In the book 25 years of Mushroom Records, published in 1998, Michael Gudinski described himself as “Chairman, Mushroom Group of Companies and music fan”. There could be no better description of Gudinski, an icon of the Australian popular music industry, who has died at the age of 68.

Michael Gudinski: how a titan of the industry shaped Australian music for five decades

He could have had a quiet, prosperous life in the family business, but just before his HSC he dropped out of school to put up posters and book suburban dances. He was immediately thrown out of home.

Michael Gudinski: More than the music man | The New Daily