Entertainment Mogul Shep Gordon On The New Doc 'Supermensch'

Over his decades-long run in the music industry, artist manager and entertainment industry insider Shep Gordon has worked with major superstars — from Alice Cooper to Blondie to Teddy Pendergrass. But his career began almost as an accident: Gordon was dealing drugs and counted Jimi Hendrix as a customer. Hendrix told Gordon he needed to come up with a cover for his illicit sales, so Hendrix suggested Gordon manage "those freaks from Phoenix." Those "freaks" turned out be be Alice Cooper and his band — who soon became Gordon's first music clients.

Now, Gordon's life is the subject of the new documentary, Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon, directed by comedian and actor Mike Myers. The film marks Myers' directorial debut of Myers, who first met Gordon during negotiations to use an Alice Cooper song in Wayne's World.

Gordon went on to work outside of the music industry, working in film and becoming a key figure in the creation of the "celebrity chef." But despite so many years managing and promoting fame, Gordon has a jaded view of the cost of celebrity. He famously tells potential clients, "If I do my job right, I'm gonna kill you."

In a conversation with Soundcheck host John Schaefer, Gordon reflects on his career and the nature of success.

"Fame is very difficult," he says. "It's very difficult to live with because it changes your life, it becomes very difficult to understand why am I famous? Self-worth issues come under a magnifying glass every single second."

Watch the trailer for Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon:

Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon is now screening in limited release.