Michael Solomon Gudinski was an Australian entrepreneur and businessman, a leading figure of the Australian music indusrty who established dozens of local artists and brought many of the biggest names in the music industry to the country. Sadly, he suddenly passed away in his sleep at the age of 68 on Monday, March 2.
Michael and Sheeran’s friendship began almost a decade back, in 2011. Both of them were very close to each other, having worked and toured together for 10 years.
On the day of Michael’s passing, Ed took to his social media to share a photo of them on a sunset beach. “I’ll miss you mate”, he wrote.
Open Letter from Ed Sheeran to Michael
On March 5, he posted a long heartfelt message for his dear friend, along with some pictures of them together. The post was emotional and immediately had fans sending in their supportive comments.
“It’s so hard to put into words how much Michael meant to me, to all of us who knew him. I felt like i needed to try just so I could process it in my own head.”, Sheeran wrote on his Instagram post. “Michael was a tornado of joy. You would know he arrived in the building just by hearing the chaotic bark of his, and you could feel the room get excited about the arrival of his presence. He was such a force, and would make everyone feel like they were the most important person to him.”
“We were, first and foremost, friends. He was a father figure and mentor to me, but also we enjoyed the peaks of out touring career together in 2018, breaking the record of the most tickets sold in Australia. He bought a giant ice sculpture to mark the occasion, which I found a strange thing to do in Australian summer. We holidayed many times with our families and together.”
“We had late night, early morning talk, all over the world, from my house to his, from his hotel room to mine, in backs of cars, planes, long walks. Every memory I have of him is so clear and so precise, because every moment was electric.”
“The night he passed, I was very grateful to be able to share his favourite wine with him and say goodbye. And will be eternally grateful that I can now do this every night from now on.” he continued.
“Nothing will fill the void he left in our lives, but the memories we all have of him will live on. He’s everyone’s favourite story, and I will make sure I keep sharing all of my amazing stories I have of him. I’ve loved hearing everyone else’s this week. In between the tears there has been laughter and joy, remembering this Titan of a man.”
Sheeran ended his post by saying :”My heart and love goes out to Sue, Matt, Kate, Cara, Mackie, Nina-rose and Lulu. And to all of his close friends, who will have loved him just as much as I did. Farewell Michael, my friend./ Number one son x”
Gudinski founded Mushroom (his label) when he was 20 in 1972 and it became Australia’s largest independent entertainment group. Other stars including Molly Meldrum Foo Fighters, Russell Crowe, and Kylie and Dannii Minogue also paid tribute to Michael Gudinski.
He will be given a state funeral in Melbourne, at a date yet to be set.
