Lee Gordon Presents ... How one man changed Australian life forever is a thoroughly researched and mind-bending roller coaster ride that was the life of Lee Gordon.
Post-war Australia didn't know what to make of promoter Lee Gordon. To some he was a typical Yank: crass, loud and outspoken, focused on just one thing - making money. But to others Lee Gordon was a mentor, a guru and a lifeline to the big time.
When Lee Gordon arrived in Sydney in September 1953, the only place Australians could see international stars like Frank Sinatra and Bob Hope was on the big screen. But over the next 10 years, Gordon would promote tours for almost 500 international acts, everyone from Sinatra to Sammy Davis Jr, Liberace to Bill Haley, Buddy Holly to shock comic Lenny Bruce.
By the time Gordon died in mysterious circumstances, alone in London, in 1963 - aged just 40 - he'd not only established the entertainment industry in Australia, but also changed the country's culture forever.
Review:
Jeff Apter recounts the birth of the Australian live entertainment industry in this tell-all biography of Lee Gordon
Lee Gordon made big money and lost big money. He played hard and was generous to a fault. The wins, the losses, the successes and the flops it's all included in this nostalgic look at the birth of live entertainment in Australia.
Lee Gordon was a man larger than life, he was charismatic, a born salesman who didn't baulk at taking risks.
Lee Gordon Presents ... would be of interest to anyone interested in the music industry and its connection to Australian history.
My rating 4 / 5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher: Echo Publishing
Publication date: 1st July 2025
Genre: Non Fiction / Biography
Pages: 272
RRP: AU$34.99 (trade paperback)
Source: Courtesy of the publisher
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