They Call Me Supermensch by Shep Gordon (review)

Shep Gordon, one of the most famous talent managers, invites us to explore his intense life from a very humble perspective, sharing his vivid memoirs in his book: They Call Me Supermensch. Paradoxically, he introduces us to his life from his nearing death experience after briefly sharing the LA trip, where he met Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix, that would change his life. Starting with a beautiful description of his childhood modest home, and family back in Queens, New York, Shep retrospects his life journey to entertain us with anecdotes such as hosting, meeting, and cooking for the Dalai Lama, whose honorable acts reminded him—to a certain extend—to his own father, "a man who kept his word" (225). However, these are just a few of his pleasant stories; alcohol, drugs and sex were a lot more prominent throughout the first half of the book as his career as a manager emerged. The book entails twenty-two chapters in total, and although the second half presents his more mature life path, there are fascinating anecdotes in both parts.

Shep was initially a dealer in Los Angeles when he realized he needed a cover to avoid legal issues. Back in college at Buffalo, he had already extensive experience dealing, but in LA, he started to perform at a larger scale. It is for that reason that he was told that as a Jew, he should be a manager, an idea that really caught his attention. Alice Cooper was his first band, and although at first he thought they would never make it, they actually became one of the most popular bands in rock history with outrageous and overproduced shows due to Shep's controversial modus operandi: breaking rules to attrack the press for publicity and make parents hate Alice Cooper. His motto: "Create history, don't wait for it to happen" (8), really worked for him and his clients. He helped out old Groucho Marx with his financial problems in chapter six, and certaintly made history by getting Salvador Dalí create his First Cylindric Chromo-Hologram Portrait of Alice Cooper's Brain as he explains in chapter eight. After since, he challenged himself promoting other artists.

Chapter twelve presents a turning point in his life journey after meeting the French chef Roger Vergé, a "serene pool of light" (158), who he truly admired. Shep just wanted to hang out with him but in his first attempt, he was suggested to go to cooking school, and so he did. Later, he followed Vergé to Bangkok to help him cook. It was there where he realized that …, true bliss was service to others and perfecting compassion" (163). Shep, of course, in exchange of his quality time spent with him, promoted his cooking skills with many other celebrities who became Vergés' fans and guests right away. Shep continued to manage a long list of musical artists such as Teddy Pendergrass, The Gypsy Kings, among others, and became very involved in Cannes. Shep even dated actress Sharon Stone, and it was through her that he learned more about Dalai Lama, who was later his guest in Hawaii. As a sociologist, Shep would always study the crowds around him. He helped many people in different ways, especially financially when needed. Although he would avoid getting too emotionally attachted to anybody, his gentle and sincere gesture taking care of Mia's kids—his ex Winona's daughter who died in a car accident—demonstrate how Shep was not like the typical Hollywood greedy manager.

My favourite part starts with chapter eighteen, when Shep realizes that people were taking advantage of Vergé's kindness. The star chef was not getting paid for anything, and was not even allowed to eat in the dining room of the hotel where he cooked (240). The way chefs were treated deeply disappointed Shep. After a meeting with thirty-five notorious chefs, he was asked to manage them as he did with Alice Cooper. It was then when he opened his agency: "ACR, Alive...