Hi Legend!
It’s something of a first for the Listen Like Fans podcast this episode, as we welcome our first husband-and-wife duo. We’re delighted to have INXS uber fans Craig & Lesley Hicks on the show today.
The very epitome of an INXS power couple, Craig & Lesley have travelled far and wide to see the band perform live. Beginning with Kick-era concerts in 1988, through tours in the ’90s, to seeing Jon Stevens in 2000, JD Fortune in 2006, and Ciaran in the final touring years.
Hear Craig & Lesley talk about their favourite ever INXS moment—being invited backstage to join Jon Stevens and the band at a private bar, chatting footy and fishing with Tim, and fielding questions from new frontman Jon himself, asking, “How am I doing?”
As INXS’s touring career drew to a close, we hear Craig & Lesley reflect on the “forgotten” lead singer of INXS—Ciaran Gibbin—and share their thoughts on his style as frontman, including the time Ciaran borrowed and wore Chris’s sunglasses during a gig.
Offering an insight into domestic life, the couple also discuss the challenges of finding space to display their INXS memorabilia—including Kirk’s framed jacket from Rock Star: INXS.
Lesley talks about being front and centre at concerts, keeping an eye on the always-charismatic Michael. This positioning proved fortuitous one night when he inadvertently dropped a bracelet his girlfriend, Helena, had given him. Hoping to keep it as a souvenir, Leslley instead ended up with Michael’s sweat-covered towel—much to the delight of the crowd!
Ever the dedicated INXS fan, Craig recalls queuing overnight to be first through the gates for the Concert for Life—but only if the birth of their child came before the gig. Thankfully, their new arrival came just in time, four days before the concert!
From humble beginnings hanging out at the roller-skating rink as kids, Craig & Lesley have known each other for nearly 40 years and have been married for 30. This match made in INXS heaven shows how a shared love of the band can bring people together—and continues to play a major role in their lives as part of the INXS fan community.
Thank you, Craig & Lesley, for sharing your stories!
Next week will be our Season ! finale. So listen to the end of the show to hear what we have planned.
Reviewed and written by Andrew Lambie
Podcast hosted and produced by Bee France.
Become A Backstage Legend and join the INXS Fan Community
https://www.patreon.com/cw/ListenlikeFans_fortheloveofINXSBackstageLegends
Website: https://www.inxsaccessallareas.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/INXSaccessallareas