U2 frontman Bono has explained the heartbreaking reason behind his decision to end his friendship with the late Michael Hutchence.
The singer recalls how he and his wife Ali Hewson were very close to the INXS singer and his partner Paula Yates during the early 90s, but their friendship became 'strained' as the late couple struggled with their addiction issues.
Bono writes how he and his wife 'grew uncomfortable' when meeting up with Michael and Paula after the couple "spiralled down the vortex of a recreational drug use that had become hard work for everyone, especially their family, especially the younger ones."
The With or Without You singer, 62, reveals in his new book, Surrender: 40 Songs, One Story, how he and Ali declined Michael and Paula's request for the couple to be their daughter's godparents - a refusal that ultimately ended the four stars' friendship.
Paula - who died in September 2000 - and Michael welcomed daughter Heavenly Hiraani Tiger Lily Hutchence Geldof into the world in 1996. Michael was found dead at the age of 37 in a hotel room in Sydney the following year, with an official verdict into the star's death ruling he died by suicide on 22 November 1997.
"As their behaviour changed, our friendship became strained and we grew uncomfortable during their visits," Bono writes in his new book.
Michael co-founded the rock band INXS, which sold over 75 million records worldwide, but the Australian musician's romances and personal life often attracted just as much attention as his career achievements before his death.
Following alleged romances with stars like Kylie Minogue, Helena Christensen and Kym Wilson, Michael found love with Paula after she interviewed him on The Big Breakfast in 1994.
Paula was married to The Boomtown Rats' lead singer and Live Aid organiser Bob Geldof at the time and shared three daughters with the star. The mum-of-four died of a heroin overdose in 2000.
"Neither of us dreamed they'd both end up dead so soon. Even now, I can't believe I've just written that," Bono writes when recalling the tragic loss of his two friends.
After Michael's shocking death in 1997, Bono's band U2 famously recorded the song Stuck In A Moment in tribute to the beloved singer.
"It really bothers me that he didn’t really understand how great a voice he had, it had this fragility underneath the bravado. I remember asking Michael what his definition of rock’n’roll was, he said 'liberation'," Bono said of his late friend in a documentary looking back on his life in 2019.
Pop icon Kylie, who dated Michael between 1989 and 1991, also appeared on the BBC Two show and recalled her romance with the rocker.
"He broke my heart. He did end up hurting me but he wouldn’t have enjoyed it one bit," the Spinning Around singer admitted when discussing her late lover.
*Frank offers confidential advice about drugs and addiction (email frank@talktofrank.com, message 82111 or call 0300 123 6600) or the NHS has information about getting help.
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