Musicians from around the world flew in to pay their respects to Australia’s late Michael Gudinski, the founder of Mushroom Records and impassioned promoter of all music from the Island.
Ed Sheeran performed a new song called ‘Visiting Hours,’ reportedly about his late grandfather and how much he wishes he’d had a chance to meet their baby girl, Lyra.
The singer broke down in tears as he performed the song.
Ed sang: ‘I wish that heaven had visiting hours. So I could just show and bring the news that she’s getting older.
‘And I wish that you’d met her. I wish that you’d met her.
‘The things that she’d learn from me I got them all from you.
‘I wish that heaven had visiting hours.
‘So I could just swing by and ask your advice. What would you do in my situation?
‘I haven’t a clue how I’d raise them. What would you do cause you always do what’s right.
‘We just took a while until our worries disappeared. I’d tell you that I’m scared of turning out a failure.’
Along with the live performances, the memorial included tributes and speeches celebrating Gudinski’s ‘significant contribution to the Australian and international music industry and the state of Victoria’.
‘Michael’s passion for music was legendary and his advocacy for artists established him as a much loved, respected and admired leader in the industry in Australia and overseas,’ read the event’s webpage.