Australian music legend Michael Gudinski died with 12 different drugs including cocaine and morphine

Australian music legend Michael Gudinski died from a fatal rock and roll cocktail of drink and drugs that proved too much for his disease-riddled heart.

A post-mortem revealed 12 drugs including cocaine, oxycodone and morphine were found in his system at the time of his death last March at the age of 68.

His just released death certificate, made public in court documents at the Supreme Court of Victoria, revealed Mr Gudinski was also suffering cirrhosis of the liver and ischaemic heart disease, and had recently fractured his spine.

Initial reports at the time of his death on March 2 said the man behind Australian acts like Kylie Minogue had simply died of a heart attack in his sleep. 

Australian music legend Michael Gudinski, seen here with Kylie and Danni Minogue, died from a fatal rock and roll cocktail of drugs that proved too much for his disease-riddled heart

But the post mortem found a staggering mix of drugs, including illegal, prescription and over the counter painkillers, in his body at the time of his death.

The death certificate lists them as cocaine, ethanol, codeine, morphine, oxycodone, tramadol, diazepam, nordiazepam, temazepam, oxazepam, metoclopramide and paracetamol.

His family issued a statement on Thursday night revealing he was receiving treatment and on medication for injuries to his back at the time of his death.

‘Michael Gudinski’s passing was devastating to his family, Mushroom Group and the entertainment industry,’ they said. 

‘He will always be remembered for his incredible achievements and his passion for life. 

‘Shortly prior to Michael’s passing he had a fall that resulted in serious vertebrae injuries for which he was prescribed various pain medications. 

‘The Gudinski family do not feel it’s appropriate to make any further comment about what is a private personal matter.’

His death was met with deep grief in the Australian music industry and beyond, with tributes coming from stars like Bruce Springsteen, Ed Sheeran and Madonna. 

‘He was always loud, always in motion, intentionally (and unintentionally) hilarious, and deeply soulful,’ said Springsteen at the time.

A post-mortem revealed 12 drugs including cocaine, oxycodone and morphine were found in the blood of Michael Gudinski (pictured) at the time of his death last March at the age of 68

A post-mortem revealed 12 drugs including cocaine, oxycodone and morphine were found in the blood of Michael Gudinski (pictured) at the time of his death last March at the age of 68

The court documents also revealed details of his will which carved up a $45.9million fortune – including $30m in real estate and $15.9m in assets – between his widow Sue, son Matt, 36, and daughter Kate, 33.

His wife will receive 51 per cent of the estate, with the remainder shared equally between his children through a series of trusts.

Including in the music promoter’s estate is the family’s sprawling mansion in Melbourne’s upmarket Toorak which is valued at $30million.

He also left almost $300,000 in cash, and a 2019 Jaguar worth $50,000, plus personal effects worth another $450,000. 

His major asset after his home however was a ‘settlement loan’ from Michael Gudinski Promotions valued at $14.7million. His shares in Mushroom Music were worth just $1500.

Gudinskiwas equally loved and respected as not only the pitbull negotiator and kingmaker of the Australian music industry – but as one of its biggest party animals.

The Jewish son of Russian immigrants towered over the Australian music scene.

Kylie Minogue, whose career Michael Gudinski was instrumental in, posted an emotional Twitter tribute to the late promoter saying: 'My heart is broken and I can’t believe he’s gone. Irreplaceable and unforgettable, I’ll always love you'

Kylie Minogue, whose career Michael Gudinski was instrumental in, posted an emotional Twitter tribute to the late promoter saying: ‘My heart is broken and I can’t believe he’s gone. Irreplaceable and unforgettable, I’ll always love you’

His musical industry ‘losses’ – and there were as many as wins – will be forgotten while he will right be lauded for ‘wins’ that included a Who’s Who of Australian stars, from Jimmy Barnes and Kylie Minogue , to Paul Kelly, Skyhooks and Hunters and Collectors.

His entrepreneurial talents emerged early. At just seven, the street-wise Gudinski charged racegoers attending the Caulfield Cup to park next to his house.

Kylie Minogue, whose career Michael Gudinski was instrumental in, posted an emotional Twitter tribute to the late promoter saying: ‘My heart is broken and I can’t believe he’s gone. Irreplaceable and unforgettable, I’ll always love you .’

Armed with a street fighter's determination, a crushing handshake and unshakeable belief in his preferred tastes, Gudinski turned his passions into an empire that's thrived for decades

Armed with a street fighter’s determination, a crushing handshake and unshakeable belief in his preferred tastes, Gudinski turned his passions into an empire that’s thrived for decades

Party animals: Jimmy Barnes (left), Molly Meldrum (middle) and Michael Gudinski (right) having fun at the ARIAs in 2005

Party animals: Jimmy Barnes (left), Molly Meldrum (middle) and Michael Gudinski (right) having fun at the ARIAs in 2005

In the 1960s, as a teenager, he started out as a small-time local band promoter.

In 1972, at just 20, he founded Mushroom Records.

Armed with a street fighter’s determination, a crushing handshake and unshakeable belief in his preferred tastes, Gudinski turned his passions into an empire that’s thrived for decades.

In 2012, he was voted the most powerful person in Australian music and in the same year was named Melburnian of the year.

Throughout his career Gudinski, loved to party, and Mushroom events were well-known for a celebratory atmosphere truly faithful to the myth of rock’n’roll excess.

Armed with a street fighter’s determination, a crushing handshake and unshakeable belief in his preferred tastes, Gudinski turned his passions into an empire that’s thrived for decades 

 Stuart Coupe, writing in his 2015 biography of the music mogul, ‘The Godfather of Australian Rock’n’Roll’, said he had “a love for the excesses of the rock’n’roll lifestyle” and was “vibing out of [his] mind” for the music he loved throughout his 50 year career.

‘He was unquestionably the most powerful and influential figure in this country’s music industry,’ Coupe wrote.

Gudinski played hardball with Rupert Murdoch, making millions from a deal that saw him somehow keep control of the name ‘Mushroom’ and its lucrative publishing arm.

The much-loved Michael Gudinski, pictured here (at right) with Molly Meldrum (left) and Kylie Minogue, in 2017 passed away on Monday aged 68

The much-loved Michael Gudinski, pictured here (at right) with Molly Meldrum (left) and Kylie Minogue, in 2017 passed away on Monday aged 68

He retained control of Frontier Touring too, which brought out everyone from Justin Bieber to Bob Dylan, from Bruce Springsteen – who said of Gudinski ‘I’ve never met a better promoter’ – to Madonna, from the Foo Fighters to Frank Sinatra.

And of course the mighty Rolling Stones.

The Stones tour nearly broke Gudinski but it showed him at his brilliant hard-balling best.

In March 2014, Mick Jagger’s partner L’Wren Scott committed suicide and a tour cancellation announcement was queued to go out – before Gudinski somehow persuaded a grief-stricken Jagger and the band and its management that a ‘postponement’ might be a better word. 

The announcement was altered and the tour went ahead seven months later.

Gudinski didn’t win ’em all – he never shared in the successes of Australian stars like INXS, AC/DC, Savage Garden or Silverchair – but in terms of his power and legacy that barely mattered.

He was the King Downunder and he could make modestly talented people very famous because he said so – think of acts like ukele-toting fringe AFL player Vance Joy from Murrumbeena, hand-picked by Gudinski.

Joy – whose real name was James Keogh – went on to record a global hit, Riptide, selling over a million copies and being covered by the likes of Taylor Swift.

Over his Ed: the late Mushroom and Frontier boss Michael Gudinski shows Ed Sheeran how its done on his Australian tour

Over his Ed: the late Mushroom and Frontier boss Michael Gudinski shows Ed Sheeran how its done on his Australian tour

The much-loved Michael Gudinski, pictured here (at right) with Molly Meldrum (left) and Kylie Minogue, in 2017 passed away on Monday aged 68

Over his Ed: the late Mushroom and Frontier boss Michael Gudinski shows Ed Sheeran how its done on his Australian tour

Even though he was mostly making money in recent years from Frontier, Gudinski remained fiercely dedicated to Australian music.

One of the bands he lined up to showcase in a valuable opening slot for Bruce Springsteen on his 2014 High Hopes tour was another personal favourite, The Rubens, which topped the Triple J Hottest 100 after that tour.

Gudinski’s ‘intellect [was] astonishing, his presence commanding, often frightening and totally persuasive,’ wrote Coupe.

‘He has the ability to convince anyone that his way of doing things is in fact the only way to do things.’

 More to follow

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