Michael Gudinski, the globally respected music entrepreneur and founder of Mushroom Group, has died aged 68.
The shock news was confirmed in the past hour by media in Gudinski’s homeland of Australia.
Gudinski is survived by his wife Sue and children Kate and Matt, and grand-children Nine-Rose and Lulu.
“It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Gudinski AM overnight,” Mushroom Group said in a statement.
“The much-loved Australian music legend died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Melbourne, Australia.”
The statement continued: “Michael’s legacy will live on through his family and the enormously successful Mushroom Group – an enduring embodiment of decades of passion and determination from an incredible man.
“The family respectfully ask for privacy in this incredibly difficult time and thank everyone for their support.”
Gudinski, born in Victoria, Australia in 1952, founded Mushroom Records in 1972.
He went on to work with artists including Kylie Minogue, MacKenzie Theory, the Skyhooks, the Choirboys and many more.
In 2006, Gudinski was made a Member of the Order of Australia and was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Music Victoria Awards in 2013.
Today, Mushroom Group comprises a collective of independent record labels, such as Liberator Music, Liberation Records, and Bloodlines, in addition to a music publisher (Mushroom Music) and a neighbouring rights company (Good Neighbour).
Headquartered in Melbourne, Australia, Mushroom Group also contains two booking agencies (Premier Artists and The Harbour Agency), plus artist management companies (Converge Management and Role Model Artists).
In 2019, Gudinski’s touring company, Frontier Touring, entered into a JV with global live music giant AEG. In the prior year, Frontier had handled Australian tours for Paul McCartney, Celine Dion, Foo Fighters, The Killers, Harry Styles, Sam Smith, Rise Against, and Ed Sheeran.
The Sheeran series of shows broke records as Australasia’s biggest tour ever.
You can read the full Mushroom Group statement on Gudinski’s passing below.
VALE MICHAEL SOLOMON GUDINSKI AM
22 August 1952 – 02 March 2021
It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Gudinski AM overnight. The much-loved Australian music legend died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Melbourne, Australia.
Michael Gudinski was a key figure in shaping the Australian music industry. He founded the Mushroom Group in 1972 at just 20 years old, which flourished into Australia’s largest independent entertainment group covering touring, record labels, publishing, merchandising, booking agencies, film and television production and creative services. Some of Australia’s most iconic albums have been released under one of his Mushroom Group record labels. His touring company Frontier Touring is Australia’s leading promoter, touring the biggest names in global music since its inception in 1979.
A larger-than-life figure, Michael was widely respected for his unwavering passion for all music – in particular Australian music. Most recently, with the music industry severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, Michael conceptualised and developed Music From The Home Front, The Sound and The State Of Music, platforms designed to showcase and support contemporary Australian music in an incredibly difficult time. It speaks to the man he was that of his countless illustrious career achievements these projects, that supported the industry he loved, were ones he was particularly proud of.
Michael was renowned for his loyalty and dedication. His ability to achieve the unachievable against unsurmountable odds was proven time and again and spoke to his absolute passion for his career and life.
Michael’s family loved him immensely and Michael in turn adored his wife Sue, son Matt and partner Cara, daughter Kate and husband Andrew and their children Nina-Rose and Lulu. They meant everything to him, and he was immensely proud of them. Michael often referred to his 200+ staff as the Mushroom Family, with many having clocked decades in his employment.
Michael’s legacy will live on through his family and the enormously successful Mushroom Group – an enduring embodiment of decades of passion and determination from an incredible man.
The family respectfully ask for privacy in this incredibly difficult time and thank everyone for their support.
Please note there will be no further comment at this time.Music Business Worldwide