Wheatley, who managed high profile entertainers including John Farnham and Delta Goodrem during his career, reportedly died after being hospitalised with COVID-19.
The Queensland-born Wheatley was bassist for The Masters Apprentices in the 1960s, playing on the hits Turn Up Your Radio and Because I Love You.
He established the Wheatley Organisation in 1975 and became manager of Little River Band.
Wheatley mortgaged his house to bankroll Farnham's 1986 comeback album Whispering Jack, which went on to become one of the biggest-selling Australian albums of all time.
The album would revitalise Farnham's career and the last song to be added to it - You're The Voice - became an Australian pop anthem.
After mixing the initial version of the song, Wheatley was left flat so Farnham jumped back in the recording booth.
"He sang the livin' bejesus out of it," Wheatley said in an oral history published in 2014.
Wheatley also managed Goodrem, helping her launch her 2003 debut Innocent Eyes.
He spent about 10 months in jail in 2007 after pleading guilty to charges of tax evasion.
Entertainment reporter Richard Wilkins said Wheatley was one of three key Australian music industry pioneers who had died in the last year, including INXS manager Chris Murphy and Mushroom record founder Michael Gudinski.
"He was one of the founding fathers of the Australian music industry," he told Sydney radio 2GB.
Wheatley paved the way for other Australian music acts to go overseas after guiding Little River Band to extraordinary success in the US in the 1970s, Wilkins said.
"He was just a gun, ace manager."
The relationship with Farnham was one of opposites but they were "a great combination" who were "joined at the hip".
"John had the voice and Glenn had the smarts," Wilkins said.
His life was a rollercoaster of extraordinary ups and downs and he "lost everything" after investing in a nightclub just before the global financial crisis hit that led him to living in his in-laws' house.
However, Wheatley was always positive and the ultimate deal maker.
"He always had a deal going on - it was always going to be the next biggest thing," Wilkins said.
The Masters Apprentices said Wheatley had "left his mark forever on Australian Music".
"We are deeply saddened by the passing of Glenn Wheatley," the band posted on Facebook.
"We will miss him greatly. Our deepest sympathies to his wife Gaynor, son Tim and daughters Samantha and Kara.
"Always a Masters Apprentice! With thoughts, memories and love - Brian, Mick, Gavin, Rick, Craig and Bill."
Singer Marcia Hines paid tribute to Wheatley on Twitter.
"I woke to the sad news that Glenn Wheatley has passed away,. My condolences to his wife Gaynor, and all of his family, during this ever so sad time," she wrote.
"May he Rest In Peace."
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