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Michael Kelland John Hutchence January 22, 1960 - November 22, 1997 |
Michael Hutchence was the sexy and charismatic front man for
the Australian rock band, INXS. He was born on January 22,
1960 in North Sydney, Australia. He joined parents Kelland and
Patricia Hutchence and half sister Tina. Two years later
Michael's brother, Rhett Hutchence was born.
When Michael was 4, his father accepted a new job and moved
the family from Sydney to Hong Kong. This move would lead to
a life long love of Hong Kong, Michael maintained a residence
there through his life. Michael was educated at an English
school and excelled at swimming, and was already showing a
proficiency for writing, writing poetry in his spare time. At the
age of eight, he began performing by participating in a local toy
store commercial.
When Michael was twelve, his family moved back to Sydney
where he attended Davidson High School on Sydney's Northern
Beaches. It was here that Michael met and eventually became
good friends and musical writing partner with Andrew Farriss.
Michael loved to tell the story of how Andrew and some friends
came to his rescue when he became involved in a school yard
brawl. Although they didn't instantly become friends, the
incident was to shape the futures of both boys.
When Michael was a teen, his mother decided to move to the
United States to pursue her career as a make-up artist. She
took Michael with her, and enrolled him at North Hollywood
High. During this time, Michael excelled at the arts. Eventually,
however, he went back to Sydney to be with his father and
brother.
With Michael and Andrew reacquainted, they started to get
involved with music. They formed a band with Andrew’s
brothers, Tim and Jon, and friends Gary Beers and Kirk Pengilly.
They eventually settled on the name, The Farriss Brothers.
the Australian rock band, INXS. He was born on January 22,
1960 in North Sydney, Australia. He joined parents Kelland and
Patricia Hutchence and half sister Tina. Two years later
Michael's brother, Rhett Hutchence was born.
When Michael was 4, his father accepted a new job and moved
the family from Sydney to Hong Kong. This move would lead to
a life long love of Hong Kong, Michael maintained a residence
there through his life. Michael was educated at an English
school and excelled at swimming, and was already showing a
proficiency for writing, writing poetry in his spare time. At the
age of eight, he began performing by participating in a local toy
store commercial.
When Michael was twelve, his family moved back to Sydney
where he attended Davidson High School on Sydney's Northern
Beaches. It was here that Michael met and eventually became
good friends and musical writing partner with Andrew Farriss.
Michael loved to tell the story of how Andrew and some friends
came to his rescue when he became involved in a school yard
brawl. Although they didn't instantly become friends, the
incident was to shape the futures of both boys.
When Michael was a teen, his mother decided to move to the
United States to pursue her career as a make-up artist. She
took Michael with her, and enrolled him at North Hollywood
High. During this time, Michael excelled at the arts. Eventually,
however, he went back to Sydney to be with his father and
brother.
With Michael and Andrew reacquainted, they started to get
involved with music. They formed a band with Andrew’s
brothers, Tim and Jon, and friends Gary Beers and Kirk Pengilly.
They eventually settled on the name, The Farriss Brothers.
Eventually, The Farriss Brothers became INXS,
and the rest is, as they say, history. They
released their first album, entitled Inxs, in 1979.
As lead singer for INXS, Michael became the main
spokesperson for the band as well as their sexy,
confident frontman. With Michael providing the
lyrics and Andrew providing the melodies, INXS
was soon catapulted to superstardom with their
internationally acclaimed album Kick. There have
been many occasions where Andrew Farriss
attributed his own success as a songwriter to
Michael’s lyrical genius. Together, they wrote such
classic hits as Need You Tonight, Mystify,Devil
Inside and Never Tear Us Apart.
Prior to recording Kick, Michael took a break to
appear in the starring role of the Australian
independant film, Dogs In Space. Michael also
took on the role of Percy Shelley, in Roger
Corman's Frankenstein Unbound. Michael enjoyed
acting, and often talked of becoming an actor full
time, when finished with his career in music.
Michael also enjoyed pursuing musical endeavors
outside of Inxs. In 1989 he collaborated with
Australian Ollie Olsen on an album entitled Max
Q. It was described as industrial funk, and was
unlike anything Inxs had done. Michael was able
to explore his vocal range, as well as his lyrical
boundaries. Michael also recorded with up and
coming Australian acts, hoping to help them
achieve their dreams.
and the rest is, as they say, history. They
released their first album, entitled Inxs, in 1979.
As lead singer for INXS, Michael became the main
spokesperson for the band as well as their sexy,
confident frontman. With Michael providing the
lyrics and Andrew providing the melodies, INXS
was soon catapulted to superstardom with their
internationally acclaimed album Kick. There have
been many occasions where Andrew Farriss
attributed his own success as a songwriter to
Michael’s lyrical genius. Together, they wrote such
classic hits as Need You Tonight, Mystify,Devil
Inside and Never Tear Us Apart.
Prior to recording Kick, Michael took a break to
appear in the starring role of the Australian
independant film, Dogs In Space. Michael also
took on the role of Percy Shelley, in Roger
Corman's Frankenstein Unbound. Michael enjoyed
acting, and often talked of becoming an actor full
time, when finished with his career in music.
Michael also enjoyed pursuing musical endeavors
outside of Inxs. In 1989 he collaborated with
Australian Ollie Olsen on an album entitled Max
Q. It was described as industrial funk, and was
unlike anything Inxs had done. Michael was able
to explore his vocal range, as well as his lyrical
boundaries. Michael also recorded with up and
coming Australian acts, hoping to help them
achieve their dreams.
As Michael’s star shined, the media began to focus on his
private life. He dated fellow Aussie, Kylie Minogue and had
a long term relationship with supermodel, Helena
Christensen.
Michael was always very candid in interviews, making no
apologies for his extensive history of sexual liaisons and
drug use. His openness continued until the tabloids caught
wind of his relationship with Paula Yates, the wife of Bob
Geldof. Michael was ravaged in the tabloid press and the
pressure took its toll on his sensitive personality.
Despite the problems in their relationship, Paula gave birth
to Michael's only child, a daughter, on July 22, 1996.
Heavenly Hiranni Tigerlily Hutchence, was the light of
Michael’s life as he was a loving and proud father of his
beautiful little girl.
With the stress in his life increasing, Michael sought solace
in his music. During his free time, he was working on a solo
album, which he was recording with Andy Gill (Gang of Four)
and Danny Saber(Black Grape). Michael also regrouped with
his Inxs band mates and released Elegantly Wasted in 1997.
While touring to promote Elegantly Wasted, Michael was
becoming more and more depressed due to the
acrimonious court battles between Paula and Bob Geldof.
He was prescribed Prozac to help manage his depression.
Unfortunately, he was not carefully monitored by a doctor
or therapist while taking this medication and continued to
mix it with alcohol and other substances.
private life. He dated fellow Aussie, Kylie Minogue and had
a long term relationship with supermodel, Helena
Christensen.
Michael was always very candid in interviews, making no
apologies for his extensive history of sexual liaisons and
drug use. His openness continued until the tabloids caught
wind of his relationship with Paula Yates, the wife of Bob
Geldof. Michael was ravaged in the tabloid press and the
pressure took its toll on his sensitive personality.
Despite the problems in their relationship, Paula gave birth
to Michael's only child, a daughter, on July 22, 1996.
Heavenly Hiranni Tigerlily Hutchence, was the light of
Michael’s life as he was a loving and proud father of his
beautiful little girl.
With the stress in his life increasing, Michael sought solace
in his music. During his free time, he was working on a solo
album, which he was recording with Andy Gill (Gang of Four)
and Danny Saber(Black Grape). Michael also regrouped with
his Inxs band mates and released Elegantly Wasted in 1997.
While touring to promote Elegantly Wasted, Michael was
becoming more and more depressed due to the
acrimonious court battles between Paula and Bob Geldof.
He was prescribed Prozac to help manage his depression.
Unfortunately, he was not carefully monitored by a doctor
or therapist while taking this medication and continued to
mix it with alcohol and other substances.
In November of 1997, Michael was back home in
Sydney, Australia rehearsing for the upcoming
Australian Tour. On the night of November 21,
1997, Michael had dinner with his father and later
went to his room for drinks with friends. They left
early the following morning.
Michael was found dead in his hotel room by the
maid in the early afternoon of November 22, 1997.
He had made various phone calls; to Paula Yates,
Bob Geldof, his manager, Martha Troupe, and former
girlfriend Michelle Bennett. Although several
scenarios have surfaced regarding the nature of
these calls and Michael’s reaction, no one knows for
sure what sent Michael over the edge that
morning. The coroner’s office ruled his death a
suicide.
A terrible tragedy occurred on that day. A family
lost its son, brother & uncle. A little girl lost her
father. The world lost one of it's brightest stars.
Michael Hutchence will be missed by fans
worldwide; but never forgotten.
Sydney, Australia rehearsing for the upcoming
Australian Tour. On the night of November 21,
1997, Michael had dinner with his father and later
went to his room for drinks with friends. They left
early the following morning.
Michael was found dead in his hotel room by the
maid in the early afternoon of November 22, 1997.
He had made various phone calls; to Paula Yates,
Bob Geldof, his manager, Martha Troupe, and former
girlfriend Michelle Bennett. Although several
scenarios have surfaced regarding the nature of
these calls and Michael’s reaction, no one knows for
sure what sent Michael over the edge that
morning. The coroner’s office ruled his death a
suicide.
A terrible tragedy occurred on that day. A family
lost its son, brother & uncle. A little girl lost her
father. The world lost one of it's brightest stars.
Michael Hutchence will be missed by fans
worldwide; but never forgotten.
| Report any problems to the staff of The Michael Hutchence Fan Site. staff@hutchinfo.net |
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