The Australian music community is reeling from an absolutely incomparable loss, as it mourns Mushroom Group founder Michael Gudinski who passed away overnight. He was 68 years old.
Known for always championing Australian music above all else, Gudinski’s impact on the live music scene over the past 50 years is insurmountable. Last year alone, he was responsible for Music From The Home Front, The State Of Music and The Sound – all of which helped bring live music to Aussie music fans during a time when we were unable to leave the house.
As the community still comes to grips with the news, various musicians, industry figures and the like have taken to social media to share touching tributes to Gudinski, and sharing their experiences with the legend.
Jimmy Barnes posted a lengthy tribute on Instagram, writing “Michael Gudinski was not only that heart but he was my friend.
“He stood with me through my darkest moments and my most joyous days. Michael was the rock I reached for when life tried to wash me away. He never closed his door or his heart to me and my family.”
View this post on Instagram
Hilltop Hoods took to Twitter to write, “Michael Gudinski did a lot for people within the music industry and for the people of Australia, particularly over the last couple of years.
“Our thoughts are with his friends and family.”
Michael Gudinski did a lot for people within the music industry and for the people of Australia, particularly over the last couple of years. Our thoughts are with his friends and family. Very sad news.
— Hilltop Hoods (@hilltophoods) March 2, 2021
ABC‘s Leigh Sales wrote, “There was never a greater champion for Australian music.
“He was also a huge supporter of the ABC and a real source of encouragement. A true legend.”
https://twitter.com/leighsales/status/1366540376102735879
Read more tributes below.
RIP to Michael Gudinski, my friend and Australian promoter from Frontier Touring. Love to his wife Sue and family. We’re heartbroken to hear the news #michaelgudinski #australia
— Bryan Adams (@bryanadams) March 2, 2021
Utterly shocked to hear about the death of Michael Gudinski. Such a character and so full of life. What an extraordinary legacy he leaves. My condolences to his family.
— Myf Warhurst (@MyfWarhurst) March 1, 2021
Vale Michael Gudinski. A titan of Australian music who touched more lives than we can ever comprehend. He was the greatest champion of music and a great friend to us. We will miss you immensely. Love to the family and all at @MushroomGroup. Kenny, Sparky, Berney, Westy and Glenn. pic.twitter.com/mGr9r2PzKI
— birdsoftokyo (@BIRDSOFTOKYO) March 2, 2021
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
Can’t think of a single person more prolifically passionate and optimistic about Australian music over so long than Michael Gudinski. I’m properly devastated by this.
— nic kelly (@nicwkelly) March 1, 2021
Fkkkking hell this is awful news about Michael Gudinski. Always loved watching him work a room, gliding between handshakes, personal jokes, scathing asides & dropping trinkets of knowledge.
Absolute gent.
And what a legacy. #RIPMichaelGudinski pic.twitter.com/BOfgkmEIDe— Mikey Cahîll (@JoeyLightbulb) 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
https://twitter.com/Wil_Anderson/status/1366538222168207362
https://twitter.com/JaneGazzo/status/1366542166340763650
Vale Michael Gudinski. An very sad and shocking day for Australian music. Sending my love to the Gudinski family, the Mushroom family, friends and colleagues of MG. What a legacy. Always number one ☝️
— Alex Lahey (@AlexLahey) March 2, 2021
State Of Music, Music From The Homefront, The Sound on ABC TV (and probably heaps more), Gudinski was everywhere last year, pushing against the pandemic to make live music happen. After such a career, what a way to cement his legacy. RIP Michael Gudinskihttps://t.co/WyJVUsDVYJ
— Lindsay McDowens (@doctormcdougall) March 2, 2021
I’ll put out a more formal statement later today.
I counted Michael Gudinski as a friend. I liked him a lot. I’ll miss him a lot. The story of Australian music will always have Michael in a lead role. Half larrikin half genius, he made sure our nation had its own soundtrack.
— Tony Burke (@Tony_Burke) March 2, 2021
Everyone at ARIA is saddened and shocked about the passing of Michael Gudisnki. He championed Australian music with every breath. pic.twitter.com/Ga488wXwdJ
— ARIA (@ARIA_Official) March 2, 2021
This is truly devastating news. Not just for the music industry which he built nearly single handedly, but for his family, who he adored. A giant. Michael Gudinski dead aged 68, industry in shock | Herald Sun https://t.co/Z8nOGwFpQf
— David Campbell OAM (@DavidCampbell73) March 1, 2021
Gudinski never lost the excitement and the passion for artists and artistry. When you wanted to sign an artist,he wasn't a boardroom MD, he was the guy that went to shows, hung out with the artists and was on a level. A total enigma of a man.
— Tommy Faith (@tommyfaith_) March 2, 2021
Gudinski died? Whoa. Hard to think of many others in Aust music who left a legacy as lasting as he did.
— Urthboy (@urthboy) March 2, 2021
RIP Michael Gudinski. Seems almost impossible. A towering figure on the Australian cultural landscape.
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.— Russell Crowe (@russellcrowe) March 2, 2021
Sad to hear about the passing of the legendary Michael Gudinski. He was my tour promoter for a brief period and stayed a friend even when I moved elsewhere. Saw him not 3 weeks ago holding court at a restaurant as only he could. A genius ❤️
— Joel Creasey (@joelcreasey) March 2, 2021
RIP Michael Gudinski. One of the most influential people in Aus music history. Always supportive of artists (in my case even after leaving his company, which meant a lot), and one of the loudest champions of the local music community. A one of one. Love to his family today.
— Illy (@illyal) March 2, 2021
Shocked and saddened to hear about the death of Michael Gudinski. We were both at the Oils gig in Sydney on Thursday. It’s hard to think of anyone who did more for Australian music than Michael. Vale.
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 2, 2021
https://twitter.com/TheMarciaHines/status/1366546374636892162?s=20
The saddest day . #MichaelGudinski , lion of Australasian recorded and live music for as long as anyone can remember , died last night. The loveliest fella; funny, kind and generous . He gave so much , he was tireless . We grieve for you Michael. https://t.co/VsuEMOzH1V
— Sam Neill (@TwoPaddocks) March 2, 2021
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