Hey, you in the black t-shirt Review

Written by ANNA GORDON

Book: Hey, you in the black t-shirt
Author: Michael Chugg

In 1993, at a sold out Guns N’ Roses concert, legendary rock promoter Michael Chugg famously stopped thousands of fans storming the stage by yelling into the stage microphone, ‘Hey! You in the black T-shirt, slow down!’

This autobiography looks behind the scenes of touring with the world’s biggest bands, through the ups and downs, heart aches, heart attacks, over-indulgences, serious debts and major successes!

Today, Michael Chugg is the head of Chugg Entertainment and is respected in the music industry worldwide, picking up numerous honours, including International Promoter of the Year.

Hey, you in the black t-shirt kicks off from his childhood days, taking bets at his local cycling track, running dances all over Launceston, and having a brief radio career – which came to a sudden end when he swore on air.

Then The Beatles came along, and Chugg’s interest turned to music.

Chugg settled in Melbourne in 1967 and quickly became part of the early days of Oz rock – managing, driving, setting up shows and promoting.

Hey, you in the black t-shirt is told very honestly, and at times the reader will find themselves not agreeing with Chugg’s actions and decisions, such as when choosing to take on The Stars over Cold Chisel.

Living the rock and roll lifestyle and touring with acts including Bob Dylan, Frank Sinatra, Robbie Williams and AC/DC did have its consequences.

Among the lows are when he found himself locked up in Los Angeles County Jail for driving home drunk and having a car accident, and his heart attack in 1999.

Covering the dodgy side of the music industry and failed marriages as well as Chugg’s peaceful holidays in Phuket, and his millions of dollars raised for charity, Hey, you in the black t-shirt is not always a pretty ride, but entertains the whole way.