Stuart Coupe describes Michael Gudinski as “the most important figure in the Australian music business in the last 50 years”. Few people would argue about this, although many would argue whether that influence has been positive or not. This book should help fan the flames of discussion, if nothing else.
Ex “Empire Times” editor, Coupe, has been a part of the music industry himself, for many years, and knows Gudinski personally. When Coupe’s last book “The Promoters”, came out in 2003, Gudinksi apparently bought umpteen copies and gave them away as business cards. As the years rolled on, and many of the characters in the Gudinski story started to pass-away, Coupe decided that the time had come for another book.
Gudinksi himself has never wanted a biography in his life-time, so Coupe had to tread lightly. Although never fully authorising the work, he eventually came to a spirit of detente with Coupe, and was allowed to check proofs for factual inaccuracies. He tells one humorous story about this process:
“It was the day the book was going to the printer, and I got a call from Michael’s lawyer, saying that Michael had important stuff to talk to me about, but he was currently in a plane from London and would ring me from Dubai. So I got the phone call and Michael said, “You mention on p57 that I bought a Jag. It was second-hand. It was years before I bought a new car.”
Coupe laughs at the memory.
At the stage of chatting to us, Coupe was still not sure of how Gudinski felt about the finished product. As he says, “Michael likes to pick up the vibe. He listens to what other people say.” So were people open about talking, when the subject is still such a powerful force in the industry?
“I interviewed about eighty people. Everyone has a Gudinksi story. But only about 25% of them are true. I listened to them all, and sifted through them. Some people didn’t want to talk: those that live in Melbourne and are still in the industry. And Greg Macainsh of Skyhooks, is saving his stories for his own book!”
For anyone interested in the music industry, or in Australian social history, this is a useful addition to the bookshelf.
Gudinski by Stuart Coupe is out now through Hachette Australia $32.99
Interviewed by Tracey Korsten
Twitter: @TraceyKorsten
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