
MICHAEL HUTCHENCE
© John Stoddart
JUST A MAN
Michael Kelland John Hutchence (January 22, 1960 – November 22, 1997) was one of rock music's most magnetic frontmen. Born in Sydney, Australia, and shaped by a childhood that took him from Hong Kong to California, Michael brought natural stage presence, poetic sensibility, and raw artistry to everything he did. His friendship with Andrew Farriss — forged on his first day at Davidson High School — became one of music's great creative partnerships, forming the backbone of INXS and producing a catalogue of songs still heard around the world today.
As the lead singer of INXS, Michael led the band from Sydney pub gigs to sold-out arenas on every continent, achieving international stardom with landmark albums like Kick (1987) and performances that drew comparisons to Mick Jagger and Jim Morrison. Beyond music, he earned praise for his acting and recorded a critically acclaimed solo album as Max Q. Beloved for his warmth and an almost reluctant magnetism, Michael remains an enduring icon whose influence continues to be felt long after his passing in 1997.

© Photo by Julian Broad

INXS HONORED AT
2026 APRAS
At the 2026 APRA Music Awards, INXS was honored with the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music. This prestigious lifetime achievement award was presented during APRA's centennial celebration in Sydney to recognize the band’s monumental global impact and songwriting legacy. For close to five decades, INXS have defined what it means for an Australian band to not just break internationally, but to dominate.
Presented by longtime friend and collaborator Jenny Morris, the accolade celebrated the band as pioneers who helped define the international sound of Australian rock. The honor highlighted their enduring influence on the industry, cementing their status as one of the country's most significant musical exports during a landmark year for the organization.
Photo credit: Don Arnold
FEATURED VIDEO
INXS was honored with the prestigious Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music.
Michael is as much of a presence in our lives today as the day we lost him, and of course the same goes for the band. The legacy of INXS lives on. They remain as relevant as ever, continuing to inspire new generations and bring that unmistakable Aussie spirit to fans around the world.
"
- Jenny Morris, longtime friend and collaborator
LATEST NEWS
Five Decades of Pop: Kylie Minogue's Intimate New Netflix Series Arrives May 20
Netflix is set to premiere KYLIE, an intimate three-part documentary series about Kylie Minogue, on May 20, 2026. The docuseries traces her extraordinary career from her breakout role as Charlene in the Australian soap opera Neighbours to her status as a global pop icon spanning five decades. Directed by Emmy and BAFTA Award winner Michael Harte — whose credits include Three Identical Strangers, Still: A Michael J. Fox Movie, and BECKHAM — and produced by John Battsek's Venturelab, the series sees Kylie open her personal archives and reflect on a career full of reinvention.
For fans of Michael Hutchence, who was famously in a relationship with Kylie during the late 1980s, the documentary is sure to offer a fascinating look back at that era of her life and career.

INXS' 'KICK' Limited Edition Audiophile Release
A new audiophile vinyl edition of INXS's blockbuster 1987 album Kick was released on May 1, 2026, by Rhino High Fidelity. Cut from the original master tapes by Kevin Gray, this limited edition of 5,000 individually numbered copies is pressed on 180-gram black vinyl and features glossy gatefold packaging with new liner notes by David Fricke.
‘Incredibly Moving’: INXS React to ‘‘Toy Story 5’ Trailer
The teaser trailer for Pixar's Toy Story 5 (releasing June 19, 2026) features the 1987 hit "Never Tear Us Apart"
"Never Tear Us Apart" has always held a special place in our hearts, and seeing it in the Toy Story universe is incredibly moving for all of us,” INXS told Rolling Stone AU/NZ.

Listen Like Thieves 40th Anniversary Out Now
The deluxe edition includes remastered tracks, new liner notes, and demos, highlighting the album that helped them achieve global success.
The deluxe edition spans one LP and three CDs. The package includes a brand new stereo mix of the original album by Giles Martin and Paul Hicks.








