As I sit in front of this computer screen preparing for tomorrow night's show I can't help but think back to November 22nd, 1997. The time was around 10:25pm and I was just about to leave High Volume Music, (my place of business), after a long hard day of pushing cds like a dope man. The news was on and anchor Dave Ward at ABC 13 Houston was handed a sheet of paper and calmly announced the news. “This just in, superstar Michael Hutchence of the rock band INXS was found dead in his hotel room in Sydney.” I fell to the floor in utter disbelief. I called the then PGD rep, Randy Thomas at his home in Houston and he said he heard nothing of the news. I called radio station 104 KRBE to confirm and they knew nothing of it. I called my then girlfriend crying like a baby and told her Michael was dead. I turned to MTV and the news reports were coming in. I couldn't believe one of the greatest poets and voices in rock and roll had been silenced. It was true.
That was the first time in my short life that I could truly say I felt the pain of losing an entertainer that I “grew up” with. Of course Tupac had passed earlier that same year, but it didn't feel the same way for me. I didn't know much about Tupac and I certainly hadn't grown up listening to him. I was first exposed to INXS in the early 80's with there first American hit “The One Thing”. I had been hooked ever since that time. INXS actually released what would become my favorite album of 1984 “The Swing” which, believe it or not, I actually listened to more than “Purple Rain” by Prince and The Revolution which had been released that same year. INXS was the only band in my personal history whose fan club I joined.
Of course in later years many entertainers have passed away that I really feel and love including John Lee Hooker, Pops Staples, Aaliyah, Jam Master Jay and Left Eye among others. I've learned how to deal with death in the industry and it keeps me strong. I don't know if any entertainers death has affected me as much as Michael's, but I do know this, Friday night the light will shine as Collective Hallucination performs it's best and strongest show to date. The show will be dedicated to Michael and the other entertainers who have left those of us still living to carry on in their musical legacy. We Give Thanks...
We promise our best show and we hope those who join us will enjoy it.
Musically Ant Boogie
That was the first time in my short life that I could truly say I felt the pain of losing an entertainer that I “grew up” with. Of course Tupac had passed earlier that same year, but it didn't feel the same way for me. I didn't know much about Tupac and I certainly hadn't grown up listening to him. I was first exposed to INXS in the early 80's with there first American hit “The One Thing”. I had been hooked ever since that time. INXS actually released what would become my favorite album of 1984 “The Swing” which, believe it or not, I actually listened to more than “Purple Rain” by Prince and The Revolution which had been released that same year. INXS was the only band in my personal history whose fan club I joined.
Of course in later years many entertainers have passed away that I really feel and love including John Lee Hooker, Pops Staples, Aaliyah, Jam Master Jay and Left Eye among others. I've learned how to deal with death in the industry and it keeps me strong. I don't know if any entertainers death has affected me as much as Michael's, but I do know this, Friday night the light will shine as Collective Hallucination performs it's best and strongest show to date. The show will be dedicated to Michael and the other entertainers who have left those of us still living to carry on in their musical legacy. We Give Thanks...
We promise our best show and we hope those who join us will enjoy it.
Musically Ant Boogie