That October, Hutchence's father Kell launched proceedings to gain sole custody of Tiger Lily, after reading troubling reports of Yates' new romantic relationship. Mr Hutchence Sr could offer no explanation as to why his son would take his own life. "But a lot of people in bands, they realise they don't have an education because they've been playing since they were 15 or 16. "And he actually loved Oasis, they represented this new generation that could have been the direction he might have gone into. INXS singer's death officially a suicide. I'm surprised I've survived, and so are a lot of my friends.'. Due to his high-profile charity work, Geldof was seen as a highly sympathetic figure in England. He had a sensuality about him. INXS ha. SYDNEY, Australia - The death of Australian rock star Michael Hutchence in a Sydney hotel room in November was declared a suicide Friday. Former INXS lead singer J.D. "Michael was really out of himself. He was in good spirits but appeared very worried about the outcome of a custody suit in London. Pic: Marc Berry Reid, The singer found it hard to come to terms with his own success. Get premium, high resolution news photos at Getty Images Sir Robert Geldof received two telephone calls from the deceased, the first at about 6.30pm London time on evening of 21st November. So, what does Lowenstein think Hutchence would have made of the documentary? After hours of drinking with his ex and her new boyfriend in his Ritz-Carlton hotel room that fateful night in November, Hutchence was heard screaming at someone over the phone. Wrapping practice after a few acoustic strum-alongs, the three agreed to meet back the following morning to continue rehearsals, exchanged a few jokes, and Hutchence, grinning, burst into a Pythonesque walk as he left the studio. Now, Kylie has revealed details about their relationship in a new documentary about the late singer. This incident was, however, enough to see Geldof granted temporary custody of the three eldest children, a situation that sent Hutchence and Yates spiralling. "He didn't seem himself.". Just over an hour later, his lifeless body was discovered by a hotel maid. Wikimedia CommonsBob Geldof (left) gained full custody over Michael Hutchences daughter after Paula Yates died of a heroin overdose in 2000. She stated that she rang the deceased at sometime prior to 5.38am on the 22nd November and he told her he was going to beg Geldof to let the children come out to Australia. A statement obtained from a Gail Coward, the occupant of the room directly next to the deceased's room, alludes to her hearing a loud male voice and expletives emitting from the deceased's room about 5am that morning. I therefore discount that manner of death. That June she attempted to take her own life, but was found unconscious, and revived. The first was on an answering machine and Mr Hutchence sounded 'drunk'. His mother released a statement claiming that her 37-year-old son had been depressed. 'Only three things could have happened that day,' Rhett wrote. A maid found Hutchence dead behind his room door at 11.50am. 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. This call worried Ms Troup and spoke to John Martin the tour manager for INXS about her concerns. Michael Hutchence Was One Of The Worlds Biggest Rock Stars Then He Choked Himself To Death In A Sydney Hotel. "I knew him very well, so we couldn't just make an INXS fan piece, or allow band management to have right of final cut Michael's ghost would never have let me sleep properly.". In the 1990s, next to nothing was known about the dramatic personality changes that can occur as a result of brain injuries. Fortune, an American singer who joined the band after winning the Rock Star: INXS competition but was fired for a second time last year. 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. Gribbin's predecessor, Fortune, was hired and fired twice in six years; in a recent . He was aged 37. Michael Hutchence was found naked, kneeling, and facing his hotel room door with his belt secured to the automatic enclosure and tied around his neck. Michele Bennett has had a successful career as a producer of documentaries, music videos for acts including Prince and Foo Fighters and films including Chopper, about the Melbourne criminal Mark 'Chopper Read'. The couple were arrested for suspicion of drug possession after the family nanny found a small amount of opium in a shoebox under their bed, though the case was later dismissed for lack of evidence. It was that deeper side to Michael that drew him to U2 star Bono, with the pair forming a connection - albeit a competitive one - during the late 80s. 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. The views expressed in the contents above are those of our users and do not necessarily reflect the views of MailOnline. For those in need of support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. It's fitting that Hutchence's daughter with Yates, Tiger Lily, has also played her part in the making of the documentary. His band's best days were behind it and he was still taking drugs. While INXS released their debut album in 1980, it was their fifth studio album Kick in 1987 that turned the band into global superstars. Sadly, at the end, Hutchence lost his battle with the demons inside. By 1992, INXS were on a roll. Other standout photos are of Hutchence riding his pushbike down the street and sitting astride his Harley - but while it was inside a recording studio. He was mesmerizing. She had told the deceased that the custody matter had not been finalised and was adjourned until the 17th December and she would not be bringing the children out. She rang the hotel immediately and the telephone rang out. Confused, she left. She was concerned about his demeanour and for his welfare and told him she would come immediately. Mr Hand's office only ever publicly released a toxicology report and his reasons for not holding an inquest, which contained the findings about Hutchence's death. Michael may have committed suicide. "And Michael would look at Bono and say, 'I wish I could write songs like that' - songs that were a bit deeper, go a bit further and have the content that would get me through into the 90s. In 1995, Hutchence left Christensen for British star Paula Yates, who was married to Live Aid organizer Bob Geldof at the time. Their love and sympathy go out to Michael Hutchence's family. INXS star Michael Hutchence 'had permanent brain damage', Australian singer Michael Hutchence took his own life aged just 37. Nationwide News Pty Ltd 2023. "Michael had very violent moments," guitarist Kirk Pengilly recalled. After playing gigs for a couple of years in Sydney and Perth in Western Australia, the band settled on changing their name to INXS, pronounced in excess.. They have to go out and get an education, and he was that kind of guy.". Sadly, there wasn't. The 18th anniversary of the singer's death is on Sunday, 'On this occasion he slowed down the bike so I could get a good photo of him on it.'. For Michael Hutchences brother, Rhett, the rock stars death feels somewhat more complicated. At the time of his death - 20 years ago on Wednesday - the rocker was being treated for depression. According to Richard Lowenstein, who directed the documentary Mystify, she is still waiting for an inheritance that may never come. The band were at their commercial peak, having performed to roughly 1.2 million people during the past 10-month run, and selling close to 10 million albums since 1987's Kick turned them into international superstars. "He might have been going out to nightclubs and things like that, but compared to the real bad boys of rock he was a pussycat. At 9.54, Hutchence made his final phone call, to ex-girlfriend Michle Bennett, crying and pleading to see her. Theres no question about it Nobody knew [why] at the time, but his behavior started to become erratic, said Carvello. During the second call at 9.54am the deceased commenced to cry and according to Ms Bennett sounded 'very upset'. 5. "He was a dick and it wasn't him, that's the thing. During this period, Hutchence was spending the majority of his time with Yates and their daughter. In August 1996, Yates gave birth to Hutchence's only daughter, Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily. The deceased was found at 11.50am naked behind the door to his room. There was no suicide note. As the band waited for Hutchence to arrive, they switched on a portable TV they'd set up in the rehearsal space in order to watch the cricket. Mr Hutchence could offer no explanation as to why his son would take his own life. By Etan Vlessing. The next year, Listen Like Thieves saw them become international stars, with the frenetic and funky What You Need hitting the US top five single charts. And what would Michael be doing now, if he was still around? I was concerned, she said. 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. His family would later say this accident precipitated the depressed phase that would later lead to his death. 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'. His mood was "elevated however pensive when discussing court proceedings". Then later at 9.38am she received, via voicemail, a call from Michael Hutchence in which he said 'Martha, Michael here. Then, in a voicemail to his manager Martha Troup at 9:38 the next morning he said: Martha, Michael here, I fucking had enough.. He had his ups and downs, and he had his insecurities. The couple claimed the drugs were planted, and although Yates was arrested, no charges were laid. INXS, who first formed as a six member band in 1977 announced the release of a new album for 1997. Hutchence was found naked behind the door to his room, 524. He carried the guilt of being the chosen one, and abandoning his brother for the rest of his life. So when Michael Hutchence died on the day of a rehearsal for the bands 20th-anniversary tour on November 22, 1997, shockwaves reverberated around the world. "Paula had just left the country quickly, something to do with custody of the children. Anyone feeling emotionally distressed or suicidal can call Samaritans for help on 116 123 or email jo@samaritans.org in the UK. He spread open his arms and joked: This is the famous Rhinos kitchen!. Hutchence decided to use the European trip to visit his girlfriend, supermodel Helena Christensen, in Copenhagen. Only three things could have happened that day, he said. INXS, who were best known for their hits Suicide Blonde, Mystify and I Need You Tonight, saw the height of their fame in the late 80s and early 90s. Though she arrived at 10:40 a.m., her knocks went unanswered. "One of the great dilemmas of his life was being torn between a cute, sexually attractive, rock god performer who played to the teeny-boppers and his desire to be a credible artist. Find out more about our policy and your choices, including how to opt-out. 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. Troup wasnt so sure they should go through with it. However, on the morning of November 22, Hutchence received a call from Yates informing him that their visit wouldnt happen. It was 11:50 a.m. when a maid found his body. In March of 1995, sick of the ceaseless tabloid attention, Hutchence lashed out and punched a photographer in London. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Thanks for contacting us. Michael had to wipe his eyes and go out there and sing Searching. Hutchence then called his ex-girlfriend Michelle Bennett and told her he was very upset on a call at 9:54 a.m. She immediately rushed over. The pair's friendship got closer as time went on, Stars in your eyes: Richard is pictured with Hutchence and Rob Lowe (centre right). Nothing will be gained by holding a formal inquest. All times AEDT (GMT +11). He was arrested and charged with assault. INXS band members were blindsided by the tragedy, ready to hit the club circuit again, and consequently, they were forced to cancel their tour. "He'd burst into tears and say, 'It's all about taste and smell that I'm so depressed If I have a baby, I won't be able to smell my own child.'". The strutting swag that Hutchence had displayed on Need You Tonight was now replaced with doubts. The rocker fell backwards and hit his head, but didnt seek medical attention for several days. He became depressed and aggressive, He was just not the same person. But Michael at that stage wasn't thinking all that clearly.". "I thought he was dead.". After Hutchence failed to appear for a morning appointment . He was last prescribed Prozac on November 1, 1997 (three weeks before his death). But that whole subject keeps coming up. Local reports say the charismatic and broodingly handsome singer hanged himself by. "It was totally live, and Michael sang with such emotion: 'I am searching, I am not alone.' So he let me try on his shoes, so I could figure out if I like Doc Martens. Hutchence was found at 11.50am, naked behind the door to his room. I am satisfied that she was hearing the telephone conversation between the deceased and Geldof. Photos from Shocking Pop Star Deaths - E! Back in 2012 Australian band INXS announced their new lead singer in Adelaide.