INXS, SCOTT STAPP, Delta Center, Wednesday.
J.D. Fortune really is a rock star.
When the TV reality-show star and new lead singer for INXS made his debut in the Delta Center Wednesday night, what was immediately noticeable was that he didn't hit the stage running; he was hobbling and limping.
The lanky singer was wearing a large brace for a knee injury, and at times he seemed to be in a lot of pain. But with "the show must go on" attitude, the injury didn't dampen Fortune's energy.
"The doctor said, 'You can't do the rest of the tour.' I said, 'Obviously you've never treated a rocker,' " was all Fortune said about the injury to the crowd.
Wearing a black derby, black shirt, tie and holding a cane, Fortune and the rest of INXS launched into "Suicide Blonde" as the curtain dropped to begin the show.
While INXS's last show in Utah, with Jon Stevens on vocals, had somber moments to honor original frontman Michael Hutchence, Wednesday's show was more upbeat and reflective of the title of the band's new CD, "Switch." This was the new INXS, ready to move on.
The band played a large selection of songs from "Switch," including such standouts as "Devil's Party," "Perfect Stranger" and "Afterglow." It also mixed in some of the old-school INXS favorites, including "Mystify" and "Original Sin."
The five original members looked like a band that had been playing together for three decades. Despite some technical-feedback glitches, Kirk Pengilly on guitar and sax, Garry Beers on bass and the three Farriss brothers — Andrew on keyboards and guitars, Tim on guitar and Jon on drums — were a tight unit the entire night.
The highlight of the evening came when INXS rolled seemlessly through many of its biggest hits, including "Need You Tonight," "What You Need," "Kick," "Devil Inside" and the band's newest chart-topper, "Pretty Vegas." The hits continued in the encore with "New Sensation," "Never Tear Us Apart" and "Don't Change."
Fortune, who deserves kudos for his effort, was able to walk into the audience and did his best to jump on one leg around the stage. But the knee injury and altitude seemed totheir toll by the last song.
Although on paper he looked like an odd choice for an opening act, Scott Stapp showed he still has some diehard fans in Utah, one of whom had a short night after rushing onstage.
The fist-pumping Stapp strutted around the stage with his baritone voice and cheesy between-song banter. He sang many Creed hits, which sounded decent, compared to his awful solo material.
E-mail: preavy@desnews.com