Guestbook

Michael's talent for creating music and his genius for performing truly lighted up the world. I grew up with his songs, and am grateful that he left his marvelous solo album for us to enjoy. Even though I never had the privilege of meeting Michael, I feel a profound sense of loss. My heart goes out to those who knew and loved him.

Thank you for this beautiful tribute.

I want to express my feelings on the loss of Michael. It has been two years and I still wait for a new opportunity to see INXS. I wasn't fortunate enough to see them before Michael's passing. And I feel that even though he will live on because of music, we have lost something wonderful. Maybe the most beautiful flower in the garden.....Thank you and my condolences....

Dear Michael: we would like to thank you for all your music but most for just being you. You were a very special person, and we only wanted to tell you we will always love you and we will never forget you.LOVE ALWAYS... BEA AND GABI

I was never fortunate enough to see INXS perform live.. always a book worm as a child I was somewhat of a slow learner when it came to music. I grew up with the band on the radio... hell, it was the eighties, and I was in Australia listening to mainstream Australian radio they were unavoidable... not matter how naive one was. The good old days. My formal introduction didn't come until it was too late, and in the months that followed life was like a rebirth... hidden memories of hanging out for Never Tear us Apart and New Sensation on the old weekend morning shows (I may not have l known head from tails but at age 7 I knew Michael was just so gorgeous in a suit with his hair pulled back like that... and the Never Tear Us Apart song is just beautiful in itself), arguing with cousins that INXS was pronounced in excess, not inks (afterall it was at a time when Kylie was locomotion-ing in 9 year old girl's bedrooms and hey, what was that band her boyfriend played in?)... of course I was right. It was a sign of things to come - winning that bet - almost like etching out my destiny. Sounds corny, I know, but hey, Im having one of those days 🙂 The first week I moved into my new bedroom after renovating, the Full Moon Dirty Hearts Documentary was on channel nine. I remember taking advantage of my new room being the furthest from where my parents resided at night and thus stayed up past my bed-time to watch TV... and it just so happens that “some band called INXS” were launching an album. What was once forgotten comes floodng back after having seen the footage again - this time as a fan - the paint fresh on the walls, the firmness of the new bed, the echo of my clock radio in the sparsely furnished room. Everything. Whilst I didn't really have much time to absorb the quality of the music... afterall, I had to keep it down, the image of the tree between shots remained etched in my mind and it was the reunion with that image that provided an anchor for the rest of my recollections. More recently, as the reborn fan, the reasle of Michael's brilliant solo album. Months of going into HMV and seeing the release date changed on the little-advertised pre-order forms (going back to March here) had me at near wits end. Then it began... the undeniable buzz on the net, murmurings in the street press... the whole mess was close to being sorted out with the estate and that only meant one thing. The album. But the magnitude of how hard Michael Mania hit was unexpected. One day Im at Sanity on one end of town and nothing... normal. shops shut over the weekend and the Monday, Im dawdling through town and oh my God, I swear i was palpitating and in a sweat and in just absolute shock! HUGE Michael Hutchence banners EVERYWHERE I don't think even INXS had gotten that much wall space since maybe Welcome To Wherever You Are! The date, 11th September. I was a little dismayed because several magazines had listed that date as the actual release date so when buz started shortly after it was October 11 I didn't believe it... I mean, June, July, August, September, October... I was beginning to have doubts. But there it was, out October 11. They couldn't back out now, it's all over the posters! I steadied myself, found my voice,naively begged for a billboard... litle did I know they were giving them away anyway. I went home that day pinching my arm until I bled... and then fear set in... what if it had been a mistake? What if it was only that store and the displays were going to be recalled and the album was never going to be released? My fears were quelled the next day however when I went to several local Sanitys and found the same deal... each with the same effect initially. After about a week I would just go in there everyday (just for the sake of it) and it was practically like, “Hi Mike” I swear I even snuck in a wave somewhere along the way! I'm not kidding. I found out about the radio airplay 5 days after it was first aired... and this was via the internet... so I had a painstaking few hours between knowing it existed in radio land and convincing the station to play it. Actually, 30minutes after I found out they played it out of the blue, but I was too busy gawking to focus, and it wasn't until 5am in the morning that I got to hear myself on the radio acting the total goat, trying to get the Dj to play it! Naturally I had the trusty cassette in hand.. as i did with the MMM special! On the day the single came out it just so happened that I was meeting my mum in town for breakfast at 8am... and on that glorious morning I discovered the stores in town opened early. Sanity didn't even have them on the shelf, but at HMV they had billboards listing it as single of the week, and well, of course, walking past HMV with a thing like that in the window DAMN! Naturally I spent every spare minute trying to absorb the new tunes,(it was in a listening booth too) lyrics, groove. I met mum for breakfast and the detour with her to the CD store was inevitable. I never ate bacon and eggs so fast! Somehow I worked lets go to the CD store into the converstaion without dropping any indications of my true motives... “that Michael Hutchence guy” my mum would say exasperatingly. It must be hard for her to understand... her daughter has fallen under the lyrical charisma of a deceased rock icon who is two years her mother's senior. Then, using my oscar winning performance, we went in there and mum decides to be a smartie pants and point out the single as though I had no idea it was there... gee thanks for pointing it out for me mum, don't suppose you wanna buy it for me since you went to aaaallll that trouble pointing it out to me! You gotta love her! Two weeks prior to the album's release, a demo copy fell into the hands of the store near my mum's place. I was walking in there one day and the sales lady tried the standard pitch. Do you like INXS. I was like, huh??? Is it that obvious? (checks to see if she's wearing the t-shirt... noooo) I get suspicious... mmm, maybe?!? “Do you know that Michael Hutchence is releasing an album?” Ok, let me get this straight, say I'm not a fan of INXS or Michael, I don't think that would garner enough stupidty to not notice the counter strip poster, the whole wall of album covers in dummy jewel cases, the billboards hanging from the ceiling... HELLO! I told her “well d'uh” in the politest way possible. Then she askes me if I have heard Slide Away. Once again, like “d'uh the album hasn yet to be released...” what does she say??? Oh it's great... I heard it last week at the Sony launch... go over there and put the headphones on and I'll put it on for you.” Ok, my jaw was shattering over the silver Michael strip poster. “HUH?” She had to repeat herself several times and practically lead me to the headphones (which is bad because I practically live in CD Stores) then by the time my hands stopped shaking enough to get the headphones over my ears and the volume UP, the intro was half through and I after hearing the lyrics for the first time sung out I had to concentrate VERY hard on the specks on the wall in order to maintain my composure... and that is a big thing for me because no INXS song has EVER made me feel fuzzy inside - although i think it was moreseo happiness at being able to hear a song from the album above all else. When it finished I deperately tried to manipulate the controls to hear it again, but people were waiting to listen to other songs and I had to give up the headphones. The counter clerk must have seen the look on my face because what does she do? She puts Michael's album over the loud speaker! I was practically leaning totally on the counter for support the whole time. Meanwhile, I was getting increasingly late meeting my mum to go out, but at that point, I ws willing to risk everything for such beautiful new sounds. It kinda helped that the saleslady was into the CD too I suppose. I got grilled like a burnt sausage about to be donated to the art department as charcoal, but nothing could dampen my spirits! Suprise suprise though when the several other times I passed the store preceeding the album's release and that girl was working, guesses as to which album was getting exclusive rotation??? I looked at all the stiff bodies absently flicking through Cds - their perception of the music being nothing more than programed back-ground noise - and I felt like going up to every single one of them and shaking them, saying “don't you know who is singing this? Do you have any idea how lucky you are to be hearing this???” I mean, the Americans have to wait until next year! As things turned out, I got pretty friendly with the sales lady and she was willing to give me a wholelot of goodies even if i didnt buy the album. i think she knew I would get it eventually (little did she know i would win one) and my short term financial bungle could be overseen. The day the album came out I knew i was going to be at my mum's place. I didn't have the money to getthe album right away, but i would be damned if i wouldnt listen to it. It was good that it worked out that way... i went across the road first thing that morning and not only did i bask in Michael's soothing voice for a little while longer, the salesgirl had a very willing person to offload all the now out-dated advertising materials onto. I wasn't complaining... although I got a bit sick of hearing mum's exasperated tones of “that Michael Hutchence” everytime she walked into the room I was staying in and saw his face. (God, why she would complainis beyond me!) She didn't comprehend that the reason why my room was looing like a CD0store was because the album was out and so a few weeks later after I had just received my copy, mum made the comment that “that Michael Hutchence guy's album is out”. I was like, oh yeah, how do you know. “Oh they've been talking about it on the radio. I disappear momentarily and then rip out my copy, still basking in it's fresh newness (I could never play it in front of my mum and then subject it to her biased criticism) and go, what, this CD? She goes, “trust a nut like you to go and get one.” hey I never said my mother had the best music tastes. It's funny, me and her... when she was my age (not only did she have me) but she lived one hell of a wild life. Whilst I sit here dreaming about pub rock and mosh pits, my mum was right up there charming her way backstage to local unknown bands and basically being a real dare-all groupie. She didnt call it rebelling... cause frankly, her parents never knew, but she has long since thought there's something wrong with me because I don't stage dive et al. But, when you look at it this way, my method of rebellion is listening to INXS and Michael and Chisel, and all those great bands - new and old - that she climbs the walls about. I really dont see what she has to complain about... honestly, it aint as if I'm into Marilyn Manson and sadistic weird stuff like that! LOL Going back even further in the memory bank though,... 1984. I was three years old. It was a grand old time. We lived in a modest home just around the corner from my maternal grandparents... and as the only grandchild on that side at the time, what more can I say? Every now and then mum and dad would want a night off and Nanna and Grandad (he didn't want me calling him Poppa cause “it sounded like a soda drink”) would only be too eager to look after their beloved granddaughter. One thing I remember about my grandparents house was the big shag-pile rug on the polished timber floor... that and sliding down the hall on my dressing gown like a sled. My grandparents didnt have much money... so they made up for it, they liked to talk... play cards and sometimes they would even bring out the antique chess table for a game of chess together. My grandfather wasn't home often because he spent months at a time fishing... so the times he was there when I came over to visit were that little bit extra special. Friday nights when he was in were especially grand... I'm sure if i could tell what day it was back then I would have nagged the parents senseless to go out and leave me with my grandparents! Every night they would sit down and watch Sale of The Century... during which I would eat my BBQ'd sausages and mashed poatatos on the rug all wrapped up in my Chinese Silk PJs that my aunt sent me from a holiday. They were my favourite PJs... at least 4 sizes too big, but very comfortable... well not that I remember that so much, but there is just so much photographic evidence! As children do, food gets left ignored and children like to explore. I used to pretend the rug was a jungle... the wool was inches thick like grass and it had a huge Lion's head embroided on it. then i would go and crawl under the coffee table by the window and sneak up and tickle my grandfather's toes through his thick fisherman-esque heavy duty socks (they don't make em like they used to). Bed came shortly after (especially if i got too excited and bumped my head on the way out from under the table) and as my grandfather was such a well intuned man (he read the WHOLE encyclopedia brittanica!!) he would quite often stay up to all hours watching rage or catching countdown just so he could stay in tune with what was in. It wasn't until I was re-introduced to INXS's music that I very happy memory of me waking up one morning and crawling into the loungeroom to watch these music programs with him... and the catching I Send A Message. I hate to think what it looked like, but I tried very hard with my best (and ONLY) impromptu Michael impersonation to impress my beaming granddad that morning. I remember he was laughing so hard my grandma woke up thinking we were being attacked and his laughter was actually screams. Now, the coffee table is still there (and ugly old thing, my grandmother never wants to get rid of it because she has hallucinations still of looking at it and seeng me hunched underneath!), the TV is on it's third tube and the floor is just as slippery as ever with a pair of socks on. The rug has long gone though, and sadly my grandfather passed on when I was 11. My grandmother is still there, but somehow things don't seem the same around there. My paternal grandfather died of a heart attack too when I was a baby so I never really knew him, so it was particularly hard when my granddad died. He was on his boat at the time and I hadn't seen him for almost a year... on top of his schedule, my family had moved to the other side of town to care for my other grandmother who had just succumbed to cancer a year earlier, so we weren't going there as much anymnore. Because he was raised on the sea and effectively died under a Ocean sunset we felt it only best to leave a piece of him there. Out of his ashes, half was placed in the old European cigarette carton that was his only non-clothing possesion when he came to Australia as a WW2 refugee and then buried in the rose garden he took so much pride in. The rest we took out on his other pride and joy (asides from family and his garden), his vessel, and scattered his ashes around the bay he would maek his living from. I was at school at the time, so I missed out on both ceremonies and as we don't have a lot of money, we don't have a memorial stone anywhere except in our hearts. It is my ambition in life to get enough money to erect something in his memory because he meant so much to not only me, but my grandma... and undoubtably by the time that ever eventuates it will be in honour of my grandmother as well. Last time I was at my grandmother's a lay over the patch of grass where he lies and read him the lyrics of Nick Cave's The Ship Song. next time I am in that part of the country I am going to borrow my brother's discman and speakers and go out on a ferry to the bay where he is most at home and play him Full Moon Dirty Hearts. To be honest, the song just sint for me, but the lyrics are just so him. I don't know what he would think of it though... he may have watched Rage, but he still prefered his Frank Sinatra... we played My Way at his service, that describes him too I guess. When I think of my grandfather up above and then when I think of Michael, i can only hope they've met. Whilst Michael would probably have a suitcase-sized wallet just to hold the baby photos and annecdotes, my grandfather will double him back with rather embarrassing “Danielle files”... It brings a smile to my face just now picturing my grandfather pick up a guitar for the first time and then Michael learning how to wrestle with a shark! My beliefs in God may be somewhat etchy, but I do believe there is a place where souls can go... whilst they can see all we do courtesy of their undying place in our hearts, they also have a place for eternal rest and peace. I'm sure they're happy and well cared for... with the mix of people there I'm sure it would be one hell of a strangest party... 🙂 Maybe Michael just got tired of waiting in the lobby. Who knows... we'll all find out when our time is up... which is always too soon no matter how old I think. Because my grandad had been away for such a large portion of my life, and the fact that fresh memories were hard to come by, I find any memory of him (besides reminiscent heresay from older relatives) very hard to comeby... if it hadn't been for my reintroduction to INXS I wouldn't have drawn out a classic moment that I will cherish forever. Actually, it is sad to say but I think that is one of only maybe 6 true real memories I have of him that are good (besides his funeral and wake, which I found hard to adjust to)... I mean, I have hundreds of tales from relatives, but I can only take their word for it. I guessm having lost three out of four grandparents at such a young age makes me appreciate the gift of grandparents so much more. I grew up with the Sunday family dinners etc and my cousins and younger siblings sadly missed out. My heart goes out to your beautiful darling granddaughter Tiger because not only has she lost a father, but growing up with such limited access to you and your family can only prove to be a further loss in the long run. I'm sure you miss her terribly and whilst she may not be able to remember you, I think once she starts mingling with other children she will see what is missing. I do not know the full story, or anything near it, but from what I have heard from you I can only hope that Paula can find it in her heart to push differences aside and allow you to bond with your granddaughter. You have so much love, joy and happiness to give each other and I would have thought that Michael's untimely and tragic passing would have just proven how short and precious life is and that we cannot take a single moment for granted. From what I have read about Paula it seems as though her own childhood was somewhat lacking in the traditional family structure, but i would have thought this would compel her to want to provide better for her children, not fall into the same rigid cycle. Don't get me wrong, it is obvious Paula loves her children, but I just think she needed someone to show her the way... and now that Michael is no longer there to do so, maybe his family are her only hope and thus you should just keep on persisting with love, understanding and kindness... if only for Tiger's sake. I read in a interview that Paula did that she and Bob have learnt to spread an olive branch towards each other when it comes to their “encounters” I can only hope that she realises that by not doing the same by you she is certainly not doing what is best for Tiger in the long run (and I'm saying this from a mourning grandchild's point of view) but I'm sure (and I would have absolutely no way of knowing, but I would like to hightly bet)that this is not what Michael would have wanted. If you feel any of this persistent rambling could be of any help to you in getting Paula to come round, by all means, feel free to use it all you like. All I have to Paula is please (and I'm sure she tells her endless Michael stories) don't let Tiger grow up wondering who her father was, and who her grandparents were. Sure, you can tell Tiger everything you know about Michael... but there is no way you are able to relay to her things Michael did as a child... and how things he did as a child mirror little things Tiger does at the same blossoming age. Watching a child grow is a learning experience on all sides of the fence, if you do not share it so much can be missed by all concerned.

In case you're wondering, i have already expressed my heartwarmed gratitude and awe towards the splendour of this site, thus why I haven't mentioned it here. 🙂 But I think it goes untold that it is indescribeable. On a more personal note, thankyou again Kell for all the support you have given the fans. I understand purely why you do not wish to have another memorial service... we have to move on. I think, though, some of the apparent *disappointemt* I have heard circle in some arenas isn't one of malevolence, rather one of fear... one that we the fans believe that if we're not parading round our city in INXS t-shirts, playing INXS so loud that the neighbours complain, plugging Michael's music to all our friends and constantly requesting video clips and songs on the radio, that you may feel that the fans have moved on from “moving on” and forgotten Michael all together. It is a security thing... we feel we are helping you if we are making the special place Michael has in all of us visible to you at all times. Thus any animosity towards your plans against a memorial have meant well... all people are trying to say is “we will never forget”. Trust me. I know I wont... especially since his music goes right back on the timeline of my life right back to the very conception! I think a lot of people feel the same way... though whether their first INXS song came at conception, first day of kindy, junior high school or rookie job... none of us could imagine life without the gift of Michael's lyrics and INXS' music... and I think the fact that the second anniversary coincides with basically the last confirmed new Michael material to be released (unreleased INXS material is inniment, but still under a cloud)ever and it is beginning to dawn on us that pretty soon they're will be nothing new left to give and not only will that be like losing Michael all over again from a fan's point of view, but the prospect of facing life without counting down to the next Michael Hutchence/INXS release or growing old seeing such beautiful music quite possibly get lost in the space of time will be something very hard to adjust to indeed. Of course that will only hold his music dearer in our hearts, but then what will happen when the youngest fan grows old? i can only hope my non-existent children and grandchildren don't think I'm daft when I'm old and frail and bringing out the antique CD player to give lessons in good music! Yes, the fans just want to let you know that we will not forget... and well will do everything in our power to not let others forget...



“The gift you gave is gonna last forever”

...you said it Mike.



Love and Peace

D:)

Dear Mario, Jackie, Kell and Dennis!

I was just wondering if the poem read by Greg Perano during the Memorial Service is going to be on the site as well. I don't remember exactly what the lines were, just that it was really touching and beautifull.

With love,
Diane

Well done. Nearly two years has gone and I still await Michael to flaunt around the stage as it is his own... I am still waiting.

My high school friend back in 1984 took me to my very first concert. It was INXS at Chandler in Brisbane. I was only 15 but boy Michael awoken up a certain desire in me!

To Michael's family and friends I fell for you at this time of year - he should be here with us but he's not. Let us just smile and reminise when a radio station plays INXS - long live Michael - long live INXS.

Cheers and happy thoughts
Nelle

This is a very loving tribute to your son. I want to take this time to recite some lyrics about Michael written by Simon leBon Of Duran Duran.

Michael

I came over your place today
In a roundabout sort of way
Nothing holding me just the company
Gentle killing away the afternoon

Don't every try to give anymore
Michael you've got a lot to answer for
You got me waking up right to the world

Then I don't see you for awhile
Thinking of you will make me smile
You never bothered me with responsibility
Misbehaving in candlelight

Don't ever try to be anymore
Michael you've got a lot to answer for
You unlocked some the doors to my soul

Trust you to get caught up in somebodys war
You'll come out of it all intact I'm sure
Just remember what friends were put here for
Michael you've got a lot to answer for
And I know that you're gonna call if you need me
When you need me
If you need me - 1997

It goes without saying that I miss Michael. That sounds kind of silly - missing a pop star, but Michael and INXS was the soundtrack to my teenage years. I once had the pleasure to meet Michael very briefly at a concert at the Kentish Town Forum in 1993 in London. It was jam-packed and sweaty and I was in the front row getting crushed so I leapt onto stage. Some bouncers rushed towards me to get me off but Michael beat them and put his arm around me. We then danced around together and finished singing “New Sensation”. After the song, we chatted for a few seconds before I stage dived back into the crowd - he seemed an incredibly warm person. That was certainly one of the most treasured moments of my life, a real dream come true.

Finally, congratulations on producing such an imformative and tasteful tribute site.

Rob.

Michael is my favorite singer and entertainer of all time. Never will I forget such a bright star as Michael. I miss him, his music and INXS more everyday.....God Bless.

This website is a beautiful idea, Mr. Hutchence, a very touching way to remember Michael. Thank you for sharing your personal photographs with us.

For the past few weeks I've been listening to Michael's album every day and I'm sure now: it's brilliant! My very favourite track is Flesh and blood, his singing on there is so beautiful and unusual.

Another song I love is Fear, funny how his music can still make me dance and feel good. But that's only when I don't take in the meaning of the lyrics. Because when I listen to the words Michael wrote, it's very upsetting hearing how he felt and knowing it's too late for anyone to help him.

To me Michael's album is a great (but sad) farewell gift, one that makes the feeling of loss even deeper.

I really hope the album and single will do very well. Wouldn't it be good if Michael had one more big hit record for the last time?

Missing you forever

One of the most beatiful men in the world tragically taken away. Horrifying to all those left to mourn. I send deep condolences to all those effected by the death of a legendary and compassionate musician that was Michael Hutchence. I also congratulated Kel Hutchence and others associated with the beautiful website that allows fans and other to take a journey through the life that Michael celebrated. It allows us to come to terms with his passing and celebrate and commemorate the life that was. A a life it was. Full of turmoil and much harrasment and criticism but when you look into the eyes of the adorably gorgeous daughter he created you realise what a legacy he has left behind. Through all his pain, pain that is so recognisable through some of his photos he managed to shine through and provide so many people with so much. He offered so much in his music, every word he sung travelled up my spine and really hit home as it did to so many others I'm sure. The web site is such a fitting tribute to a man that can only be described as a legend. It's beautiful creation really highlights his memory. While browsing it I managed to keep dry eyes although having a lump in my throat similar to that when I heard the tragic news of his death. Still to this day I can't bring myself to believe the news and believe that one day I will wake from the nightmare. It was when I clicked on the link to funeral when I lost control and salty tears filled my sorrow filled eyes. Despite having many clipping from the days, months even years after his death I still can't bring myself to painfully sift throught them, yet this website allows me to face reality and reflect on alife that touched me deeply. Michael was

I have followed Inxs and loved Michael for as long as I can remember. I have had the pleasure of seeing Inxs 6 times in Australia and actually coming into contact with Michael on one occassion. Which is a great moment in my life. I am so sad for the loss of such a great man. He holds a special place in my heart and always will. This memorial is beautifully done. I have been sitting here for some time now laughing and crying. The music of Michael and INXS will forever be a part of my life. My love to him always.

Crystal Garcia-Tajchman