The final days of Michael Hutchence

by Mike Gee

The lead singer of INXS died in bizarre circumstances. An exhaustive analysis of his movements on the day of his death, his funeral, and ensuing media frenzy.

Genres: Music, Nonfiction, Biography

239 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 1998

Reviews

[Bren fall in love with the sea. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was haunted by his death. Back in the day, I was a big fan. It is my regret that I never saw them in concert.

INXS was a group I adored. I can't even pick my favorite song! I am not so much into music and concerts anymore but INXS? Will always love them. Could listen to them anytime, anywhere and get a "new sensation."

And yes, will admit like every other red-blooded girl I had a crush on him. I think he was a beautiful man, not only outside but from what I've heard and read about him, inside as well.

His music always made me smile. New sensation ALWAYS -- -- put a smile on my face. I loved Original sin and Never tear us apart and Elegantly wasted, and One thing and Melting in the sun and Dancing on the jetty and so many more wonderful tunes.

His death puzzled me, bewildered me, and hurt me. He was beyond talented. He was a musical genius.

I suppose nobody will ever know the details for sure. But this book was written with depth and sensitivity and was a beautiful tribute to what seems like a very complex man.

I was fascinated by the writer as well. One could tell he really took it hard and was trying his best to pay tribute and I think he did not just a fine job but an outstanding one.

I too believe in the final theory of what happened but there is no way of knowing for sure and though this happened so many years ago, I think of Michael often and I think of this book with love, tenderness, and an overwhelming sense of sadness.

In closing -- a beautifully moving book about Michael Hutchence. This book seemed a labor of love and there is nothing gossipy or silly about it.

I found this, so far, to be the best book on Hutchence I have read. Highly recommended.

[Dylan Glatz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Typically, a book that fails to justify its own existence is not considered a particularly valuable one.

A book that apologises for its own existence within the foreword.. Well...

Unfortunately, Mike Gee decidedly fails to "separate fact from fiction," as The Final Days of Michael Hutchence's blurb promises. Rather, Gee has obfuscated the truth by composing this autobiography with half-truths and misleading suggestions, as well as assertions that are verifiably untrue. Although Gee's prologue promises that his book comprehensively and definitively sets the record straight, I was continually disquieted by the suspicion that this was, in truth, another exploitative and unscrupulous cash-grab.

Gee's authorial voice does not lend itself to long-form memoirs, and lacks focus. Whilst there is something to be said for properly contextualising one's subject, this book's forays (that is, tangents) into INXS' contemporaries are as fruitless as they are frustrating. Unsurprisingly, deep-dives into long-forgotten pub-rock lore aren't all that relevant to the eponymous Final Days of Michael Hutchence.

Equally, Gee is tonally erratic. This book seems more concerned with slavish reverence for mixed metaphors than sensitively and precisely chronicling its subject.

That this book is laden with typos and shockingly bad formatting do not improve its readability. Regrettably, I struggled to find the requisite patience in my heart to persist.

This is not a good book. Save your money. Save your time. You can do much better.

[Nina · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible writing. Most of the imformation appears to have been cobbled together from old newpaper and magazine articles and previous books about Hutchence, Yates, and Geldof, so there was nothing new here even when the book was first published. Many interminable interludes where the author seems more interested in proving his knowledge of the Australian music scene than in providing information relevant to the subject. Seems pretty much to have been thrown together solely to cash in on a tragedy.

[Holly · Rating 1 out of 5]

I picked up this book at the library on a whim because I love INXS. However, I did not love this book. It was difficult to read and filled with puns. I read the first few chapters and skimmed the rest.

[Mark · Rating 3 out of 5]

Informative enough, though this appears to take a darker, more exploitative look at the issue than the very good Ed St John book.

[Shell · Rating 3 out of 5]

this book is a bit dissapointing. even the author apologises at the beginning and uses a lot of fillers for very little information.