Molly Meldrum’s emotional tribute to ‘great friend’ Michael Gudinski

by

Molly Meldrum shares emotional tribute to ‘great friend’ Michael Gudinski after the Australian music promoter’s death

By J. Peterson For Daily Mail Australia

Published: | Updated:

Molly Meldrum has issued an emotional statement about the death of Australian music icon Michael Gudinski.

The famed music promoter died on Tuesday aged 68, which has resulted in an outpouring of tributes from celebrities and musicians.

‘Not only have we lost an icon who was the cornerstone of the Australian music industry, I have lost a best friend, a brother,’ Meldrum, 78, said.

Heartbroken: Molly Meldrum has issued an emotional statement about the death of Australian music icon Michael Gudinski

‘The void that is felt is immeasurable; I honestly find his passing very difficult to comprehend,’ he continued.

‘Michael and I have been friends for over 50 years and the deep respect we had for each other was profound. He was a huge influence in my life.’ 

Meldrum said that he was offering all of his love and support to Gudinski’s wife Sue and their children and grandchildren. 

He continued: ‘Michael’s legacy will echo through the entertainment industry forever. He came and he conquered. He has left a giant footprint in the heart and soul of the music industry.

‘If there was a song that could sum up how I am feeling, it would have to be the Bee Gee’s 1971 hit, How Can You Mend A Broken Heart. He will forever be missed.’

Gudinski, who was widely regarded as the ‘father of the Australian music industry’, died in Melbourne on Tuesday. His cause of death is unknown at this point.

He leaves behind wife Sue, children Matt and Kate, and two grandchildren.

The music promoter formed record company Mushroom Records at just 20 years old and went on to sign and launch the careers of artists including Kylie Minogue, who is now one of the biggest pop stars in the world.

In 1979, he established concert promoter Frontier Touring and stayed at its helm until his death.

His family confirmed his death on Tuesday morning.

Mushroom Group said in a statement: ‘It is with profound sadness that we announce the passing of Michael Gudinski AM overnight.

‘The much-loved Australian music legend died peacefully in his sleep at his home in Melbourne, Australia. Michael Gudinski was a key figure in shaping the Australian music industry.’

Molly Meldrum’s full statement 

I am unable to translate into words what I am feeling right now. Not only have we lost an icon who was the cornerstone of the Australian music industry, I have lost a best friend, a brother. Michael and Sue are family to me.

They have been a staple in my life forever. Right now, my love, support and focus are with Sue, Matt, Kate and the grandchildren. The void that is felt is immeasurable; I honestly find his passing very difficult to comprehend.

Michael and I have been friends for over 50 years and the deep respect we had for each other was profound. He was a huge influence in my life. 

Like me, Michael’s passion for music is unwavering. He dreamed big, worked hard, and had the tenacity, energy, and determination to drive all his ambitions home. Failure was never part of his vocabulary.

He helped place Australian music on the world map. He not only guided aspiring artists into unfathomable stardom, but he also brought the world’s biggest artists to the Australian stage. He was the life force behind live music. He was unstoppable.

Music was the base and core of our friendship. We are both stubborn as hell and we would often laugh as we traded a tirade of insults to each other. 

I challenged him and he challenged me and as I have said many times before, Michael and I have had more dramas than Shakespeare and more laughs than Seinfeld. We really were like Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon in Grumpy Old Men.

From allowing Ziggy to give him kisses and licks whenever he was in sight, to putting up with my antics on a daily basis, Michael was a great friend. 

My most recent and now treasured memory was spending Christmas day last year with the Gudinski’s. We had an incredible day AND believe it or not, Michael and I did not disagree or argue once for the entire 9 hours we were together!

Michael’s legacy will echo through the entertainment industry forever. He came and he conquered. He has left a giant footprint in the heart and soul of the music industry.

If there was a song that could sum up how I am feeling, it would have to be the Bee Gee’s 1971 hit, ‘How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.’ He will forever be missed.