Michael Hutchence

Welcome to Alejandro Solari from Santiago in Chile.  He will be helping out translating news into Spanish for the many South American fans of Michael Hutchence.  

Alejandro is a very dedicated fan of Hutch and even has a big tattoo of Michael Hutchence's autograph across his ribs!  I asked him to write us a few words about himself, and his dedication to Michael.  Just check out that picture of his tattoo!

London, 1987: One day my elder sister came home with a brand new cassette: KICK.

I just could not believe what I was listening to: a perfect mixture of hard rock and funk, beautiful melodies, profound lyrics and most important, a magnetic and sexy voice, nothing like I’ve heard before.

The name of the band was INXS. The lead singer: MICHAEL HUTCHENCE.
I thought “who the hell is this guy!!, how come I did not heard him before!!!”

I was only 10 or 11 years old, but I felt an immediate connection to the music, the lyrics and this man.

So I ran to the closest record store and bought all tapes available at the time. I quickly became a fan, and that’s how my story began.

Shabooh Shoobah, The Swing, Listen Like Thieves and Kick were the soundtrack of two beautiful years in my life. Two years that marked a turning point for me.

Hutch became the voice of long trips throughout Europe. He’s face was everywhere! I can still clearly see, for example, this little record shop in Rome with a huge Kick poster.

My sister was lucky to see INXS performing live at in Wembley Arena in ’88. I was too young to attend that show.

Back in Santiago, Chile, in 1989 I found that INXS was huge in my country. All singles from Kick were still on heavy rotation on the radio and TV, especially Mystify.

Then I had my first and only chance to see the band live with Michael in March 1994.

What a night, how do I appreciate that moment, one of the best in my life.  I treasure with all my heart that I was fortunate to see Hutch at least once.

I arrived at 12.00 pm that day to San Carlos de Apoquindo Stadium, located uptown, at the feet of the beautiful Andes Mountains, pretty close to my home at the time.

09.00 pm: Taste It. I was in shock, in the very first row, only a couple of meters away from the the most magnetic person I have ever seen. That day I understood what the word charisma meant.

This day also marked the beginning of an era for me, as I entered University some days later.

22nd November 1997: I drove early to uni, listening and singing along to Elegantly Wasted all the way. I had slept very badly the previous night and couldn’t figure out why. Then, once I sat down ready for an exam I understood: my friends were telling me how sorry they felt. One of them finally had the guts to tell me that Michael Hutchence had committed suicide. I didn’t react at first.
Later, on the way back home I turned on the radio and heard the first reports. I broke down to tears. I cried all day while watching MTV, CNN and the local news.

After that day I became even more fanatic. And felt even closer to Michael. How many times I’ve dreamt I’m talking to him!

Let’s jump to the 21st century (is yesterday…)

I had all the records on CD and cassette, a couple of 12”, a pair of t-shirts and posters, and a little memorabilia. Suddenly I turned into an obsessive collector. I have quite a decent collection nowadays, and I’m always searching for more stuff. My friends and family can’t believe and really don’t understand this feeling towards INXS and Hutch. So much time and money spent, invested I’d say.

Like in 2002, when I spent 24 hours on a bus from Santiago to Buenos Aires to see INXS play live. I had the chance to meet them briefly. It was a beautiful night, full of emotions. Great part of the crowd, including myself, cried during Never Tear Us Apart, a tribute to Hutch.

Then in ‘03 I had the great opportunity to spend a little longer with the guys. First at the meet & greet in Santiago, and the day after, backstage at Viña del Mar. Right after the show I ran to the press conference, which was so funny, and then to the dressing room. I’m pretty shy, but the band made me feel so comfortable. I felt that, for a couple of hours, I was sharing with an important part of rock n roll history. I even felt closer to Hutch, like he was in the room that night.

I have to thank Hutch for some of the greatest times in my life. There’s no day I don’t listen to him. INXS’s songs and Mike’s lyrics have helped me through some unbelievable hard times. Michael is my biggest influence in life: not only I was one of those kids with the long curly hair and leather jacket, but through him I learnt of literature, poetry, movies, new music, etc.

How can we not love Hutch?

We, men, wanted to be like him. Women wanted to be with him.

He has touched my life deeply, influenced me in so many ways, even to this day, when I’m about to turn 34 in a couple of months.
I admire how sensitive he was, a humanitarian.

I have never lost a close relative or friend. I’d say Hutch is the closest person I’ve lost.

I know it is strange, but I also know all of you will understand me. We all feel the same connection. I am not alone….as the song says.

I can’t blame him for how he ended his own life. I understand depression well, being a bipolar myself. I’ve had to struggle through hard periods in my life.

But there’s always Michael’s lyrics to show some light.

I frequently try to imagine what he would look like today, what kind of music he’d be doing, probably the best ever in he’s career, edgier and alternative. He’d probably be happy doing movies…who knows. Maybe simply being a family man.

I asked myself for a long time how to pay tribute to Michael Hutchence. He’s an important part in my life.
So now he’s in my skin.

It’s like he’s signed it.

They say ribs are one of the most painful areas of the body for a tattoo…that’s why I got it there. It had to be something memorable for me. Today I want to share it with you.

And I’d like to invite you to pay tribute and remember always Hutch, in your own way, as I’ve done it with this tattoo.

Alejandro Solari.
Santiago, Chile.
April 2010.