Timothy William Farriss, born on August 16, 1957, in Perth, Western Australia, stands as a pivotal figure in Australian rock music as the founding member and lead guitarist of the iconic band INXS.
Raised by parents Dennis and Jill Farriss in a musically inclined household, Tim developed an early passion for the guitar, often falling asleep to tunes broadcast on his small transistor radio.
His journey into music was not without challenges; as a teenager, he underwent surgery to address Hereditary Multiple Exostoses, a condition that also affected one of his siblings, which temporarily sidelined him but ultimately fueled his determination.
Siblings
Tim grew up as the eldest of four children in the Farriss family.
His younger brother Andrew Farriss emerged as INXS’s primary songwriter and keyboardist, contributing the melodic backbone to many of the band’s biggest hits.
Another brother, Jon Farriss, took on the role of drummer, providing the rhythmic drive that propelled INXS’s energetic live performances.
The siblings’ sister, Alison Farriss, while not directly involved in the music scene, represented the familial support system that underpinned their early endeavors.
The three brothers, Tim, Andrew, and Jon, formed the core of what initially started as the Farriss Brothers band in 1977, a name that reflected their tight-knit collaboration before evolving into INXS.
Career
Farriss’s career is inextricably linked to the rise and enduring legacy of INXS, which he co-founded in Sydney in 1977 alongside his brothers Andrew and Jon, school friends Michael Hutchence, Kirk Pengilly, and Garry Gary Beers.
Initially performing as the Farriss Brothers, the group honed their sound in local venues, with Tim’s lead guitar work becoming a signature element.
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By the early 1980s, they rebranded to INXS, releasing their self-titled debut album in 1980 and steadily building momentum through albums like Underneath the Colours (1981), Shabooh Shoobah (1982), and The Swing (1984).
Tim’s contributions peaked during the band’s commercial zenith in the late 1980s and early 1990s, particularly on the blockbuster album Kick (1987), where his guitar lines amplified hits such as “Need You Tonight” and “New Sensation.”
A highlight of his tenure came during the 1991 Summer XS tour, when INXS performed to over 73,000 fans at London’s Wembley Stadium, earning Tim the affectionate nickname “Riff Meister” after frontman Michael Hutchence’s onstage shout-out.
Beyond INXS, Tim ventured into production, working with Sydney band Crash Politics alongside Kirk Pengilly, and maintained a low-key solo presence post-2012, when the band effectively disbanded following Hutchence’s 1997 death and shifting lineups.
Accolades
In 2008, Farriss was inducted into the West Australian Music Industry Awards Hall of Fame alongside brothers Andrew and Jon as the Farriss Brothers, honoring their foundational role in Australian rock.
As part of INXS, the band secured six Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA) Awards, including three consecutive wins for Best Group in 1987, 1989, and 1992, reflecting their dominance on home soil.
Globally, INXS garnered five MTV Video Music Awards and three Grammy nominations, underscoring their innovative music videos and crossover appeal.
Tim’s instrumental legacy extends to the band’s estimated 60 million albums sold, with Kick alone achieving multi-platinum status and cementing INXS’s place in rock history.
While not as prominently featured in songwriting honors as Andrew, Tim’s contributions were celebrated in broader tributes, such as the 2014 miniseries Never Tear Us Apart and the 2019 remastered release of the Wembley concert film Live Baby Live.
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