MiG Ayesa: Top 10 Rockstar Moments

MiG Ayesa dropped jaws on Rockstar: INXS with his singing, ability to capture a crowd, and musical prowess. And MiG Ayesa didn't stop there...he turned heads with his respect for fellow rockers and a charm that should be illegal. MiG made one great impression after another. It's a tall order to choose the best of the best. Yet since we're on the subject, I'll give it a whirl. Behold my view of MiG Ayesa's Top 10 Rockstar Moments. Some may surprise you...

#10 - Expecting to be in the Bottom 3
As the show neared its completion and the remaining rockers were asked if they thought they were in the Bottom 3, MiG raised his hand. It seemed extremely unlikely that would happen, and it didn't, but MiG's humility was touching.

#9 - Sharing the Spotlight with Marty and Jordis
It was MiG Ayesa Day after MiG performed Baby, I Love Your Way, and he earned the encore. When MiG took a seat at the piano and started to play, he stopped and asked the ultra-talented Marty Casey and Jordis Unga to join him. They had given excellent performances, and MiG was more interested in celebrating their accomplishments than in stomping out the competition.

#8 - What You Need
When MiG got his shot at singing an INXS song after finally hitting the Bottom 3 (when only 4 rockers remained), he nailed it. That was worth waiting for! MiG laid it on the line, and then raised the roof.

#7 - Need You Tonight
All who got to hear the audio of MiG's Need You Tonight can count themselves among the lucky. It was one steamy song. I can't imagine it being sung any better. Of all the INXS songs MiG has sung on the show or live, that one will always be my favorite.

#6 - Paint It Black
Although Paint It Black is a classic, MiG's arrangement was incredibly interesting and creative. To me it was more dramatic and he uncovered layers of the song I hadn't noticed before. When he extended his arms to the side and the music stopped mid-song, it took my breath away.

#5 - All Right Now
I've always liked this song, but never as much as when MiG Ayesa sang it. That night I thought MiG had it all...the voice, the energy, the moves, the stage presence. He commanded the song, and has every time he has sung it since.

All Right Now from atop a chair - Chicago


#4 - Baby, I Love Your Way
MiG knocked it out of the park with his rendition of the Peter Frampton song. MiG combined a beautiful arrangement and dazzling vocals as he played the grand piano and brought tears to the eyes of those listening. Peter Frampton even called MiG to tell him how impressed he was.

#3 - Home In Me
MiG has questioned his decision to sing Home In Me rather than a more upbeat original. INXS had likely already made up their mind they wanted a bad boy, so the song choice didn't matter. What did matter was the comfort Home In Me brought. Although the song is about loss, it continues to give hope and comfort. The effect of the song lives on. It was the perfect choice.

#2 - Lola
The song had appeal, but when MiG sang it, it suddenly had some sizzle. It was the first episode of Rockstar: INXS I had seen, and it offered quite an introduction to a man named MiG Ayesa. It was a standout performance, and MiG served notice he was a rocker to be reckoned with.


Singing Lola in New York - photo by Wanda


#1 - Bohemian Rhapsody
There were shockwaves when it was revealed MiG had decided to sing Queen's Bohemian Rhapsody. Some were concerned INXS would dismiss MiG as a "theater guy" since he had sung the song in We Will Rock You. I was ecstatic. To me, someone who has performed in theater and in bands is "on" every night, knows how to deliver to a crowd, and is a consistently great performer. MiG's choice of Bohemian Rhapsody was the ultimate show of strength. He selected a song he loved, and it made a statement - "I'm MiG Ayesa. I'm not going to lie, manipulate or play games to win. This is where I've been, and this is who I am."

INXS didn't choose MiG. We did.

Keep the light shining,

Team MiG