Michael, 25 Years Later

On November 22, 1997 it was the day the music truly died for me. Michael Hutchence, the lead vocalist, songwriter, and frontman for the band INXS was found dead in a Sydney hotel room. His death was reported by the New South Wales Coroner to be the result of suicide by hanging.

Even today, there is a lot of mystery surrounding what really led to Michael’s death.

Michael was a complex individual who certainly battled his own set of demons and at times it was expressed in his music In 1990, INXS released a song called The Stairs. It was one of the finest songs done by INXS. Looking back at these lyrics today, some of them are haunting.

The nature of your tragedy
Is chained around your neck
Do you lead or are you lead
Are you sure that you don’t care

There are reasons here to give your life
And follow in your way
The passion lives to keep your faith

Michael was an amazing talent who delivered some of the greatest music of my lifetime. There has never been a lead vocalist like Michael, and there will never be one like him again. If you loved the talents of Michael, I encourage you to play a song of his that you love. If you haven’t explored his music, today would be a great day to do so.