hope he can get his solo CD finished as I am interested to hear it. Strange thing is that there has been a link to his solo page ON the INXS website but there has been no update to his page.

While JD certainly made some money, it does not surprise me that he is 'struggling'. You know he didn't get an even split being "the new guy". Also, as mentioned before, coming from his background he likely threw alot of it away. But you would think the INXS guys would have helped him take care of some of his money management. There should be no reason for JD to be 'homeless' at the least.

NealIsGod wrote:Wonder how he's scoring his blow now?

Blowing for Blow?

NealIsGod wrote:

Suzanne wrote:

Deb wrote:Well that is sad. Living in his car? What, he has no family/friends? Some frontmen are irreplacable, and Hutch is definitely one of them. Eventually happens with these bands that are trying to make it with vocal clones of their original. I have a lot more respect for bands like Foreigner and Queen.

+1 I'd rather hear a band with someone trying to be his own self than trying to keep a sound he never had or will obtain.

Then you won't be attending any Journey shows?

No. I received tickets for my birthday to a concert when Steve A. first went out with them and I gave them to a friend. I guess that's when I found out I'm a bigger fan of Steve Perry's. I'm not knocking any of the singers but for me, it sort of was a slap in my face as a fan that they kept trying to get someone who "sounds just like Steve". Just my humble opinion... I've heard JSS and he's got a great voice. I'm sorry they booted him.

Suzanne wrote:

NealIsGod wrote:

Suzanne wrote:

Deb wrote:Well that is sad. Living in his car? What, he has no family/friends? Some frontmen are irreplacable, and Hutch is definitely one of them. Eventually happens with these bands that are trying to make it with vocal clones of their original. I have a lot more respect for bands like Foreigner and Queen.

+1 I'd rather hear a band with someone trying to be his own self than trying to keep a sound he never had or will obtain.

Then you won't be attending any Journey shows?

No. I received tickets for my birthday to a concert when Steve A. first went out with them and I gave them to a friend. I guess that's when I found out I'm a bigger fan of Steve Perry's. I'm not knocking any of the singers but for me, it sort of was a slap in my face as a fan that they kept trying to get someone who "sounds just like Steve". Just my humble opinion... I've heard JSS and he's got a great voice. I'm sorry they booted him.

I have no problem with them trying to find someone who sounds like Perry (as much as possible) who can sing the songs the way they are meant to be sung. Just not happy with their current choice.

I think they should change their name to "Arnel and the J-Boyz", so people don't become confused with them and Classic Journey.

Gunbot wrote:I think they should change their name to "Arnel and the J-Boyz", so people don't become confused with them and Classic Journey.

I guess so if they continue to play the classic Journey tunes. I got to thinking about Van Halen when they got Sammy in there. They never changed the name of the band when that change took place. But I don't recall ever hearing Van Halen play a tune with Sammy on vocals that was previously done with Roth either. If it did happen, maybe I just missed it, but for sure Van Halen was off doing different material when Roth left the band.

As for the dilema with INXS' former singer, shit happens, especially if he's turned into a druggie. In which case they probably gave him some warning to stop, but he didn't so that's that. If this guy says they never gave him any warnings, well he may have forgot about it between bong hits, acid trips, meth raves, cocaine or whatever he was up to doing with the drugs.

The Sushi Hunter wrote:

Gunbot wrote:I think they should change their name to "Arnel and the J-Boyz", so people don't become confused with them and Classic Journey.

I guess so if they continue to play the classic Journey tunes. I got to thinking about Van Halen when they got Sammy in there. They never changed the name of the band when that change took place. But I don't recall ever hearing Van Halen play a tune with Sammy on vocals that was previously done with Roth either. If it did happen, maybe I just missed it, but for sure Van Halen was off doing different material when Roth left the band.

They did one or two songs with Sammy early on. A few years in, with Sammy firmly established, they started visiting more of the Roth era. But they definately made a statement when Sammy joined the band. The difference between that and Journey is that VH was still at the heigth of their popularity. They were not trying to recapture an audience. VH didn't have to remind anyone who they were. This is why I have often speculated that replacing Perry in 1985, after Frontiers, might have actually been easier than replacing him in 1998...

jrnyman28 wrote:

The Sushi Hunter wrote:

Gunbot wrote:I think they should change their name to "Arnel and the J-Boyz", so people don't become confused with them and Classic Journey.

I guess so if they continue to play the classic Journey tunes. I got to thinking about Van Halen when they got Sammy in there. They never changed the name of the band when that change took place. But I don't recall ever hearing Van Halen play a tune with Sammy on vocals that was previously done with Roth either. If it did happen, maybe I just missed it, but for sure Van Halen was off doing different material when Roth left the band.

They did one or two songs with Sammy early on. A few years in, with Sammy firmly established, they started visiting more of the Roth era. But they definately made a statement when Sammy joined the band. The difference between that and Journey is that VH was still at the heigth of their popularity. They were not trying to recapture an audience. VH didn't have to remind anyone who they were. This is why I have often speculated that replacing Perry in 1985, after Frontiers, might have actually been easier than replacing him in 1998...

Got a point there.

I can remember when Rockstar: INXS was on. EVERYONE I knew was watching it, talking about it. Everyone had their favorites. I had numerous chances to go to the tapings, but due to work, didn't. I follow Dave Navarro's side band, so everyone I knew that went to those concerts was definitely into this.

I couldn't stand JD...thought he was a pompous Elvis impersonator. I would have preferred Sweet Suzie McNeil or Mig, but that's me. But back then... most everyone I knew was into the show and the concept -- having a lead singer picked out by the fans. Rather, a choice whittled down by the fan base. Not that bad of an idea. Gained marketing perspective (it's a business). Everyone that made it to that stage had real talent, and showed it night after night.

I had a chance to go to one of the first concerts with JD in it. My buddy, who was into INXS like I love Journey, wanted me to go with her. I opted out... didn't like the choice the band made. Got the new CD they did, wasn't that blown away by it. So I was left with a meh... not that into their choice after all. Kinda like now with Journey.

I hope that living in his car is bringing JD a renewed humility, and that he seeks help. Hopefully, this is enough of a bottom for him.

Playitloudforme wrote:I hope that living in his car is bringing JD a renewed humility, and that he seeks help. Hopefully, this is enough of a bottom for him.

In part 2 of the interview on YouTube, JD spoke about a song he wrote for a close friend who committed suicide. He said that if the song ever has a chance to be heard, EVERY cent made from the song will go to her family because the song is 'her's'. Sounds like his head is in the right place now.

As a big original INXS fan, I was curious how their first album with JD would sound. To be honest, it wasn't as bad as I expected. There were a couple decent tracks so I thought they had a shot at continuing.

They even got decent radio play with "Pretty Vegas". Neal better give Arnel a raise or hole him up in the studio soon.

Afterglow (he got to play with Estella Warren)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4WiVPcayRI&

God's Top Ten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zi2ZYoU9PI

Gunbot wrote:I think they should change their name to "Arnel and the J-Boyz", so people don't become confused with them and Classic Journey.

I don't think too many people watching the Superbowl pre-game show had that problem.

It didn't sound like classic Journey at all.

StoneCold wrote:As a big original INXS fan, I was curious how their first album with JD would sound. To be honest, it wasn't as bad as I expected. There were a couple decent tracks so I thought they had a shot at continuing.

They even got decent radio play with "Pretty Vegas". Neal better give Arnel a raise or hole him up in the studio soon.

Afterglow (he got to play with Estella Warren)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4WiVPcayRI&

God's Top Ten
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Zi2ZYoU9PI

I listed to Afterglow - it is very good. INXS would probably still be going strong if their singer wouldn't have died. This song sounds better than most of the new stuff 80's bands are putting out these days.