Ben Squires
Music

Celebrity tributes flow for Michael Hutchence's 58th birthday

On what would have been his 58th birthday this week – he was born on January 22 – tributes has poured in from family, friends and fans of the late Michael Hutchence.

The INXS front man died 20 years ago and left behind a legacy of popular music, strong friendships and his family.

Supermodel ex-girlfriend Helena Christensen, who dated Hutchence for four years before he started dating Paula Yates, shared a message on his fan page run by family and friends. Christensen wrote:

“I think about you often, when I hear your voice singing or when something random reminds me of you, a place, a word, a scent…

“Thinking of you usually makes me smile, even crack up, because you were very funny in such a unique and refreshing way.

“I hold so many memories about us being totally childish and doing hilarious things and I love that those moments are how I best remember you.”

Michael’s sister Tina Hutchence took to another fan site and wrote: “Another missed birthday Michael, and I can tell you I still think about what could have been.

“We celebrate Michael's life – a short life packed with amazing experiences. It is hard to think of Michael as a man of 58. He will forever be young in our hearts and the person we watch in interviews and music videos on YouTube. 

“I can close my eyes and 'feel' that warm little bundle swaddled and sleeping in my arms. Who would have thought he would become Australia's first and so far only international rock star.

“Who knows what he would have achieved in the past 20 years, I believe he would have moved into acting and perhaps continued to put out an album every now and then. 

Tags:
music, entertainment, INXS, Michael Hutchence