To celebrate 40 years since Mushroom Records first formed and the four decades of the music industry in Melbourne that has followed, a new exhibition called Music, Melbourne + Me, 40 years of Mushroom and Melbourne's Popular Music Culture has been announced today.
Mushroom founder Michael Gudinski revealed the news at a press conference at Melbourne's RMIT Gallery, where the exhibition will take place from Tuesday 19 November until Monday 3 March. It will feature music, posters, photographs, costumes and a host of other memorabillia that represents the success of Melbourne music locally and internationally.
The event will be curated by Gudinski, along with RMIT Gallery Director Suzanne Davies and Director of the B.A. Music Industry in the School of Media and Communication RMIT Melbourne Dr Kipps Horn.
Gudinski explained why Mushroom had waited until now to exhibit, "a lot of people have approached me over the years for a memorabilia exhibition but it had to be more than that."
Gudinski also pointed out, "by coincidence Leonard Cohen will be in town the day the exhibition opens", adding that he hoped the legendary artist would attend.
Asked if there would be a live performance aspect, Davies responded "yes there will". But no further details were revealed.
The exhibition will house features items from the Mushroom Group's memorabilia collection, as well as items from the personal collections of Michael Gudinski, Ian 'Molly' Meldrum, Kylie Minogue, Skyhooks, Split Enz and Crowded House. Arts Centre Melbourne Performing Arts Collection will also offer items.
Admission to the exhibit is free. For more details, head to the event's official website.
