I’ve been asked to speak today on behalf of Michael’s millions of fans .. for whom this tragedy has made the world a much darker place.
Firstly … to Michael’s close friends … his family … and his band mates … we send our heartfelt wishes of support … We share your sorrow at this horrible time … We mourn with you and we want you to know that your grief is being shared by all of us who looked up to Michael.
Michael Hutchence was a star … in every sense of word. He shone his light into our lives .. and he made the world a brighter place … He loved life … and we loved his life … and to some degree, each of us, at some time … shared it with him.
We admired his talent .. We respected his dignity .. and we envied his cool. For the fans, it was never about headlines .. It was only ever about the music .. and he loved his music .. his lyrics ..his memories .. even his guitar solos!
The music Michael and his friends made ..
will live in each of us.
Michael made us Dance …
and made us Sing.
He made us Laugh …
and made us Cry.
He was everything we wanted him to be.
He was one in many millions …
and we can’t believe he is gone.
On behalf of your many fans, Michael …
THANK YOU …
You touched us all during your time here …
We’ll miss you, Mate!
But we’ll never let you die.
Richard Wilkins
A life so vital and gifted and full of promise, as God created from the first. Who knows what goes through a man’s thoughts, except his own spirit that is within him. Only he and the Lord know. He answers every prayer. His mercies are new every morning and a new light will dawn.
The following is a saying from the indigenous people of the world. You have noticed that everything a man does is in a circle and that is because the power of the world always works in circles and everything tries to be round. The sky is round and I have heard that the earth is round like a ball and so are the stars.
The wind in its greatest power whirls. Birds make nests in circles for theirs is the same religion as ours. Even the seasons form a great circle in their changing and always come back again to where they were.
The life of a man is a circle from childhood to childbirth and so it is in everything where power moves.
I would like to thank all the people that helped us make this possible today and your kindness and support is gratefully accepted. We would like to thank all those who have sent flowers and condolences. It has been very much appreciated.
I would like to share with you on behalf of myself and the members of INXS some thoughts about our friend and workmate Michael Hutchence. We met as school friends, we played music because we loved it.
Together with Michael we experienced some very hard times and some very good times. The hard times made us stronger and the good times we will always cherish. As a songwriting team for more than 20 years he and I had written hundreds of songs together.
His lyrics are the soul and depth which have touched millions of people around the earth.
He had exceptional communication skills. Michael was one of the greatest singers and stage performers of his generation. We are so proud to have worked and played with such a talented and gifted man.
Over the years INXS have had every type of media imaginable – the best and the worst. That is human nature. Some have chosen to judge Michael harshly. But tragically they chose not to tell one glaring truth. Michael had spent almost his entire adult life performing and giving 110 per cent of his being to entertaining people around the world.
He gave himself away to bring enjoyment and happiness into other people’s lives. What price is happiness?
Michael was a sociable guy and yet he took life seriously. He had great courage. He stood up to those he felt he needed to stand up to. He loved to travel and explore the world. He loved Australia. He loved his friends.
He loved his family. He was a caring father and a passionate family man. He loved music and he loved his fans. We ask that the band’s fans and for those who are touched by his death not to react in any ways to hurt themselves. Michael would not have wanted that.
We will remember him with love and affection. We will all miss you Michael. God bless you.
Andrew Farriss
On November 28, 1996, my brother was in Los Angeles and he spent Thanksgiving with us and it was a wonderful Thanksgiving. We held hands around the table and we gave thanks for all our blessings.
Today, November 27, 1997, is also Thanksgiving Day. I give thanks for being blessed to have my brother. The kindest most deeply sensitive, loving man.
I received a fax today from Gibson Kemp and I think the band would certainly like to hear this.
Do not stand at my band and weep, I am not there, I do not sleep, I am a thousand winds that blow, I am the diamond glints on snow, I am the sunlight on rice and grain, I am the gentle autumn’s rain, when you awaken in the morning hush, I am the swift uplifting rush, a quiet bird’s encircled flight, I am the soft stars that shine at night, do not stand at my grave and cry, I am not there and did not die.
Tina Hutchence
A part of me died the other day and strangely a part of me was born, and then there is the part that will carry the memory of my brother Michael forever in my heart.
Michael and I were only two years apart when we grew up arm-in-arm. From the very beginning all the signs were there that Michael was destined to lead an extraordinary life. When he first opened his soulful eyes, he had two loving wonderful parents Patricia and Kelland from whom he inherited gentlemanly charm, accommodating nature and charisma.
With the help of our sister Tina, who played an integral part, feeding, helping, bathing, caring and being, when finally Mike came along our family was complete.
I have an early lyric book of Michael’s in which when he first started writing (and) there is a list of 10 things he wanted to achieve in his life. The first one was to conquer the world. I can’t remember what the other nine were but I’m sure he achieved them too.
Michael was a poet, a singer and a gifted performer. He touched the lives of everybody he met, even people he never met.
It hasn’t been easy being Michael’s brother, it’s strange, it’s been fantastic at times and other times the hardest, but having Michael for my brother I wouldn’t have had it any other way.
My heart goes out to Paula and beautiful, darling girl Tiger, and the other girls, to the band, to his friends and people who have known Michael and lost a tremendous friend.
Thanks to the support from friends, the love I’m receiving at the moment is helping me through this.
I cannot stress enough the importance of friendship and love in today’s times.
The other night I went and spent some time in the room, his room at the Ritz, to see if it had any answers. It seemed a sad room, it definitely wasn’t Michael.
And if Michael, who loved Oscar Wilde, would have identified with the famous poet’s last words “either this wallpaper goes or I do” then I understand.
On behalf of Michael I would like to thank my family for the love they gave him and together these words may have meaning for us all.
To mourn too long for those who we love is self-indulgent, but to honour their memory with a promise to live a little better for having known them gives purpose to their life and some reason for their death.
Rest in peace Bro. I love you. I will miss you.