Micheal Hutchence-Vocals /Songwriter -INXS
INXS Frontman Micheal Hutchence found dead in Australia From CNN.com (11/22/97) -- cnn.com/showbiz/9711/22/hutchence.dead/index.html SYDNEY. Austrialia (CNN) --
The rock music world was in shock as fans, family and colleagues attempted to come to grips with the death of INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence. Fellow members in the band INXS (pronounced 'in excess') said on Sunday they were stunned by the death of their 37-year-old frontman as they prepared for the group's 20th anniversary tour. Around the world, rock music fans expressed grief, disappointment and even cynicism over the death of another prominent star in the rock music world. Hutchence's body was found in a room at an exclusive Sydney hotel room on Saturday just before noon, police said. CNN's John Raedler reports Police said they had taken a leather belt away for forensic examination, but there were "no suspicious circumstances." They would not comment on local media reports that he had hanged himself with the belt from his hotel door. Prescribed medication, but no illegal drugs, was also taken from the room. "Everything is a matter for the coroner and as such we cannot comment," a police spokeswoman said. A post-mortem examination is scheduled for Monday.
Article from Rock On the Net .Com :
More details on the death of INXS singer, Michael Hutchence, have been reported, as well as reaction to his passing. The singer was found dead at the Ritz Carlton Saturday in Australia just days before a major tour with his band was to begin. The "Lose Your Head" tour was to begin November 25th and has been cancelled. The singer's death is believed to be a suicide, although some reports have suggested the death may have been related to a sexual act (autoerotic asphyxiation). Anti-depressants were found in Hutchence's room, but no suicide note was discovered. The singer was also reportedly looking forward to the upcoming tour, and was with several people the night before his death, including his father, who said of his son: "Michael was an inspiring talent who touched many people around the world with his work and will be greatly missed. To us and everyone close to him he was a vibrant human being, with an immense heart full of love." Hutchence's future appeared to be positive, including marrying his girlfriend, Paula Yates, a solo LP, possibly work in the movies. MTV reported that Hutchence had been talking with several motion picture people including Michael Douglas. and The remaining members of INXS are "in extreme shock at the loss of their dear friend and lead singer" and asked for privacy for themselves and Hutchence's family. Michael Hutchence's partner, Paula Yates, spoke out to Australian press about Hutchence's suicide. She stated, "Michael obviously flipped" and went on to place some blame on her ex-husband, Bob Geldof (who is best known for his organizing Live Aid and for his years leading the Boomtown Rats). Yates and Geldof had 3 children together and have had run-ins over child custody since their split in 1995. Yates told reporters that she had told Hutchence hours before his death that she could not join him in Australia due to the court proceedings regarding the children. Yates also said that Geldof had reneged on his agreement to let their children spend Christmas in Australia with the couple. There has also been some speculation that Hutchence then called Geldof: Yates stated that Hutchence's last words to her were, "I love you. I'm going to phone Bob right now and beg him... to allow them to come." Yates told a reporter: "Bob Geldof murdered Michael Hutchence. That bastard killed Michael...as surely as if (he'd) strangled him... (Michael) was worn down by 3 years of torture." Yates also stated that the dress she had bought for her wedding to Hutchence will be dyed black and word to the funeral "with pride." INXS's official statement stated: "The band members of INXS are all in extreme shock at the loss of their dear friend and lead singer Michael Hutchence. Their love and sympathy go out to Michael Hutchence's family. They ask that the media please, in this time of extreme grief, act with courtesy and grace and respect both Michael Hutchence's family's privacy as well as their own." Michael Hutchence's funeral was held Nov. 27th in Sydney, Australia at the St. Andrews Cathedral. The INXS singer's casket was covered with 500 purple irises and a yellow tiger lily. At one point during the service, a mourner attempted to jump from a balcony until he was grabbed and removed by police. U2's Bono sent a large white wreath in the shape of a claddagh and had honored the memory of Hutchence at a concert in San Antonio, Texas, with Bono stating, "This is for Michael Hutchence, a great singer and a great friend. We'll miss him." At the service, Richard Wilkins said of Hutchence: "We admired his talent, we respected his dignity and we envied his cool. Michael lived life to the max."