Author Jeff Apter was born in the 1960s and he always believed the 1950s were a boring and conservative era. 

But that changed when he began researching Sydney’s post-war entertainment scene for his book about legendary music promoter Lee Gordon.

“It turns out that a lot of people - especially in cities like Sydney - were having a really good time. And figures like Lee Gordon and Abe Saffron were central to that scene,” said Apter. 

“It’s a hidden part of our cultural history that hasn’t really been explored much. There’s so much juicy material there. I had completely misunderstood that era until I started digging into it.”

This fascination with Sydney’s colourful underbelly led Apter to team up with fellow author Stuart Coupe, who just happened to be writing a book about Abe Saffron at the same time.

“Stuart was working on his book about Abe Saffron, and I was writing mine on Lee Gordon. Because of the overlap in time periods and themes, we ended up sharing quite a bit of information during our research,” said Apter.

“Our books explore the 1950s and early 1960s club scene - there’s a hint of the underworld, the entertainment industry, all that. In fact, Lee Gordon actually relied on Abe Saffron for financial backing in his concert promotions.”

During his research, Apter even discovered Gordon had a serious falling out with Saffron - one that allegedly forced him to leave town. 

The crossover between the two men’s lives is just one of the many intriguing connections the authors plan to explore together.

Apter and Coupe will appear together at the Kiama Library next Friday (17 October) at 6pm for a live event titled Music, Murder and Mayhem, where they’ll dive into the shady world of post-war Sydney, the enigmatic figures at the centre of it, and how their legacies still resonate.

“I’ve just finished reading Stuart’s book, and both Saffron and Gordon shunned the spotlight,” said Apter. 

“Gordon didn’t like doing press or interviews, and Saffron definitely stayed away from publicity as well. It’s an interesting parallel - both were involved in worlds of celebrity, money and, to some extent, illicit activity. But they preferred to operate in the shadows.” 

“That said, I think it’s fair to say Gordon was more extroverted by nature.”

Apter also reflected on how the entertainment industry - and the role of promoters - has changed drastically since the days of Gordon and Saffron. 

“It’s totally different. These days it’s all about empire-building and brand status - becoming a Sydney A-lister, acquiring buildings, establishing yourself as a global player,” he said. 

“Back then, I think the focus was more about providing entertainment, seizing the moment, and getting people through the door for a good time. Yes, Saffron and Gordon were interested in money and power, but it didn’t feel as image-conscious or calculated as it is today.”

He notes that today’s music scene is vastly different - not just in attitude, but in logistics. 

“The landscape has changed so much. Noise complaints, licensing laws and red tape make it really hard to run a successful live venue now. You see them open and close constantly,” he said. “And maybe live music just isn’t the drawcard it once was. There are so many entertainment options now - it’s overwhelming.”

If you want to step into the world of post-war Sydney nightlife and hear stories of its most notorious figures, don’t miss this one-night-only event - Music, Murder and Mayhem at Kiama Library on 17 October at 6pm. 

Tickets are available at the door or online at: https://www.trybooking.com/events/landing/1465258