For many of us, INXS legend Michael Hutchence remains frozen in time as a youthful and wild 1980s rock god. But time stands still for no one, proven again with the startling revelation today that, were he still with us, Michael would have turned 60.
The star, who died in mysterious circumstances in a Sydney hotel in 1997, has been remembered on his birthday by devoted brother Rhett Hutchence, who has opened up on his feelings about his brother on his landmark day.
WATCH: Kylie Minogue shares intimate videos of her relationship with Michael Hutchence
‘HAPPY 60th BIRTHDAY Brother,’ wrote Rhett on Instagram.
‘The world is not a better place since your passing. Greed and war have all but destroyed our planet.
‘Yet thru the gloom and lies sparks growth.I feel you’re loved more now than ever.
‘The way your music passes the test of time highlights the talent you continue to shine.
‘What a wonderful gift to the world.’
Rhett went on to describe how he will be marking his brother’s birthday by celebrating his work.
‘I will be blasting you all day, bringing hundreds of wonderful, and funny memories, and I imagine tears for your early loss.
‘And what some may see as a loss, I see as a gain, in having known and shared soo much with you, the highs the lows, the laughter and tears, brotherly insight, brotherly advice and brotherly love, lots and lots of brotherly love.
‘Today is the celebration of you, your life. Thank you for that.’
Michael tragically took his own life in a Sydney hotel room on November 22, 1997. While they were united in their grief, these days the Hutchences are a fractured family.
‘The Hutchence family, to me, is basically my children and Susie (his late father Kell’s wife),’ Rhett told New Idea last year. ‘We’re all close.
‘My sister, Tina, and I have never been that close. She left Michael and me for America back in 1972, and I don’t really have much contact with her anymore. I’m OK with that.
‘I tend to have drama when I have Tina in my life and I’m happy being drama free.’
Then, of course, there is Tiger Lily, the daughter of Michael and Paula Yates. After Yates died of a heroin overdose in 2000, her former husband Bob Geldof legally adopted Tiger Lily, who was just 16 months old when Michael died.
Rhett would not be drawn on his niece, but he says Michael and Paula’s relationship was ‘great’ for Michael, because of ‘what came from that’, obviously meaning Tiger Lily.
Recent reports have suggested Tiger Lily is allegedly owed millions of dollars from her father’s estate – money the 23-year-old is yet to receive.
Speaking in general terms about Michael’s lost millions, Rhett says it’s a ‘crying shame’ the fortune can’t be found.
‘I believe the truth will come out,’ he says.
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