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October 1999
October
31, 1999:
Michael
Hutchence has fallen to #30 on this week's ARIA Album Chart in Australia.
Unfortunately,
it appears the rumoured New Year's Eve gig has been cancelled. Apparently,
Glen Wheatley and John Farnham are unhappy that the new Victorian Labor
Government is unwilling to contribute to the cost of staging the concert.
(thanks to rick rutjens)
Jon Farriss
appeared on stage with Richard Clapton last Thursday to perform during
"I Am An Island." Jon first played drums on the song in 1982 when it was
originally recorded for Clapton's The Great Escape album. (thanks
to maria)
October
27, 1999:
E! Press
Release: "Rocked to Death: Michael Hutchence -- The E! True Hollywood
Story": This one-hour episode of "The E! True Hollywood Story" explores
the how and why behind the strange death of INXS singer Michael Hutchence.
With the swagger of Jagger, and the passion of Morrison, pop idol Michael
Hutchence was the voice and soul of '80s rock 'n' roll. But one fateful
night in a Sydney hotel, Hutchence was found hanging by the neck with
a belt -- coroners confirmed the initial reports and a legion of fans
went into mourning. The program traces Hutchence's career from his early
days as a budding rock star to his meteoric rise to rock icon, and his
tangled romantic life. The episode offers rare behind the scenes footage
of Hutchence and includes one of his final interviews. Premieres Sunday,
December 5 at 9:00 PM ET/PT. (1 hr.) (thanks to karen gerard)
"A Straight
Line," the first single from the recently released Michael Hutchence,
has reached #32 on the Indonesian singles chart.
October
24, 1999:
Micheal's
solo CD has tumbled on the ARIA Album Chart this week, falling to #14
from its #3 debut last week. In the UK, the album has debuted at #16 on
the CIN Indie Albums Chart.
InMusic&Media
reports that Chris Murphy has sold 2SM, the analogue part of MMA Communications,
to concentrate on the fast developing digital side. After weeks of rumours
2SM was sold to Bill Caralis's Broadcast Operations Pty Ltd for an undisclosed
amount (but rumoured to be between $8 million to $10 million). Digital
One is a network of customised radio stations developed and tailored specifically
for use on digital delivery systems. Murphy, former INXS manager and founder
of rooArt Records, bought 2SM for $5 million four years ago and introduced
changes as the 20/20 News and Financial reports using satellite technology
from Bloomberg. (thanks to kerry bergh)
October
17, 1999:
Michael
Hutchence has debuted at #3 on the ARIA Album Chart in Australia,
and has been certified gold. Congratulations! For reviews of the album,
please visit the articles section of this site.
"A Straight
Line" has debuted at #20 on the CIN Indie Chart in the UK.
Billboard
reports that MTV and Rhino will issue a 4-CD millennium series. The catch
is, the discs will only contain songs that have been released since the
cable channel's auspicious launch on August 1, 1981. Due November 2, "MTV:
The First 1,000 Years" will feature hits from the R&B, hip-hop, new-wave,
and rock worlds that have musically shaped the channel. INXS' "New Sensation"
is featured on the "rock" CD. (thanks to john henderson)
October
14, 1999:
INXS guitarist
Tim Farriss will be chatting live for 1 hour at 8pm AEST on OzEmail's
Chat City next Thursday October 21st. To chat with Tim on Chat City click
on: http://chatcity.com.au
Jon, Garry,
and Andrew attended the ARIA Awards at the Sydney Entertainment Centre
on October 12. Andrew, who delivered a touching speech when presenting
Richard Clapton with his Hall of Fame induction award, said, "He [Clapton]
is indisputably one of the most influential figures in Australian rock
history... He stands among a very small group of songwriters who have
created timeless classics, songs which explore and reflect on the realities
of contemporary Australia, remaining fresh and relevant years after they
were written."
InMusic&Media
reports: A couple of INXS members team up with Billy Thorpe for a set
to raise money for a children's charity called Youth Off The Streets.
It takes place on November 7 at Wonderland, during Kids' Fun Day. INXS
and friends (who could include Wendy Matthews, unconfirmed at press time)
close the afternoon's festivities at about 3 pm.
Meantime,
mystery still surrounds Michael Hutchence's missing millions. But one
of his cars, a silver Ferrari Spider with red interior, is on sale in
a Richmond car yard. Hutchence's self-titled solo album is released this
week through V2 in Australia with advance sales that certified it platinum.
V2 Australia's GM, Greg Johnson, says he expects the set to reach double
platinum by Christmas. (thanks to kerry bergh)
October
11, 1999:
An important
announcement from Kelland Hutchence:
It is with
great pleasure and excitement we announce the official opening of our
website on - michaelhutchence.org
- effective from 11.10pm on 11th October 1999 to coincide with the landmark
release of Michael's Solo Album in Australia. This new site is a unique
virtual memorial site initiated by Michael's father Kelland, designed
and implemented by Mario Ferrari in Switzerland and Dennis Patterson in
Sydney with contributions from Kelland, family, friends and fans.
We are grateful
to INXS/Universal and V2 Records for giving us permission to use thirty
seconds on each of a selection of tracks from INXS albums and from Michael's
new V2 solo album. This new site is Michael's sacred site, dedicated to
his memory and celebrating his life. It is a central location for all
who love him and miss him to come together and pay homage to a gentle
lovable spirit.
It is not
a record company site, nor an INXS site nor a fan's web page.
Previously unpublished pictures of Michael plus stories about Michael
from family and close friends can be found within the site.
We welcome you to visit our beloved Michael.
October
9, 1999:
Richard
Clapton's 1978 hit "Down In The Country" has been selected for the opening
ceremonies of the 2000 Summer Games in Sydney. Clapton has had a long
association with INXS, and will be inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame
on October 12 by Andrew Farriss. "That's very apt. Especially since I
wrote a really good song with Andrew a few months ago." Clapton further
commented on his continuing history with INXS: "It was 1980 when I first
met them. What I'm pleased about is through the whole roller-coaster of
that journey, my attraction to them really only had to do with their musicianship
and their talent. I knew them when they couldn't even afford to buy their
own lunch and I used to buy their lunch. I still think to this day the
Australian public weren't aware of how enormous INXS were. In the last
seven months, I've written two songs with Kirk and one with Andrew and
the single out at the moment ["Calling For You"] is a co-write with Tim".
The single was apparently inspired by Tim's cows and initially contained
the line "evangelical ejaculation" in reference to one of Tim's bulls...
The single appears on Clapton's recently released compilation The Definitive
Anthology. (thanks to undercover and rick rutjens)
October
7, 1999:
Undercover
reports: INXS' Tim Farris almost made the Manly Cricket Team on the weekend
but dropped out to give another player a chance. Farris looked likely
to be selected by his beloved Manly District Cricket Club to play against
Sydney University after a few late withdrawals but will only play if he's
a last resort. Team publicist Andrew Frazer told Undercover News that
Tim will only play for the team if he feels he isn't robbing another player
of a chance to compete. Andrew told Undercover that Tim will play at sometime
in the season when they give him a desperate call for help one Friday
afternoon. Farris trains with the team when recording commitments don't
get in the way and usually plays as a #6 or #7 batter. As it turned out,
after last weekends rain in Sydney, he wouldn't have played anyway. Manly
bowled Sydney Uni out at 180 and then batted 1 for 15 but the match was
cancelled due to rain on Monday. In INXS news, with the release of the
Michael Hutchence solo album this week also comes the news that a remix
of INXS 1982 hit "Don't Change" is due to be recycled. INXS.com reports
that "Don't Change" will be featured on the upcoming soundtrack to the
Aussie movie Sample People. The soundtrack album is due for release
early 2000. Paul Mac and Andy Rantzan aka Magic-Number have remixed the
song with INXS member Andrew Farris acting as Executive Producer.
Tom Jones'
latest album, Reload, a series of duet/covers originally reported
in June has debuted at #1 on the
UK album charts, stunning long-time UK chart pundits. The album features
a cover of INXS' "Never Tear Us Apart" performed with Natalie Imbruglia.
(thanks to craig looney)
InMusic&Media
reports: Richard Clapton's autobiography is almost complete but he reveals
that he is still searching for the right publisher. Two or three he's
approached have asked for more "sleazy" material on Michael Hutchence.
Clapton produced the first INXS album and has remained close friends with
them. He will be inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame on October 12 at the
Sydney Entertainment Centre, with Andrew Farriss presenting the award.
(thanks to kerry bergh)
Much Music
USA will present "INXS -- The Reunion" on Sunday October 10th at 4:00pm,
8:00pm, and 2:00am local time. A documentary created by Peter Clifton
and INXS, "The Reunion" showcases INXS' recent Stadium Australia gig with
Terence Trent D'Arby. The band performs "New Sensation," "Kick," "Never
Tear Us Apart," and "What You Need". Also included is a short documentary
chronicling the rehearsals and other events surrounding the concert. At
5:00pm, 9:00pm, and 3:00am local time, the station will air INXS' landmark
1991 "Live Baby Live" concert. "The Reunion" is also scheduled to air
on television around the world; please check local listings for date and
time. (thanks to luvnpce99)
According
to InMusic&Media, Hutchence's forthcoming album has already been
certified platinum (>70,000 copies) in Australia based on pre-orders alone.
Congratulations!
October
3, 1999:
Michael
Hutchence's "A Straight Line" has debuted at #44 on the ARIA Singles Chart
in Australia. The single, released on V2/Sony, is backed by "Standing
On The Rooftop" and a cover of Iggy Pop's "The Passenger."
Triple M
radio in Australia has recently completed counting down the Top 1000 Songs
of All-Time according to listeners. INXS finished with an extremely impressive
29 tracks! Here's the run-down: Disappear (998), The Swing (979), Mystify
(953), New Sensation (929), By My Side (912), Suicide Blonde (888), To
Look At You (860), This Time (825), Need You Tonight (804), Black And
White (782), Shining Star (766), Stay Young (743), Taste It (716), Just
Keep Walking (670), Shine Like It Does (600), What You Need (546), The
One Thing (509), The Loved One (432), Dancing On The Jetty (398), Kiss
The Dirt (Falling Down The Mountain) (334), Devil Inside (293), Don't
Change (268), Kick (205), I Send A Message (172), Original Sin (151),
Good Times (95), Listen Like Thieves (74), Never Tear Us Apart (56), and
finally, Burn For You (22). Finishing in the top three positions were
AC/DC ("You Shook Me All Night Long"), Guns 'n Roses ("November Rain"),
and Pink Floyd ("Another Brick In The Wall"). (thanks to
leanne howatson)
October
1, 1999:
V2 Records
has officially launched their official Michael Hutchence website at http://www.v2music.com/MichaelHutchence/.
It's a fantastic tribute to Australia's greatest entertainer, and well
worth a visit. Included are rare photos, news, audio/video clips from
the new album, and much more.
V2 will
also release "Let
The People Talk", a Michael Hutchence song not included on the forthcoming
album, over the internet. "Let The People Talk", as with all tracks featured
on the album, provides an insightful look into Michael's life. The track
is about Michael's relationship with the media. It will be available as
a download and a stream in the MP3 and MS Audio formats for a period of
10 days from Oct 18.
Triple M
(Australia) is airing a one hour radio special on Michael Hutchence's
self-titled new album on Sunday (3rd Oct) The special is at 5pm Australian
time, and features nine tracks from the album including "Slide Away" featuring
Bono. Host Lee Simon also speaks with album producers Andy Gill and Danny
Saber and Hutchence's father, Kell. (thanks to peter driver)
Want to
purchase the Australian release of Michael Hutchence? Here's three
options:
1) Pre-order
the import CD from Amazon.com.
2) Contact Kylie at cestmoi@omen.net.au -- she's an INXS fan
for many years who now runs a CD store in Australia.
3) Pre-order from the always reputable Greg's Music World located at http://www.musicworld.com.au/.
Michael's
earlier side project Max Q has been digitally remastered and will
be re-released in Australia in late November, according to V2 Records.
Included on the disc will be multimedia videos and all-new artwork. No
word yet on whether the album will also be re-released outside Australia.
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