..MICHAEL HUTCHENCE..
..One From The Heart - Memorial Biography..
Michael Kelland John Hutchence was born on January 22, 1960 at Mater Misericordiae Hospital, North Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. His mother Patricia Glassop (nee Kennedy) Make-up Artist,and father, Kelland Hutchence businessman. The two met,fell in love and married in 1959. Tina Hutchence (from Patricia’s former marriage) was just 11years of age. The family later moved to Brisbane during which time Rhett was born.
In 1965, Kell Hutchence, had accepted a position with a company which imported beef from Australia and wines and spirits from France, so the family departed to live in Hong Kong.
This was the 60’s, where there were lots of cocktail parties where people would play soul music- especially Motown. Michael’s parents would also play Frank Sinatra, and his teenage sister was into the Beatles. Michael spent 2 months solidly listening to “The White Album” over and over. He also liked Jethro Tull and the Rolling Stones, along with lots of other favorites. He studied classical guitar for a short time and the violin.
The family were still living in Hong Kong, when Michael formed a “folk group” who played a type of “cafe music” similar to the then popular, Peter, Paul, Mary
School was quite a swish private institution called King George V which had lots of green grass and was quite strict. Still, he had a good time there, mixing a solid scholarly performance with a passion for fencing, motorcycles(almost killing himself!) He excelled at swimming, which invlolved training 2hrs a day. He was good enough to compete in major competitions. “I trained my arse off – a mile a day and ended up with green hair! The Philipino competitors put the brakes on that career by beating my team and crushing my ego. Very much so. “ (MH)
Most of us have heard the story when Michael met Andrew. Well this is the true story ! When Michael was 12 the family returned to Sydney and settled into a home in Belrose, New South Wales. His first day at Davidson High was very nerve racking’, as the students did not readily accept Michael’s well spoken, slightly British accent, and the fact that he spent time talking with girls! Davidson High School seemed quite scary for the kind and care-free Michael.
Destiny has strange ways of bringing people together, and usually for a reason, and what a great union this tangle would unravel! On a social level, people’s attitude really shocked Michael. There was a whole new set of rules to be learnt! Like being a man’s man. If you hang out with the boys your O.K. but if you talk to girls, you‘re a homesexual. “The first day I went to school there, I sat down on the bus and started talking to this girl. “Here I am. I’m 13 and suddenly I have to deal with some guy leaning over me and saying, “Hey Mate, who the hell do you think you are? Why are you talking to a girl? You should be talking to your mate!”
This guy kept niggling and as soon as they arrived at school, he got into a fight. Luckily, Andrew Farriss was in the playground at the time and “with a very large friend of his” and came to the rescue.
History was in the making and was a blessing in disguise as Andrew became Michael’s lifelong friend and business partner. Andrew and Michael formed a very special bond which lives on!
After some rehearsals in the Farriss or Hutchence garage, they debuted their band the ‘Farriss Brothers’ on August 16, 1977 (also, being a sad day, the day Elvis Presley died!). However, on a more positive outlook, this day marked Tim’s birthday and also the forming of the most successful Australian band in history!
When Michael was 15, his parents had separated,and Michael and his mother left for California. Michael said that with the marriage breakup, he felt that his mother needed one of the boys with her and didn’t want to think of her alone. He and his mother went to live with sister Tina, at her house in Studio City.
Michael enrolled into North Hollywood High and found the instructor/student relationship liberating. Having lots of spare time, Michael began to write poetry, with a passion!
Michael and his mother returned to Australia where he continued his friendship with Andrew. By this time, Andrew was entering a more serious approach to his music career. Andrew had formed his band ‘Doctor Dolphin’, and there was no place, apart from vocals for Michael who did not play an instrument. Slowly Michael began to expose his poetry to Andrew, who was already an accomplished musician.
All three Farriss brothers played an instrument. Eldest brother Tim, a guitar player was already performing in a band with Kirk Pengilly and Gary Gary Beers was playing bass guitar. Whilst youngest brother Jon was learning the drums.
In his leisure time, Michael tried surfing and mostly ended up eating sand! His words: “I’m not one of those typical Aussie surfer blokes -which is a pity. Surfing is a very competitive thing. I mean if you take someone’s wave – and most of the time you don’t even know what you are doing – you’ ve had it! You won’t even be allowed back on the beach And if you are from another area, it’s even worse! The guys from the area OWN the waves.”
The band were not only younger than most of the acts around then, but also a lot cheekier! They showed up for one Sydney pub show kitted out in mouse and chicken costumes (just for fun!). One especially memorable one, Tim Farriss” outfit consisted of a yellow, see-through postman’s raincoat with absolutely nothing else underneath!
It was the “the call of the wild” ,Michael was 17 when he left home in a red panel van and drove off with Kirk into the sunset.
The band were profoundly professional. They rehearsed about 7-8hrs a day (sometimes more!) whilst living in a big house together, and playing the local pubs at night.
They concluded that Sydney demonstrated too many influences of which they did not want to reflect in their music and decided to base themselves in Perth for a change of scenery.
Michael said his experiences in Perth transpired in making him more mature and dedicated to his work.
It was also in Perth Michael met his first “true love”. A writer called “Amanda” who had gone on to win awards as The Australian Short Story Writer of the Year.
This culture and surroundings were Michael’s first dive into the underground. It was very Beat,very ‘50s,very nostalgic. Lots of poets and Black music! Very inspirational!
Having conquered all of the Perth scene, they decided to fly to Melbourne and were highly successful.
The media attention was becoming greater and greater, and they were now singing in large auditoriums and other venues with Michael being hailed as the “the new voice in Rock”. Soon they were to change their name to INXS and more recording contracts and albums followed.
They had experienced unparalleled success in all of Australia and hit the top of the charts and would perform with a view to taking on the rest of the world.
They had moved back to Sydney and signed themselves to the independent Delux label.
That same year 1980, they released their first two singles ‘We Are The Vegetables’ and ‘Simple Simon’ and began work on their first album-music by Andrew and lyrics by Michael.
Michael was experimenting and developing his own style. He always had a presence, that “X” factor, the elusive one thing, that so many artists desire and strive to attain, yet this gift of charisma and instinct, was second nature with Michael.
The band was later spotted by Garry Morris the manager of Midnight Oil. He apparently, was too busy to manage them himself but introduced them to another manager who was searching for a band. Not only did they get a manager, they changed their name at the same time. Their stage persona was so excessive it seemed appropriate that they should call themselves ‘INXS’.
INXS had a huge sense of pride in their work, It was more than just a jam session! One of their biggest breaks, as far as the overseas market, came when Nile Rodgers (who “later” was discovered by David Bowie, Madonna and Duran Duran) came backstage after a concert in late 1983. He suggested they get together for a jam. Turns out they took 3 days off and ended up recording “Original Sin” at a Power Station. Michael had nothing but praise for the gent.
“Nile’s one of the most inspirational musicians I’ve ever met. He’s so damned exuberant. You don’t feel like you are making a record. It’s more like having a party.” (MH.)
Andrew and Michael, in fact, wrote the song “Original Sin” in the back of their tour bus. “The theme came from watching young kids play. I saw Hispanics, Blacks and Whites all playing in this one mixed neighbourhood. And they didn’t know yet that every day they were being conditioned. They haven’t been told yet that they are Black or they are White or whatever. One day they will wake up and their dreams will just go.” (MH).
This concern also emerged again in “Dancing on the Jetty” and the accompanying video by Richard Lowenstein (the man behind the radical movie Strikebound). The clip bristles with righteous anger and riot footage from all over the globe.
“The idea is that when everything falls apart, you just laugh. In the face of adversity people tend to get like that. I do it. Andrew does. Especially Andrew who’s a bit touched!"
"If things don’t get better and if we don’t have this gun taken away from our heads, people are going to lose track of their humanity, their dignity, and their right to have a say in how they should feel. It’s all very clich?d, and I feel like a hippie saying it. But I don’t care because it’s important.”
In 1984 the group embarked on their first world tour. This would mark the beginning of years of constant touring, writing and recording for the band.
In 1985 Michael was said to have really enjoyed performing for Prince Charles and Lady Diana in a charity concert called ‘Rocking with the Royals’.
Individually, Michael was very open about his opinions. When the first Gulf War broke out, Michael spoke out publicly against it. Many of the lyrics Michael has penned throughout the years speak about sharing our world and helping one another. “The Stairs” reminds us that we “share the same spaces”. “Way of the World” is about those in power, whether it be politicians or religious leaders, using fear to control the masses. “Guns In the Sky” is an aggressive attack on the “Star Wars” military program of the 1980’s. “Dancing on the Jetty”, “All Around”, and “Listen Like Thieves” all speak to us about the world we live in.
Most nights after performing in and around Sydney pubs, the band would drive to the studio and record. It was a tiresome but satisfying time for the band. Michael and Andrew barely felt the pressure of writing, performing and recording and continued on the same routine throughout most of their careers and evidently, would endure for more than 20 years
In March of 1986 Michael made his movie debut in Richard Lowenstein’s “Dogs In Space" movie in which Michael starred to great acclaim. Michael played Sam Sejavka, real life punk rock singer from Melbourne in the late seventies who had struggled unsuccessfully with heroin addiction. Richard had written the movie with Michael in mind, positive that he could carry it off. Michael did not let him down receiving admirable reviews for his performance and entering the top ten with a single titled “Rooms For The Memory”.
In 1987 INXS played their biggest and some say, one of the best concerts, on the big stage at Wembley, arriving by helicopter to a screaming, audience of approximately 75,000 and a recorded the brilliant live performance “Live Baby Live”.
More recognition, fantastic concerts and albums followed noting their talented works in history !
INXS’ fame was only one side of Michael Hutchence. This is a timely reminder of a wide-ranging ability that embraced more than just the multi-million-selling band he loved so much.
In 1989 whilst the band were having a well earned break to do all their own stuff, Michael teamed with Melbourne musician Ollie Olsen to record ‘Max Q’. For the first time, Michael was exploring life in and out of the studio without INXS. It was a critically acclaimed album and a personal success for Michael.
Michael then accepted a call from Roger Corman to co-star in his movie ‘Frankenstein Unbound’ starring John Hurt and Brigit Fonda. It was shot in Lake Como, Italy . It was not a commercial success and the critics hated it, but as Michael said, “You really don’t know what the end result is going to be with a movie. You just do your best and “trust” your director.”
During that same year, Michael’s private life was taking a front seat with romantic partners such as Kylie Minogue and Helena Christensen. Although he was taking time off from INXS, he continued to write and listen to new music and absorb ‘life’. However, he didn’t understand the developing pre-occupation the press had with his personal life.
Michael was well known as an amazing lyricist and performer, He was also totally in tune with his instincts, inner self and people. He was aware of the attention he got as a rock star and used his talent to reach millions around the world to promote awareness of various causes, whilst spreading love and peace among those in need.
INXS performed several benefit concerts, such as “A Concert for Greenpeace” and “A Concert for Life”. These shows raised money and awareness of environmental and AIDS - related issues.
Over a 25 year friendship and a writing partnership that spanned 20 years plus, together Michael and Andrew continued to write and perform with their band mates of INXS. The band also produced some powerful music that is still heard in motion pictures, on commercials, in clubs and on the radio today.
I believe, each band member had explosive talent and remain an extremely talented group of guys in their own right.
Together, they formed a perfect combination of “The Best Ever Australian Band (of the longest standing having the original line up of guys) in Australian history, never to be seen again!
Michael was a peaceful man who believed in equality and a universal love and peace.
Each band member brought something of themselves to the band,and this reflected in the music. They were always known as an exciting live band and INXS always delivered powerful soul lifting performances !
More recognition and fantastic concerts and albums followed noting their talented works in history !
Gone was Michael’s obscurity, particularly when he became involved with British television personality Paula Yates with whom he had his precious daughter, Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence on the 22th July, 1996. The press would not leave him alone and kept hectoring him. The British press seemed to have it in for him, as the man who Paula had left Bob Geldof for. He was drawn into Paula Yates’ child custody war with Bob Geldof.
Michael should have never been subjected to all of this. Prior to this the media adored Michael! He would go on and endure all mud slinging and nastiness from the newspapers which was taking its toll and affecting his dignity. It was almost like the English press were feeding the Australian papers here with there scandalous headlines!
Kell had said that Michael was very upset that the media were trying to discredit him. He openly said that if the (conveniently found), drug stash discovery accusations were true, he would have admitted ownership to his father,but they weren’t! “ Dad, they weren’t my drugs! “ He felt as if he was being framed in order to be discredited and possibly, jailed, and this frustrated him!
The many facets of Michael were polished and revealed on his self-titled solo album, a record that delivers a very eloquent eulogy. “Michael Hutchence” turns the spotlight away from his unwanted media lifestyle and back where it should be, to his insatiable creative appetite.
This is a timely reminder of a wide-ranging ability that embraced more than just the multi-million-selling band he loved so much. Inside the spectrum of: “Dogs In Space”, the 1986 movie in which Michael starred to great acclaim, or “Max Q”, the one-off album act for Michael and Ollie Olsen in 1990.
Most posthumous albums are put together with all the durability of a house of cards, Michael’s is one that’s made of rock-solid bricks and mortar, largely completed before Michael’s death 10 years ago and polished with immense care and attention to its original spirit by the two writer-producers who helped conceive it, Andy Gill and Danny Saber. The album is introduced by the lead single “A Straight Line” and culminates with “Slide Away”, featuring vocals added by Michael’s friend Bono.
Michael started writing this remarkable record in the summer of 1995 with Gill, one of his favourite producers.
Overall, in simple terms, the solo CD is rhythm based, it’s not as purist as INXS in its R&B roots.
The boys from INXS were gathering to compose their next album, and off he went to work on what became the last INXS album. Elegantly Wasted. Following incorrect media reports, sprawled over the tabloids, he felt that he was held in understandably low regard, for which he was angered.
In 1997 he embarked on his last tour with INXS for the very personal album, ‘Elegantly Wasted’; That same year Michael delivered a heartfelt performance of “Searching” at the 1997 Aria Awards.
On the 22nd November in the same year Michael was found dead in his hotel room at The Ritz Carlton Hotel, 22 Cross St, Double Bay. Initially, his cause of death was described in various ways by the media. Thereafter, the Coroner concluded death by hanging. No solid evidence to date has confirmed his actual cause of death and a lot of conflicting stories and controversy still surround his untimely death. After viewing the last rehearsal which was taped only 7 hrs before his death, Michael appears in very good spirits joking with the band, telling stories, singing and very focused on his work. From the footage, it is hard to believe he was seriously depressed. One day we will know !
For a year, the solo tapes were set respectfully aside, but Gill and Saber knew this stuff was simply too good and too important to shelve permanently.”A year passed before we picked it up again, which is enough time to maybe get a bit of perspective on it,” says Gill. “When I finished the songs that needed additional work on them , I went back to some of the earlier versions and got all the vocals and loaded them onto the hard drive in case Michael had sung anything better on the ‘final’ version; which in many cases he had. It was difficult listening to bits of conversation between him and me on the tape. It was a very strange three days, I didn’t get much done, and there was an awful lot of staring into space. But there’s a certain point where you’ve got to get on, you realise - this had got to be finished and it’s got to be brilliant. I felt very much that this had got to be a lasting monument to his voice and his writing.
”Saber echoes the sentiment. “I just thought, this can’t just be eight good songs, the whole thing’s got to be f***ing great. I couldn’t listen to the shit for at least a year after he died.” Eventually, Saber went back to the songs he and Michael had collaborated on. “I thought it would be creepy, but it wasn’t.
"The thing that sucked the most was not to be able to look over in the studio and see him happy.” Gill came to admire Michael’s imagination and ingenuity in the studio. “Part of his strength as a singer was that he had this intelligence and an aesthetic sensibility, and created these amazing songs. He would try singing it a different way, different levels of intensity, from softly to almost screaming, always teasing the melody out. All these things added to the complexities of the song."
Michael saw the solo record as a chance to explore some new terrain, so he made a conscious effort to make it not sound like INXS. Michael’s solo album shifts the focus back to Michael Hutchence the artist, shocked at the depth of his ability. Michael, could have traded on past glories, but chose not to, and rather excelled forward to look again at the basis of the music and invent a new formula, which he went on to successfully produce and deliver. Michael’s solo album was finally released on the 11th November, 1999 but didn’t receive exposure or was it marketed, but instead,was quietly buried with Michael.
Michael and INXS were consistently inventive with their music and video clips, and he had a natural presence, which made him a pleasure for people to work with, not only as a friend, but most found him exciting to film compared to your average rock star.
This beautiful man with a passionate soul who delved into the depths of his creative mind and imagination, encouraged us to do the same :
The passion lives to keep the faith
Do you like what you see
Or does it make you cry
Use your imagination
And start a fire
How many of us escaped into the lyrics and felt the same? Do you feel the same?
The funeral for Michael took place in St. Andrew’s Cathedral in Sydney, Australia and was led by Reverend Boak Jobbins, Dean of Sydney.
The Eulogies were read by Richard Wilkins, Andrew Farris, Rhett Hutchence and Tina Hutchence. Nick Cave expressed his love and passionately sang, Into My Arms.
“To mourn too long for those we love is self-indulgent, but to “honor “ their memory with a promise to live a little better for having known them give purpose to their life and some reason for their death.”
Our hearts go out to Andrew Farriss and the band having to listen to “By my side “ being played for their mate, Michael. This song as the opening song for the funeral. This would have been an extremely emotional moment. I, (together with thousands of others) remember being reduced to tears hearing the songs that sad, sad day of Michael’s funeral, 27th November, 1997. Never Tear Us Apart” was played as the procession left the cathedral.
As the procession exited the cathedral, the sunny day was suddenly covered with dark clouds as a loud clap of thunder shook the skies.
Just as quickly, the clouds dissipated, and sunlight shone down upon the mourners. “Shine like it does into every heart.”
Michael once said: “Our music is like a painting and the main thing we want to have are very distinct patches of bright and dark. By that, I mean we want to include songs that lyrically cover subjects ranging from the heaviest things we’ve ever done to light-hearted experiences that can best be presented through sentimental bluesy ballads that are usually good for a chuckle or two.”
Michael was quite dichotomic with his life and art. He was a marvellous combination of a brilliant lyricist/songwriter, performer, actor, whilst being just a beautiful rare man with a sensitive passionate soul,. He had weathered many ups and downs in his life but who hung on and always got there without any pretensions – a man who always cared for others and who gave so much love, especially to those who needed it most.
Michael’s father, the late Kell Hutchence was a kind gentleman whom I knew and admired. Like Michael, Kell had this intelligence and an aesthetic sensibility. He was very proud of Michael and his family and particularly enjoyed sharing stories about Michael. I think it helped him heal and come to terms with Michael’s untimely death.
On January 22, 1998, Kelland, Rhett and other family members and close friends held a private ash ceremony on Sydney Harbour. Kell created a memorial Site for Michael at the Northern Suburbs Crematorium.
On November 20, 1999 Michael’s mother Patricia, husband Ross and sister Tina, also created a memorial stone in Michael’s memory with some very close friends of Michael’s who live in the United States and had Michael’s ashes interred in a beautiful memorial park in the Hollywood Hills.
Tina has organised to set Michael’s name in stone, as a “shining star” ,on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Patricia, Tina and family, continue to honour and miss their beloved son, brother, Uncle and friend.
Kell Hutchence passed away peacefully on the 12th December, 2002,after battling cancer. He is sadly missed.
Susie, (Kell’s widow), has also been supportive and taken over Kell’s roll, in upholding Michael’s memory over the years, and assisting and overseeing the Memorial site.
www.michaelhutchence.org
For the past 10yrs, family, together with local and overseas friends and fans, still gather or, just drop past and pay homage at Michael’s memorial garden. Check the memorial gathering section, as there is sure to be an event advertised annually.
This being the 10th anniversary, we celebrate Michael by launching:
Our support of Father Chris Riley’s “Youth Off the Streets”, helping underprivileged youth overcome various abuse, drug addictions, and help place them back into the community. This will carry on in Michael’s memory.
We will holding a concert on:-
24th November, 2007
THE MANNING BAR
Sydney University
where INXS performed in 1993 and wherein,up-and -coming young artists will be showcasing their fresh yet perfected talent, together with a few surprise “Special Guests”.
We will have memorabilia items to auction and raffle. If you have something you wish to donate for auction, please contact us. This is a non profit event and monies raised will be applied to the abovementioned organisation to assist needy and troubled youth.
Conclusively, in support of Michael’s actions which still resonate today. If you were ever uplifted by Michael and his enigmatic live performances with INXS, or, the number of times we drifted away with his beautiful, thought provoking lyrics,please help us honour his memory and set up a wonderful tribute for his daughter, Tigerlily, to be proud of in the future.
Come along and celebrate and be a part of this homage to Michael, his life work in music and witness other sensational up and coming young stars!
Michael’s mother, Patricia Glassop said: “It has taken me a long time to be able to listen to his music...to look at his memorabilia..his photos.But I know he was successful and left his mark in this world. Even as shy and gentle as Michael was... when he got in front of the crowd he just lit up. Michael was a wonderful loving son and I loved him unconditionally.(Feb 2004)
Contrary to media reports, Kell and Patricia made peace with each other before Kell died, and reunited the family, which would have made Michael very happy.
Michael, We celebrate your life every day. You live on in our hearts and we take comfort in the knowledge that we will see you again, somewhere some time. – Tina, Patricia & Ross
Ange Perou
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