Today please join with us and celebrate Michael’s 54th birthday! And as family, friends and fans send greetings to his Guestbook from around the world, Michael and INXS are enjoying new success with their “Greatest Hits” album.
This week it moved to number two in the Aria Australian Artists charts. What a wonderful tribute to Michael on his 54th birthday from the Australian public. Never forget Michael loved Australia. Michael was so immensely proud of his Australian heritage, always unashamedly flying the flag at any opportunity while on his journey conquering the popular music world. The current resurge of interest no doubt stems from the imminent release of the television series. One can only hope that it will place Michael and INXS into a place of even greater respect at home, winning them comparable recognition for the incredible achievements and high esteem that Michael and the band enjoy abroad. Yes, as we celebrate Michael’s birthday today there is an air of excitement. Australia awaits the release of ‘Never Tear Us Apart’, the television miniseries covering the rise and rise of INXS in the international rock arenas, on the radio waves and MTV videos during the heady days of the 1980s.
2014 also marks 30 years since INXS gained their first Australian number one chart position with ‘Original Sin’, produced by veteran funk man, Nile Rogers.
Twenty years ago this month the band where self-absorbed on a world tour, yet Michael found time to complete a number of side projects, one of which involved working with legendary Rolling Stones’ engineer and producer, Chris Kimsey on his Symphonic Music of the Rolling Stones album. Chris had produced Michael’s vocals on a number of tracks for “Full Moon Dirty Hearts” album during 1993. No doubt hugely impressed with Michael, Chris had no hesitation in choosing him as the only other male vocalist on Chris’ Symphonic Music project (Mick Jagger being the other). Chris Kimsey sent Michael a demo recording of the Stones’ song, ‘Under My Thumb’ during December, 1993 and the following month, January 1994, Michael recorded his own excellent version of the song, backed up by the entire London Symphony Orchestra. Michael seemed to be going through a period of stretching outside of INXS for creative collaboration that would see him record several other non-INXS tracks during 1994. These included the Batman sound track, “The Passenger” as well as commencing work on his then confidential solo album with Tim Simeon. Recording with Talking Heads ensued in New York and other collaborative projects were to follow.
Michael seemed happiest when he was creatively employed with new writing challenges. We are hoping to bring you a world exclusive on one of these projects in coming weeks, celebrating 20 years. Keep checking back at Michael’s News page!
We know you will be enthusiastic in celebrating Michael’s birthday today, January 22nd 2014. We again recommend you lift your spirit with his songs. We are from time to time blessed by God through rare souls on this planet, that wherever they go they bring joy with their music. Troubadours with an infectious smile, bright eyes that sparkle despite life’s challenges, and after they depart, their melodies and lyrics remain… and within their songs, a joyful spirit lingers long after they’re gone.
If you told me
Nothing’s perfect
Hearts are broken
Nothing’s free,
I will show you
Why it’s worth it…
And that’s the way it’s meant to be”
Happy 54th Michael Kelland Hutchence!
Ian Patterson
On behalf of the Co-Directors
Susie Hutchence, Mario and Jacqui Ferrari