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November 1997
November
30, 1997
Eight days
after Michael's death, rumors continue to swirl as to what exactly happened.
Rather than furthering the speculation, I thought I'd instead relate some
just published news on the forthcoming Hutchence solo album. Apparently,
shortly before his death Michael recorded several songs attacking nemesis
Bob Geldof. On one of the songs, Put the Pieces Back Together,
Hutchence accuses Geldof of trying to sabotage his relationship with Yates.
Each verse ends with the singer chanting "sue me, sue me, sue me, sue
me, sue me, sue me." Hutchence's close friend, Andy Gill, produced the
album and says Yates is pushing for its release. "There are eight or nine
finished tracks of the album and Paula certainly wants it released. She
loved it," says Gill. "These songs were from Michael's heart and explain
just how he was feeling, especially towards Geldof. Bob was the one person
who consistently upset Michael." Police in Australia said yesterday that
they will question Geldof in connection to the death. On another track,
Don't Save Me From Myself, Hutchence sings of his desperation about
the problems in his life. It goes, "I'm not keeping time, Get me out of
here, Holding up my crime, Ready for what's sent me... Separate love from
possession." Gill is quoted as saying: "The two songs have the same message.
It is Michael explaining how frustrated he is, being unable to live his
own life."
November
27, 1997
Michael
was cremated today in a private service following the large funeral service
held at St Andrew's Cathedral in Sydney. Over 2000 fans, friends, and
family attended the poignant service service, which featured Nick Cave
singing his ballad "Into Your Arms" for Michael. The ceremony began with
"By My Side" playing, and ended with "Never Tear Us Apart." Richard Wilkins
(journalist and friend) delivered the eulogy, with Andrew Farriss and
Rhett Hutchence providing tributes. Michael's coffin was draped with 500
blue irises and a single yellow Tiger Lily to denote his daughter. The
cask was taken out by the five remaining members of INXS and Michael's
brother. Among the celebrities attending were Tom Jones, Diana Ross, Jimmy
Barnes, Kylie Minogue, Helena Christensen, Midnight Oil, Richard Clapton,
Jason Donovan, Kate Ceberano, and Ian "Molly" Meldrum. Among the floral
tributes delivered to the cathedral was a white wreath from U2 lead singer
Bono in the shape of a claddagh, an Irish symbol denoting love, friendship
and loyalty.
November
26, 1997
Michael's
funeral service will be tomorrow at 2:30pm in Sydney at St. Andrew's Cathedral.
Though the identity of the "special" speakers has not been released yet,
Tom Jones and Nick Cave are being talked about in the rumor mill. It is
also rumored that Nick Cave, who is also Tiger's godfather, will sing
at the nationally televised service.
In another
tribute, Elton John (Mr. Tribute himself) spoke of Michael's death at
his concert on Saturday night. He then proceeded to sing "Sand and Water"
by Beth Neilson Chapman dedicated to all of his deceased friends from
this year.
November
25, 1997
Details
continue to come out slowly in the death of Michael Hutchence on Saturday
in Sydney. Please read the news articles on the tribute page for complete
information.
Upon word
of the tragic death, tributes began playing around the world to honor
the charismatic star. VH-1, MTV, MuchMusic, and other television programs
broadcasted numerous INXS concerts, interviews, videos, and highlights.
Kylie Minogue, shocked at the news, could say nothing other than "I can't
believe it." Chris Murphy, former INXS manager: "Michael Hutchence and
INXS made an immense impact on my and my family's life. A piece of our
hearts was sliced away yesterday on the news of Michael's death." Australian
prime minister John Howard said, "It takes from the Australian and world
rock scene one of our most gifted and talented performers, and it's a
very tragic event." Deputy PM Tim Fischer clearly devastated, kept repeating,
"I just don't believe it!"
In a moving
tribute, Bono, lead singer of U2, delivered an emotional speech at their
concert Sunday night in San Antonio: "...Not only a great singer, but
a great friend of ours." The band then launched into a very stripped down
version of "I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For." Two songs later,
during "Staring At The Sun," they showed a picture of Michael on the huge
video screen, and nothing else. At the conclusion of the set, the band
performed "Wake Up Dead Man" (never performed live) and left the stage.
Before the house lights came on, the PA system played "Never Tear Us Apart."
Duran Duran
also paid tribute by dedicating their entire show Saturday night in Cleveland
to Michael. At one point, lead singer Simon LeBon broke down on stage
and started crying, mentioning that Michael was his "best friend" in the
music industry. He talked about what a beautiful and caring person Michael
was, and urged the crowd not to forget Paula and their baby Tiger. The
band also performed a heartbreaking rendition of "Save a Prayer" for Michael.
Interestingly enough, one of the tracks on Duran Duran's new album "Medazzaland"
is entitled "Michael, You've Got A Lot To Answer For" and was written
specifically for Hutchence as a symbol of their friendship.
Outside
the Ritz-Carlton Hotel, fans congregated to share in each other's grief
and sadness, leaving a shrine of flowers, letters and candles in Michael's
memory.
The funeral
will be held on Thursday, November 27 at 2:30pm (Wed 10:30pm EST) at St
Andrew's Cathedral. The public is invited, but only family, friends, and
some members of the fan club will be allowed inside the 800-person capacity
cathedral. Paula Yates will wear her wedding dress dyed black to the ceremony.
Also expected at the funeral are numerous rock luminaries and Hutchence's
ex-girlfriends, Kylie Minogue and Helena Christensen. The funeral will
be carried live by Australian television.
November
22, 1997
It is with
a sad and heavy heart that I report that Michael Hutchence has been found
dead in a hotel room at the Ritz-Carlton in Sydney. He committed suicide
by hanging himself with a belt. I'm afraid I'm going to need some time
to even conceive of such a tragedy -- so please excuse the lack of updates
for the next few days.
November
21, 1997
INXS will
hold a "secret gig" at the Randwick Youth Hostel this Sunday, November
23 in Sydney. The band will be performing 4 to 5 acoustic songs as a benefit
for homeless children. (Whoops -- guess it's not a "secret" anymore.)
A slight
increase this week in US sales of Elegantly Wasted: 466 units scanned,
up 6.4% (28 units) from last week. Sales-to-date are 148,942. Chicago
(59 units), New York (44 units) and Los Angeles (38 units) were the top
three markets in sales this week.
An amusing
article appeared in the Adelaide Advertiser two days ago: "Rock band INXS
may need the extra room at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre for its December
1 concert -- to hold a few unanticipated guests. The band sent an invitation
to see if any of the Adelaide crows premiership team wanted to attend
the show - and the response had been "in excess" of expectations, with
all 41 players with the club wanting to attend..."
November
17, 1997
San Francisco's
KFOG radio will be releasing a CD of live music on Tuesday, November 18th
called "LIVE FROM THE ARCHIVES, VOLUME 4" -- this will have one song recorded
live by INXS back in July, while they were in town playing two nights
at the Warfield. The song itself was either recorded at KFOG studios or
at The Plant in Marin County. The CD will probably only be available in
the SF Bay Area, and the previous 3 volumes have sold out quickly.
November
16, 1997
From allstarmag:
"...There were plenty of celebrity guests on hand Wed Nov 12 at the Viper Room in LA
to see Bad Religion singer Greg Graffin get mellow with his new side project,
American Lesion, and Nicklebag, fronted by Stones backup singer Bernard Fowler, who
brought up a bevy of big- name special guests to the stage. An hour and a half
after Graffin's performance -- and an hour into Nicklebag's set -- INXS's Michael
Hutchence came up to sing David Bowie's "Suffragette City" with the group, which
also includes Stevie Salas. Hutchence was followed by Counting Crows' Adam Duritz,
who dedicated "I Don't Know What You've Got" to ZZ Top's Billy Gibbons, who shortly
thereafter got up and played guitar on the song. Duritz also sang the Beatles "I
Am the Walrus," which is covered by Nicklebag on their new album, Mas Feedback on
Iguana Records."
November
11, 1997
Michael
Hutchence was spotted in NYC doing some work on his 1998 solo album. According
to a source, he would like Tom Lord-Alge ("Elegantly Wasted") to
mix some of the tracks.
November
7, 1997
Leonardo's
Bride and Diane Ah Naid
have been confirmed as the opening acts for INXS on December 13 in Brisbane.
With the
Australian tour looming ever closer, I thought I'd offer one fan's impressions
of a recent show in Toronto.
Michael
Hutchence is rumored to be meeting with Michael Douglas today to discuss
"film projects." Sounds intriguing!
November
6, 1997
A new Mark
& Brian (LA radio show) CD will be released this Tuesday, November 11.
Featured on the disc is INXS' performance of "Need You Tonight" from earlier
this year.
November
5, 1997
From InMusic&Media:
Optus, sponsors of INXS' 20th anniversary tour, requested the band play a special
show just for Optus' executives and their guests. The band turned it down but
decided to extend it -- to an invitation only show on November 23 at the Bondi
Pavilion, with all monies going for homeless youth. Meantime, Michael Hutchence is
angrily denying reports he's to get married next month to Paula Yates in Capri
(others had it in the French Polynesian island of Bora Bora). Newspaper reports
this week suggest that Steve Vizard's TV production company has offered Hutchence
and Yates a co-host job on a new music show, based on Yates' UK show 'Big
Breakfast', and possibly for the Ten network. Vizard confirms he has had
discussions with the two, and that they would relocate to Sydney if negotiations
proved fruitful. Kirk Pengilly (who first heard about Hutch's supposed sashaying
down the aisle when he read it in a newspaper) reveals that his marriage to
freelance dj Louise Hegarty will take place next year. Both were last week spotted
mingling in the crowd at the Ray Ban specs birthday show at the Opera House.
Another
drop in US sales this week -- Elegantly Wasted scanned 480 units
this week, down 16.5% (95 units) from previous week. Sales-to-date are
148,031. Chicago (48 units), New York (39 units) and Los Angeles (32 units)
were the top three markets in sales this week.
November
1, 1997
INXS will
launch its Australian "Lose Your Head" Tour this month on the 26th.
Tickets are currently on sale for all 12 dates.
Don't forget
-- VH-1 (US) will repeat INXS' performance on Hard Rock Live on Sunday,
November 16.
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