The Australasian music industry has been rocked today with news that legendary Australian music entrepreneur Michael Gudinski has died at the age of 68. He died peacefully at home in Melbourne on the night of March 1, his death sending shockwaves through the Australian music industry and far beyond.

The founder of the massively influential Mushroom Group of companies, Gudinski has long been a leading trans-Tasman industry figure. As Lars Brandle of the Industry Observer notes,   ‘…no single person has done more for building the music industry in Australia or boosting the profiles of homegrown artists here and abroad’  

The Sydney Morning Herald headline quoted another of Aussie’s biggest music legends, Jimmy Barnes, saying; ‘Heart of Australian music ripped out’: Michael Gudinski dies aged 68.

Gudinski founded the Mushroom Group in 1972 at the age of just 20, and his various companies have played a significant role in the New Zealand recording business, artist management, music publishing and major stage touring artist schedule over the five decades since.

‘Michael’s legacy will live on through his family and the enormously successful Mushroom Group – an enduring embodiment of decades of passion and determination from an incredible man’ Read the full Mushroom Group obituary here.