Lawrence Akers ([email protected])
Sun, 24 Jan 1999 18:05:08 +1100
INXS were actually the first band I really got into (hardly surprising since
I am Australian). They were my first concert at 13. They were the first
band I hounded (I got onto them when they were just breaking through with
"The Swing" and I used to phone them backstage at their shows and
chat....they probably wondered who this freakin' kid was phoning them every
night to wish them luck). And to me, they provided the soundtrack to the
early part of my life until U2 came along and lent a helping hand. The day
Michael died, I had my mother phone me at work to check that I was okay
(Considering I was 25 and working in the music industry...y'would think I
would be okay). And at the Melbourne Popmart show, it was a combination of
pride and embarrasment when I felt a few tears shed during "One" and needed
my friends to check I was okay directly after the show.
I can confirm these things: a) there is a Hutchence solo album and it will
be released this year. A lot of it was done with Tim Simeon of Bomb The
Bass who recently did Depeche Mode's Ultra album. b) Michael's previous
"solo" attempt with Melbourne underground artist Ollie Olsen (under the
title "Max Q") will be reissued soon with bonus remixes. c) a tribute
concert is being planned in Sydney- and U2 were rumoured to have already
agreed to do it. d) INXS are recording, but as to whether or not they have
a new "lead singer" is sketchy at best. keep in mind that Michael often
joked that Kirk has a better voice than he had and it wouldn't surprise me
if the remaining boys shared the duties. To be honest though, it wouldn't
be the same without Michael.
An INXS tribute album, IMHO, is long overdue. U2 would have to be on it.
It was so obvious how upsetting Michael's death was to Bono. Anyone who has
seen any bootleg videos of the shows during that period can see how visibly
difficult it often was for Bono to get through the later part of the show
dedicated to Michael. Perhaps they could record a couple and release them
as a b-side special addition on a single? I could only wish.
Thanks for letting me share.
Lawrence
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