It is with great sadness that APRA AMCOS pays tribute to Mushroom Group Chairman Michael Gudinski AM, a towering legend of the Australian music industry, who passed away at age 68.
His entrepreneurial spirit, creativity and drive built the Mushroom Group into the largest independent music and entertainment company in Australia and New Zealand, which includes longtime publisher member Mushroom Music Publishing, Frontier Touring, Chugg Entertainment, record labels, merchandising, booking agencies, film and television production and creative services.
He was the recipient of the Ted Albert Award for Outstanding Services to Australian Music at the 1998 APRA Music Awards, in acknowledgement of his outstanding contribution to the Music industry over a number of years.
From promoting concerts still in his teens in his hometown of Melbourne to bringing music to Australian audiences nationwide during COVID-19 with Mushroom's productions Music From The Home Front, The State of Music and The Sound, Michael always supported and nurtured songwriters, artists and musicians through the good times and the industry's most challenging.
"His passion, achievements, determination and influence have spanned a career of more than 50 years. And, whilst his base has always been Melbourne his impact has gone well beyond state and national borders to be truly global," said APRA AMCOS CEO Dean Ormston.
APRA Board Chair Jenny Morris shared, "Michael was a many splendoured thing. He was driven, he was sharp, he was an exceptional businessman with a loud voice both physically and metaphorically. He was generous to a fault and his enthusiasm knew no bounds. My heart goes out to his true love Sue and to Matt and Katie and the family. He was APRA's friend and he was my friend.
"There is and never will be anyone like Michael Gudinski."
We extend our condolences to Michael's family, friends and all of the Mushroom Group.