For the first time, here is the true story of Lee Gordon, trailblazer, told by acclaimed music biographer Jeff Apter.
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, such as rocker Johnny O'Keefe, Lee Gordon was a mentor, a guru and a lifeline to the big time. One thing is undeniable: without Lee Gordon, there would be no billion-dollar entertainment industry in Australia today; and names like Michael Gudinski, Harry M. Miller and Michael Chugg would mean little. Gordon was a true original, who lived fast and hard, spent big - he had a private bank vault - and died far too young, just as he had predicted.
'Lee Gordon was the pioneer,' said Harry M. Miller. 'He created and invented for Australia large-scale entertainment in big arenas. He was very imaginative, way before his 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 (a close friend) to Sammy Davis Jr, Liberace to Bill Haley, Buddy Holly to shock comic Lenny Bruce. Thanks to Gordon, Aussies grew accustomed to seeing showbiz legends up close, in person, rather than simply staring at them on a cinema screen. Gordon also opened Australia's first drive-in restaurant, introduced local audiences to the Roller Derby and ran discotheques and strip clubs.
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.
About the Author
Inspired by Jerry Hopkins and Danny Sugerman's biography of The Doors, No One Here Gets Out Alive, and a life spent soaking up great music, Jeff Apter has written more than 30 biographies, many of them bestsellers, and his work has been published all around the world. His subjects include Keith Urban, Jeff Buckley, AC/DC's Bon Scott and the Young brothers, the Bee Gees, Jon English and Johnny O'Keefe. He was on staff at Australian Rolling Stone for several years and has worked as a ghostwriter with ARIA Hall of Famers Kasey Chambers and Richard Clapton. Jeff lives on the NSW south coast with his wife and their two teenagers, and enough pets to fill a small zoo. (RIP Poe.)
Industry Reviews
'There's poignancy here, but what comes across is the sheer frantic pace of Gordon's short life. In that time, though, he helped turn the black and white of our 1950s life into colour.' -Sydney Morning Herald, Non-fiction Pick of the Week, June 25 2025
'Takes us on a whirlwind tour on the coattails of a risk-taking, bisexual, pot-smoking force of nature.' - John Waters
'Jeff Apter's study of Lee Gordon, the man who brought America to Australia, is a ripper read.' - David Hunt, author of Girt, True Girt and Girt Nation
'This is a great read. Lee was a force of nature and a man of great vision. Jeff has captured the genius and shenanigans that was the beginning of the Australian touring business.' - Michael Browning, author of Dog Eat Dog and former AC/DC manager
'If you have not read this book you are missing out. This is an amazing part of our history.' - Rod Willis, author of Ringside and former Cold Chisel manager
