Superman or supermensch?

The reason I pursued journalism in university is the same reason I always have a book on the go: I love a good story. 

Supermensch: The Legend of Shep Gordon, a documentary directed by Mike Myers (or Wayne), is THE go-to documentary for anyone who loves a good story because a) it tells a great story about b) a guy who probably has more stories to tell than anyone else in the world.

Shep Gordon, for those of you who haven't heard of him (like me, three days ago), is a legendary music manager, agent and producer who also happens to be friends with everyone in Hollywood... and His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.   

In case you're wondering what a mensch is (like me, three days ago), it's a Yiddish word used to describe "a person of integrity and honour."

I was lucky enough to be turned on to Supermensch by a good friend of mine (previously mentioned here and here) the other night (you guessed it, three days ago). 

I want you to watch the trailer for the film, but more than that, I want you to watch Johnny Depp introducing the trailer for the film (because it includes the trailer and, frankly, Johnny Depp making a fool of himself).

According to the documentary, Gordon was pretty much a "nobody" when he first met Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison and Jimi Hendrix one night at a party at a Los Angeles motel. Hendrix asked Gordon what he did for a living and Gordon replied "nothing." Hendrix went on to ask him if he was Jewish. The answer was yes. This is what Hendrix said next: "You should be a manager," to which Gordon replied "who would I manage?" "Alice Cooper," said Hendrix.

So he did. And the rest, as they say, is history.

Gordon didn't much like Alice Cooper's music (even though they became lifelong BFF's) but he definitely knew, instinctively, how to make him famous.

BFF's then

 BFF's now

Live chicken + blood + Alice Cooper = famous.

Other than Alice, Gordon managed a long list of musicians including Pink Floyd (for nine days), Anne Murray, Blondie, Teddy Pendergrass, Luther Vandross and many, many more. In addition to his music management duties (more on these below), Gordon is credited with putting the business affairs of Groucho Marx in order, pro bono, producing Kiss of the Spider Woman, turning the chef into the celebrity chef (he also managed Roger Vergé, Wolfgang Puck, Emeril Lagasse and Paul Prudhomme) and kick-starting the Food Network.

My bae Anthony Bourdain even had something nice to say about him, which was, and I quote "before Gordon, chefs were not allowed to eat in the dining room because they were considered 'the help.'"

As for Gordon's music management duties, this is what he had to say about them: "The three most important things a manager does: get the money, always remember to get the money, never forget to always remember to get the money."

ka-ching!

    

Ramblings of an awards show addict

It's been almost exactly two months since my last blog post and I couldn't even remember my password when I tried logging in exactly two minutes ago. 

That is - most clearly - a problem.

To remedy the situation, I've decided to record my ramblings (some might call them witty insights, but probably not most) on the 42nd American Music Awards originally aired Sunday night.

Though the awards aired Sunday night, on ABC in the US and on CTV in Canada, I watched them tonight because I don't have a television and spent wasted two hours trying to find a live streaming feed the night of. 

Without success. 

Oh, and by the way, this is my 101st blog post. Small victories, right?

First off, regarding Charli XCX... how does Gwen Stefani throw her voice like that? Those two have an amazing ventriloquist act going on. Kudos!

My girl Iggy Azalea wins best rap/hip-hop album (and later, artist) of the year. Woot! Loved the fact that she acknowledged it as the first and only award she has ever won. Also loved the fact that she wore T.I. as an accessory.

5 Seconds of Summer... ummm... is it just me or did Green Day discover how to time travel?

Pitbull's best only line of the whole, entire night is uttered. I can't remember it word-for-word but it goes a little something like this: "Now I know a thing or two about a thing or two and I think everyone backstage has glaucoma."

Ha!

Lorde performs and I am super impressed with her performance and voice, which is a first for me. Here it is, should you want to take a look (and have a listen).

yellow flicker beat

Ariana Grande sings and I don't hate it. What is happening to me? I need me some Mean Girls. 

Danica McKellar (Winnie Cooper!) announces the winner of the alternative band of the year category and does not look a day older than she did when she was Winnie Cooper. Must remember to find out what kind of face cream she uses and buy copious amounts of it. 

Selena Gomez performs Heart Wants what it Wants and I love it so much that I play it twice. And cry at the end. Who am I???

take that beaver!

Lil Wayne mumbles, and weezes, his way through a song. I think. All I hear is "Thelma and Louisie." I think. Forget about "they." I "just don't get it."

Fergie's husband, Josh Bechamel or something, introduces Fergie circa 19??. I see more of Fergie's booty than JLo's and Iggy's combined, but more on that later. 

Jessie J, Ariana Grande and Nicki Minaj perform Bang Bang, but not the Bang Bang I like. This is the Bang Bang I like.

 

joe cuba's bang bang

The moment we've all been waiting for. Or the moment I've been waiting for anyhow. Booty. And boy-oh-booty am I disappointed! This is what TV censors have been getting their knickers in a twist over all week?  Puh-lease.

 some video booty 

Lorde lipstick swipe (aka the end).