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Tim Ferriss Podcast #184 – Shep Gordon

Named to 100 most influential by Fortune. PR guru to maximize fame. Inventory of celebrity chef model. Tony Bourdain released a book on his life. 

  • Started in media by accident in the 60’s/70’s. After getting beaten up as a probation officer, moved to Hollywood. There he accidentally met celebrities through selling them psychodelics.
  • Through that, he went on to manage Alice Cooper for 40 years. 
  • Favorite stunts? 
  • “You don’t have to wait for history, you could create history.”
  • Took that philosophy to entertainment
  • What appeals to the audience? With Alice the connection was hatred of parents. 
  • His mission became to have parents ban kids from buying his records. 
  • After lackluster ticket sales, how does he get every parent in London to hate Alice Cooper, in ten days?  
  • Rented a truck and stuck a picture of Alice Cooper naked with a snake on it, and drove it through Piccadilly Square. Press ate it up. 
  • Instead of 1,000 true fans, they focused on 1,000 true haters. 
  • Making Alice the face of rebellion. 
  • Rick Ruben, “The best art divides the audience.”
  • Rookie mistake – announcing what you’re gonna do before you did it. 
  • Talented managers promotes the essence of the artist. 
  • All for the client, not getting as many clients as possible. 
  • He always warned his clients that they may become so famous it will destroy them.
  • Supermensch based on him. 
  • Ask of audience: realize how lucky you are to be born in America, in this time. 
  • See the miracle in anyone. 
  • Managed Wolfgang Puck, Nobu and many more. 
  • Schedules time for the things that make him happy. Jacuzzi or cook time to ground the mind when overwhelm is onsetting.
  •  The need for fame is often driven by the desire to be recognized. To  a hole.to fill. Often, when they find that fame, the hole remains unfilled. 

Buy Tim Ferriss’ latest book, Tools of Titans. 


Also published on Medium.

Published inPodcast NotesTim Ferriss podcast notes

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