Watch Never Before Seen Outtakes of Metallica with Michael Alago from “Who The F*ck Is That Guy” Documentary


 

Michael Alago recently released his memoir I Am Michael Alago: Breathing Music. Signing Metallica. Beating Death. (BackBeat Books), written by Alago with Laura Davis-Chanin (with a foreword by Mina Caputo of Life of Agony and John Joseph of Cro-Mags) and you can read our review here. Michael is the music industry legend that signed Metallica to Electra Records and helped guide them on the path to being the biggest band of all time. He also played a role in the careers of White Zombie, Cro-mags, Metal Church, Flotsam and Jetsam, and more.  The Drew Stone documentary Who The F*ck Is That Guy: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago (just wrapped on Netflix after an unprecedented 3 years, now on Amazon Prime and YouTube) grew awareness of him beyond music documentaries and VH1’s Metallica Behind The Music. Now you can see never before seen outtakes of Michael with Metallica after they filmed their segments for the film, posted to Drew Stone’s YouTube. Continue reading


BOOK REVIEW: Michael Alago and Laura Davis-Chanin – “I Am Michael Alago: Breathing Music. Signing Metallica. Beating Death.”


Everybody has a story.

There are many words of wisdom born from the soul of Michael Alago that he has shared in his memoir. Most know him as the music industry legend that signed Metallica to Electra Records and helped guide them on the path to being the biggest band of all time. The Drew Stone documentary Who The F*ck Is That Guy: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago (now on Netflix and Amazon) shined a light on him that he deserved for decades. But there is so much more to his story, to the person than bands he signed, and who whom he rubbed shoulders with. The film was a terrific introduction to his life and times and why he deserves the credit he does. The book slowly peels back the years, all the wonderful and terrible things that life can bring and all the in-betweens. A lot of formative times with his family growing up in Brooklyn, dear friends, loves and losses. A terrific tapestry of experiences, stories, and reminiscences. There are many standout movements, including instances of Michael being surrounded the greats of the music and art world; Jerry Brandt, Bill Graham, Danny Fields, Bob Krasnow, Robert Mapplethorpe and many more. It’s cool enough to have met those people, but what really matters is listening and learning from greatness when it comes across your path. He did just that. Continue reading


Michael Alago Reads from His New Memoir in New York City


Music Industry legend Michael Alago, famous for signing Metallica and discovering White Zombie along with countless others, has released his highly anticipated memoir, I Am Michael Alago: Breathing Music, Signing Metallica, Beating Death via Backbeat Books. The book focuses on Michael’s early life, his experiences in the music industry, and his overcoming addictions and illness, to where he is today. Also the subject of the acclaimed Drew Stone documentary, Who The Fuck Is That Guy?: The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago, the film about Michael’s life was just renewed on Netflix, and is now available to purchase and stream on Amazon Prime Video. On Friday (03/06/2020) in New York, Michael appeared at the Bowery Electric club and read from the book, autographed books and chatted up friends and fans. Borgo Pass and Keith Roth (Frankenstein 3000/Ozzy’s Boneyard on SiriusXM) performed unplugged sets before and after Michael spoke, respectively. Check out these EXCLUSIVE photos by Omar Cordy/OJC Photography. Continue reading


Music Industry Legend Michael Alago’s Memoir Due Out Next Spring


Michael Anthony Alago, legendary music industry A & R executive who signed Metallica To Elektra and worked with the likes of everyone from White Zombie, Flotsam And Jetsam, Metal Church, and all the way to Hall of Famers like Nina Simone, will finally release his autobiography I Am Michael Alago: Breathing Music. Signing Metallica. Beating Death in March of 2020 via Backbeat Books. Co-written with Laura Davis-Chanin. Alago was the subject of the documentary by Drew Stone, “Who the F*ck is That Guy? The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago” in 2017, which is now on Netflix. Alago’s book promised to be a no holds barred look into his life growing up in Brooklyn, his groundbreaking work in the music business surviving the Aids crisis, overcoming addiction, to his life in the present as a published and celebrated photographer and personality. You can pre-order the book from Amazon. For more about Michael, revisit our interview with him a few years back. Continue reading


Michael Alago Talks Signing Metallica, White Zombie, And His Life Beyond Music


Music industry legend Michael Alago is as down to earth, forthright and humble as they come, but he doesn’t have to be. Coming from New York City in the late 1970s, in the early 80s he cut his teeth on discovering new artists and becoming a taste-maker in an emerging scene. In his quarter century as an A & R rep he helped put Metallica on the map by signing them to Elektra Records and changing the course of music history. Later he helped catapult White Zombie to fame while at Geffen Records and discovered, signed and cultivated countless scores of bands in rock, metal and other genres. In this feature interview with Ghost Cult, Michael discusses Who the Fuck is That Guy? The Fabulous Journey of Michael Alago, a documentary by filmmaker Drew Stone (All Ages: Boston Hardcore, New York Hardcore Chronicles). The film examines Michael’s entire life up to now, from his early days in Borough Park, Brooklyn through his music career, and into his work today as a celebrated photographer. In addition to our chat about his life and times so far, Michael opened up his personal photo archive, sharing with us many rare or never before seen candid photos of him with musical royalty. Continue reading


Hardcore Legend Roger Miret Signs His New Book, Sings With Stigma


Roger Miret, best known as the frontman of the legendary New York Hardcore band Agnostic Front held a book signing event earlier this week at Generation Records, in New York’s West Village. Miret signed copies of his new memoir My Riot: Agnostic Front, Grit, Guts & Glory, out now via Lesser Gods Books. In addition to a who’s who of famous punk band members and personalities on hand to hang with fans, the event was hosted by film director Drew Stone (New York Hardcore Chronicles, Who The F*ck Is That Guy), co-author Jon Wiederhorn, and featured a performance from Miret acolyte and AF bandmate Vinnie Stigma, and his solo band Stigma. The two performed together as well. See the photos and videos below! Continue reading