A statue of the late great Mushroom founder Michael Gudinski has been unveiled at Rod Laver Arena.
Everyone who has listened to, supported, or seen live music in Australia, has most certainly been witness to the extravagant work of Michael Solomon Gudinski AM.
Arguably one of the most influential Australians in terms of their work in music production, being the founder of the Mushroom Group, which is the largest and most successful independent entertainment and music group within Australia and New Zealand, the late Gudinski has been honoured with a statue outside Melbourne’s iconic Rod Laver Arena, part of the Melbourne & Olympic Park precinct.
The life-size statue is in honour of Michael’s significant contribution to Australia’s music, arts and entertainment industries, Melbourne & Olympic Park venues, and the state of Victoria.
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Surrounded by Michael’s family and staff, the statue was unveiled on Thursday, March 24 as part of the Mushroom Group’s ‘MG Day’ event – a day-long celebration that acknowledges Michael’s life and enormous legacy.
‘MG Day’ and the unveiling included speeches from Michael’s son and Mushroom Group Chief Executive, Matt Gudinski, multi-ARIA winner and long-time friend Jimmy Barnes, as well as Dan Andrews MP, Premier of Victoria, who commemorated Michael’s life and the considerable contributions he made to both the Australian and international music industries as well as his immeasurable passion for his hometown of Melbourne, and the people of Victoria.
“My family and I are humbled by this great tribute and recognition of my late father that acknowledges his contribution to the Australian music scene and the city of Melbourne and will stand as a permanent tribute to his legacy and importance to making the Australian music and entertainment landscape what it is today,” says Matt Gudinski, Mushroom Group Chief Executive and son of Michael.
Fittingly, the sculpture of the proud Melburnian was created by the 50-year-old Darien Pullen from local company Meridian Sculptures.
“To have a statue of Michael up here surrounded by the very venues that made Melbourne the home of everything to him seems perfect,” Jimmy Barnes added.
“From here he can hear the roar of the crowds from the MCG. He can see and hear the punters leaving the Rod Laver Arena, or AAMI Park shouting about being at the best show they’ve ever seen. I think that would put a smile on his face. Especially if it was a Frontier show.”
To the man who will forever be Australian music’s number one, Michael Solomon Gudinski.