“I will have more to say about how we celebrate his life soon. It is custom for me to have a conversation with next of kin before I would make that public,and I’ve tried to ring[Gudinski’s wife] Sue but obviously she’s very busy.”

Musician Jimmy Barnes greeted the news of Gudinski’s passing with shock and sadness.

“Today the heart of Australian music was ripped out,” said Barnes. “Michael Gudinski was not only that heart but he was my friend. He stood with me through my darkest moments and my most joyous days.

“But I wasn’t the only one who felt like Michael was there for me. He was there for everyone that needed him. 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.”

A number of high-profile Australians,including Russell Crowe and Marcia Hines,paid tribute on social media.

“RIP Michael Gudinski. Seems almost impossible,” wrote Crowe. “A towering figure on the Australian cultural landscape. I’m not sure we ever agreed on anything,except maybe Ed Sheeran. Still didn’t stop us from being mates for 30 years. I’m going to miss him deeply. My love to his family.”

Labor leader Anthony Albanese said he was with Gudinski last Thursday,ata Midnight Oil concert in Enmore,Sydney,and that it was “hard to think of anyone who did more for Australian music than Michael”.

Hines said she was in a state of shock.

“He was a true pioneer in the music industry and a man who believed in the development of artists like myself and many others,” she said. “His friendship knew no bounds. He was a genuine original,and not replaceable.”

Gudinski is survived by his wife Sue,son Matt and partner Cara,daughter Kate and husband Andrew and their children Nina-Rose and Lulu.