Australian music promotion legend Michael Gudinski has died suddenly at the age of 68.
Tributes began pouring in on social media on Tuesday morning for the Mushroom Records and Frontier Touring co-founder, who died in Melbourne on Monday night, according to a statement released by the company.
Among those paying tribute on Tuesday were Bruce Springsteen, who tweeted that Gudinski was “first, last and always a music man” who was “deeply soulful”.
For five decades Gudinski championed Australian acts, including Skyhooks, Kylie Minogue, New Zealand-born Split Enz and more recently, Eskimo Joe and Evermore.
He also brought to Australia many of the world’s top artists, including Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, Paul McCartney, Billy Joel, the Police and more recently, Ed Sheeran and Taylor Swift.
When Covid-19 shut down the music industry in 2020, Gudinski launched the online Live music series The State of Music, in support of local musicians who lost their livelihoods overnight. The series became the ABC TV show The Sound.
I am devastated by Michael Gudinski’s sudden death. He was a true champion of Australian music and the ABC. This was backstage after the Oils gig in Sydney on Thursday night. Michael was his typical boisterous, funny self. He was always so full of life. Rest In Peace, friend. 🙏 pic.twitter.com/gVpCMeYLpn
— Michael Rowland (@mjrowland68) March 2, 2021
Gudinski collected a number of Aria swards over the years including the special achievement award in 1992. In 2013 he was acknowledged as the inaugural Aria industry icon.
In 2006 he was made a Member (AM) of the Order of Australia.
A statement on the death of our great Australian promoter, Michael Gudinski. pic.twitter.com/4fJdY8n7Eb
— Bruce Springsteen (@springsteen) March 2, 2021
The Music Network described the Melbourne-based entrepreneur as a “high-energy, relentless businessman, who drove his passion for music” through his Mushroom Group ventures.
“Mushroom ran into financial problems many times as some of its acts failed to get commercial airplay,” the network’s contributing author Christie Eliezer wrote.
“Each time one act – whether Skyhooks, Kylie Minogue, Split Enz or Jimmy Barnes – would come up with blockbusters that kept the label afloat so he could sign more alternative acts.”
Music Victoria said Gudinski would be greatly missed and had left an enduring legacy.
RIP Michael Gudinski. Seems almost impossible. A towering figure on the Australian cultural landscape.
— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) March 2, 2021
I’m not sure we ever agreed on anything, except maybe @edsheeran . Still didn’t stop us from being mates for 30 years. I’m going to miss him deeply. My love to his family.
We finally caught up face to face last week, I was meant to call ya back today mate. Michael Gudinski, what a powerhouse. Rest easy.
— Senator Briggs (@Briggs) March 1, 2021
Gudinski died? Whoa. Hard to think of many others in Aust music who left a legacy as lasting as he did.
— Urthboy | Sunrise in My Head (@urthboy) March 2, 2021
Michael Gudinski was a force of nature. Big love to ya, mate ❤️https://t.co/utrwV5rsJ6
— Ben Lee (@benleemusic) March 2, 2021
Musician Ben Lee described him as “a force of nature”.
Actor Russell Crowe hailed the promoter as “a towering figure on the Australian cultural landscape”.
“I’m not sure we ever agreed on anything, except maybe @edsheeran,” he tweeted on Tuesday. “Still didn’t stop us from being mates for 30 years. I’m going to miss him deeply.”
Entertainment business Teg released a statement paying tribute to Gudinski, saying: “Michael was a larger-than-life character whose legacy in Australian music is undeniable.”