The pair's friendship got closer as time went on, Stars in your eyes: Richard is pictured with Hutchence and Rob Lowe (centre right). The couple claimed the drugs were planted, and although Yates was arrested, no charges were laid. I am satisfied that she was hearing the telephone conversation between the deceased and Geldof. After recording was completed on the album, Hutchence began work on a solo record he would never complete. She stated that she rang the deceased at sometime prior to 5.38am on the 22nd November and he told her he was going to beg Geldof to let the children come out to Australia. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. "So, to have his idols come out and pull him down for whatever egotistical young rock star reasons was really hard. 'Michael may have committed suicide. He was frightened and couldnt stand a minute more without his baby, said Yates. It was that deeper side to Michael that drew him to U2 star Bono, with the pair forming a connection - albeit a competitive one - during the late 80s. In Sydney, Michael developed a passion for poetry and music. He had apparently hanged himself with his own belt and the buckle broke away and his body was found kneeling on the floor and facing the door. While INXS released their debut album in 1980, it was their fifth studio album Kick in 1987 that turned the band into global superstars. He became depressed and aggressive, He was just not the same person. Born on January 22, 1960, in Sydney, Australia, Michael Kelland John Hutchence was an introverted child. "I do think he was scared that even if Paula [Yates, his partner at the time of his death] had known or any of his partners had known, they would maybe not love him quite so much or treat him like an invalid. I would never do that to the fans in Australia.. "He might have been going out to nightclubs and things like that, but compared to the real bad boys of rock he was a pussycat. By It was here that the bands charismatic frontman Hutchence and the teenage fan first became friends. It turned out he had a fractured skull a brain injury that robbed him of his taste and smell and also affected his mental health. But Yates and Geldof were embroiled in a bitter custody dispute and Hutchence learnt on the morning he died the children would not be coming out. I am satisfied that the cause of death was 'hanging'. Then, learn the truth about Mama Cass Elliots death. He refers to the deceased as 'begging' to allow him to let the children come to Australia. Fans at the Ritz-Carlton Hotel in Sydney, Australia, following news of Michael Hutchences death. They were among the last to see him alive. The buckle had broken off after he asphyxiated, and it appeared hed died of an apparent suicide. Through the court, Geldof was able to prevent his daughters from traveling and push the custody hearing back two months. If you would like to support me on Patreon please visit https://www.patreon.com/scottontapeFollow my Instagram https://www.instagram.com/scottontapeIf you wo. Pic: Marc Berry Reid, Hutchence dated model Helena Christensen for around four years, Richard Lowenstein worked with Hutchence over many years. They wouldn't release another record for four years. The rocker fell backwards and hit his head, but didnt seek medical attention for several days. Despite advice from the band's manager Chris Murphy, Hutchence instead trusted a team of financial advisers, signing over many of his assets to various holding companies in order to protect himself from vultures, indemnify him from third party claims, and to avoid paying tax. And the last time I saw his face, he was smiling at me as he walked out the door. Troup wasnt so sure they should go through with it. None of us felt like we really knew him.". A maid found him naked and in a kneeling position, and, although his death was ruled a suicide, there were rumors that it was due to autoerotic asphyxia. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. Various band members and backing vocalists filed out, and only Kirk Pengilly, Andrew Farriss and the singer remained. Michael Hutchence was found dead at the Ritz Carlton Hotel in Double Bay, Sydney. Im not sure that he really intended to do that, she said. Michael may have passed due to lack of oxygen, due to sexual misadventure, or Michael was killed. Only three things could have happened that day, he said. Hutchence was late, but this was nothing out of the ordinary. INXS star Michael Hutchence 'had permanent brain damage', Australian singer Michael Hutchence took his own life aged just 37. He later aborted this attempt, after being assured of Tiger Lily's wellbeing. Following roughly two years overseas, a now 17-year-old Hutchence and his mother returned to Sydney, where Hutchence was invited to join a new group called the Farriss Brothers, which featured Andrew Farriss on keyboards, Jon Farriss on drums, Tim Farriss on lead guitar, Garry Beers on bass guitar, and Kirk Pengilly on guitar and saxophone, with Hutchence as the lead vocalist. "They did some naughty recreational things together but underneath it all was this really warm, secure love and relationship. Suddenly, the unknown Fortune was in a major rock band, and the guys had a lot of positive momentum at first. However, tours of South Africa, Europe and America had been well-received and well-attended, and as the band returned to Australia in November, they hoped a 13-show tour of the country to mark their 20th anniversary would provide the nostalgia boost necessary to punt the album back up the charts. Blood tests confirmed the presence of alcohol, cocaine, Prozac and prescription drugs in his system. Gribbin's predecessor, Fortune, was hired and fired twice in six years; in a recent . It would sell millions of units, lead to sold-out shows at Wembley Stadium, and change their lives forever. Fortune, an American singer who joined the band after winning the Rock Star: INXS competition but was fired for a second time last year. I can't explain it it was weird. A maid found Hutchence dead behind his room door at 11.50am. Hutchence then called his ex-girlfriend Michelle Bennett and told her he was very upset on a call at 9:54 a.m. She immediately rushed over. Hutchence's death was ruled a suicide, but a distraught Paula Yates refused to believe this, speculating it may have been a case of autoerotic asphyxiation gone awry. In the hours before his death Hutchence had spoken by telephone to Yates, the former wife of Boomtown Rats lead singer and Live Aid planner Bob Geldof, and to Geldof himself. The gulf between Hutchence and his bandmates was growing quickly. He would never pull anyone down like that.". They released a statement that weekend. He had a sensuality about him. Peaches Geldof, mother of two sons, died of a heroin overdose aged 25 in 2014. Because think about it no [suicide] note. Join the conversation, you are commenting as. We are no longer accepting comments on this article. This incident was, however, enough to see Geldof granted temporary custody of the three eldest children, a situation that sent Hutchence and Yates spiralling. And for somebody whose job was to write words, I always found that strange.. Already at a low ebb, and on the eve of a gruelling world tour, Hutchence called his manager and ex-girlfriend from his Sydney hotel room and then took his own life. And he was very sensitive. Their joy was short lived: the following month a nanny tasked with looking after Yates' three other daughters while the pair were in Australia found opium in a Smarties tube in her home, and went to the police. And still be looking damn good for a 60-year-old.". While researching for the film, Lowenstein says, "we found six or seven interviews, where he brings up suicide, saying, 'no one minds if you kill yourself' and 'no one minds if you do'. In 2005, JD Fortune was able to outlast the rest of the show's competitors to earn the lead singer spot for INXS. With regard to the question of suicide I have to be satisfied on a strong balance of probabilities before I am able to come to such a conclusion. With 1984's The Swing, they scored their first local #1 album and #1 single with Original Sin. He had his ups and downs, and he had his insecurities. He loved, loved, loved, loved that little Tiger. After speaking to Geldof, Hutchence tried to call his personal manager Martha Troup, but got her voice mail. They have to go out and get an education, and he was that kind of guy.". "It was totally live, and Michael sang with such emotion: 'I am searching, I am not alone.' As Oasis were awarded best video trophy by Hutchence, Gallagher called him a "has-been" - a public humiliation that further took its toll on the singer. In December 1995, Hutchence was first prescribed Prozac by Dr J. Borham, a London medical practitioner, to treat a depressive problem. Their love and sympathy go out to Michael Hutchence's family. Fifteen years on from the death of Michael Hutchence, INXS has a new lead singer. INXS band members were blindsided by the tragedy, ready to hit the club circuit again, and consequently, they were forced to cancel their tour. While visiting a girlfriend in Copenhagen, Denmark, Hutchence got into a fight with a taxi driver that left him with permanent brain damage. Hutchence dated model Helena Christensen for around four years The only other person who knew - his then girlfriend supermodel Helena Christensen - had been sworn to secrecy. 8. According to Richard Lowenstein, who directed the documentary Mystify, she is still waiting for an inheritance that may never come. All three persons consumed alcohol, including vodka, beer and champagne together with cocktails during this time. The identity of the deceased, the date and place of death and the manner and cause of death are clearly set out and the time and expense of holding an inquest is not warranted and will be dispensed with. Eventually, after disappointing sales, he returned to record a tenth album with INXS, but their star was waning - a fact cruelly highlighted by Noel Gallagher during the 1996 BRIT Awards. He singlehandedly made INXS' "Need You Tonight" video the hottest thing on MTV in 1987, and the iconic clip with the singer seducing the masses in a leather jacket and pants, sans shirt went on to win Video of the Year at the 1988 VMAs. A statement obtained from the mother of the deceased, Mrs Patricia Glassop, confirms her opinion that the deceased was in a depressed state. I was concerned, she said. Hand confirmed that his investigation into the death of INXS' charismatic lead. Michael Putland/Getty Images Nearly 20 years after his death, charismatic INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence will be the. Register, Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout. The coroner ruled it wasn't likely a suicide attempt, but the result of being "foolish and incautious". The rehearsal was to be the last one prior to the start of the tour and was quite important. "She's just a great kid, it was wonderful to meet her and see those little bits of Michael in her.". 3. Michele Bennett has had a successful career as a producer of documentaries, music videos for acts including Prince and Foo Fighters and films including Chopper, about the Melbourne criminal Mark 'Chopper Read'. "The suicide specialist said it's usually a craze of people who do attempt suicide that they always discuss it or bring it up in a flippant ways. The second call from Hutchence was then received by Geldof. His family would later say this accident precipitated the depressed phase that would later lead to his death. 'But he would literally come out of the studio in his jeans, shirt and leather boots and just take off on it. The coroner ruled Hutchence committed suicide while under the. THEIR music is back on the charts and a telemovie is about to hit our screens. Geldof's police statement claims Hutchence was "hectoring and abusive and threatening". The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is now the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. * this is an edited transcript from the inquest into the death of Michael Hutchence. The night before his death Hutchence shared dinner with his father Kel. An analysis report of the deceased's blood indicates the presence of alcohol, cocaine, Prozac and other prescription drugs. View. A statement obtained from Hutchence's mother, Patricia Glassop, confirms her opinion that he was in a depressed state. We've received your submission. Staying at a Ritz-Carlton in Double Bay, a suburb of Sydney, Hutchence was expecting Yates and all four daughters to come stay with him. Michael Hutchence, the frontman of Australian rock band INXS, was found dead in a hotel room in Sydney on November 22, 1997, aged 37. The couple broke up in 1991 while Kylie was touring in Japan. She also handed over never-before-seen personal filmed footage shot by the couple during their relationship, as well as photos and letters. The deceased was in good spirits, however appeared very worried in regard to the outcome of a custody suit in London. Hutchence was not the beneficiary of these trusts and was technically bankrupt when he died, nullifying the wishes of his will, in which he left half his fortune to his daughter Tiger Lily. We were meeting different people in the film and TV world in LA. Geldof refers to the deceased's demeanour as being "hectoring and abusive and threatening" in nature. The next morning, the band gathered at the studio. 13:21 GMT 19 Nov 2017. A statement obtained from a Gail Coward, the occupant of the room directly next to the deceased's room, alludes to her hearing a loud male voice and expletives emitting from the deceased's room about 5am that morning. Wikimedia CommonsBob Geldof (left) gained full custody over Michael Hutchences daughter after Paula Yates died of a heroin overdose in 2000. Then I spent an hour with him going through the studio and he gave me a tour of it. Other real estate, guitars, art, a Harley-Davidson and a Jeep were sold by his estate to cover legal fees. And hes like, Oh, these are great. Less than three months later, the police case was closed. That is one of the many blessings God has given me in this life that the last time I saw Michael's face, he was smiling.". By October, still having not fully recovered, rehearsals for the next album began at his villa in the south of France. Tony Harris/PA Images/Getty ImagesPaula Yates (right) and her lawyer Anthony Burton (center) leaving her London home to travel to Sydney after learning of Michael Hutchences death. In the intervening years they stayed in contact and became good friends. When he spoke, he was in pain., In high school, Hutchence met his future bandmate Andrew Farriss, and the two went on to form INXS with two other Farriss brothers Tim and Jon in 1977. The deceased sounded as if he was affected by something, and was slow and deep. It wasn't the Michael we knew and that's what was so surprising. Ms Bennett stated that Mr Hutchence never expressed previous inclinations regarding suicide. "I said, 'Where's the money from your dad's estate?' The band spent much of the following five years touring around the world and recording another hit album X, which featured the popular songs Suicide Blonde and Disappear. In 1992, however, Hutchence suffered an accident he never truly recovered from. She had told the deceased that the custody matter had not been finalised and was adjourned until the 17th December and she would not be bringing the children out. 7. The first was on an answering machine and Mr Hutchence sounded 'drunk'. "But a lot of people in bands, they realise they don't have an education because they've been playing since they were 15 or 16. It said he wouldnt be at rehearsals that day. While his brain injury no doubt fuelled his depression and subsequent struggles, suicide was a theme Hutchence returned to during the course of his life. "A very different human being. A post-mortem examination found alcohol, cocaine, codeine, Prozac, Valium and other prescribed benzodiazepines - or 'benzos' - in Hutchence's urine and blood. "He was unconscious and there was blood coming out of his mouth and ear," Christensen recalls in Mystify, the new documentary about Hutchence's life. Mr Martin refers to a note received from the deceased stating that he was "not going to rehearsals today". Even back in 1990 at the studios, Richard was obsessed with photography, and he was able to grab a memorable snap. The trio drank vodka, beer, champagne and cocktails during the night. It was a short duration and Geldof asked the deceased to call back. Paula Yates died of an accidental heroin overdose aged 41 in 2000. "One of the great dilemmas of his life was being torn between a cute, sexually attractive, rock god performer who played to the teeny-boppers and his desire to be a credible artist. :: Listen to the Backstage podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, Spreaker. This was due to a number of factors, including the relationship with Paula Yates and the pressure of the ongoing dispute with Sir Robert Geldof, combined with the effects of the substances that he had ingested at that time. Here are the unmissable episodes of his top-rating podcast. The comments below have not been moderated. The 37-year-old, who had checked into the hotel four days earlier under the name 'Mr Murray River', appeared to have hanged himself with his snake skin belt. The last time that Michael Hutchences manager, Martha Troup, spoke to him on the phone, the INXS frontman was making big plans for the future. So when Michael Hutchence died on the day of a rehearsal for the bands 20th-anniversary tour on November 22, 1997, shockwaves reverberated around the world. "He threw his microphone stand around inside the studio, and he threw violent tantrums all the time.". "Then I can remember sharing a joke with Michael. "He's actually re-enacting his own childhood and trying to make it work. Now an award . While their slick funk sound, tight instrumentation and pop smarts were essential, the key to their success lay in their charismatic frontman: Andrew's high school friend Michael Hutchence, whose onstage persona straddled the line between Bono and Jim Morrison. Lowenstein explains: "She's an incredibly private person, so I don't feel right saying too much. Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. It's still too heavy for me to look at, even today.". Hutchence was found at 11.50am, naked behind the door to his room. Another one. Michelle Bennett, a former de facto of Hutchence, received two calls from him that morning. He was mesmerizing. Followed categories will be added to My News. He was arrested and charged with assault. INXS, led by Michael Hutchence, was one of the biggest rock bands in the world in the late 1980s and early 1990s; the band is pictured here at the Miami Arena in Florida in March 1988 INXS.