Ed Sheeran Pays Tribute To His Friend And Mentor Michael Gudinski Ahead Of His Massive MCG Shows
Ed Sheeran paid tribute to the late Australian music icon Michael Gudinski ahead of his Melbourne concerts at the MCG later this week.
The 32-year-old singer, who is in Australia on a stadium tour, visited Gudinski’s statue in Memorial Park on Monday.
Accompanied by Gudinski’s son, Matt, Ed toasted the founder of Mushroom Records.
Ed took to Instagram on Tuesday to post a photo of him greeting Gudinski, who was a mentor and friend to the British superstar.
Posing in front of the monument, Ed, dressed casually in black, can be seen raising a glass of Gudinski’s favorite wine, Penfold’s 707.
Ed Sheeran (right) paid tribute to the late Australian music icon Michael Gudinski. Accompanied by Gudinski’s son, Matt (left), he toasted the statue of the Mushroom Records founder in Melbourne’s Memorial Park.
Ed winked at the influence of Gudinski, who helped plan his current stadium tour in Australia, which the Shape of You singer is performing in the round.
Sheeran is set to play to 105,000 fans at the MCG on Thursday, with another show on Friday.
“Toasting a 707 to the great man before playing the biggest ticketed shows in Australian history this weekend,” Ed wrote alongside the image, in which he can be seen posing with Matt Gudinski.
He then winked at the influence of Gudinski, who helped plan his current stadium tour in Australia, which the Shape of You singer is performing in the round.
“We miss you,” Ed continued, “you finally got me to play MCG in the round.”
Ed released a tribute song to Michael Gudinski, called Visiting Hours, in 2021.
In March of that year, he teamed up with Kylie Minogue to deliver a soulful duet as they joined a host of stars for the businessman’s state memorial in Melbourne.
Ed released a Michael Gudinski tribute song (left), called Visiting Hours, in 2021
The star-studded farewell saw musicians including Taylor Swift, Elton John and Bruce Springsteen pay tribute to the music mogul after his death at the age of 68.
During the memorial, Ed broke down in tears remembering his close friendship with Michael and delivered a fitting tribute with an emotional song about his own daughter Lyra.
The A Team singer delivered a moving acoustic rendition of We Were Younger Then, before stopping to wipe away tears.
Ed is scheduled to play to 105,000 fans at the MCG on Thursday, followed by a second concert on Friday.