Description
While so heavily dominated by music from the United States and Britain, every now and then we have thankfully seen surges of huge success from local artists. Perhaps no man has been more passionate about making that happen than Michael Gudinski. He kick-started the music careers of Kylie Minogue, Skyhooks, Split Enz, Garbage and Vance Joy. He championed talent like Hunters and Collectors, Paul Kelly, Archie Roach, Yothu Yindi, The Models and The Temper Trap et al. He turned touring into an art form, bringing names such as Frank Sinatra, Paul McCartney , Sting, Bruce Springsteen & Ed Sheeran amongst so many others.
The new documentary on the man, ‘Ego: The Michael Gudinski Story’, is so much more than a biographical telling of his life. While it’s packed with most of the names that he signed or toured, and more, it’s a history lesson in 111 minutes flat. A journey through Australian culture from the 1970s to today and a great sampler of Australia’s varying music scenes throughout that time, with a soundtrack that never gives up. The doco screened as part of this year’s MIFF but will surely be getting general release. Grab this fab comp. in the meantime & to treasure always.
