U2 live tributes to Michael Hutchence
« National Portrait Gallery, Canberra – Video Interview with photographer Harry Borden | Draw Baby Draw: Michael Hutchence Portrait »
Since Michael's passing, U2 have often paid tribute to their great mate 'Hutch' many times at their concerts around the world.
On Nov 23rd, 1997 the day after Michael died, U2 performed in San Antonio, TX. Bono was very emotional having just lost a close friend "Michael was not only a great singer but a great friend of ours". The band then played a snippet of Walzing Matilda which led into a very stripped back version of 'I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For'.
Next song 'With Or Without You' then contained a snippet of 'Never tear Us Apart'. Followed by 'Staring At The Sun' where a big picture of Michael was shown on the huge video screen and nothing else. To close the show the band performed 'Wake Up Dead Man' before 'Never Tear Us Apart' was again played over the PA system.
U2 paid tribute to Michael again at their Mexico City concert by dedicating the song 'One'. "This one goes out to a mate of ours, great mate…great singer…I'm sorry, I'm sorry…for Michael Hutchence".
The next year in Australia, at the press conference in Perth at the start of the Australian Pop Tour, Bono said they can't help thinking about Michael while they were here, and that the whole Australian Pop Tour would be in memory of Michael Hutchence. Below Bono and Larry talk to Molly Meldrum in Perth about Michael's passing.
That 1998 Australian tour, Bono did an interview for '60 Minutes' where he was asked if he was angry at Michael. Bono responded by saying he can't be angry at him, he was just stuck in a moment he couldn't get out of.
A couple of years later on the next U2 album 'All That You Can't Leave Behind', Bono had written a song about a conversation he wanted to have with Michael, recalling the quote in the interview the song was titled 'Stuck In A Moment (You Can't Get Out Of). U2 have often dedicated this song to Michael in their live shows as well.
When U2 played in Sydney in 1998, they invited the other original INXS members along to their show, as well as close family and friends of Michael's. It was pouring rain and lightning, just the same as after Michael's funeral, and other important dates to do with Michael there always seems to be a lightning storm! Before playing 'One' Bono turned to the big picture of Michael on the screen and said:
"I Just wanted to say goodbye
To a great singer
And a great friend
I just wanted to say goodbye
I just wanted to say goodbye
In front of his mates
In front of his family
In front of his band
I just wanted to say goodbye
So goodbye Michael"
U2 also often dedicated the song 'Gone' to Michael live as well. Here is an example during their 2001 tour in Boston where Bono yells out 'Hutch' at the start of the song. Brilliant guitar playing by The Edge in this song!
On the 10th anniversary of MH's death in 2007, Bono and The Edge performed 'Desire' at Union Chapel in London. During the song Bono mentioned it was a special date and started playing 'Need You Tonight' as a tribute to Michael.
Ofcourse Bono also recorded a duet for Michael's solo album 'Slide Away'. Bono and U2 were great friends of Michael's, and would just like to say thank you on behalf of Michael's many fans for the special tributes to Hutch over the years!
Think of you fondly each and everyday Michael Thank God for You Tube, Michael we will never forget you Thanks for all the Music and Great laughs you gave us with your wonderful humor, Gone from sight but never forgotten.
Peace Lisa