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productionhutchence |
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Andy and Michael first met in mid 1995, though they had been aware of each other for considerably longer. At the peak of the INXS¹s success in the 80s,the group's music was omnipresent. Gang of Four, a critical success but never in the supergroup league, attracted a fervent following, including many fellow musicians. Michael was one of these fans, citing GO4 as one of his greatest influences. The track "Anthrax" features on the soundtrack of the 80's film "Dogs in Space" in which Michael played the starring role. The two musicians finally met during a turbulent period of Michael's life. The press had recently discovered that he had fallen in love with Paula Yates, and the intensity and tenor of the coverage shocked him. This coincided with a desire to stretch himself creatively. He had been working on solo material with a number of musicians, latterly Tim Simenon of "Bomb the Bass", but was looking for an edgier, tougher kind of sound. He rang Andy one day and asked him if he would like to play some guitar on his solo album. Andy said he would. A few minutes later, Michael rang back and explained that what he'd really meant to ask was whether Andy would write some songs with him. Andy travelled to Michael's house in the South of France, and the two set to work on the first of the tracks which now form the core of Michael's eponymous solo album. They also became firm friends. Andy is godfather to Michael's only daughter, Tiger, and still grieves for his friend. "He was a great musician, a great performer, a great singer." says Andy. "The sad thing is that he was insecure and never recognised how talented he was. That is ironically one of the reasons he was such a nice guy. Other people who become that famous turn into monsters. Michael was always open, and also always vulnerable." "We'll never know exactly what happened the night he died." Andy continues. "Whether it was an accident, whether he for one moment got angry or desperate or both. But he had been assailed from all sides and he was separated from the woman and child he loved." "I try not to think about the stupid waste. He was a funny, bright, flamboyant person and a good friend." myra young 1999 |