‘He was unstoppable’: Molly Meldrum’s heartbreaking tribute to the late Michael Gudinski

Describing him as his closest friend and a ‘huge influence’, Molly Meldrum has opened up about the sudden death of Michael Gudinski.

Molly Meldrum has paid tribute to his best friend, the late Michael Gudinski.

The TV icon has been inconsolable since the passing of his best friend of over 50 years.

While Meldrum has refused all media requests, he released a statement which taps into their friendship which began in the late 60s and grew strong when Meldrum was running Countdown and Gudinski had started Mushroom Records.

Mushroom act Skyhooks, who Gudinski also managed, have long been hailed as one of the reasons Countdown gained traction.

Michael Gudinski and Molly with the Countdown Spectacular cast in 2006. Picture: Supplied

“Without Skyhooks there would be no Countdown,” Meldrum once told News Corp.

Their deep friendship extended to Meldrum being godfather to Gudinski’s daughter Kate, while the Countdown host would spend every Christmas Day with the Gudinski family, as well as holidaying together.

Their worlds collided when Gudinski staged two Countdown Spectacular arena tours, in 2006 and 2007, which Meldrum hosted, introducing bands from the Countdown era.

Meldrum also had a record label, Melodian, through Mushroom which discovered acts including Peter Andre, Indecent Obsession and Jo-Beth Taylor. Their friendship was documented in the TV miniseries Molly.

Meldrum wrote this open letter about Gudinski.

“I am unable to translate into words what I am feeling right now. Not only have we lost an icon who was the cornerstone of the Australian music industry, I have lost a best friend, a brother. Michael and Sue are family to me. They have been a staple in my life forever.

“Right now, my love, support and focus are with Sue, Matt, Kate and the grandchildren. The void that is felt is immeasurable; I honestly find his passing very difficult to comprehend.

“Michael and I have been friends for over 50 years and the deep respect we had for each other was profound. He was a huge influence in my life. Like me, Michael’s passion for music is unwavering. He dreamed big, worked hard, and had the tenacity, energy, and determination to drive all his ambitions home. Failure was never part of his vocabulary.

Michael Gudinski, his wife Sue and Molly Meldrum in 1991. Picture: BRUCE MAGILTON.

“He helped place Australian music on the world map. He not only guided aspiring artists into unfathomable stardom, but he also brought the world’s biggest artists to the Australian stage. He was the life force behind live music.

“He was unstoppable. Music was the base and core of our friendship. We are both stubborn as hell and we would often laugh as we traded a tirade of insults to each other. I challenged him and he challenged me and as I have said many times before, Michael and I have had more dramas than Shakespeare and more laughs than Seinfeld. 

Michael Gudinski, Kylie Minogue, Molly Meldrum and Tina Arena. Picture: Ian Currie

Molly Meldrum and Michael Gudinski were friends for over 50 years. Picture: Supplied

”We really were like Walter Matthau and Jack Lemmon in Grumpy Old Men. From allowing Ziggy to give him kisses and licks whenever he was in sight, to putting up with my antics on a daily basis, Michael was a great friend. My most recent and now treasured memory was spending Christmas Day last year with the Gudinskis. We had an incredible day AND believe it or not, Michael and I did not disagree or argue once for the entire 9 hours we were together!

“Michael’s legacy will echo through the entertainment industry forever. He came and he conquered. He has left a giant footprint in the heart and soul of the music industry.

“If there was a song that could sum up how I am feeling, it would have to be the Bee Gee’s 1971 hit, ‘How Can You Mend A Broken Heart.’ He will forever be missed.”

– Ian ‘Molly’ Meldrum

Tina Arena, centre, with Michael Gudinski and Molly Meldrum in the mid 90s.