MICHAEL ALAGO SHOW NOTES
Connect with Michael Alago
Facebook | Instagram | Linkedin | Twitter
PEOPLE, BANDS, ARTISTS, COMPANIES & MEDIA LINKS MENTIONED FROM THE EPISODE
Aretha Franklin - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aretha_Franklin
David Bowie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie
David Geffen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Geffen
Jerry Brandt - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jerry_Brandt
“Respect” - Aretha Franklin - Aretha Franklin - Respect [1967] (Aretha's Original Version)
“OOH Child” - The Five Fairsteps - "OOH CHILD" The Five Stairsteps ~ 1970
“Tighten Up” Archie Bell and The Drells - Archie Bell & The Drells - Tighten up (1968)
“Closer to Home” - Grand Funk Railroad Closer To Home (I'm Your Captain)
Arista Records - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arista_Records
Jean Michel - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Michel_Basquiat
Keith Haring - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keith_Haring
Max’s Kansas City - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Max%27s_Kansas_City
CBGB - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CBGB
Madison Square Garden - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madison_Square_Garden
The Ramones - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ramones
Talking Heads - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Talking_Heads
Dead Boys - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dead_Boys
Alice Cooper - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alice_Cooper
Roxy Music - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roxy_Music
David Bowie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Bowie
Lou Reed - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lou_Reed
Todd Rundgren - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Todd_Rundgren
Tom Scott - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Scott_(musician)
Bow Wow Wow - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bow_Wow_Wow
Liz Rosenberg -
John Lydon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lydon
Yoko Ono - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yoko_Ono
John Lennon - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Lennon
“Walking On Thin Ice” - Yoko Ono - Yoko Ono - Walking On Thin Ice (best version)
Bob Krasnow - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Krasnow
David Geffen - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/David_Geffen
Geffen Records - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geffen_Records
John Kalodner - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Kalodner
Shrapnel - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shrapnel_(US_punk_band)
Ritchie Cordell - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ritchie_Cordell
Metallica - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metallica
Tracy Chapman - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tracy_Chapman
“Baby Can I Hold You” - Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman - Baby Can I Hold You (Official Music Video)
“Fast Car” - Tracy Chapman - Tracy Chapman - Fast Car (Official Music Video)
Robin Sloane -
James Hetfield - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_Hetfield
“Ride The Lightning” - Metallica - https://www.amazon.com/Ride-Lightning-Metallica/dp/B01BUX7Z6M/ref=sr_1_1?crid=AJL60SL307BX&dchild=1&keywords=ride+the+lightning+cd&qid=1597848106&sprefix=ride+the+lighting%2Caps%2C1052&sr=8-1
“Kill Em All” - Metallica - https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Em-All-Metallica/dp/B01BUX7Z5I/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3T0VF71ENLBAA&dchild=1&keywords=kill+em+all&qid=1597848158&sprefix=kill+em+all%2Caps%2C694&sr=8-1
Jon Zazula - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jon_Zazula
Anthrax - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthrax_(American_band)
Raven - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raven_(British_band)
Testament - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Testament_(band)
Deep Purple - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deep_Purple
Ozzy Osbourne - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ozzy_Osbourne
Black Sabbath - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Sabbath
Judas Priest - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Judas_Priest
Lars Ulrich - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lars_Ulrich
Mike Bone -
“Lulu” - Metallica - https://www.amazon.com/Lulu-2CD-Lou-Reed/dp/B005NPLXJ4/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=lulu+metallica&qid=1598002734&sr=8-1
Uni Records - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Uni_Records
Neil Diamond - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neil_Diamond
David Simone -
Transvision Vamp - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transvision_Vamp
Swans - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Swans_(band)
Michael Gira - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michael_Gira
“The Burning World” - Swans - Swans - The Burning World 1989 (full album)
Young Guard Records -
Cher - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cher
Whitesnake - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Whitesnake
Sonic Youth - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sonic_Youth
Jeff Beck - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jeff_Beck
White Zombie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/White_Zombie_(band)
Anita Baker - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anita_Baker
Motley Crue - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%B6tley_Cr%C3%BCe
The Cure - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Cure
Kenny Roberts -
Ed Rosenblatt -
Elektra - https://www.elektrarecords.com/
Geffen Records - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Geffen_Records
Cyndi Lauper - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cyndi_Lauper
Michael Ray -
Circus of Power - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Circus_of_Power
Raging Slab - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raging_Slab
Rob Zombie - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rob_Zombie
Jim Thirlwell - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JG_Thirlwell
“Devil Music vol 1” - White Zombie - https://www.amazon.com/Sexorcisto-Devil-Music-Vol-1/dp/B000000OSQ/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=devil+music+vol+1&qid=1598003826&sr=8-1
Morning, Noon & Night - White Zombie
“I Am Michael Alago” - Michael Alago - https://www.amazon.com/Am-Michael-Alago-Breathing-Metallica/dp/1617137251/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=michael+alago+book&qid=1598004499&sr=8-1
“How To Win Friends and Influence People” - Dale Carnegie - https://www.amazon.com/How-Win-Friends-Influence-People/dp/0671027034/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3U4SUI6NAMJMA&dchild=1&keywords=how+to+make+friends+and+influence+people+book&qid=1598004542&sprefix=how+to+make+friends%2Caps%2C229&sr=8-1
Patti Smith -
John O’Donohue -
“Who The Fuck is That Guy” - https://www.amazon.com/That-Fabulous-Journey-Michael-Alago/dp/B0747X6W66/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=who+the+fuck+is+that+guy&qid=1598004657&sr=8-1
QUESTIONS ASKED DURING INTERVIEW
(RITCH) Growing up as a kid, do you remember at what point, if ever in your life, that you knew that music was going to be your professional career path?
(ERIC) When did you develop your passion for music and who are some of the artists that you loved growing up? And growing up did you see yourself as an outsider?
(RITCH) There was such a great and vibrant scene in the 70’s & 80’s in New York City especially in the East Village.Talk about what that scene was like and what your memories of it were.
(RITCH) Talk about what was going on in the clubs, I mean you’ve spoken about the art and the vibe but the clubs were a very very important part because I think they’re an essential thread to your particular journey in your life professionally.
(RITCH) How did you go from being an assistant to being an assistant booker - which is a whole different skill set. And number two, can you talk about some of the acts that you were involved with booking during your time at The Ritz?
(RITCH) Now from the Ritz, after 3 years you said you then went onto Elektra Records as an A&R Executive. Here's my question to you; was it difficult coming from a more free form environment of the Ritz into a more high profile / corporate environment like Elektra?\
(ERIC) What was the music scene like in NYC when you started at Elektra? And the follow up would be; back then as an A&R executive what did a typical day look like for you?
(RITCH) As an A&R executive when you were at Elektra, you also work with acts that you didn’t sign, you work with acts that are on the label. Can you talk to us about some of the artists that you worked in an A&R capacity with at Elektra?
(RITCH) Tell me Michael about the criteria that you developed out of that consciousness that you spoke of, where you realised I can’t just sign the things that I like or that are my friends or that are good - I have to go for great. Talk about what that criteria was for you as an executive in terms of your progress as an A&R executive.
(ERIC) How did Metallica first get on your radar and what was your ultimate vision for them when you signed them?
(RITCH) Was there ever any resistance to you as an A&R executive from bands that you were interested in due to a perception of so-called “selling out”?
(ERIC) So much of the hard rock scene and experience has a reputation of being macho, testosterone driven and homophobic and I’m wondering you as a gay man even back then... Was this your experience?
(RITCH) Michael, what inspired your move to Los Angeles to work at Geffen? And before you answer that, did you ever have any experience in LA or did you know the LA scene or the city at all?
(ERIC) How did the culture at Geffen compare with Elektra?
(RITCH) In the wonderful documentary made about you that we’ve mentioned before “Who The Fuck Is That Guy?” you spoke about the unique reasons that you wanted to sign White Zombie and it didn’t have to do with great songs at the time. Can you talk about what that was that made them special to you to really go to bat for them?
(ERIC) You also spoke in that documentary about your excessive drinking and drug use. What was the final straw that got you to completely stop?
(RITCH) You have a book coming out - tell us about it!
(ERIC) Michael, throughout your career as an A&R Executive have there been any books or films or art that have really resonated with you professionally speaking - that you could recommend to our audience?
(ERIC) Michael, What advice can you offer for artists and bands who are pursuing a career as an A&R Executive.
(RITCH) What advice would you have for anyone who’s listening who really is interested in pursuing a career as an A&R executive?
MICHAEL ALAGO QUOTES FROM THE INTERVIEW
“I managed to maintain a certain integrity with these artists”
“I live in gratitude, I show up for life because now, anything and everything is possible”