Tim Farriss Net Worth

What is Tim Farriss' net worth?

Tim Farriss is an Australian musician who has a net worth of $10 million. Tim Farriss is the founding lead guitarist of INXS, celebrated for his distinctive riffs and melodic guitar work that helped define the band's sound. Classically trained from childhood, he blended technical precision with rock energy, earning nicknames like "Riff Meister" for his memorable playing, particularly during live performances. Beyond INXS, Tim explored solo composition, soundtrack work, and production, while serving as a steady leader within the band's creative circle.

Early Life

Timothy William Farriss was born on 16 August 1957 in Perth, Western Australia, the eldest of four children. He began classical guitar training at the age of eight under Tony Frederici of the West Australian Symphony Orchestra. After the family moved to Sydney in 1971, Tim attended Forest High School, where he played in early bands and met Kirk Pengilly, with whom he would later form part of INXS's core lineup.

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INXS

Before INXS, Tim and Pengilly played together in the band "Guinness," performing around Sydney's Northern Beaches. In 1977, Tim joined his brothers Andrew and Jon, Michael Hutchence, Garry Gary Beers, and Kirk Pengilly to form "The Farriss Brothers," which became INXS in 1979. As lead guitarist, Tim's riffs were a key ingredient in the band's biggest hits, and his onstage moments—such as Hutchence calling out "play the riff Timmy" during the legendary 1991 Wembley Stadium show—cemented his status as a fan favorite.

INXS released their self-titled debut album in 1980, gradually building a loyal following in Australia. By their third album, "Shabooh Shoobah" (1982), they began breaking internationally with singles like "The One Thing" and "Don't Change." Their blend of tight funk rhythms, catchy pop hooks, and rock swagger set them apart from other Australian acts.

The band's global breakthrough came with the 1985 album "Listen Like Thieves," featuring the U.S. top-five hit "What You Need." They followed with the career-defining "Kick" in 1987, which sold over 20 million copies worldwide and produced four top-10 hits in the U.S.: "Need You Tonight" (their only U.S. #1), "Devil Inside," "New Sensation," and "Never Tear Us Apart." Pengilly's guitar textures, saxophone solos (notably on "Never Tear Us Apart"), and backing vocals were crucial to the band's sound both on record and on stage.

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, INXS remained a major force with albums like "X" (1990) and singles such as "Suicide Blonde" and "Disappear." However, by the mid-1990s, shifting musical trends and less commercially successful albums began to slow their momentum.

The band's trajectory changed dramatically with the death of Michael Hutchence in November 1997. After a period of uncertainty, INXS continued performing with guest vocalists and eventually launched a global search for a new singer via the 2005 reality TV series "Rock Star: INXS," which introduced Canadian singer J.D. Fortune. While they continued to tour and release music with various frontmen, the group never regained its late-1980s commercial dominance.

In 2012, after 35 years together, INXS announced that they would cease touring, effectively marking the end of the band's active career.

(Photo by Peter Carrette Archive/Getty Images)

Solo & Personal Life

Tim released a solo CD, "Deep Inside," in 1996 and contributed to film soundtracks, notably "Any Day But Sunday." He also produced other artists and created the fishing-themed video "Fish in Space." He owns and operates his studio, Montana, supporting emerging musicians. In 2015, Tim suffered a serious boating accident that severed a finger, limiting his ability to play guitar. A resulting legal case was dismissed in 2022.

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