Guestbook

Having grown up in a home where music was our primary form of entertainment (there was a period of about 10 years when we didn't even have a television in the house), I grew up with an appreciation of everything from classical to classic to easy listening to disco. This TV-free period in my life was in its prime during the early-80s, during which I was developing a greater appreciation and understanding of music and developing a real feel and sense for what music really was all about.
My brother, several years older, worked at an “underground” (as alternative was known at the time) music store located in the basement of a bookstore in downtown Orlando--I guess it was more underground than they thought!
As employees, they got to bring home new release albums to preview and demo pretty frequently. Most of the stuff was pretty forgettable and blends together in my memory now. But a few bands (most of them with only one and perhaps a rare second song that I can even remember the name of or lyrics to at this point) reached out and grabbed me. I bought quite a few albums and CDs (once they became available) during that time.
But very few of those are still with me today. INXS is the exception. The band had a unique sound and feel, so incredible and ever-evolving (yet somehow always true to the heart of INXS and the roots from which their loyal fans and the band themselves had grown), that I bought everything that the band put out. Even now, I have albums, CDs, Videos, T-Shirts, posters, bumper stickers, etc. And to this day, there is usually at least one INXS CD in my car and at my desk at work.
The 6 men behind that 4-letter word (INXS) which became universally synonymous with such a pure musical talent are, in my opinion, the best thing to ever happen to music. The music always takes me back to the early days of my childhood and the late years of my teens.
Unfortunately, like so many things from our childhood, Michael was taken from us too soon. What's left are the posters, CDs and records with his name and the unmistakable and inimical voice that was INXS. Michael, I miss you...and will always wonder what sort of influence you could have had on the music that will dominate the rest of my life. But I am sure that you are in a better place now, where the acoustics are perfect and admission is free. I hope that you have found “what you need.”
Rest in Peace, “shining star.”