Grew up in Oklahoma City and graduated in 1995. You defined the sound for a significant part of my late childhood. Now that music is so ubiquitously available with Spotify and Apple Music, I’ve rediscovered INXS and now I find myself filled with emotion as I remember your departure from us. You made me want to have long hair as a young adult (and so I did). You participated in making me want to be a musician, and so I did...poorly (I’m a software engineer today by trade but sing, play guitar, and do music production in pure amateur fashion).
I feel anger, sadness, love, and nostalgia when hearing your voice and seeing your pictures and videos. After having children of my own that struggled with mental illness, I go through all the “what if’s” that I’m sure your family has invariably gone through a million times since your death, and I’m angry for them...but I also grieve and sympathize for you even today, although I didn’t know you personally, but I absolutely knew an important part of you. I know you live on, both figuratively AND literally, and I subsequently pray that you have come into eternal light and I pray for the family you left behind. We love you Michael and celebrate you with your music that you blessed us with...and perhaps that’s enough to redeem the pain that took you from us far too early. God bless you and keep you. Keep singing and dancing where you are good sir.
I feel anger, sadness, love, and nostalgia when hearing your voice and seeing your pictures and videos. After having children of my own that struggled with mental illness, I go through all the “what if’s” that I’m sure your family has invariably gone through a million times since your death, and I’m angry for them...but I also grieve and sympathize for you even today, although I didn’t know you personally, but I absolutely knew an important part of you. I know you live on, both figuratively AND literally, and I subsequently pray that you have come into eternal light and I pray for the family you left behind. We love you Michael and celebrate you with your music that you blessed us with...and perhaps that’s enough to redeem the pain that took you from us far too early. God bless you and keep you. Keep singing and dancing where you are good sir.