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.". So what really happened that night? "They're not just sitting down with a journalist who's been commissioned to make a film about Michael, they're sitting down with someone they knew 20 years earlier. This was only the beginning of his erratic behaviour. He was found dead by a maid before noon. Five years before his death, Michael Hutchence suffered brain damage from a violent altercation with a cab driver in Denmark, leading his family to speculate that the trauma precipitated his demise. "Especially aged 27, when so many stars died like Hendrix and Morrison, and he was being obviously compared to some of those. Conmen, crooked cops, gangsters and notorious murders Andrew Rule has taken us through the darkest corners of Australias underworld. I therefore discount that manner of death. The trio drank vodka, beer, champagne and cocktails during the night. 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. Shortly after Hutchence's death, Sir Bob gained custody of his children with Yates, Fifi, Peaches and Pixie. 8. Michael Hutchence Was One Of The Worlds Biggest Rock Stars Then He Choked Himself To Death In A Sydney Hotel. An analysis report of the deceased's blood indicates the presence of alcohol, cocaine, Prozac and other prescription drugs. and she said 'I've never received anything from anyone.'". document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. "I believe he would have been proud of the end result. Ms Kym Wilson and Mr Andrew Rayment were with the deceased in his hotel room from sometime after 11pm and left about 5am. When he would play at a place like Wembley [Stadium in London], I used to laugh because he couldnt see past the first 10 rows, because he never wore his glasses onstage. Yates was considered a love rat and constantly hounded by the press. In December 1995, Hutchence was first prescribed Prozac by Dr J. Borham, a London medical practitioner, to treat a depressive problem. Earlier this year, Rhett issued a statement on social media on what would have been Michael's 57th birthday. And he was very sensitive. 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. And then after that I wore Doc Martens for the next 10 years., But just as INXS was releasing Welcome to Wherever You Are in August 1992, life came crashing down for Hutchence at the peak of his career. Fans, friends bid farewell to INXS lead singer. A post-mortem examination found alcohol, cocaine, codeine, Prozac, Valium and other prescribed benzodiazepines - or 'benzos' - in Hutchence's urine and blood. It was during these final years that Hutchence became tabloid fodder, largely thanks to his relationship with Paula Yates and the very public ending of her 19-year marriage to Sir Bob Geldof. In 1990 I got to hang out with INXS at the studios for five months. This call worried Ms Troup and she spoke to John Martin, the tour manager for INXS. Those were the findings announced by state Coroner Derrick Hand on Friday morning in New South Wales, Australia. By Etan Vlessing. He would never pull anyone down like that.". 'But he would literally come out of the studio in his jeans, shirt and leather boots and just take off on it. Michael In Pictures is now available at all good bookstores priced at $125. For the first time, Daily Mail Australia can reveal a full copy of Mr Hand's report. I am satisfied that the cause of death was 'hanging'. Only three things could have happened that day, he said. 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. I am also satisfied that there was no other person involved in causing the death. As a personal friend of the star he admits: "I do find watching it a lot harder than making it". The filmmaker says at the time, Michael convinced him his frustrations stemmed from his loss of taste and smell, but after star's death, Lowenstein discovered the truth. While he and his then-girlfriend, supermodel Helena Christensen, were biking in Copenhagen, Hutchence got into an altercation with a taxi driver. "It made sense to me the more I read," his sister Tina told The Guardian last year, "because Michael's personality changed dramatically. Lowenstein - who was close to them both during their relationship - says it was a partnership based on real affection. During the second call at 9.54am, Hutchence began to cry and, according to Ms Bennett, sounded "very upset". And yesterday, as distraught Paula began her journey back to Britain with the ashes of her dead lover, the chambermaid who discovered the INXS singer's body spoke for the first time about her horrific experience. Hutchence was found dead in Room 524 of the Ritz-Carlton Hotel at Double Bay, in Sydney's eastern suburbs, on the Saturday morning of November 22, 1997. But the first one of all came about when a school friend told him that INXS were at Sydney Opera House rehearsing. The band soon found success with songs like "Pretty Vegas" and "Afterglow," and . "We got to the hospital and he woke up and was aggressive," she explained. I was always thinking of trying to get the best shot even back then. Richard and his friend went down to find that the band were doing a photo shoot on the back of a truck. Ms Yates stated that the deceased sounded 'desperate' during the conversation. In the span of a few albums, Hutchence became a rock god. 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'. Geldof's police statement claims Hutchence was "hectoring and abusive and threatening". 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. Despite his tabloid travails, Hutchence was determined that the show must go on. You feel so confident when you have that fame even when you have your insecure moments and Michael was gorgeous, inside and out. Rolling Stone magazine came calling and offered INXS a cover the only caveat being that Hutchence alone was to be featured. I've come close, though. Pic: Marc Berry Reid, The singer found it hard to come to terms with his own success. "When Michael hit his head, he came back a different person and I'm sure doctors were prescribing all sorts of weird and wonderful concoctions,'' bassist Garry Garry Beers told Sunday Night in 2014. He was last so prescribed on 1st November, 1997. In 1995, Hutchence left Christensen for British star Paula Yates, who was married to Live Aid organizer Bob Geldof at the time. Although CTE occurs as a result of numerous small blows to the head over a number of years, one severe jolt is enough to permanently change someone's personality. She had told Hutchence the custody matter had not been finalised and was adjourned until December 17 and she would not be bringing the children out. Pic: Marc Berry Reid, He battled to balance his pop persona with artistic integrity. I am satisfied that she was hearing the telephone conversation between the deceased and Geldof. Considering Pengilly had received a drunken answering machine message from Hutchence at 11pm the previous night, inviting him to come hang at the hotel with a group of his friends, his tardiness that morning came as no shock. I am also satisfied that this death is one in which nothing will be gained by holding a formal Inquest. This is the Coroner's verdict, as told at the time. On consideration of the entirety of the evidence gathered I am satisfied that the deceased was in a severe depressed state on the morning of the 22nd November, 1997, 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. And suicide can be a byproduct of traumatic brain injury.. Pic: Marc Berry Reid, Hutchence dated model Helena Christensen for around four years, Richard Lowenstein worked with Hutchence over many years. Hands report concluded that Michael Hutchences death was the result of asphyxiation and that no other person was involved. A further call was received at 9.50am on Ms Troup's telephone answering machine. 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. He had a sensuality about him. According to Richard Lowenstein, who directed the documentary Mystify, she is still waiting for an inheritance that may never come. The rehearsal was to be the last one before the start of the tour and was quite important. His family would later say this accident precipitated the depressed phase that would later lead to his death. The coroner ruled it wasn't likely a suicide attempt, but the result of being "foolish and incautious". In December, 1995, Michael Hutchence was first prescribed Prozac by Dr J. Borham, a London medical practitioner to treat a pre-existing depressive problem. 'I found out through my photographic work since that it's hard to get a picture taken with a group of guys like this, so I was lucky to be part of it,' Richard said. They wouldn't release another record for four years. "A very different human being. People have wanted to imply that there was some sex and drug-crazed orgy happening in Michaels room that night, said his ex Kym Wilson. "When we got to Helena and her story, and finally got to the full unedited autopsy report, suddenly everything became clear, that was light bulb moment.". The band's original frontman, Michael Hutchence, committed suicide in 1997. Lead singer Michael Hutchence with INXS band members, clockwise from top right: Andrew Farriss, Tim Farriss, Garry Gary Beers, Kirk Pengilly, and Jon. His band's best days were behind it and he was still taking drugs. Yates' police statement claimed Hutchence was "frightened and couldn't stand a minute more without his baby". The stage was set for 1987's Kick, which sold six million copies in America, spawned four top 10 singles in the States, and turned Michael Hutchence into a rock god. "We went to her flat to watch the documentary and it was like a little squat," Lowenstein said. I think it was a rash act that happened in the heat of the moment, whatever happened. Another one. Wishing to both take a hard-earned break from constantly being on the road and capitalise on their radio and MTV success, the band had decided not to tour off the back of their 1992 follow-up Welcome To Wherever You Are, instead planning a quickfire European promotional run in August, before returning to the studio to record another album. So he let me try on his shoes, so I could figure out if I like Doc Martens. Lowenstein explains: "She's an incredibly private person, so I don't feel right saying too much. He holds dual bachelor's degrees from Pace University and a master's degree from New York University. For those in need of support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. There is a presumption against suicide. The Ritz-Carlton Hotel is now the InterContinental Sydney Double Bay. "He'd have a younger girlfriend and he'd be absolutely playing with INXS and doing his own solo work. But the Canadian musician's lower lows are the . But Hutchences relationship with Yates who died in 2000 from a heroin overdose also pulled him into her tabloid-frenzied custody battle with Geldof. In his documentary about the singer's life, Mystify, he says it was that one event - a punch from a taxi driver outside a pizza shop in Copenhagen in 1995 - that changed everything. 'So he and I used to roll his bike into the studio where he was recording. The final 18 months of Hutchence's life was a mix of tragedy and joy. London psychiatrist Mark Collins was consulted by Hutchence on October 17, 1997, in regard to a minor depression being experienced by him. "Right up until we walked on stage, Michael was in tears," Tim Farriss recalled years later. Troup wasnt so sure they should go through with it. "They did some naughty recreational things together but underneath it all was this really warm, secure love and relationship. This call worried Ms Troup and spoke to John Martin the tour manager for INXS about her concerns. As Yates took her last breath, needle sticking out of her arm, four-year-old Tiger Lily was the only one there: alone in the house with her mother. So why hide his injuries, and suffer in silence? He was frightened and couldnt stand a minute more without his baby, said Yates. Richard went on to become a professional photographer and had access to take personal pictures of Hutchence like this one, Hutchence and the other INXS band members enjoy some downtime at the height of their fame, Hutchence strikes a pose for Richard. He would carry around a clock with her picture on it and bring it into meetings. Im not sure that he really intended to do that, she said. They were quite candid images of him,' Richard said. Dr Collins said there was no hint of suicidal thinking by Hutchence. It was about Hutchence. Their first three albums established them as one of the top bands in Australia, with each record moving them further up the charts. Filmmaker Richard Lowenstein, who worked with the star for many years, thinks he has finally pieced together the elements that led to Hutchence's death aged just 37. But what really happened to INXS frontman Michael Hutchence? "The one thing she did say was, 'It's very good but you need my dad's music, what can I do?'. It wasn't technically his fortune when he died the mansions, the fleet of luxury vehicles, and even the music he created. As indicated I am satisfied that the deceased intended and did take his own life. Gribbin is the replacement for J.D. Arts & Entertainment reporter None of us felt like we really knew him.". Until, as she says in the film, it was over.". It was here that the bands charismatic frontman Hutchence and the teenage fan first became friends. "He's actually re-enacting his own childhood and trying to make it work. Yates never recovered from Hutchence's suicide. He was arrested and charged with assault. Yates and Hutchence had first met back in 1985, but after their infamous "boudoir" interview on Big Breakfast in 1994, (where she interviewed guests on a lavish double bed) the two finally became a couple. After learning about the tragic death of Michael Hutchence, the lead singer of INXS, read about the mysterious death of Jimi Hendrix. @BethanyMinelle. After refusing to move out of the path of a taxi, the irate driver stepped out of his vehicle and punched Hutchence; his head violently hit the kerb, knocking him out. Paula Yates provided a statement regarding the background to the custody dispute between her and Sir Robert Geldof. Don't miss out on the headlines from Law & Order. The rehearsal was to be the last one prior to the start of the tour and was quite important. Then later at 9.38am she received, via voicemail, a call from Michael Hutchence in which he said 'Martha, Michael here. MTV turned him into a mystifying presence: The cool, charismatic Hutchence became one of the greatest rock frontmen of his generation, oozing both soul and sex appeal. She was concerned about his demeanour and for his welfare and told him she would come immediately. His managers described him as totally depressed and bawling his eyes out. "Michael would be more interested in sitting in his hotel room till four in the morning, talking about art and politics.". Michael Hutchence was rarely out of the papers in the final years of his life, but there was a secret he had kept hidden from the world - he was suffering from brain damage. Hutchence'sbrother Rhett has even recently suggested Michael could have been killed by someone else. Of course, it doesn't work and of course it's a nightmare. He refers to Hutchence as "begging" to allow him to let the children come to Australia. He left no suicide note. Despite being worth an estimated $20 million, the globally successful rock star who sold an estimated 60 million records as lead singer of INXS, died with a sum total of $506 in cash, with a further $572 in a shared bank account. ", At one point, during a heated argument, Hutchence threatened to stab bassist Garry Gary Beers with a knife. There was no suicide note. I therefore discount that manner of death. INXS singer's death officially a suicide. 7. By 2 Michael hutchence lead singer inxs Stock Photos and Images - Alamy Author: alamy.com Published: 05/04/2022 Review: 4.74 (266 vote) Summary: RM 2D5AGP7-FILE PICTURE-Australian pop star Michael Hutchence, lead singer of the rock group INXS, has been found dead in a Sydney hotel it is reported The rock star who had a Mick Jagger-meets-Jim Morrison aura captured on hits such as New Sensation and What You Need was just 37 years old. "It was totally live, and Michael sang with such emotion: 'I am searching, I am not alone.' Here are the unmissable episodes of his top-rating podcast. Thats what happens with fame you go up the mountain and come down the mountain. INXS ha. INXS lead singer Micheal Hutchence used to keep fit by cycling but he was always dressed to impress even when doing this, Hutchence introduces budding photographer Richard Simpkin to the kitchen insideRhinoceros studios in Sydneys Surry Hills, It was a romance that caused a media frenzy at the time but it all looks very relaxed as Richard stands between Hutchence and his then girlfriend Kylie Minogue in the early 1990s, Hutchence lets Richard get his picture taken while sitting on the back of his Harley Davidson motorbike with him, The first photo Richard (bottom left) was taken in with all the INXS members was on the back of a truck outside Sydney Opera House.