Melbourne nightclub king Brian Goldsmith dies

Legendary Melbourne nightclub king Brian Goldsmith, described by his famous daughter Tottie as having had an impact “on so many lives”, has died.

Brian Goldsmith with his daughter, Tottie.

Melbourne’s king of nightclubs Brian Goldsmith has died.

Goldsmith passed away in his sleep in Melbourne on Thursday morning aged 88.

Goldsmith is widely credited with establishing Melbourne’s nightclub scene with his legendary King St club, the Underground, which opened in 1977.

He was the man who made Melbourne fun and gave people a place to be seen and turned good times into great nights for a generation.

The Underground, a railway themed club with a train carriage that was used as a restaurant, was the place in Melbourne where celebrities, politicians, musicians and the beautiful people played and partied.

Brian and Tottie Goldsmith.

Dermott Brereton with singers Zan and Sheree at The Underground in 1987.

Brian Goldsmith and Olivia Newton-John at his 70th birthday party. Picture: Ellis Rennie

It was also the hotspot for international stars visiting town with the likes of John Travolta, John McEnroe, David Bowie, Liza Minnelli, Peter Allen, Blondie, Robert Palmer, Duran Duran, Joe Cocker and Bob Hope spotted among the booths.

Goldsmith came into nightclubs after establishing himself in the Melbourne hospitality sector. He opened his first cafe called Goldy’s in Toorak Rd in 1957 and it quickly became a society magnet.

In the early days a young woman named Germaine Greer worked there as a waitress before she became a feminist icon.

It was at Goldy’s that photographer Athol Shmith introduced Goldsmith to Rona Newton-John, sister of Olivia. The couple married a year later.

In 1971 Goldsmith opened Peanuts Cellar, then later Peanuts Gallery in Swanston St and Hatter’s Castle in Punt Rd.

The Underground in 1980.

Brian Goldsmith with his sons, Charlton, Brett, Jason and Sasha in 1996.

In 1977 he opened the Underground, famous for its sign at the entrance that read ‘No tiaras, no tattoos.’ He worked hard to keep the loutish element out of the club, making it a safe space for good times.

Part of keeping the rough element out of the club and maintaining a sense of style was his decision to have only female door staff.

Goldsmith sold out of the Underground in the late 1990s before buying back into the venue in 1992.

By then however King St had changed and the glamour of the area had gone.

In 1993 he moved his party to Albert Park Lake, opening Redhead nightclub which he ran until 1999.

Married four times, Goldsmith has eight children, Tottie, Fiona, Brett, Jason, Sasha, Briony, Charlie, and Elizabeth and seven granddaughters.

In the early 2000s he fought and won a battle with throat cancer.

His daughter Tottie described her father as generous, quirky and so loved.

“He helped so many and had such a big and generous heart,” Tottie said.

Charlie and Brian Goldsmith.

“He was one of the most quirky humans and found humour in every situation.

“He led with kindness and the world won’t be the same without him.

“He was very loved, he was a big energy and had the biggest heart.”

Tottie said her father loved helping people and bringing ideas to life.

“He led by example and he helped people believe in themselves,” she said.

“There is nowhere that I have gone in Australia where someone has not come up and said to me, ‘your father gave me my first break,’ ‘your father taught me everything I know,’ ‘your father gave me my first job,’ ‘your father took me into his home.’

“With the band I have been on the road a lot over the years and met a lot of people and it is amazing to be reminded so often of the impact he had on so many lives.

“He is going to be so missed.”

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