Michael Hutchence: INXS
“There’s a lot of seriousness that I think is totally unwarranted…people killing themselves – literally…over stuff they shouldn’t. That’s sad. Pop eats its young, that’s for sure.”
-Michael Hutchence, former lead singer of INXS
The above quote is from Mike Gee’s essay titled The Death of Michael Hutchence, which I came across in the book The Mammoth Book of Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘N’ Roll.
When Michael Hutchence was found hanging in his hotel room on the morning of November 22, 1997, it was (and remains) presumed that he killed himself.
Learning from others apparently only goes so far. Hutchence clearly took issue with the act of suicide, but when his time arrived he could see no other way.
According to the same essay, Michael phoned a friend named Martha Troup on the morning of his death. He left a message for her and shared, “Marth, Michael here. I f*^king had enough.” This was 9:38 am; a maid found Hutchence around 11:55 am.
INXS’s website states the band’s career record sales (worldwide) in excess of 30 million.
Fame and financial success do not equal contentment.
Hutchence had a negative stance on ending your own time, but in his end he could see no other way.
On U2.com, Bono adds an intriguing layer to this sad story.
“Bono told Rolling Stone that ‘Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of’ was inspired by the mysterious death of INXS singer Michael Hutchence, and that the pair discussed suicide prior to his death and decided it was ‘pathetic’…
He said they had ‘kinda promised each other’ neither would ever kill themselves.”
