An article about Ed Sheeran’s surprise appearance at Mushroom 50 with Mark Seymour.

Author:  Savanna Young and Marta Jary, Daily Mail Australia.

Date: 27 November 2023.

Original URL: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-12793829/Ed-Sheeran-makes-surprise-cameo-Mushroom-50-Live-concert-pay-tribute-late-founder-Michael-Gudinski.html

Article Text

Ed Sheeran makes a surprise cameo at Mushroom 50 Live concert to pay tribute to late founder Michael Gudinski

Ed Sheeran made a surprise appearance during the Mushroom 50 Live – 50 Songs for 50 Years concert, which aired on Channel Seven Sunday night.

The UK singer and songwriter, 32, took to the stage from the other side of the world alongside Hunters and Collectors for an emotional joint performance of the iconic Aussie rock band’s hit Throw Your Arms Around Me.

It was a bittersweet event after the iconic Aussie record label lost its founder Michael Gudinski, known as the godfather of Australian music, in 2021.

Sheeran appeared via a pre-recorded video link as he played an acoustic rendition of the track, while Hunters and Collectors frontman Mark Seymour performed live at Rod Laver Arena.

The Mushroom 50 Live – 50 Songs for 50 Years concert aired on Sunday night and viewers watching at home were delighted with what they were seeing as industry legends signed to the iconic label — including Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano and Vika & Linda — performed their biggest hits.

Beloved stars Missy Higgins, Paul Kelly, Hunters & Collectors and Ian Moss also took the stage, among scores of other popular Aussie acts.

Ed Sheeran, 32, (pictured) made a surprise appearance during the Mushroom 50 Live – 50 Songs for 50 Years concert, which aired on Channel Seven Sunday night

There was praise across the board for the singers on the night, which also included Amy Shark, Birds of Tokyo, Bliss n Eso, Christine Anu, Dan Sultan and Deborah Conway and Frente.

Others taking the stage were Willy Zygier, Diesel, DMA’S, Fred Loneragan, Goanna, Gordi, Leonardo’s Bride, Logan, Lotte Gallagher and merci, mercy, Ross Wilson, The Rubens, The Temper Trap, The Teskey Brothers and WILSN.

Many tuning in shared their thoughts to X, formerly known as Twitter, with the show clearly being enjoyed by viewers at home.

The UK singer and songwriter took to the stage from the other side of the world alongside Hunters and Collectors for an emotional joint performance of the Aussie rock band’s hit Throw Your Arms Around Me

The UK singer and songwriter took to the stage from the other side of the world alongside Hunters and Collectors for an emotional joint performance of the Aussie rock band’s hit Throw Your Arms Around Me

It was a bittersweet event after the iconic Aussie record label lost its founder Michael Gudinski (pictured, known as the godfather of Australian music, in 2021

‘Mushroom50 off to a good start… Barnsey followed by a Skyhooks classic,’ wrote one person.

‘That’s how you open a show, Jimmy. Mushroom50 F**k yeah!’ said another while one more agreed, ‘How good is mushroom live 50 on Channel Seven’.

‘Vika and Linda are Aussie rock legends,’ said one more, while someone else agreed: ‘How good are Vika & Linda! Legends’.

Viewers watching at home were delighted with what they were seeing as industry legends signed to the iconic label, including Jimmy Barnes, Kate Ceberano and Vika & Linda, performed their biggest hits

‘Remembering Christine Anu’s performance at the Syd Olympics closing ceremony – she’s still got it,’ another person shared.

‘Oh my, that was stunning and My Island Home is one of the greatest Australian records ever,’ another fan agreed.

‘Well that was something else (and thank you to The Warumpi Band),’ someone else said.

‘BEST sound and vibe in the room so far Yothu Yindi,’ one person present at the gig in person wrote on X.

Elsewhere, another fan wrote: ‘Mushroom50 this is f**king amazing !!!!’ while yet one more said they had ‘goosebumps’ watching the concert.

Mushroom Records founder 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 in his system at the time of his death in March at the age of 68.

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.

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,’ Springsteen said at the time.

Michael Gudinsk’ family issued a statement last year revealing he was receiving treatment and on medication for injuries to his back at the time of his death.

Kylie Minogue (pictured), whose career Michael Gudinski was instrumental in, posted an emotional Twitter tribute to the late promoter at the time of his death

Minogue, whose career Gudinski was instrumental in, posted an emotional Twitter tribute to the late promoter.

‘My heart is broken and I can’t believe he’s gone. Irreplaceable and unforgettable, I’ll always love you,’ she wrote.

Ed Sheeran appeared on Ten’s The Project to reveal Visiting Hours, the song he wrote for Mr Gudinski’s memorial service, was on his new album.

Gudinski turned his passions into an empire that’s thrived for decades. Jimmy Barnes (left), Molly Meldrum (middle) and Michael Gudinski (right) having fun at the ARIAs in 2005

Gudinski was was 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.

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

His musical industry ‘losses’ will be forgotten while he will rightfully 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.

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

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