Industry pays tribute to Michael Gudinski

International artists and industry figures have paid tribute to Michael Gudinski, who died at the age of 68 on Monday night.

A high-profile advocate for Australian music and a widely respected live music promoter and entrepreneur, Gudinski's death has seen tributes paid to him by a wide range of figures.

Bruce Springsteen
"My friend Michael Gudinski was first, last, and always a music man. I’ve toured the world for the last 50 years and never met a better promoter.

"Michael always spoke with a deep rumbling voice, and the words would spill out so fast that half the time I needed an interpreter. But I could hear him clear as a bell when he would say, 'Bruce, I’ve got you covered'.

"And he always did. He was loud, always in motion, intentionally (and unintentionally) hilarious, and deeply soulful. He will be remembered by artists, including this one, from all over the world every time they set foot on Australian soil. My deepest condolences to his wife and partner Sue and to the whole Gudinski family, of which he was so proud."

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

— Kylie Minogue (@kylieminogue) March 2, 2021

Craig Lovett, Partner/Principal and co founder, ‎Incognitus
"The Australian music scene has today lost a great man, a leader, an inspirational entrepreneur in Michael Gudinski.

“Like anyone that has worked in the event genre over the past 35 years I have often had the pleasure of working for and alongside Michael on many occasions, the first of which was Guns N’ Roses at Calder Park. And what a gig that was for all the right and wrong reasons.

“In short I under bid the gig by more than 40%. I spoke to Michael directly the day after the gig whilst in the middle of event day. His advice was ‘just get the job done and we will talk’. Which I did

4 days later we completed the task in a first class manner. 3 days of 40 plus degrees, combined with torrential rain. St John’s stretched over 25 of our crew off of the work site due to dehydration.

“Whatever could go wrong, did go wrong. Never the less the job was completed.

“I sent an invoice for the full cost (zero margin) of the clean with a letter that explained our shortcomings at the bid table

“60 days later I received a cheque for full payment with a single dollar note ‘pinned’ to the cheque with a handwritten note from the great man that said ‘don’t let it ever be said that you can’t make a buck out of Michael Gudinski’. Amazing.

“We continued to do work for Michael for many years. And I still have that dollar note $.

“A sad loss today.”

Virginia Trioli, broadcaster
"He found(ed) and celebrated the music that became the soundtrack of our lives - and he loved it and danced it just as we did."

Jimmy Barnes
"Today the heart of Australian music was ripped out. I felt it, my family felt it, the music business felt it, the world felt it. Michael Gudinski was not only that heart but he was my friend. He stood with me through my darkest moments and my most joyous days.

“Michael was the rock I reached for when life tried to wash me away. He never closed his door or his heart to me and my family.

“But I wasn’t the only one who felt like Michael was there for me. He was there for everyone that needed him.

“The music business turned, grew and moved forward in Australia because of Michael. He was a force of nature, a giant of a man.

“His boundless enthusiasm breathed life into our music scene. But that was just one side of Michael.

“He was a staunch friend, a loving father and grandfather and an adoring husband to Sue. Jane and I are shocked at the loss of our friend but we will try to be strong and keep the music flowing from our hearts.

“We will stand by his family just like he stood by ours. I loved Michael, always will.”

Tim Worton, Group Director - Arenas, ASM Global Asia Pacific
"This absolutely heartbreaking and a massive shock. My thoughts go to Sue, Matt, Kate and the family and all my friends at Mushroom/Frontier. The music and live entertainment industry will never be the same again, as we’ve lost its most influential character ... an absolute icon.

“There will never be another Michael Gudinski. RIP.”

Richard Wilkins, television and radio presenter
"The biggest tree in the forest has fallen. What a devastating loss."

Daniel Andrews, Premier of Victoria
"Few people... if any (have) helped shape the Australian music industry more than Gudinski.

"His was the beating heart of the Victorian scene, and his irrepressible spark entertained our state for 50 years."

Statement from TEG
"TEG wishes to send our deepest sympathies to the Gudinski family at this very difficult time, as well as to everyone at Mushroom and Frontier Touring.

“Michael was a larger-than-life character whose legacy in Australian music is undeniable.”

A full tribute to Michael Gudinski will feature in the next issue of the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine.

Images: Michael Gudinski (top, credit: Nick Lawrence) and the promoter with Jimmy Barnes (below).