By Jessica Micallef
Australian music legend Michael Gudinski has died overnight, aged 68.
Gudinski founded music company Mushroom Group in 1972, which transformed into Australia’s largest independent entertainment group covering touring, record labels, publishing, merchandising, booking agencies, film and television production and creative services.
In 1979, he founded touring company Frontier Touring, which has become the country’s leading promoter, touring the biggest names in global music.
Gudinski was also involved with the Sunbury Festival in 1972 with business partner Ray Evans. Together the pair managed and booked all the entertainment for the event.
Gudinski bought a property in Mount Macedon nearly 30 years ago, which was used by high-profile acts to record and write music.
Melbourne Band The Temper Trap wrote most of its first album Sweet Disposition at the property while and hip hop trio Bliss N Eso have also written songs there.
Gudinski had a dream of holding an outdoor concert at the iconic Hanging Rock after the 1975 film Picnic at Hanging Rock was released.
Frontier Touring staged two Bruce Springsteen concerts at Hanging Rock in 2013 to more than 34,000 fans with support from Jimmy Barnes and The Rubens.
In 2006, he was awarded a Member of the Order of Australia medal for his service to the entertainment industry and was named Melburnian of the Year in 2012.
Gudinski is survived by his wife Sue, son Matt, daughter Kate, their partners and two grandchildren.
