New INXS frontman named (warning - reveals Rock Star: INXS winner)

SYDNEY - After a global search, INXS has chosen Canadian singer JD Fortune to front the iconic Australian rock outfit.

The 32-year-old was tonight named the group's new frontman, replacing Michael Hutchence, who took his own life at a Sydney hotel in 1997.

"Michael's light will always be a part of this band and I think there are talented artists here that just haven't finished their dream and I am just happy to be along for a part of that," Fortune told Australian journalists from Los Angeles.

INXS original members Kirk Pengilly, Tim Farriss, Jon Farriss, Andrew Farriss and Garry Beers earlier this year embarked on an international search to replace Hutchence, joining forces with reality TV guru Mark Burnett.

Together they created the reality TV show Rock Star: INXS, with thousands of budding singers auditioning around the world with the ultimate goal of fronting the band.

Fortune, who grew up in Nova Scotia and whose name is Jason, was up against Australian contestant Mig Ayesa and Marty Casey, from the United States, in the final vote of the TV series, screened in Australia on pay TV.

His rendition of INXS hit What You Need secured him the gig.

While a fan of INXS growing up, Fortune never saw the group live with Michael Hutchence up front.

"I was living in a really small town ... I never got a chance to see any concerts when I was younger," he said.

"(But) a huge chunk of who I am as a singer, songwriter and performer, comes from the influences of INXS and to be able to say that we are INXS at this point is more than a dream."

INXS formed in 1977 and went on to sell more than 35 million albums worldwide with hits such as New Sensation, Devil Inside, Disappear and Need You Tonight.

"Tonight was one of the most significant moments of this band's entire career," Tim Farriss said of the show's climax.

"The last time this band made a significant anything was at our dear and beloved brother Michael Hutchence's funeral ... thunder and rain happened and it happened again this morning.

"I don't know if it has got anything to do with anything in the world but it is pretty kind of weird and out there."

Farriss said INXS was not looking for a clone of Michael Hutchence.

"Jason ... is not trying to fill his (Hutchence's) shoes. We never expected him to," Farriss said.

"Here we are with a brand new person that completes our band and we are just so grateful."

INXS has attempted to find a replacement lead singer several times since 1997. At one stage Terence Trent D'Arby fronted the band before Jon Stevens took over.

But neither relationship worked out.

INXS will release a single tomorrow through Sony BMG, titled Pretty Vegas.

A new INXS album, the first in eight years, will be released in November and will be followed by a world tour starting in January.

The final episode of Rock Star: INXS was to air on Fox8 at 8.30pm AEST (10.30pmNZT) tonight.

- AAP