Michael Kelland John Hutchence (22 January 1960 – 22 November 1997) was an Australian musician and actor. He was the founding lead singer-songwriter of rock band INXS from 1977 to his death in 1997, a period of twenty years. Hutchence was a member of briefly existing pop rock group Max Q and recorded solo material which was released posthumously. He acted in feature films, including Dogs in Space (1986) and Frankenstein Unbound (1990). According to rock music historian, Ian McFarlane, "Hutchence was the archetypal rock showman. He exuded an overtly sexual, macho cool with his flowing locks, and lithe and exuberant stage movements". Hutchence won the 'Best International Artist' at the 1991 BRIT Awards with INXS winning the related group award.His private life was often reported in the Australian and international press, with a string of love affairs with prominent actresses, models and singers. Hutchence's relationship with UK television presenter, Paula Yates, began while she was still married to music artist and Live Aid organiser, Bob Geldof. Hutchence and Yates had a daughter in 1996 just after she had divorced Geldof. Hutchence's death in 1997 was determined by the New South Wales Coroner to be the result of suicide – the finding was disputed by Yates, Hutchence's family and his fans. In 2000, Yates died of a heroin overdose and their daughter was placed in Geldof's custody with her half-sisters.
Michael Kelland John Hutchence was born on 22 January 1960, the son of Sydney businessman, Kelland ("Kell") Hutchence and make-up artist, Patricia (née Kennedy). His half-sister, Tina, was 11 years old when Kell and Patricia married in January 1959. Following Kell's business interests, the Hutchence family moved to Brisbane where younger brother Rhett was born, and subsequently relocated to Hong Kong. Hutchence performed in a local toy store commercial, before attending King George V School during his early teens.
The family returned to Sydney in his mid-teens, where he attended Davidson High School and befriended Andrew Farriss. Farriss convinced Hutchence to join his band, Doctor Dolphin, alongside two classmates, Kent Kerny and Neil Sanders. From nearby Forest High School, bass guitarist Garry Beers and Geoff Kennelly on drums filled out the line-up. Hutchence's parents separated when he was 15 and, in 1976 for a short time, he lived with Patricia and Tina in California.
