Michael Gudinski dies: Paul McCartney and Ed Sheeran pay tribute

Stars from around the world are paying tribute to music industry legend Michael Gudinski, who played an essential role in bringing international artists to Australia and New Zealand since the late ’70s.

Gudinski died unexpectedly in Melbourne this week at the age of 68. He was responsible for countless tours and festivals with his Frontier Touring group.

Ed Sheeran, who broke Australasian sales records in 2018 with the help of Gudinski, posted a photo to Instagram on Tuesday of the pair hugging at the beach, and simply captioned it: ‘I’ll miss you, mate.’

Paul McCartney, who toured Down Under as a solo artist many times with Frontier, also tweeted: ‘So sad to hear that Michael Gudinski has died.

‘Michael was such a lovely guy and looked after us all so well when we toured Australia. Everyone in the band and crew loved and respected him and he will be remembered with great fondness always.

‘We send love and sympathies to his family. He was a one-off and one of Australia’s great music men. Love you, Mike.’

Singer-songwriter Paul Kelly also posted a black-and-white photo of himself and Gudinski, alongside a thoughtful tribute.

‘We are mourning Michael Gudinski who died today. He was a friend. A great inspiration and mentor to many,’ Kelly wrote.

‘Passionate, enthusiastic, loyal, fierce and, like all true pioneers, a little bit mad. He lived for music and for all the people that worked in it. I didn’t think he could ever get more motivated but this past year he took it to a new level in an effort to keep Australian music alive. 

‘He lived and breathed for us. My deep condolences go to his wife Sue, his children Matt and Kate and their families.’

Peter Andre, who like many Australian artists owes his career to Gudinski, wrote on Instagram: ‘Woke up to the very sad news that this wonderful man has passed away.

‘Michael, the founder of Mushroom Records, not only gave me my first career break in the 1990s alongside Molly Meldrum but was so kind to me even until recently when we spoke.

‘I remember He sat me down one day in his office in 1992 and said, “Pete you’re a good kid, your working hard. How would you like to tour with Madonna?” I then went on to be the opening act for the Girlie Tour in all the stadiums across Australia.

‘He single handedly gave so many people their start in the music business and continued to be there for them throughout their career. He was kind, fair, funny and is loved by many. We will miss you Michael. Thanks for everything. RIP you legend.’

The latest tributes come after Jimmy Barnes and Eddie McGuire were seen arriving at Gudinski’s home in Melbourne on Tuesday, just hours after his death was announced.

The Cold Chisel singer, 64, visited the property as the music mogul’s wife, Sue, and their children, Matt and Kate, mourned his death.

Barnes said he would always ‘stand by his family just like he stood by ours’.

‘Today the heart of Australian music was ripped out,’ Barnes had shared earlier on Tuesday. 

‘I felt it, my family felt it, the music business felt it, the world felt it. 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.’

He continued: ‘His boundless enthusiasm breathed life into our music scene. But that was just one side of Michael. He was a staunch friend, a loving father and grandfather and an adoring husband to Sue.

‘Jane and I are shocked at the loss of our friend but we will try to be strong and keep the music flowing from our hearts. We will stand by his family just like he stood by ours. I loved Michael, always will.’

It was not just figures from the music industry who mourned his passing, but those from the sports, racing and business worlds.

McGuire and his wife, Carla,  looked shaken as they arrived at the home and embraced waiting friends and family. 

The Who Wants to Be a Millionaire presenter and former Collingwood president appeared distressed and stayed closed to his wife. 

McGuire and Gudinski were known to be close, presenting a tribute to Molly Meldrum together in 2018.

Gudinski and Meldrum were close friends, not only through their involvement in the music industry but a shared passion for the St Kilda Football Club. 

Gudinski was also a leading figure in the racing industry, co-owning three Melbourne Cup winners – Rekindling, Almandin and 2020 winner Twilight Payment – in a syndicate led by Melbourne businessman Lloyd Williams. 

Meanwhile, Kylie Minogue, who Gudinski catapulted to international stardom, wrote her own heartbreaking tribute on Instagram.  

‘MICHAEL GUDINSKI – Legend. Legacy. LOVE, ‘ Kylie, who alongside her sister Dannii had worked with Gudinski for decades, tweeted on Tuesday afternoon. 

‘A titan of the music industry. One of a kind and forever family to me. 

‘My heart is broken and I can’t believe he’s gone. Irreplaceable and unforgettable, I’ll always love you “The Big G”.’

Just a month ago, Kylie had released a gushing statement about Gudinski, in which she described him as a ‘legend of the Australian music industry’.

‘He signed me for my very first single way back in 1987!’ she wrote. ‘His passion for the music scene, for performers, crews and audiences knows no bounds.’

Rock legend Bruce Springsteen said on Tuesday: ‘My friend Michael Gudinski was first, last and always a music man. I’ve toured the world for the last fifty years and never met a better promoter.’

He recalled Gudinski’s ‘deep rumbling voice’ and said he’d never forget the way he would say, ‘Bruce, I’ve got you covered.’

‘He was loud, always in motion, intentionally (and unintentionally) hilarious, and deeply soulful. He will be remembered by artists, including this one, from all over the world,’ Springsteen added.

Also on Tuesday, Kylie’s sister Dannii wrote on Twitter, writing: ‘Michael Gudinski’s love and passion for music and family is like no other. 

‘I will forever be grateful for the opportunity he gave me to release my first single and album, and the journey that it took me on for so many years.

‘He was always there cheering me on, and I will never forget that. There are so many beautiful moments to cherish spent with Michael and his family, surrounded by music and the joy it brings. The loss will be felt forever, but his legacy will also live on forever.’ 

Hollywood star Russell Crowe added: ‘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 Ed Sheeran. Still didn’t stop us from being mates for 30 years. I’m going to miss him deeply. My love to his family.’ 

Barnes’ son David Campbell broke down in tears live on air as he announced the news on Today Extra, saying: ‘I don’t know if I have words for this. 

‘He loved his family so much. He worshipped them. My dad is crushed that a 50-year partnership and friendship has suddenly been taken.’

The Project host Carrie Bickmore added: ‘I am so, so saddened to hear that Michael Gudinski has passed away. A giant of the music industry and just a great mate to so many of us.

‘He entered every room and every conversation with energy and passion and am thinking of Sue and his family today who he just loved so much.’

The music promoter formed record company Mushroom Records at just 20 years old, and went on to launch the careers of local artists.

In 1979, he established concert promoter Frontier Touring and stayed at its helm until his death.

His family confirmed his death on Tuesday morning. 

Mushroom Group said in a statement: ‘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.’

The statement continued: ‘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.’

Entertainment reporter Peter Ford discussed the circumstances surrounding Gudinski’s death on Channel Seven’s The Morning Show, explaining that he’d initially heard the music legend had suffered a nasty fall.

‘About an hour ago I got a call saying that he had a bad fall at home, but then I wasn’t told that he had actually passed,’ Mr Ford revealed. 

‘They wanted to wait until everything was crossed and ticked before they put out the official statement. It’s now confirmed to me by the family that Michael has passed.’

Gudinski was pictured just last Thursday at a Midnight Oil concert, where he was acting like his ‘typical boisterous, funny self’. 

He posed for a photo with Midnight Oil frontman Peter Garrett and ABC News Breakfast presenter Michael Rowland.

Rowland tweeted the picture on Tuesday, and wrote: ‘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.’ 

Hollywood actor Russell Crowe tweeted: ‘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 Ed Sheeran. Still didn’t stop us from being mates for 30 years. I’m going to miss him deeply. My love to his family.’

Nine Entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins wrote: ‘The biggest tree in the forest has fallen. What a devastating loss.’

The tragic news comes just weeks before Gudinski was slated to announce a major government project to support Victoria’s music industry.

Gudinski’s last major public appearance was when he introduced Kylie Minogue at the Sounds Better Together concert in Mallacoota on January 30. 

He also attended the Australian Open in February.

During the Covid-19 lockdown last year, Gudinski recruited the likes of Jimmy Barnes and Crowded House to perform at the Music From the Home Front television concert, organising the event in just nine days.

During his illustrious career, Gudinski was arguably one of the most powerful and influential figures in the music industry.

After forming Mushroom Records in 1972, the label worked with artists such as Madonna, Abba, Jason Donovan and Nelly Furtado.

Gudinski also enjoyed international success with artists such as Peter Andre and Garbage, and promoted tours for major acts worldwide.

Most recently, Frontier Touring promoted Elton John’s farewell tour in 2020. 

In June 2006, Gudinski was awarded the Member of the Order of Australia medal (AM) for his service to the entertainment industry through his work in promoting Australian recording artists.

Three years later, in 2009, he played a major role in organising the Sound Relief benefit concerts, which raised millions for victims of the Victorian bushfires and Queensland floods.

In 2012, Gudinski was honoured by the city of Melbourne as ‘Melburnian of the Year’.

Gudinski also helped promote Ed Sheeran’s record-breaking Australasian tour in 2018, which saw more than a million tickets sold. 

With Frontier’s help, Ed shattered the record set by Dire Straits 32 years earlier, when they sold 950,000 tickets on one tour of Australia and New Zealand in 1986. 

Michael was ecstatic at the media call with Ed, saying at the time: ‘Frontier has toured some of the biggest names in music, including Springsteen and the E Street Band, Paul McCartney, and The Rolling Stones, but I’ve never seen a tour like Ed’s.

‘To sell one million tickets is simply phenomenal!’