The Australian entertainment industry is reeling from the sudden death of Michael Gudinski, the man known as its "godfather".
Mushroom Group, the entertainment business Gudinski founded in 1972, confirmed he died in his sleep on Monday night at his Melbourne home aged 68.
Rock star Jimmy Barnes paid a heartfelt tribute on Tuesday, saying he loved Michael and always would.
"Today the heart of Australian music was ripped out. I felt it, my family felt it, the music business felt it, the world felt it. Michael Gudinski was not only that heart but he was my friend," Barnes said.
"He stood with me through my darkest moments and my most joyous days. Michael was the rock I reached for when life tried to wash me away."
Barnes added Gudinski had always been there for anyone who needed him, describing him as a staunch friend, a loving father and grandfather, and an adoring husband.
"The music business turned, grew and moved forward in Australia because of Michael. He was a force of nature, a giant of a man. His boundless enthusiasm breathed life into our music scene," he said.
Gudinski was the promoter and record label boss who became a towering figure in Australian entertainment, with Mushroom expanding into touring, publishing, booking agencies and film and TV production.
A biography published in 2015 was titled "The Godfather Of Australian Rock 'N Roll".
Frontier Touring, founded under the Mushroom umbrella in 1979, is still one of the key concert promotion companies in Australia and New Zealand.
Gudinski launched the music careers of fellow Melburnians Kylie and Dannii Minogue and many other acts, including Skyhooks, Paul Kelly, and more recently Eskimo Joe and Evermore.
He signed the early Finn brothers band Split Enz, which became a hit act for Mushroom in the 1980s.
On Tuesday Neil Finn said Gudinski was one of a kind.
"He was a titan of Australian music with an energy and commitment that was exhilarating to watch," Finn said.
"So many pivotal and historic moments of Australian music rotated around his passions and strong will to succeed."
A statement from Mushroom said Gudinski was larger than life, with an unwavering passion for music, especially Australian acts.
"Michael was renowned for his loyalty and dedication. His ability to achieve the unachievable against unsurmountable odds was proven time and again and spoke to his absolute passion for his career and life," the company said.
"Michael's legacy will live on through his family and the enormously successful Mushroom Group."
Oscar-winning actor Russell Crowe also posted a tribute to Gudinski on social media.
"Seems almost impossible. A towering figure on the Australian cultural landscape," Crowe tweeted.
"I'm not sure we ever agreed on anything ... still didn't stop us from being mates for 30 years. I'm going to miss him deeply. My love to his family."
Most recently, Gudinski developed the Music From The Home Front TV concert, featuring more than 50 Australian and New Zealand artists, to showcase the local music industry as it struggled through the coronavirus pandemic.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews said he last spoke to Gudinski in January, and would soon have news on a celebration of his life.
"[He was] a wonderful Victorian, Australian, a very good friend of mine. To Sue, to the kids, and everybody who loved him, and by extension, everybody who loves the fact that we are the live music capital of our nation. We send them our love and support," he said.
Gudinski is survived by his wife Sue, son Matt, daughter Kate and two grandchildren.
