Michael Hutchence is not a name; he is, in essence, a lesson. In retrospect, his life’s work as personified by INXS is overshadowed by the circumstances of his death. But if his passing in November 1997 ended a voice, the emergence of new technology has now brought it back to life.
Producer Danny Saber, who collaborated with Hutchence on a planned solo album, recently completed work on two songs from those sessions: “One Way” and “Save My Life,” which will be released on August 9 as 10″ limited edition picture discs, with one version already sold out as a pre-order and another available here.
Since 1995, Hutchence had been working off and on on a solo project that also included Gang of Four guitarist Andy Gill and Bomb the Bass’ Tim Simenon, putting INXS on a hiatus after a 15-year journey that had seen them launch to global stardom from their native Sydney, Australia. As the frontman and vocalist, Hutchence had garnered particular attention with his good looks (reminiscent of The Doors’ Jim Morrison), sultry delivery, and dynamic vocal range including “Original Sin,” “Need You Tonight,” “New Sensation” “Not Enough Time” and “Suicide Blonde.”
However, by early 1997, Hutchence voluntarily put his work on the back burner to concentrate on what would be INXS’ tenth studio album and first full-length album in four years, Elegantly Wasted. The funky title track and the album were released to mixed reviews by critics, yet their limited live performances saw a revitalized Hutchence back on stage, full of life and gushing over the birth of his daughter Tiger Lily.
After the announcement of his death in November, INXS went quiet, and then reemerged continuing with several replacement singers, but were never able to replicate their past success. Hutchence’s eponymous solo album was finished by Saber and released in December 1999. But that was not the end of Hutchence’s artistic legacy.
The unfinished demos had lingered in obscurity, behind locked doors until 2006 when they were placed back in the hands of the producer. Hutchence loved Saber’s band, UK rock outfit Black Grape, and wanted their particular sound to influence his solo career. While the 1999 solo album featured more of Gill’s work, “One Way” and “Save My Life” had lingered untouched, but had been released as works in progress for the 2017 television documentary Michael Hutchence: The Last Rockstar.
That doc was seen only in Australia and New Zealand and as it addressed Hutchence’s depression following the traumatic brain injury he suffered after being sucker-punched in the head in 1992; the surviving members of INXS made clear they had nothing to do with its production. However, it did bring back to light both songs, and with Saber at the helm, he began to delve into the possibility of finishing them – both to his satisfaction and to the memory of Hutchence.
In a July interview with The Vinyl District, Saber elaborated on Hutchence’s need to evolve a persona outside of INXS. “He had been chasing that sound in his head for quite a while and wanted to incorporate everything he cared about into it including all the great stuff about INXS – including the beats, the guitars, and the dance side of the band – but then take that sound a little bit further, making it a bit more dangerous, and ultimately taking some calculated risks along the way.”
“One Way” leans more into the dirty guitar work of Slash musically, as Hutchence drives the song home with minimal lyrics, punching out vocally in his most hard-metal voice. One can see that if this had been released in the aftermath of Elegantly Wasted, perhaps Hutchence may have stepped into Soundgarden when that band broke up in 1997.
“Save My Life” spills forth with an anthemic quality, almost a near-plea for understanding. As with ”One Way” this is the final version as several versions have been bootlegged in the intervening years, either as the unfinished demos Hutchence was working on or re-imagined to suit whatever seemingly plausible outcome might fit the creator.
With these mastered and mixed by Saber, the public can now hear what the INXS vocalist was attempting to capture nearly two decades ago. His legacy is multifaceted. He was a gifted musician, a captivating performer, a fashion icon, and a complex individual whose life and career were tragically cut short. His impact on the music world and popular culture continues to be felt today.
-Amy Hughes
Photo: Michael Hutchence (Chris Cuffaro)
Great songs, thank you to Danny for making this happen. A true friend to MKH.