Michael Hutchence

Michael Hutchence was an Australian singer, songwriter and musician best known as the co-founder, lead singer and lyricist of the rock band INXS.

Michael Hutchence was an Australian singer, songwriter and musician, best known as the co-founder, lead singer and lyricist of the rock band INXS. Born in Sydney in 1960, he fronted the band from its formation in 1977 until his death in 1997. INXS became one of Australia’s most successful rock acts, selling over 50 million records worldwide, and his music reached Canadian audiences through the band's international success, airplay, touring and album sales in Canada.

Early life

Michael Hutchence was born Michael Kelland John Hutchence on 22 January 1960 in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia. He was the son of Kelland Hutchence and Patricia Hutchence, also identified as Patricia Glassop.

Career with INXS

Hutchence co-founded INXS in 1977 and served as the group's frontman, singer and lyricist. The band became one of Australia's best-selling acts, selling over 50 million records worldwide, and achieved major international success.

Death

Hutchence died in Sydney on 22 November 1997 at the age of 37. Public records and biographies describe his death as suicide, though some accounts have noted that the circumstances were widely discussed at the time.

Legacy

Hutchence is widely remembered as one of Australia's best-known rock performers. His life and career have been the subject of biographies and a 2019 documentary, Mystify. INXS were inducted into the ARIA Hall of Fame in 2001.