Apologies that I’ve already posted my story, deep in a Facebook thread, but I thought I’d reshare it on this anniversary day.
I’d been a huge fan of INXS since first I heard Listen Like Thieves. Michael was SO enigmatic and he became the soundtrack for my youth. We all know this first part of the story.
Over the years, I went to all the UK gigs. Starting with the Kick Off Tour at the Hammersmith Odeon ‘87 just as KICK was taking off (supported by Sinead O’Connor). Summer XS, Get Out Of The House, Strangest Party @Brixton etc etc. I particularly loved Max Q and WTWYA was the pinnacle of the INXS albums IMO.
But, fast forward on to Elegantly Wasted....and sadly I was feeling disenchanted with the band. I liked the new album but I could probably sense the tensions within the band (now very well understood...) and I detested the tabloid circus. It just didn’t seem to be about the music....and our wonderful frontman.
That mid June morning in London ‘97, the negative press had finally taken its toll on me. It was with a very heavy heart that I looked at my pair of tickets to the INXS show at Wembley Arena that night. Over breakfast, I told my girlfriend that I just didn’t fancy the gig. I had recently finished my PhD & was starting a new career. It was time to “move on from INXS and put my youth to rest”.
My girlfriend was aghast & tried to talk me around...but my mind was set. As I walked to work that morning, I felt sad but convinced that I really didn’t want to see the band without the positive aura that I loved them for. Mind made up, I entered a private hospital on Harley Street....for the first day of my new job.
The morning past uneventfully. I popped to Regents Park for lunch and was feeling relaxed. Starting my afternoon shift in the pharmacy and I’m filling a prescription...... Typing the name in the computer: “Mr M. Hutchence.” 🤭.
Sure enough, peering through the hatch, there was Michael, sat alone in our dispensary waiting room. Michael had been referred to one of our top ENT surgeons and now I was filling meds for his cold. 😳
With my new boss watching, I had to keep it very professional. But, after counselling Michael on his medications, I couldn’t resist quietly mentioning that I had tickets to the Wembley show that night. Michael came across as shy....but he was patient with me and smiled warmly at hearing this. He told me that he was really looking forward to playing London again and that he’d put on a good show for me that night....now he had the medicines!
I went home that night, excitedly told my GF and went to the gig. And loved it. It wasn’t quite a sell out....but a large crowd and good atmosphere. Michael’s voice was in it’s prime at this point....and the meds I gave him had clearly done the trick! The band was TIGHT, the Elegantly Wasted songs sounded fresh....and Michael seemed on top of his game. I went home thrilled.
We sadly lost Michael just a few short months later.
I think back and can’t imagine how I’d now feel if I hadn’t gone to the show that night. So happy that I kept the faith and went to the gig....thanks to my chat with Michael that afternoon.
For those that have made it this far in my post: thank you. And, you may be interested that Michael mentions his voice problems that day, when interviewed by MTV: recorded just before that Wembley show.....and just after meeting me.
RIP Michael: glad that our paths briefly crossed.
I’d been a huge fan of INXS since first I heard Listen Like Thieves. Michael was SO enigmatic and he became the soundtrack for my youth. We all know this first part of the story.
Over the years, I went to all the UK gigs. Starting with the Kick Off Tour at the Hammersmith Odeon ‘87 just as KICK was taking off (supported by Sinead O’Connor). Summer XS, Get Out Of The House, Strangest Party @Brixton etc etc. I particularly loved Max Q and WTWYA was the pinnacle of the INXS albums IMO.
But, fast forward on to Elegantly Wasted....and sadly I was feeling disenchanted with the band. I liked the new album but I could probably sense the tensions within the band (now very well understood...) and I detested the tabloid circus. It just didn’t seem to be about the music....and our wonderful frontman.
That mid June morning in London ‘97, the negative press had finally taken its toll on me. It was with a very heavy heart that I looked at my pair of tickets to the INXS show at Wembley Arena that night. Over breakfast, I told my girlfriend that I just didn’t fancy the gig. I had recently finished my PhD & was starting a new career. It was time to “move on from INXS and put my youth to rest”.
My girlfriend was aghast & tried to talk me around...but my mind was set. As I walked to work that morning, I felt sad but convinced that I really didn’t want to see the band without the positive aura that I loved them for. Mind made up, I entered a private hospital on Harley Street....for the first day of my new job.
The morning past uneventfully. I popped to Regents Park for lunch and was feeling relaxed. Starting my afternoon shift in the pharmacy and I’m filling a prescription...... Typing the name in the computer: “Mr M. Hutchence.” 🤭.
Sure enough, peering through the hatch, there was Michael, sat alone in our dispensary waiting room. Michael had been referred to one of our top ENT surgeons and now I was filling meds for his cold. 😳
With my new boss watching, I had to keep it very professional. But, after counselling Michael on his medications, I couldn’t resist quietly mentioning that I had tickets to the Wembley show that night. Michael came across as shy....but he was patient with me and smiled warmly at hearing this. He told me that he was really looking forward to playing London again and that he’d put on a good show for me that night....now he had the medicines!
I went home that night, excitedly told my GF and went to the gig. And loved it. It wasn’t quite a sell out....but a large crowd and good atmosphere. Michael’s voice was in it’s prime at this point....and the meds I gave him had clearly done the trick! The band was TIGHT, the Elegantly Wasted songs sounded fresh....and Michael seemed on top of his game. I went home thrilled.
We sadly lost Michael just a few short months later.
I think back and can’t imagine how I’d now feel if I hadn’t gone to the show that night. So happy that I kept the faith and went to the gig....thanks to my chat with Michael that afternoon.
For those that have made it this far in my post: thank you. And, you may be interested that Michael mentions his voice problems that day, when interviewed by MTV: recorded just before that Wembley show.....and just after meeting me.
RIP Michael: glad that our paths briefly crossed.