“I wish heaven had visiting hours/ So I could just show up and bring the news,” sang Ed Sheeran in a song written especially for his friend, music impresario Michael Gudinski, in 2021.
Heaven may not have visiting hours, but St Kilda Cemetery – the final resting place of the legendary record executive – does, so it’s probably unsurprising that Sheeran made time during his Melbourne tour dates to spend time at Gudinski’s side.
The cemetery confirmed Sheeran made a stopover on Friday.
“Grief is a universal experience, and we feel deeply privileged whenever we can support people on that journey, including Ed Sheeran,” said cemetery chief executive Ingrid Harvey.
“His visit to St Kilda Cemetery to honour Michael Gudinski, someone so important in his life and career, is a reminder of what these places offer, quiet moments of reflection, remembrance and gratitude.”
Sheeran has been effusive in his affection for Gudinski, who championed the British singer-guitarist when he came to Australia early in his career.
When Gudinski died in March 2021 at the age of 68, Sheeran penned a heartfelt Instagram post that began: “It’s hard to put into words how much Michael meant to me.”
He then came to Australia, even spending two weeks in lockdown, to be allowed to perform at Gudinski’s memorial service at Rod Laver Arena, at which he debuted the song Visiting Hours.
After the service, Sheeran and Gudinski’s son Matt got matching tattoos of a hand in St Kilda, in honour of Michael.
Matt has taken over his father’s company, Mushroom, a music conglomerate that has helped the careers of the Skyhooks, Kylie Minogue, Paul Kelly, Missy Higgins and Muse among others.
Sheeran has two shows remaining at Marvel Stadium on this tour, but even before stepping on stage he’d made a splash in Melbourne, travelling on the overnight train from Sydney and doing his best to conceal himself upon arrival at Southern Cross Station.
Be the first to know when major news happens. Sign up for breaking news alerts on email or turn on notifications in the app.
From our partners
Disclaimer : This story is auto aggregated by a computer programme and has not been created or edited by DOWNTHENEWS. Publisher: www.smh.com.au
