Michael Gudinski

Music was in Michael Gudinski’s blood. Born 22 August 1952 to Russian immigrant parents, Gudinski is widely recognised as the most powerful and influential figure  in the Australian music industry. As Chairman of the Mushroom Group – the largest independent music and entertainment company in Australia and New Zealand, home to Frontier Touring, Chugg Entertainment, eight record labels and at least a dozen other specialist divisions – Gudinski’s clout was undeniable.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Gudinski’s multi-faceted business and proud advocacy for artists has created an Aussie empire; his passion for music legendary. Named as honouree on Billboard’s International Power Players list in 2019 Gudinski was voted #1 in The Music’s ‘Power 50’ list in 2020, it was his fifth time at the top spot since its inception in 2012. All this, despite not being able to personally play a single note – music legend Jimmy Barnes once telling his friend to “not even sing in the shower”.

Michael Solomon Gudinski passed away peacefully in his sleep at home at age 68, on 02 March 2021.

Barry Bissel, broadcaster and longtime  friend of Gudinski, has pieced together a 30 minute LiSTNR exclusive – Michael Gudinski: The Ultimate Music Man. “Sourced from hours of exclusive chats with Michael from over the years, this is a respectful and insightful podcast about the godfather of the Australian music scene, brought together with the help of music journo and close associate of the Mushroom Group family, Jeff Jenkins.

Michael Gudinski: The Ultimate Music Man is available to listen for free via the LiSTNR app.

National Film and Sound Archive of Australia [NFSA] Curator Thorsten Kaeding also paid tribute to the Aussie music icon with a article using archival television and radio snippets. Another  great read and listen.

TO READ THE ARTICLE: CLICK HERE

Michael Gudinski interview. Face the Press. 3 November 1993. Source: SBS. NFSA title: 528909