Jon Stevens

Jon Stevens

Jon Stevens is a New Zealand-born, Australian rock and pop rock singer-songwriter, born in 1962. He moves from New Zealand to Australia after finding success there in the 1970s as a pop star, and later becomes an Australian citizen.

Early solo work

In New Zealand, Stevens is best known in the 1970s for the songs “Jezebel” and a cover of “Montego Bay”. He then continues his career in Australia, where he becomes better known as a rock singer.

Noiseworks and stage roles

Stevens is most closely associated with Sydney band Noiseworks, where he performs as lead singer. The band has major 1980s hits with “Take Me Back” and “Touch”. After Noiseworks disbands, he appears in two Australian productions of Jesus Christ Superstar, playing Judas in both, and gains strong acclaim for the role.

INXS and later releases

In 2000, Stevens fronts INXS as a stand-in for Michael Hutchence, following a path previously taken by Jimmy Barnes and Terence Trent D'Arby. With the band, he records the Sydney 2000-related theme song “Carry the Flame”. He tours with INXS as singer, is officially made lead singer in October 2002, and leaves a year later before an album is released. INXS later appoint J.D. Fortune as lead singer in 2005.

Albums

In 2004, Stevens releases Ain't No Life For The Faint Hearted, a modern R&B album noted for his cover of The Doors’ “Light My Fire”. In 2005, he releases The Works as part of the Liberation Blue acoustic series; the album uses a stripped-back approach and highlights his vocal ability.

Family

He is the brother of Frankie Stevens, who hosts New Zealand Idol.