Michael Hutchence Solo Album

V2 Records Press Release – February 3, 1999

Following the recent anniversary of the tragic death of Michael Hutchence on November 22, 1997, today comes the news that a deal has been finalized with V2 Records for the worldwide release of the much anticipated Michael Hutchence solo album.

Hutchence, the charismatic and talented lead singer of the internationally successful band INXS, spent three years, from the beginning of 1995 through until the end of 1997, working on a solo album with a variety of collaborators around the world. The result is a mature and intensely personal collection of songs which will make up the as yet untitled album, to be released worldwide in mid-1999. Most of the tracks were completed before his death and the album will be mixed by Danny Saber, with whom Michael co-wrote many of the songs.

The deal will also provide for the re-release by V2 of Max Q, the 1989 collaboration between Hutchence and Ollie Olsen, which despite being loved by Michael's fans and receiving great critical acclaim was deliberately under-promoted to avoid confusion with Michael's work with INXS.

Steven Abbott, V2's Director of International Artist Development, will oversee the completion and release of the solo album and the re-release of "Max Q" for V2.

Martha Troup, Michael's long-time manager, stated: "I am extremely happy that Michael's solo album will finally be released. The album meant a great deal to him and I personally see it as a looking glass into Michael's soul. Some of the material was recorded a matter of days before his death and the album is his final legacy to us."

Jeromy Pearce, CEO of V2: "Everyone at V2 is thrilled to have the opportunity to release the last work of one of the all-time great rock and roll frontmen, who sadly has only had the recognition he deserves since his untimely death. We are determined to do full justice to this marvellous record."

"V2 Australia is extremely excited to have secured a worldwide deal to release the solo material Michael Hutchence was working on prior to his death," says Greg Johnson, General Manager for V2 Australia. "We are looking forward to being involved in the completion and release of an album that will be another reminder of the creative musical genius of Michael Hutchence."