An upcoming documentary about the late Mushroom Records founder Michael Gudinski’s decades-spanning career and influence has been released, along with details of its theatrical release.
- READ MORE: Even when Michael Gudinski was wrong, he ended up right
Announced today (May 23), one more trailer Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story was released. The upcoming film captures over 50 years of the late Australian mogul’s life and career. It will feature accounts and interviews with Gudinski recorded before his death in March 2021, Jimmy Barnes, Dave Grohl, Kylie Minogue, Ed Sheeran, Bruce Springsteen, Sting and more about Gudinski’s impact on the Australian music industry.
Watch the trailer for Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story below.
Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story premieres at Melbourne International Film Festival on August 10 before receiving its wide theatrical release nationwide on August 31. The film is also part of the Mushroom Group’s 50th anniversary celebrations.
Founded by Gudinski in 1972, Mushroom Records – and the Mushroom Group – quickly became one of the most influential music and entertainment companies in New Zealand and Australia.
During his career with the Mushroom Group, Gudinski signed artists such as Kylie Minogue, Split Enz and more, and he also organized stadium tours for the likes of Foo Fighters, Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran and more.
A state funeral was held in Melbourne for the influential figure in 2021, with recorded tributes from Springsteen, Elton John, Taylor Swift, Sam Smith, Eagles’ Joe Walsh, Garbage’s Shirley Manson, Foo Fighters’ Grohl, Billy Joel, Bryan Adams, Josh Homme and Rod Stewart, among others.
A year after Gudinski’s passing, Foo Fighters returned to Australia for their first stadium show in the country since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. During the show, Dave Grohl and co. paid tribute to Gudinski with their closing song, ‘Everlong’.
“I would like to dedicate this last song to an old friend who is not here with us tonight – someone who always brought us over here, took care of us and made us happy – a sweet man who made everything fun Down Under , Grohl said.
“Fortuitously, we managed to get down here about … Almost exactly a year since his death. But we wouldn’t be the band we are today, here in Australia, if it wasn’t for the great, late Michael Gudinski. I never understood a word the damn thing said, man—I swear to God, I couldn’t see what he said. But I know he was full of love. So let’s give it back to him.”