Hey, You In The Black T-Shirt

by Michael Chugg

Michael Chugg was only fifteen years old when he began managing and promoting music in his hometown of Launceston, Tasmania. That was in 1962. Fast forward to the present, and "Chuggi", as he is affectionately known, has been a pioneer in bringing the newest, biggest and baddest musical acts to Australia.

These include The Police, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minelli and Sammy Davis Jr., Fleetwood Mac, R.E.M., Bon Jovi, Guns N Roses, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Kiss, Pearl Jam, and many more. Chuggi has developed a reputation as a hard-arse, often walking on stage to shout down the crowd or pull the talent into line. He also never minces words – writing in shocking detail about what goes on behind closed doors when big international acts come to town.

This honest, open and blunt expose of the underbelly of Australian music events is both hilarious and fascinating.


Author Information

Michael Chugg is a well-known public figure in his own right, running the PR machine for many of his tours and often being the media's "go to man" for an opinion on the music industry or the state of the nation.

Not shy to take hold of the microphone at a stadium event, many concert-goers will have experienced Michael Chugg, better known as "Chuggi", and one of his legendary on-stage rants, which all began with the now famous You in the black t-shirt, stop running. At a sold out Guns N' Roses concert in 1993, thousands of punters stopped in their tracks.

Genres: Nonfiction, Music, Biography

286 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2010

Reviews

[Michael Mcclelland · Rating 2 out of 5]

An autobiography obviously needs an interesting subject with an interesting story to tell; and we certainly have that here. A *good* autobiography however, must also know what to leave out. It is in this regard that the book suffers. While stories of band excesses and car crashes and millions lost, enthrall. Just as much of the book documents an office move. Or which particular people put up money for a particular business. While it may be of interest to historians, to the layreader it leads to an exhausting plod through the pages to the occassional gem.

[Aaron · Rating 2 out of 5]

There must be some great stories to tell about touring big name rock acts through Australia over the last 50 years. You just won't find them in this book.

[Shelleyrae at Book'd Out · Rating 2 out of 5]

Music has an uncanny ability to revive memories and associations that are long past. I can't hear Starship's We Built This City without flashing on the Blue Light Disco's I attended as a pre teen and an AC/DC song will drag me right back into the middle of the concert crowd.
Hey, You in the Black T-shirt is a memoir of Michael Chugg's role in the promotion of the Australian rock and concert scene from the late 1960's to the present.
It has it's moments of scandal and gossip but largely the book concentrates on the work of the promotors behind the scenes. Some of it is interesting, particulary where I can recognise names like AC/DC, Sherbet, Angels, Fleetwood Mac etc but sometimes it seems like its little more than a string of names and numbers.
It's not excatly a shock to discover the prevalance of drug and alcohol abuse, nor that music stars can be absolute divas. There actually wasn't a lot of detail about specific behaviour, most likely for legal reasons, but it did tend the leave things a little dry.
The amount of money involved in putting on a tour is incredible, and how much actually goes into the organisation etc which I guess I had never given much thought to. I did find it fascinating in a way, and it certainly helps explain the extortionate ticket prices.
Chugg himself is larger than life with very frank confessions about his own misbehaviour. His longevity in the business is to be admired, even if I found little about the man to like.
Hey, You in the Black T-Shirt has fairly unique perspective on the Australian music industry and even though I found it a little dry, I imagine that fans and those looking to break into the industry will find it interesting.

[Mel · Rating 1 out of 5]

I did not like this book. On the cover it says 'The real story of touring the world's biggest acts.' It should say 'One man tells readers how amazing he thinks he is, and justifies his appallingly shitty behaviour.' Don't waste your time.

[Bruce · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of Aussie music

[Aaron Ellis · Rating 1 out of 5]

I’m sure Michael Chugg has some great yarns about his life in the music industry, I wish he’d included them in this book.

[Matt Farrelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

A colourful insight into the life and background of well known Australian Tour promoter, Michael Chugg. From humble beginnings in his hometown of Launceston, where he was organizing events for his cycling club, to his move interstate where he spread his wings and teamed up with other identities in the industry such as Michael Gudinski and Phil Jacobsen to organize,promote and tour some of the biggest names in the music industry.

From his time working with Frontier and Dainty to touching on his own personal life/ relationships, this is a good read and highlights a side of the music industry that often goes unnoticed.

[Glen Godfrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you want to know more book you have to read it. This book is very nice. As well as the Launceston Tasmania is a nice place to see. Sightseeing in Launceston is real natural properties. It lies at the confluence of the thin and South Esk River North Esk, through Cataract Gorge here in the South Esk is engraved with a series of attacks across the rock to reach the Tamar River, about fifteen minutes walk from downtown. You can get the more details about this place on http://www.travelaustralia360.com/gli...

[John Mcpheat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Maybe I came at this from the wrong point of view. I wanted to learn about life as a tour manager and a promoter; how to deal with bands, management, venues, media; what are the excessive requirements of rock & roll superstars?

There's a little bit of that, but a lot more about how to take drugs, how to live the rock & roll lifestyle (without being in a rock & roll band) and how to argue with your mates. Not quite what I was looking for.

[Neil Haines · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very entertaining read about the Aussie music promotion side of things. Chuggie has lived his life like a rock star having good times with a few bad. Will always remember him onstage at the Wave Aid concert in Sydney, and was good to read about the collaboration between the artist managers and himself.

[Jess · Rating 4 out of 5]

Been an Australian and I love music I loved this book and seeing what happens behind the scenes of a tour/concert. Chugg is a great promoter and a lot of the people and groups he spoke about I have heard of so it made it an interesting book to read. I am now even more interested in reading biographies of other Australian acts he mentioned in the book

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting, but not eye opening. Good basic read on his life in the entertainment business which I quite enjoyed. Possibly made more interesting by the fact that I knew many of the bands/singers mentioned.

[Lyn Ryan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fun to read the stories of what goes on behind the 'soundtrack of your life'. I can't help but think I might find Mr Chugg overbearing, arrogant and somewhat unreconstructed if I met him. Still, I guess you have to have a personality like that to wrangle stars, their egos and their cocaine habits.

[Terri]

Oh, the name dropping.

[Wayne · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great "Rock n' Read!!! Chuggie has written a great memoir, full of great events, some, I'm proud to say I was a very small part of.

[Madeleineb]

i have just started reading this book! i am currently on page 28 and am very excited to read on its a very cool and intresting book!

[Fay · Rating 3 out of 5]

Entertaining read about the early days of rock and rock promotion in Australia.