Dominic ‘Mick’ Mazzone, the manager of Australian rock veterans the Hoodoo Gurus, has passed away, his family have revealed in a statement.
“The family of Mick Mazzone would like to announce the sudden and sad passing of our beloved dad, brother and uncle,” the statement read. “A stalwart of his family, he was surrounded by his loved ones in his last days.
“He will be remembered by many in the Australian music industry, which he worked in and loved for over four decades and deeply missed by his countless friends,” they added. “We appreciate all the love and support shown to us.
“His legacy will live on.”
The Hoodoo Gurus also shared a statement earlier on the morning of Thursday, April 17th, noting they are “utterly devastated at the sudden loss of our dear friend,” and adding “it is impossible to convey the shock and grief we are feeling right now.”
“We have already shed many tears, and there will be many more to come, but our loss is nothing compared to the one that has been dealt to Mick’s close family and friends and, in particular, to his beloved kids, Frank, Antonia and Alex,” they added. “Our hearts go out to them at this dreadful time.”
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Mazzone grew up in the western Adelaide suburb of Torrensville, learning to play music as a teenager before performing in a number of local bands. He moved to Sydney to work in the music business, setting up Mighty Management and M Records. While Mighty Management would look after names such as Ian Moss and The Radiators, the latter would also appear on M Records alongside the likes of De Mont.
Eventually, Mazzone’s myriad talents saw him viewed as an “industry all-rounder,” with experience in sound engineering, production, and tour management.
Having worked with names such as Bon Jovi, Madonna, Billy Joel, and R.E.M., Mazzone also served as a founding member of the Music Managers Forum, and was both a founder and trustee of the music industry charity the Golden Stave Foundation.
“Mick holds a special place in our hearts, and we will forever be grateful for his time spent guiding and mentoring the Rads when we were at a low point in our career,” The Radiators added in their own post. “His management helped lift us up, and without his strong, sure and steady hand.. we as a band, may not have been able to navigate the ‘90s.”
“He will be sadly missed by so many people in the industry,” they added. “He was an incredible human. A quiet genius. Gone way way too soon. The world is a poorer place today, for the loss of one Mick Mazzone.”
In 2018, Mazzone became one of the many industry identities to be receive a Medal of the Order of Australia, being recognised for his services to the industry and his charitable work.
Mazzone took on the role of Hoodoo Gurus manager in February 2024 after Michael McMartin (of Melody Management) announced he would be stepping down from the position after 41 years. McMartin himself would pass away in March 2024 following a lengthy illness.
Mazzone had previously served as the band’s tour manager and had also maintained a close friendship with the band and McMartin for 30 years. “Mick has long been a part of the Gurus’ family, and, like any family, we often rely on each other in a crisis,” the band said of Mazzone’s appointment at the time.
