Kylie Minogue and Bruce Springsteen lead tributes to music industry 'legend'

Kylie Minogue, Bruce Springsteen and Russell Crowe are among the stars paying tribute following the death of an Australian music industry “legend”.

Promoter Michael Gudinski founded the Mushroom label when he was just 20 in 1972, and it went on to become the country’s largest independent entertainment group.

He helped launch the careers of both Kylie and Dannii Minogue and also played a key role in bringing some of the world’s biggest stars, including Springsteen, to perform Down Under.

MICHAEL GUDINSKI – Legend. Legacy. LOVE. 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’. #MichaelGudinski pic.twitter.com/f3AH1KlBOL

A statement on the death of our great Australian promoter, Michael Gudinski. pic.twitter.com/4fJdY8n7Eb

He died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Melbourne, Australia, aged 68, Mushroom said.

Paying tribute on social media, Kylie Minogue described Mr Gudinski as a “legend” and a “titan” of the music industry.

“One of a kind and forever family to me,” she wrote. “My heart is broken and I can’t believe he’s gone.”

Springsteen described Mr Gudinski as a friend who was “first, last and always a music man”, and a promoter who would be “remembered by artists, including this one, from all over the world every time they step foot on Australian soil”.

Crowe said he was a “towering figure on the Australian cultural landscape”.

The pair had been friends for 30 years, he said.

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.

A post shared by Ed Sheeran (@teddysphotos)

Ed Sheeran, the Foo Fighters and Dannii Minogue have also shared tributes.

Sheeran, who Mr Gudinski helped while touring in Australia, shared a picture on Instagram of the pair together on a beach, saying: “I’ll miss you mate.”

Dannii Minogue said: “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.

Posting a picture on social media, the Foo Fighters said in a statement. “Thank You Michael Gudinski for giving us and countless others the best night of our lives.

“Over and over again. A true f****** legend. We will miss you dearly. Rock & Roll will miss you deeply.”

Mushroom Group said Mr Gudinski had spent time in 2020 trying to help artists affected by the shutdown of live music caused by the COVID-19 crisis.

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“A larger-than-life figure, Michael was widely respected for his unwavering passion for all music – in particular Australian music,” the label said in a statement.

“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.”

Mr Gudinski is survived by his wife Sue, son Matt and daughter Kate, the group said.

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