Michael Hutchence

February 4th, 2012:

"Hello beautiful Aspen people…in all kinds of ways I'm sure" – Michael Hutchence

Today marks 15 years since INXS kicked off their 'Elegantly Wasted' world tour in Aspen, Colorado. 

In the days prior the band did a small warm up show in preparation for Aspen at ABC studios in Sydney for only around 200 media and friends, which included the only time the band performed the track 'Building Bridges' live in their set list.

Aspen is like wonderland, full of the rich and famous, everything is too perfect.  Situated in a deep valley with pine trees up one side and ski slopes up the other.  The band arrived 2 days prior to the show and checked into their accomodation around 50 metres from a chair lift and a view over looking the ski slopes.  In their spare time INXS got to hit the slopes in snow mobiles!

Next day was rehearsals at Wheeler Opera House.  The venue was about 110 years old with some really beautiful architecture.  The back wall of the stage was covered in a lot of old INXS posters, however at the sides of the stage someone had hung this strange chiffon material which looked very tacky and the band wanted it removed but the producers wouldn't move on it!  Eventually they agreed and the crew spent the next 2 hours with a knife ripping it up and black spray paint to cover it up.  As the band wanted the stage to look like a back alley way not Liberace's bed room!

Show day and the concert was not without drama!  During the show the stage started to collapse and emergency supports had to be placed under the stage, which Michael comments on during the show, and says it's similar to a show they did 4 years prior at the Paradiso in Amsterdam on the 'Get Out Of The House' tour where they knocked that venue down in one song.

The Aspen show filmed by VH-1 was titled 'Rock The Rockies' and was broadcast in USA on March 1st, 1997 and in Australia on May 5th, 1997.  The songs which were broadcast were:

New Sensation
Elegantly Wasted
Listen Like Thieves
Suicide Blonde
Devil Inside
Need You Tonight
Never Tear Us Apart
Everything
What You Need
Searching
Don't Change

VH-1 have never released the full concert on DVD.  The only official full release of the concert is the Mercury Records Promo Only Video pictured above.  However 2 tracks have had official commercial DVD releases in 2004.  'Elegantly Wasted' can be found on the 'INXS: I'm Only Looking' 2DVD set, while 'Need You Tonight' is included on the 'Need You Tonight' DVD Retro single released in Europe.  The concert is also easily found for fans to view on YouTube.

In Australia if you pre-ordered the 'Elegantly Wasted' album from a Brashs Music store customers received a free 6-track 'INXS Live in Aspen' promo cd.  This cd is quite rare to find these days and sort after by collectors.  The cd contained the following tracks:

New Sensation
Elegantly Wasted
Searching
Need You Tonight
What You Need
Kick

The band regarded the Aspen show as one of the highlights of the 1997 tour and commented that it is always great to play in the snow towns, and great to play new material live.

Let us know which is your favourite track from the Aspen 1997 concert?  Watch 'Elegantly Wasted' live in Aspen below.

Today, January 22nd, 2012 marks what would have been Michael's 52nd birthday.

We would like fans and friends from all over the world to join us in remembering the remarkable life of Michael Hutchence.

Leave your own birthday message to Michael in the comments below, in the forum or on the Official Michael Hutchence facebook page (www.facebook.com/inxs.michaelhutchence).

Please take a moment today to remember what Michael meant to you, listen to his music or watch his many videos.  For thousands of people around the world Michael wrote and sung songs that were the soundtrack of their lives.

For generations growing up in the 80's and 90's Michael was a unique talent and the consummate Rockstar who was adored all around the world.

 
Now as we enter the 15th year since Michael left us it is important to restore, preserve and celebrate Michael's legacy he left us for future generations to enjoy. 

A number of projects are currently in the pipeline to remind the world of Michael's unique talent and creative genius.  Thanks everyone for their patience but it will be worth the wait!
 
All of us at www.michaelhutchence.com.au would like to thank Michael's many loyal and dedicated fans, who keep Michael's memory alive year after year. The love you show for Michael is very much appreciated by Michael's friends and family.
 
Happy Birthday Hutch!  You are forever missed and loved… 

Thanks for the hundreds of entries in received for our competition over the past month. 

The correct answer was photographer Tony Mott who took the photos of Michael Hutchence which appear on the t-shirts!

The 4 winners who win a t-shirt / singlet thanks to Jeanswest are:

Melissa O'Brien

Steve Waddell

Allan Reid

Isabella Sousa

Congratulations!  We will email you shortly with details on claiming your prize.

Thanks to everyone who entered…watch out for another competition soon!

Collectors News:

Last month 'The Music Of Michael Hutchence' cd was issued in North America to the media & entertainment companies for promotional purposes only.  The cd was issued by 'The Music Sales Group' who represent both publishing and masters rights for Michael's solo material. 

The 13-track cd features a selection of 11 songs from Michael's debut solo album released posthumously in 1999, and the 2 bonus tracks 'Standing On The Roof Top' and 'Let The People Talk'. 

Very limited numbers of this promotional cd were produced so for the serious Michael Hutchence / INXS collectors be on the look out for this cd! 

For information on all Michael's other solo releases and releases with INXS, check out the Discography section in the menu at the top of this page!
 

Thanks to Jeanswest we are giving away Michael Hutchence shirts from the recently released 'Aussie Assault' Series!

For your chance to win simply answer the following question -

"What is the name of the famous music photographer who took the photos of Michael which feature on the shirts?"

Please send your answer along with your name and email address into: info@michaelhutchence.com.au

Entries close: January 18th, 2012 with the 4 winners announced here on January 22nd, 2012.

Note: Prize shirts are available in Medium and Large sizes only

Good Luck!

Today we remember Michael who left us 14 years ago.  As the years go by, his music and memory still brings happiness to tens of thousands of people around the world. 

He is so very missed, there is just no one like him left in the music industry.  He was one of the last great rock stars of our time.  A legend alongside the likes of John Lennon, Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison. 

Michael lives on in his legacy he left us.   Thanks to his many fans who still carry the torch and support Michael.

Our love goes out to Michael's family & friends. 

Wishing you peace & happiness Michael.  We will never forget you!

(Photo: Matthew Marsland)
 
 

To celebrate the life and times of rock icon, Michael Hutchence and INXS, an exclusive viewing of rare and unseen images taken by photographer Chris Cuffaro will take place at The Gallery Soho, London between 20th – 22nd October, 2011.