Haunting new images of lost rock superstar

IT is Michael Hutchence as you have never seen him — a haunting picture of a father, son, brother and artist brought to life in a revealing new Seven documentary.

After the Never Tear Us Apart mini-series restored the INXS legacy, the Seven Network’s Mark Llewellyn embarked on a two-year quest to document the charismatic frontman’s final years.

The rock legend was found dead in a Sydney hotel room in November 1997.

The first look at Michael Hutchence — The Last Rockstar — reveals private photos of the singer and actor asleep with his baby daughter Tiger Lily on his chest.

Home movies show the singer kissing his then partner, supermodel Helena Christensen as they celebrate Christmas with his family, including late father Kel, brother Rhett and sister Tina.

Llewellyn was given unprecedented access to the singer’s estate, unearthing diaries, home movies, photos, instruments and prized possessions.

But most sensationally, the documentary trailer reveals the last lyrics he is believed to have penned before he died in a hotel room in the Ritz Carlton hotel in Double Bay on November 22, 1997.

The documentary also interviews the musicians who became his closest confidants in his final years, including U2 frontman Bono, who he would spend holidays with at their homes in the south of France.

“He was amazing and interesting and then tragic,” his friend Bono says. “We’re all realising is just how great a singer we lost as well as a friend.”

The promo is soundtracked by Don’t Save Me From Myself, a song from his self-titled debut album released in 1999, two years after his death and dedicated simply “To Tiger”.

The Last Rockstar has also unearthed the last songs Hutchence recorded with the two men he collaborated with in the last few years of his life, Andy Gill and Danny Saber.

They co-wrote and helped him produce dozens of songs.

Llewellyn said the documentary took two years to make across five countries and it would air before the 20th anniversary of his death in November.

“This is not Michael Hutch- ence defined by how he died but by how he lived: a brilliant musician, a brilliant man, a loving father, a true rock star,” Llewellyn said.

“This is not a biopic treading over old territory — this will make headlines around the world.”

The Last Rockstar will air on Seven as INXS unveil their plans to celebrate the band’s 40th anniversary at a masquerade party in Sydney in October.