Mushroom Evolution Concert is a live album and video recorded by various Australian artists at celebratory performances held over two days of the Australia Day (January 26) weekend 1982. The Mushroom Evolution Concert was staged for Mushroom Records' tenth anniversary at the Myer Music Bowl and was organised by label boss, Michael Gudinski. It included a wide range of Australian performers from the label's roster. An estimated audience of 100,000 attended the concerts. In late 1972 Gudinski had been an artist manager and concert promoter when he and business partner, Ray Evans, founded Mushroom Records. The concert was recorded both for audio as a triple-LP and for video on double-VHS and released in 1982 under the same name. Subsequently, these were re-released on 2× CD (2005) and on 3× DVD (expanded with interviews, 2009) respectively. Although a prominent Mushroom Records artist from the 1972–1981 era, Skyhooks did not appear at the concert – they had disbanded in 1980.
Background
Mushroom Evolution Concert was recorded at the concert of the same name which was organised by impresario Michael Gudinski for two days on the Australia Day (January 26) weekend in 1982. Gudinski, and fellow music agent Ray Evans, had formed Mushroom Records in late 1972.[1] The label's first album was an ambitious triple-LP live recording of the 1973 Sunbury Pop Festival.[1] In its first few years Mushroom released albums and singles by some of the most significant Australian rock acts of the period, including Madder Lake, Chain, The Dingoes and Skyhooks.[1] Success with Skyhooks' first few albums followed later by Split Enz and Models enabled Mushroom to dominate the Australian music industry into the 1990s.[1] In 1982, Mushroom Records celebrated its tenth anniversary by running the concert at the Myer Music Bowl and releasing the triple live album and a related VHS album of the same name later that year.[2] An estimated audience of 100,000 attended the concerts.[3] Although a prominent Mushroom Records artist from the 1972–1981 era, Skyhooks were not represented at the concert – they had disbanded in 1980.
In 2009, Liberation Blue issued a triple-DVD of the two days of concert performances. The total time is approximately 420-minutes. Additional interviews are with Joe Camilleri (Jo Jo Zep & The Falcons), Sean Kelly (Models), Billy Miller, Mike Rudd, Kevin Borich, Mick Fettes (Madder Lake), Russell Morris, Matt Taylor (Chain), FJ Holden (Ol' 55) and Red Symons (Skyhooks).[5]
^Jenkins, Jeff; Meldrum, Ian (2007). "Mushroom Records – Magic Mushroom". Molly Meldrum presents 50 years of rock in Australia. Wilkinson Publishing. p. 87–94. ISBN9781921332111. {{cite book}}: Cite has empty unknown parameter: |chapterurl= (help)
^ ab"Mushroom Evolution Concert". Australian Rock by Memorable Music. Little Acorns Publishing. 2007. Retrieved 10 March 2012.