8 Life Lessons Learned From Shep "Supermensch" Gordon's 'Questlove Supreme' Interview

Search long, hard, near and far, and you still might not ever find a music industry vet as warmhearted and influential as one Shep Gordon. His rare and uncanny journey began at a Hollywood motel where he happened upon a couple getting rough by the pool and decided to interject out of genuine concern, only to discover it was actually Janis Joplin and Jimi Hendrix in the middle of an intimate moment. Joplin clocked him and set him down a path that would eventually lead to being dubbed "Supermensch" by his clients, which have ranged from Rick James to Teddy Pendergrass to Alice Cooper, who remains a lifelong friend and client to this day.

Some of you may know the legend of Supermensch from Mike Myers' critically acclaimed documentary on the life and boundless lessons that Gordon has imparted to his client base, all still close and visit regularly at his fabled Honolulu retreat. But as the guest on this week's episode of Questlove Supreme, the stories flow like water leaving everyone in the room speechless with scary consistency. Recounting those stories is something this writer would prefer to leave up to the man himself (and honestly any established or aspiring music industry professional should take heed,) but through Shep's tales and seemingly infinite wisdom, crucial life lessons are revealed. So we've gathered them here for you as plot points to carry you through their two-hour chat. Hit the link below and brace yourself for a full spectrum of feels.

>>>Stream Shep Gordon's Questlove Supreme interview (via Pandora) 

1. Access is more important than game

Where talent fails, proximity to talent almost never does. Known for his womanizing ways (and as a child of the "free love" moment) Shep's always the first one to tell you that most of the time "sealing the deal" was usually just a matter of which high-profile celeb he had by his side, which always made him a more desirable suitor.

2. Respect your artists

Shep's client base was as eclectic and vast as they get. But the one constant that brought in contract after contract was his unending support and admiration for the artists in his roster. Whether they be movie star, musician or chef, Shep was always their biggest fan. And it makes the job that much easier.

3. Fake the funk until you make the funk

Managing entertainers isn't always just making sure their favorite brand of seltzer is readily available in the green room. Problems come your way from every angle and faster than you can imagine. And you're not always going to know what to do, but your client should never know that.

4. Be a friend first 

Perhaps the most distinguishing characteristic of Shep's career is how close he remains with all of those he's worked with over the years. It's not just consistently great work that keeps them together, but a genuine interest in their shared passions and strengthening the human connection. What goes around and all.

5. Monetize your most impressive traits

If you've seen the film, you know Shep's most greatest talent is creating a spectacle. A singular moment that doesn't just stop you in your tracks, but stays with you. His story is a constant reminder that you gotta sell what you're good at.

6. The more parents you piss off the better

It's been said that parents just don't understand, but for music managers like Shep and clients like Alice Cooper, there's a direct correlation between how revolted your folks are by something and how well that something sells. Food for thought, but these precise sentiments are echoed by some of the most brilliant marketing minds in entertainment history.

7. Fame kills

Shep's other great talent, making people famous, had a pretty dark downside. Namely, that fame could be devastating to an otherwise healthy psyche. 45 years into his career he'd seen some of music and film's greatest talents succomb to it, mostly because there's a startling amount of failure that's involved in being that successful (more on that in a bit.) In fact, Shep would eventually have to disclaim just how good he was at making people famous because some of them simply couldn't take it.

8. Every failure is one step closer to a win

It may seem like some whimsical "you can make it if you try" type maxim, but the one thing you'll hear the mythical music manager say over and over again is that there's a shocking amount of failure requisite to success. Some can't take it, but those that can are amply rewarded, not just with the boundless riches, but with something even greater: access to the seemingly endless brilliance of one Shep "Supermensch" Gordon.