Michael’s passing seems as unbelievable as the day we all first heard the news. Six years on seems but six days.
Some of the most beautiful pieces of music remain unfinished. Torn from their creative flights of fancy by the fragility of life, many composers have come to untimely deaths leaving behind an unfinished work. Michael’s life has that kind of story. It is a sad story of final frontiers not reached, of visions almost realised, of new horizons almost attained. His death on 22nd November, 1997 broke the hearts of a generation of music lovers who had been moved by his extraordinary stage presence, his ability as a singer/songwriter, and his infectious personality. His new found freedom in solo writing and performance, though not to diminish the brilliance of his collaboration with the comparable Andrew Farris, was indeed an unfinished story for Michael. So was his acting career. And yet even more significant, by his own profession, was his most challenging role of all, exploring the joys of being a new Daddy. So unfinished symphonies remain just that, but it doesn’t diminish their poignant beauty and perpetual appeal.
This week as we honour Michael Hutchence’s memory, pray for little Tiger and the rest of his family that they will know God’s comfort, grace, love and peace. Tiger soldiers on and is living the life of a normal, healthy, little girl despite losing a Daddy, a Mummy, and last December, her Granddad with whom she so much enjoyed visits, and his cards and phone calls. This is our first anniversary without the adorable Kelland Hutchence. We love you Kell, and miss you profoundly.
Rhett is doing well and is very committed to a new creative venture, while Susie keeps busy to help pass the days that understandably must be hard and lonely. She sends her love and greetings to Michael’s friends and fans, and will be privately reflecting over the coming days leading up to the first anniversary of Kell’s departure. It will be the first year she has not attended Michael’s memorial gathering in Sydney, but she knows that Michael’s friends will understand the difficulties of these present days.
I know what Kell would tell you all to do this Saturday; “Listen to some of Michael’s music, let it lift you, and never, never give up on things.”
Love and peace,
Ian Patterson for the Hutchence family and all the team at MichaelHutchence.org
(Susie, Mario and Jackie)