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Rock star's death chills music world
November 22, 1997
Web posted at: 9:37 p.m. EST (0237 GMT)SYDNEY. Austrialia (CNN) -- The rock music world was in shock as fans, family and colleagues attempted to come to grips with the death of INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence.
Fellow members in the band INXS (pronounced 'in excess') said on Sunday they were stunned by the death of their 37-year-old frontman as they prepared for the group's 20th anniversary tour.
Around the world, rock music fans expressed grief, disappointment and even cynicism over the death of another prominent star in the rock music world.
Hutchence's body was found in a room at an exclusive Sydney hotel room on Saturday just before noon, police said.
CNN's John Raedler reports
Police said they had taken a leather belt away for forensic examination, but there were "no suspicious circumstances."
They would not comment on local media reports that he had hanged himself with the belt from his hotel door.
Prescribed medication, but no illegal drugs, was also taken from the room.
"Everything is a matter for the coroner and as such we cannot comment," a police spokeswoman said.
A post-mortem examination is scheduled for Monday.
INXS in 'extreme shock'
The band issued a statement asking for their own privacy and that of the singer's family to be respected.
"The band members of INXS are all in extreme shock at the loss of their dear friend and lead singer ...
"Their love and sympathy go out to Michael Hutchence's family. They ask that the media please, in this time of extreme grief, act with courtesy and grace and respect both Michael Hutchence's family's privacy, as well as their own."
Girlfriend heads to Australia
Paula Yates, Hutchence's girlfriend, flew to Australia from London after hearing the news.
Yates, with whom Hutchence had a 15-month-old daughter, Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily, left London late on Saturday on a 21-hour flight to Sydney.
She was comforted by friends at her London home after hearing of Hutchence's death.
Yates and Hutchence had a highly-public relationship after Yates split with former husband Bob Geldof, the Irish rock singer who spearheaded efforts to help African famine victims in the '80s.
Fans take to the Internet
INXS generated a lot of chat on Internet message boards and news groups.
Fans mourned a man who, as one person said, had a "special gift" and "awesome stage presence" and speculated about the possibility that his death was a suicide.
"Word can't describe how I felt last night when I saw it on TV. Michael Hutchence was found dead. I was overwhelmed with tears and grief," one message said.
Some expressed biting cynicism about Hutchence's death.
"Just another spoiled rock star -- Who cares?" one said.
Others wondered why a man of Hutchence's talents would take his own life. The suicide of Kurt Cobain, lead singer of the rock group Nirvana who committed suicide in 1994, was recalled.
The death also prompted many radio tributes.
An enduring Australian export
Formed in Perth, Australia, in 1977, INXS gained international success a decade later with the album "Kick," which sold 9 million copies.
It featured four hit singles: "Never Tear Us Apart," Need You Tonight," "New Sensation" and "Devil Inside."
The band toured throughout the world and performed its music at major charity concerts, including the Live Aid series in the 1980s.
Often compared to the Rolling Stones, the group integrated dance beats into their guitar-based rock long before it became fashionable.
Hutchence's dark good looks and powerful stage presence had made him one of the rock world's most enduring stars.
A string of beautiful girlfriends, including pop starlet Kylie Minogue and model Helena Christensen, kept him in the gossip columns.
Yates and Hutchence were rarely out of the tabloid headlines since they started an affair three years ago.
After helping to create the modern rock sound with hits such as "Suicide Blonde" and "New Sensation," Hutchence and INXS found themselves sidelined in recent years while younger bands seized the initiative. But they had nevertheless sold around 20 million albums.
The band had been expected to play a charity concert on Monday before starting their anniversary "Lose Your Head" tour, which has been canceled.
Correspondent Mark Scheerer, The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.
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