One of the few Australian bands of the 1980s that developed a powerful global following, INXS' success is best represented by their album Kick and the ensuing live concerts, such as the famous 1991 Wembley performance, took the band to new heights of global popularity.

INXS, led by charismatic front man Michael Hutchence, following and popular grew slowly and steadily, not as an overnight success. They epitomized the “Aussie battler” - meaning a working-class person who achieves success despite adversity - writing, performing, and touring year after year to build a following in Australia and then abroad. Kick marked a moment when those efforts paid off. Their popularity and global presence was made visible in part by music videos, which were largely shot in Prague and directed by Australian filmmaker Richard Lowenstein. The videos added a layer of artistry that had mass appeal during the 1980s when the music video was a cornerstone of popular culture.

This book examines the nature of the album's sound, lyrics and music videos and outlines the rise of INXS in the 1980s and the factors which contributed to this success, including the enigmatic Michael Hutchence and the songwriting skills of Andrew Farris and Hutchence. From the band's particular aesthetic and contribution to the Australian popular music scene through the album's legacy, this study offers keen insights into how a local Australian group achieved global popularity and success.

Ryan Daniel is a senior researcher in creative arts and creative industries at James Cook University, Australia. He has published over 50 peer reviewed book chapters and articles, with his research found in such journals as Creativity Studies, Creative Industries, International Journal of Cultural Policy, Arts and Humanities in Higher Education, Music Education Research and the British Journal of Music Education.

Lauren Moxey is a researcher at James Cook University, Australia, where she is researching the impact of natio-cultural creativity on the human thriving of audiences and creators, particularly in the context of Australia's popular music ecosystem. She has a co-authored publication (with Ryan Daniel) that offers an alternative conception of creative carers in Creativity Studies (forthcoming, 2023).