Fifteen years ago, almost exactly, I was at the Greek Theater for what would be Michael Hutchence last LA concert with the band. Of course, I didn't know that at the time. What I did know was that the show was amazing. Michael Hutchence was one of the most incredible frontmen I've ever had the pleasure of seeing live—sexy, charismatic, energetic, passionate, playful.
After the show ended, my friend and I hung out in front of the Greek for a while, hoping to catch of glimpse of the band members before they left in their tour bus. While sitting on a bench, two guys came up to us and asked, "Do you want these?" "These" ended up being after-show party passes. Naturally, we said yes.
We made our way through the suite to the patio, grabbed a tiny bit of the food that was left and took in the scene. The party was filled with friends of friends and name-droppers, a generally irritating crowd. Mel B., then a newly world-famous member of The Spice Girls, was at the party with friends and the people around us weren't shy about trashing her within earshot. It was so rude!
She quickly left, so my friend and I followed her out (I wanted to complement her on her truly cute lace-up boots). Back into the suite we heard someone excitedly call out, "He's outside!" and followed a stream of people out front to find ourselves in the presence of Michael Hutchence.
He was beautiful. His dyed-black hair was straightened with flips at the ends, sunglasses pushing it back from his face. He was wearing a black shirt buttoned just above his naval, the sleeves rolled up, cuffed faded jeans and flip-flops. His toenails were painted with black glitter polish.
I had so many things I wanted to say about the concert, the band, the videos, the memories I'd had from more than 10 years, and thank him for all of that. In the midst of clamoring girls regaling him with stories of house parties in Mexico, he looked over at me and I froze. I smiled but couldn't speak.
Pretty soon, he was being ushered away by one of his handlers and I'd missed out. I promised myself I would do whatever it took to find another opportunity to thank him for everything and that I wouldn't chicken out.
Four months later, my mom and I were driving home from a Leon Russell concert when KLOS DJ Susan Ansilio reported that Michael Hutchence had died. I was crushed.
I liked INXS growing up but the concert made me into a fan. Michael Hutchence's death ramped that up even further. Though I'm glad for the music I've been able to discover since then, I'd rather be a so-so INXS fan with the opportunity to see Michael Hutchence on stage again than a huge INXS fan with the CDs and books and DVDs and everything, but no shows to look forward to.
A silver lining to all this is that I've learned not to let opportunities like I had that night at the Greek slip through my fingers again. If I have the chance, I let the people I admire know how much I appreciate their work and thank them for the impact they've had in my life. I never want to hear a terrible announcement on the radio again and know I missed my chance to say thank you.
Here's what I've been listening to lately (a few down, so many more CDs to go):
INXS
Elegantly Wasted
Live Baby Live
Shabooh Shoobah
Full Moon, Dirty Hearts
The Greatest Hits
The Swing
INXS
Kick
X
Welcome to Wherever You Are
Listen Like Thieves
Beneath the Colours
Shine Like It Does
Ashley MacIsaac
Hi How Are You Today?
Original Soundtrack
Dazed and Confused
En Vogue
Funky Divas
Poison
Poison's Greatest Hits
Live
Throwing Copper
Patty Smyth
Patty Smyth
The Rolling Stones
Bridges to Babylon
Hot Rocks
Kevin & Bean
A Family Christmas in Your Ass
Super Christmas
Original Soundtrack
Grease
Spice Girls
Spice
Spice World
Geri Halliwell: Schizophonic
Goodbye
Bruce Springsteen and The E Street Band
Born to Run
Born in the U.S.A.
