Australian singer/songwriter and actor Michael Kelland John Hutchence was born on 22nd January 1960 in Sydney and passed away on 22nd November 1997. He was in a relationship and had a daughter.
As a kid, Michael attended junior and high school and showed interest in poetry. In his teens, he practised jamming with some school friends in the garage and joined their group ‘Doctor Dolphin’. A few years later, in 1977, some of the same group members formed a new band named ‘Farris Brothers’, with Michael as lead singer, and together performed for the first time in a local event.
Initially, the band often supported another rock group and also recorded a set of demos. Two years later, the band’s name changed to ‘INXS’ and in 1980 released their first single, followed by their debut album a few months afterwards. They also enjoyed their first Top 40 Australian hit single ‘Just keep Walking’. The following year, their second album came out. Michael co-wrote most of the band’s tracks and by this time had become its frontman. Meanwhile, he also collaborated with other artists and even released his debut solo single in 1982. His solo album was released in 1999, 2 years after his death.
For the rest of the 80s, INXS released 3 more albums which were all very successful and increased the band’s popularity not just in Australia but also globally. Some of the hits featured in these albums include ‘Original Sin’, ‘Burn for You’, ‘What you Need’, ‘Good Times’, ‘Need You Tonight’, ‘Devil Inside’ and ‘Never Tear Us Apart’, amongst others.
Until Hutchence’s demise, 5 more albums were issued, plus 21 singles. Much more material was released afterwards, spread amongst studio albums, compilations, singles, box sets, music videos etc, and the band continued to record and perform until 2012. Moreover, many of the band’s songs were used in movies, TV shows, commercials and games. INXS are estimated to have sold more than 50 million records worldwide and in 2001 were inducted in the ARIA Hall of Fame. During his career, Michael received 2 Countdown Australian Music Awards.
Michael died at the age of 37 on 22nd November 1997 caused from suicide by hanging.
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