The rare candid photographs of legendary INXS frontman Michael Hutchence taken by his biggest teenage fan who he invited into his world... and onto the back of his Harley Davidson!

  • In 1990 Richard Simpkin was a 16-year-old fanatical INXS fan who was obsessed with the singer and his band 
  • For five months Simpkin hung out at Rhinoceros studios in Sydney’s Surrey Hills and befriended Hutchence  
  • The photographs from that era and others taken by Simpkin now make up a book called Michael In Pictures 

The 18th anniversary of legendary INXS lead singer Michael Hutchence’s death is on Sunday and a new book will capture him in some of his most intimate moments.

Now an award-winning professional photographer, in 1990 Richard Simpkin was a 16-year-old fanatical INXS fan, and while the band were recording the album X, Richard and his friends spent endless hours at the now defunct but iconic Rhinoceros studios in Sydney’s Surry Hills.

It was here that the band’s charismatic frontman Hutchence and the teenage fan first became friends. Even back in 1990 at the studios, Richard was obsessed with photography, and he was able to grab a memorable snap.

INXS lead singer Micheal Hutchence used to keep fit by cycling but he was always dressed to impress even when doing this

INXS lead singer Micheal Hutchence used to keep fit by cycling but he was always dressed to impress even when doing this

Hutchence introduces  budding photographer Richard Simpkin to the kitchen inside Rhinoceros studios in Sydney’s Surry Hills

Hutchence introduces budding photographer Richard Simpkin to the kitchen inside Rhinoceros studios in Sydney’s Surry Hills

It was a romance that caused a media frenzy at the time but it all looks very relaxed as Richard stands between Hutchence and his then girlfriend Kylie Minogue in the early 1990s

It was a romance that caused a media frenzy at the time but it all looks very relaxed as Richard stands between Hutchence and his then girlfriend Kylie Minogue in the early 1990s

Hutchence lets Richard get his picture taken while sitting on the back of his Harley Davidson motorbike with him

Hutchence lets Richard get his picture taken while sitting on the back of his Harley Davidson motorbike with him

The first photo Richard (bottom left) was taken in with all the INXS members was on the back of a truck outside Sydney Opera House

The first photo Richard (bottom left) was taken in with all the INXS members was on the back of a truck outside Sydney Opera House

‘In 1990 I got to hang out with INXS at the studios for five months. On this particular occasion Michael took me into the studios very late at night. We were the only ones there and he was very casual and relaxed,’ Richard told Daily Mail Australia.

‘He spread open his arms and joked: “This is the famous Rhino’s kitchen!”. I said: “Hang on Michael”, and I was able to get a snap of that. I was always thinking of trying to get the best shot even back then.

‘So he posed for the photo. Then I spent an hour with him going through the studio and he gave me a tour of it. He showed me how everything worked and how everything fitted in to make an album.

‘It was a great night and it was a really candid photo, which has some good memories for me attached to it.’

Richard's book Michael In Pictures captures some of these occasions. However, Some of Richard’s most prized pictures for his family photo album were taken by someone else as they pictured the young fan and Hutchence together.

Richard went on to become a professional photographer and had access to take personal pictures of Hutchence like this one

Richard went on to become a professional photographer and had access to take personal pictures of Hutchence like this one

Hutchence and the other INXS band members enjoy some downtime at the height of their fame 

Hutchence and the other INXS band members enjoy some downtime at the height of their fame 

Hutchence strikes a pose for Richard. The pair's friendship got closer as time went on 

Hutchence strikes a pose for Richard. The pair's friendship got closer as time went on 

Stars in  your eyes: Richard is pictured with Hutchence and Rob Lowe (centre right) 

Stars in  your eyes: Richard is pictured with Hutchence and Rob Lowe (centre right) 

The most famous is of him with Hutchence and then girlfriend Kylie Minogue that has been seen regularly over the years.

But the first one of all came about when a school friend told him that INXS were at Sydney Opera House rehearsing. Richard and his friend went down to find that the band were doing a photo shoot on the back of a truck. Richard jumped in and had a picture taken with them.

'I found out through my photographic work since that it's hard to get a picture taken with a group of guys like this, so I was lucky to be part of it,' Richard said. 

Another picture was also taken at the Opera House just a few days after the group photo there. Hutchence was on his Harley Davidson motorbike when 16-year-old Richard again asked for a photo and he told him to hop on.

'Because the Harley had been revving for a couple of minutes it was very hot. So when I hopped on and put leg around it I got a huge blister from it. He got a chuckle from it though,' he said.

In the intervening years they stayed in contact and became good friends. As Richard's career as a photographer took off in the early 1990s Hutchence would pose for him specifically as he had access to the singer whenever he was in Sydney.

Hutchence used to roll his Harley Davidson motorbike into the music studio to avoid the parking inspectors   

Hutchence used to roll his Harley Davidson motorbike into the music studio to avoid the parking inspectors   

 is pictured here with partner Paula Yates and their daughter Tiger Lily Hutchence  

Hutchence is pictured here with partner Paula Yates and their daughter Tiger Lily Hutchence  

The former INXS frontman leans against against a pole as dusk descends on a summer Sydney evening

The former INXS frontman leans against against a pole as dusk descends on a summer Sydney evening

'It was great because I was able to capture the real Michael that I knew without a publicist or any security. They were quite candid images of him,' Richard said. 

Other standout photos are of Hutchence riding his pushbike down the street and sitting astride his Harley - but while it was inside a recording studio.

'Michael used to park his Harley outside on the street and parking inspectors used to come past to say he can't do it,' Simpkin said.

'So he and I used to roll his bike into the studio where he was recording. The other one where he is riding the push bike is great, because most people would dress casually if they were going out to ride their bike

'But he would literally come out of the studio in his jeans, shirt and leather boots and just take off on it.

Hutchence poses for a picture taken by Richard. The 18th anniversary of the singer's death is on Sunday 

Hutchence poses for a picture taken by Richard. The 18th anniversary of the singer's death is on Sunday 

'On this occasion he slowed down the bike so I could get a good photo of him on it.' 

On Sunday many people will gather to celebrate Hutchence's life and focus on his achievements. They will of course include Richard who will be attending a get-together for the late singer at the Royal Oak Hotel in Double Bay at 3pm on Sunday. 

'It'll be a cross between family, friends and fans. We'll all be there to tell stories and celebrate his life,' Richard said.  

Michael In Pictures is now available at all good bookstores priced at $125.

Richard will be attending a get-together for the late singer at the Royal Oak Hotel in Double Bay at 3pm on Sunday

Richard will be attending a get-together for the late singer at the Royal Oak Hotel in Double Bay at 3pm on Sunday

 

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