Musicians including members of bands as diverse as Something For Kate to the Chantoozies entered the arena, displaying just how wide his influence stretched.Molly Meldrum, Red Symons, Wilbur Wilde, Sheppard, Brian Mannix, Brian Canham, Dave Graney, Jo Beth Taylor, Angela Bishop and Zan Rowe were among the many guests.While Victorian Premier Dan Andrews was unable to make the event while he recovers from a fall, he sent a message stating Gudinski was “a wonderful Victorian and an even better friend. Music was his life’s purpose.”While Gudinski was known as The Godfather of Australian music, he was the actual godfather of Mahalia Barnes.Barnes was the first singer of the night, performing Advance Australia Fair – tweaking the lyric to “one and free”.Gudinski’s close friends Kylie Minogue, Paul Kelly, Mark Seymour and Vika and Linda are all set to perform at the event. The venue has been given a Gudinski makeover for the night – with vintage posters for some of his biggest tours plastered around the entry.They include Paul McCartney, the Eagles, Billy Joel, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Celine Dion, Jimmy Barnes and John Farnham – all promoted by his Frontier Touring company.WATCH MICHAEL GUDINSKI’S STATE MEMORIAL LIVE FROM 7.07PM AEDT Michael Gudinski’s state memorial Posters with ‘Vale Michael’ are also around the venue, with some fans taking photographs in front of ‘MG’ with his trademark finger pointed to the sky making a ‘Number One’ gesture.Superstar Ed Sheeran is expected to perform at the event, while Jimmy Barnes has already revealed he will be singing several tracks at the memorial – he and Gudinski had a close friendship for over 40 years.Rod Laver Arena will hold 7200 punters for the memorial, around half of its usual capacity, due to COVID restrictions.The state memorial has been extended to run for over two-and-a-half hours and kicks off at precisely 7.07pm tonight – a reference to Gudinski’s favourite Penfolds 707 cabernet. Those attending are able to buy Gudinski and Mushroom Records merchandise, with all proceeds going to music industry charity Support Act.GUDINSKI ‘A PILLAR OF THE AUSTRALIAN MUSIC INDUSTRY’ Melbourne music lovers have flocked to pay respect to Michael Gudinski at his state memorial.Kate Anderson, of Windsor, saw Skyhooks at Festival Hall in the 70s, joined the Split Enz fan club in 1980 and regularly attended the filming of Countdown as well as many local and international concerts, many she managed to sneak into while underage.“If it hadn’t been for Michael Gudinski’s passion, drive and persistence I wouldn’t have had those opportunities which in many ways have shaped my life. Music is there to enjoy and celebrate, it connects us with memories and people. “While I never met Michael personally, I am here to pay my respects to a person who undeniably shaped the Australian music industry and his significant contribution to our contemporary culture.”Eliza Day came to pay respect to the man who launched the career of her idol Kylie Minogue.“As a music lover, a Minogue fan, a concert goer and a Melburnian, to be able to celebrate Michael Gudinski and give thanks for all the wonderful memories that he helped create is an honour and a privilege. There’s nowhere else I’d want to be tonight than in a room full of people who understand and appreciate everything this legend gave to all of us.”Matt Merlino was one of thousands who left an online memorial tribute for Gudinski and wanted to attend the public event.“We all have Michael to thank for creating magical musical memories in our lives, whether through acts he supports or live events he made happen, he united us all through his passion for music.”Owen Lambourn, of Northcote, said Gudinski was the pillar of the Australian music and live entertainment industry. “Without his passion and dedication Australian music lovers wouldn’t have been treated to some of the amazing local talent we get the privilege to enjoy or the luxury of seeing some of the world’s biggest names on our doorstop. I want to say thank you for sharing the love of music that all of us tonight equally share.”ARIA AWARD RENAMED FOR GUDINSKI Michael Gudinski will have an ARIA award renamed in his memory.The ARIA Award for Best Breakthrough Artist will now be known as The Michael Gudinski Breakthrough Artist ARIA Award.Gudinski, who passed away on March 2, was passionate about New Australian artists – championing Mia Wray, D’Arcy Spiller, the Rubens, Gordi, Violent Soho, DMAs, Merci, Mercy and the Teskey Brothers in recent years.Gudinski’s family signed off on the new, permanent ARIA award in his honour this week.Jimmy Barnes, who called Gudinski his “brother”, hailed the move – the first recipient of the new award will be at this year’s ARIA awards at the end of 2021.“That’s a really nice gesture, all Michael ever did was fight for New Australian music,” Barnes told News Corp. The Breakthrough Artist award was first presented in 1987, with Gudinski-associated winners of the award including Frente, George, Deni Hines, the Badloves and Youth Group.Denis Handlin, Chairman of ARIA, said Gudinski changed the face of the Australian music industry and put local music on the map overseas.“It is unequivocal that Michael’s passion was breaking Australian artists and putting them on a world stage and he had a proud history of success in doing so. Following personally discussing this with Michael’s family, this is the most appropriate honour for ARIA to bestow as it recognises Michael’s profound impact on Australian artists, and the memories and legacy he created.”Those who did not score one of the 8000 tickets can watch on a free one-off live stream, which is being made available across Australia and internationally on You Tube, but will not be accessible to view once the event ends.Organisers are keeping the onstage talent a closely-guarded secret, however UK superstar Ed Sheeran was photographed arriving in Melbourne on Monday.Sheeran and Gudinski were close friends who met on the British singer’s first Australian visit in 2011 – their working partnership building to 2018’s Divide stadium tour, which broke records by selling over one million tickets in Australia and New Zealand and became the highest-grossing tour of the last decade worldwide.Sheeran, with his wife and daughter, spent 14 days in quarantine in New South Wales to pay his respects to Gudinski tonight, after being unable to attend his private funeral on March 10.Gudinski’s closest musical allies including Jimmy Barnes, Kylie Minogue, Mark Seymour, Diesel, Paul Kelly, James Reyne, Vika and Linda and Vance Joy are rumoured to be taking part in tonight’s event, which will celebrate his exceptional life and career.International artists including Bruce Springsteen, the Foo Fighters, Garbage and Billy Joel have paid tribute to Gudinski on social media, with Springsteen noting he had “never met a better promoter” over his entire career.cameron.adams@news.com.auNAT – Stay Informed – Social Media
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