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Canada J.D. Fortune, a Canadian singer-songwriter, rose to international prominence after winning the reality series Rock Star: INXS, leading the iconic band through extensive tours and recordings, and has since continued his career as a solo artist and motivational speaker.
J.D. Fortune was the frontman for the Australian rock band INXS for six years after winning the reality series 'Rock Star: INXS.' He recorded the album 'Switch' with the band, co-wrote the hit single 'Pretty Vegas,' and toured extensively with them internationally. Despite a temporary separation, he rejoined and performed with them at various high-profile events.
J.D. Fortune's solo work, 'One More Day,' was utilized by CBS for an on-air campaign promoting the television series 'Miami Medical.' Additionally, his song 'Wicked World' was used in a promotion for an episode of the CBS Television program 'Criminal Minds.'
J.D. Fortune released two albums under Red Rebel Music from his 'Seven in 7' projects, including 'Seven in 7: Los Angeles' and 'Seven in 7: Ontario.'
Jason Dean Norman Bennison, known professionally as J.D. Fortune, was born on September 1, 1973, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. Raised in Salt Springs, Nova Scotia, he adopted his mother’s maiden name, Fortune, for his music career. Before achieving widespread recognition, Fortune held various jobs, including serving in the Canadian military as a serviceman, teaching martial arts, and performing as an Elvis impersonator in local pubs. He also worked briefly as a truck driver and an extra on the children’s show “My Secret Identity.” His early musical endeavors included fronting a band named JUICe, which released an album titled “In Retrospect,” and contributing songs like “Always Be in the Game” to the “Beyblade V-Force: Let It Rip” soundtrack. At one point, Fortune famously lived in his car with his pug, Elvis, a detail that became part of his public narrative.
In 2005, J.D. Fortune gained international attention as a contestant on the CBS reality series, “Rock Star: INXS.” After an eleven-week audition process, he was selected as the new lead singer for the Australian rock band INXS, replacing the late Michael Hutchence. With Fortune as their frontman, INXS released the album “Switch” in November 2005. The album featured the single “Pretty Vegas,” which Fortune co-wrote with Andrew Farriss and which charted at Number 7 on the Billboard Hot Adult Top 40 Tracks in February 2006. He toured extensively with INXS for 22 months, performing in 17 countries, solidifying his role in the band initially perceived as temporary. In 2009, Fortune publicly acknowledged issues with substance use during his time with the band, leading to a temporary separation.
Despite initial reports of his departure, Fortune reunited with INXS for several performances in 2010 and 2011, including a sold-out show at the Vancouver Olympics in 2010, the AFL Grand Final in Melbourne, Australia, and a tour in Australia, UK, Portugal, South America, Canada, and the United States. During this period, Kirk Pengilly confirmed Fortune as a permanent member. However, in September 2011, Fortune and INXS mutually agreed to part ways to pursue individual artistic projects. Following his time with INXS, Fortune redirected his efforts toward a solo career. He continued to release solo projects, such as “One More Day” and “Wicked World,” which were featured in promotions for CBS television shows “Miami Medical” and “Criminal Minds.” He later embarked on projects like “Seven in 7: Los Angeles” and “Seven in 7: Ontario,” where he wrote, recorded, produced, and released a new song daily for seven days, releasing two albums through Red Rebel Music. He continues to perform his show, J.D. Fortune Rocks INXS, featuring INXS classics.
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