Stars on show as music world says goodbye to a favourite son
Australian music industry titan Michael Gudinski has been farewelled by family, friends and stars from all walks of life at a private funeral in Melbourne.
Dannii (left) and Kylie Minogue arrive to the funeral of Michael Solomon Gudinski in Melbourne. (AAP Image/James Ross)
Guests arrived at Ormond Hall – where Gudinski staged live shows in the 1970s – on Wednesday morning to recorded music from acts associated with his label Mushroom Records.
Kylie and Dannii Minogue – who had their chart-topping careers nurtured by Gudinski – were arm in arm, with the former wearing a Mushroom T-Shirt under her blazer.
Close friends and music personalities Jimmy Barnes and Molly Meldrum were also in attendance along with rock veteran Brian Mannix, Skyhooks guitarist Red Symons and singer/songwriter Paul Kelly.
Others to pay their respects included business tycoon Lindsay Fox, TV presenter Eddie McGuire, cricket legend Shane Warne, AFL great Nick Riewoldt, actor Sam Neill and Melbourne Lord Mayor Sally Capp.
The Victorian government was represented by Major Events Minister Martin Pakula, with Premier Daniel Andrews recovering in intensive care with broken ribs and spinal damage after a fall.
The private service lasted about an hour and a half before about 160 roadies formed a guard of honour for his black hearse.
The roadies wore black T-shirts with “MG Crew” emblazoned on the back and clapped while New Radicals’ You Get What You Give rung out.
His family kept a low profile as three black vans followed behind the procession.
Gudinski died suddenly in his sleep on March 2, aged 68.
The public can farewell him at a state memorial on March 24 at Rod Laver Arena.
