Michael Gudinski facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Michael Gudinski
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Gudinski in 2013
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Michael Solomon Gudinski
22 August 1952 Caulfield, Victoria, Australia
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| Died | 2 March 2021 (aged 68) Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
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| Years active | 1960s–2021 |
| Known for | Mushroom Group founder |
| Spouse(s) | Sue Gudinski |
| Children | 2, including Kate |
Michael Solomon Gudinski AM (born August 22, 1952 – died March 2, 2021) was a very important Australian businessman. He was a top leader in the Australian music world. Michael was born and grew up in Melbourne. His parents were immigrants from Russia.
Gudinski was best known for starting a very successful Australian record company called Mushroom Records in 1972. Through this company, he helped many Australian musicians become famous. He worked with artists like Skyhooks, Kylie Minogue, and New Zealand's Split Enz. He also helped newer bands like Eskimo Joe. People often called him "one of the most significant and powerful players" in Australian music.
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Early Life and School
Michael Gudinski was born in Caulfield, a suburb of Melbourne, Victoria. His parents, Kuba and Nina Gudinski, came to Australia from Russia in 1948.
He went to Mount Scopus College and Melbourne High School. At school, Michael was friends with many young musicians. Some of these friends later became well-known in the Australian music scene.
Building a Music Career
When Michael was a teenager, he started organizing dance hall events in Melbourne. In 1970, he created a company called Consolidated Rock with Michael Browning. This company helped manage music artists like Chain.
In late 1972, Gudinski and another music agent, Ray Evans, started Mushroom Records. The first album they released was a live recording from the 1973 Sunbury Festival. In its early years, Mushroom Records released music from important Australian rock bands. These included Madder Lake and the Dingoes.
Mushroom Records had a tough start for its first two years. It was hard to get their songs played on the radio. The company almost closed down several times. But in 1975, everything changed. The band Skyhooks released their first album, Living in the 70's. It became the best-selling Australian album ever at that time. This made Mushroom Records very famous.
In 1977, Gudinski opened a music venue in Melbourne called Bombay Bicycle Club. It later moved and was renamed Bombay Rock. This became one of the best places for Australian and international rock bands to play in Melbourne.
Gudinski also signed the New Zealand band Split Enz. They became very successful in 1980 with their album True Colours. The hit song "I Got You" from that album helped launch the career of Neil Finn.
Michael Gudinski's company, Consolidated Rock, grew into the Premier Artists/Harbour Agency group. This made him a major player in booking concerts across Australia. He expanded his business to include many parts of the music industry. This included concert promoting, selling merchandise, and publishing music.
In 1988, Gudinski also started Melodian Records with Ian Meldrum.
In the 1990s, Gudinski sold part of Mushroom Records to News Ltd. In 1999, he sold his remaining share of the company.
In 2020, Gudinski created The Sound. This was a music show for ABC TV. He made it to help Australian musicians during the Covid-19 lockdown. He also organized the Music from the Home Front concert very quickly. Artists performed in this concert on ANZAC Day 2020.
Personal Life
Michael Gudinski and his wife Sue had two children. Their daughter, Kate, is also a musician. Michael signed her to his record label, Liberation Music, in 2004. They also had a son named Matt.
Gudinski was a lifelong fan of the St Kilda Football Club. He even served as their vice president for a time.
Public Image
Michael Gudinski was known as a "larger than life figure." Many people called him the "father of the Australian music industry." He was a very well-known public figure throughout his career. He was one of the few record company executives in Australia whose name was known by everyone.
Death
Michael Gudinski passed away in his sleep on March 2, 2021. He was 68 years old and was at home in Melbourne. A private funeral was held in Melbourne. Many famous performers attended, including Kylie Minogue, Dannii Minogue, Jimmy Barnes, and Paul Kelly.
Awards and Achievements
Gudinski received many awards for his work in the Australian entertainment industry. In 1992, he won an ARIA Award for Special Achievement. In 2013, he was named the first ever ARIA Industry Icon.
At the 1998 APRA Music Awards, he received the Ted Albert Award. This award is for outstanding services to Australian Music. Gudinski also received the JC Williamson Award in 2009. In 2013, he was added to the Music Victoria Awards' Hall of Fame. This happened forty years after he started Mushroom Records.
In the 2006 Queen's Birthday Honours, Gudinski was made a Member of the Order of Australia. This was for his service to the entertainment industry, promoting Australian music, and helping the community.
