Michael Gudinski Dies At Age 68 - Noise11.com
Michael Gudinski. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Michael Gudinski. Photo by Ros O'Gorman

Michael Gudinski Dies At Age 68

by Paul Cashmere on March 2, 2021

in News,Noise Pro

Michael Gudinski, an absolute juggernaut of the Australian music industry, has died at the age of 68.

Michael Gudinski was the founder of Mushroom Records and later Frontier Touring Company. Michael started Mushroom records in 1972. The first album was the 1973 Sunbury Festival. Two years later Mushroom released Skyhooks ‘Living In The 70s’ and went on to become the biggest selling Australian album for its time.

After Skyhooks Michael signed unknown New Zealand band Split Enz who, despite having little success for their first few albums, went on to have one of the iconic albums of the 80s with ‘True Colours’ and the song ‘I Got You’.

Gudinski founded The Frontier Touring Company in 1979. The company is now the largest touring company in Australia and one of the biggest in the world after having toured Springsteen, McCartney, The Stones and Madonna.

Official Statement from Mushroom Group

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.

Noise11.com

Follow Noise11 on Social Media

NEW: Noise11 on YouTube SUBSCRIBE

Noise11 on Instagram

You’ll discover music news first following Noise11 on Twitter

Comment on the news of the day, join Noise11 on Facebook

Related Posts

Crowded House perform at Rod Laver Arena 10 December 2024 photo by Winston Robinson
More Crowded House Red Hot Summer Shows Sellout

The Crowded House Red Hot Summer shows are doing fast work around Australia will four shows on the tour now sold out.

18 hours ago
Boom Crash Opera
Boom Crash Opera Reveals Dates for Hands Up In the Air – The Singles Tour

Boom Crash Opera will spend October to Christmas touring Australia on the Hands Up In the Air – The Singles Tour.

22 hours ago
Cold Chisel The Big Five O Live
Cold Chisel To Release Live DVD/Blu-Ray From Melbourne’s Sidney Myer Music Bowl

Cold Chisel’s ‘The Big Five-O Live’ show, recently broadcast of television, will be available on CD, vinyl, DVD and Blu-Ray in August.

1 day ago
Phil Manning of Chain
Phil Manning and Warren Morgan Team Up For Exclusive Melbourne Show

Phil Manning of Chain and Warren Morgan of The Aztecs and also Chain will get together in Melbourne this Saturday night for a one-off performance.

2 days ago
John Farnham The Age Music Victoria 10th Anniversary Hall of Fame Concert inducts Victorian music legends at the Palais in St Kilda on Friday 20 November 2015. photo by Ros O'Gorman
John Farnham Becomes A Grandfather

John Farnham is a grandfather. Jett James Farnham was born in Melbourne on June 18, 2025. The family has just now announced the news.

2 days ago
Samara Joy
Melbourne International Jazz Festival Reveals Six More Acts for 2025

The Melbourne International Jazz Festival has added six more events including multi-Grammy Award winner Samara Joy making her first Australian appearance.

2 days ago
Robert De Niro meets The Wiggles from The Wiggles Facebook page
Robert de Niro Joins The Wiggles In New York

The Wiggles has a special guest at their New York show this week. Hollywood legend Robert De Niro took his two year old daughter Gia to the show. Gia is De Niro’s seventh child. De Niro was 79 when she was born to mother Tiffany Chen.

3 days ago