Michael Gudinski, founder of Mushroom Records, poses for a portrait session on Sept. 25, 2006 in Melbourne, Australia.
Michael Gudinski will be laid to rest at a state funeral.
The legendary Australian music mogul, whose Mushroom Group is an independent powerhouse with more than 20 subsidiaries operating across music and entertainment, passed away Tuesday (March 2) at the age of 68.
Gudinski’s surprise death sent shockwaves through the music industry, as the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran, Kylie Minogue and the Foo Fighters turned to social media to share their memories of the impresario.
On Wednesday, Victoria’s Premier Daniel Andrews confirmed the late music man would be remembered "somewhere iconic that we can come together and celebrate his life."
He continued, "It will be a celebration of his life; the details will be finalized in coming days. It's got to be COVID-safe of course, but I think we will be able to come together in an iconic venue and celebrate his life and the mark that he made and the legacy he leaves."
Gudinski, a Melbourne native, "was a good friend of mine,” Andrews noted, adding “he was a great Victorian, he'll be missed.”
As news spread of Gudinski’s death, Andrews posted a picture of himself with Gudinski and another famed Melbourne music man, former Countdown host Ian “Molly” Meldrum.
“Few people – if any – have shaped the Australian music industry more than Michael Gudinski,” Andrews tweeted. “His was the beating heart of the Victorian scene, and his irrepressible spark entertained our state for 50 years. Treasured friend, Victorian legend – and a legacy that will last forever.
During his lifetime, Gudinski was feted with a long list of accolades for his outstanding contribution to the nation’s music industry and artist community.
Among those honors was the Member of the Order of Australia medal (AM), the Ted Albert Award, and induction into Music Victoria’s Hall of Fame in 2013, on the 40th anniversary of the inception of Mushroom Records.