- Jimmy Broccoli
Michael Alig - New York Club Kid
Hi All
Here is something you might find interesting
This afternoon I learned club kid and promoter Michael Alig passed away on Christmas Eve of 2020 of an accidental heroin overdose. He was 54.
You may know the name due to James St. James' novel, "Disco Bloodbath: A Fabulous But True Tale of Murder in Clubland" that later became the major motion picture, "Party Monster" (starring Maccaulay Culkin as Michael Alig and Seth Green as James St. James - the film also included Marilyn Manson in his amazing portrayal of Christina Superstar).
I randomly was re-watching the film last night and thought, "it would be amazing to interview Michael Alig for the Jimmy Broccoli page. Let's see what he is up to". After a simple search, I realized Michael Alig would not be the first interview on my page/website - but, if it had happened, it would have been fabulous (to use a word Michael often used).
If you haven't read the book or seen the movie: Michael Alig came to fame as a club kid in New York City in the late 1980s, along with Ru Paul, Richie Rich, Jennytalia, James St. James, and many others. His parties at the Limelight, Tunnel, and Danceteria are legendary and the club kids were featured on several daytime TV shows, to include The Geraldo Rivera Show and the Phil Donahue Show. Away from the clubs, his unconventional parties - held at Burger King, Dunkin Donuts, and in a freight truck (and other locations) became very popular among those who enjoyed a rebellious and colorful nightlife.
"I wanted to create my own world. A world full of color where everyone could play. One big party that never ends."
- Michael Alig
On March 17th, 1996, Michael Alig and his roommate Freeze (Robert Riggs) killed fellow club kid Angel Melendez at their apartment after a heated argument over the amount of money Michael owed Angel for drugs. Angel was Michael's on and off drug dealer. Michael and Freeze, after several days, dismembered the body using knives bought at Macy's and dumped Angel's body into the river.
Michael bragged about the killing and, eventually, was tried and convicted for the murder. It was later learned that Freeze had hit Angel in the head three times with a hammer and Michael tried to suffocate Angel with a pillow after feeding him disinfectant and then taping his mouth shut with duct tape.
While in prison, Michael was diagnosed with histrionic personality disorder (extreme need for attention), spent many days in the Riker's mental ward and spent 2 1/2 years (continuously) in solitary confinement.
Upon release, per his parole agreement, Michael returned to New York City and was forced to abide by an 8 pm curfew nightly. He and fellow club kid Ernie Glam recorded hundreds of episodes of the vlog (video blog) "Pee-ew" and I, and at least a few others, watched it occasionally on YouTube.
Michael wasn't exactly a good person, so this isn't exactly a tribute. It's an FYI for those who haven't heard the news and are familiar with his life. Sometimes the villains are more interesting than the good guys.
Michael Alig: April 29th, 1966 - December 24th, 2020. May he rest in peace.
