"Club Kid" Homicide? | Michael Alig Case Analysis
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- Опубліковано 22 тра 2022
- This video answers the question: Can I analyze the case of Michael Alig?
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References:
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Fun fact: Robert “Freeze” Riggs was my dad’s best friend in school, and for a time, they worked at the same restaurant as Andrew McCabe, who later became the Deputy Director of the FBI.
Interesting tidbit.
That's absolutely WILD!
Tbh, it seems like he was genuinely remorseful (I can't remember if he apologized but that is sometimes frowned upon by defense attorneys) and immediately set to work on bettering himself by getting his degrees completed. The book made him out to be a quiet, talented guy (from what I remember), not a despicable egotistical brat like Alig. I never saw/read anyone say any type of condolences when Alig died. I think Riggs teaches college classes and has had no other known legal issues.
fed
Interesting!!!
Thanks for sharing!
What a disturbing case, and I so agreed when you said "The media should never have glamorized Michael, or the Club Kids."
Had to laugh when you said " Relieving that people went to the nightclub primarily to see Michael, is like believing that peolpe go to Walmart to see the greeter at the front door." 😅
They did come to see Michael. He had power, money, connections, free drugs and alcohol.
He had his own magazine, project x. He was on television, he was being documented by the original vlogger Nelson Sullivan. The club kids were the original influencers.
Several of them continued on to have successful careers in the art and fashion industries. Many of these people were gifted, their stories completely overshadowed by Michael's antics and this unfortunate murder.
☝️ I agree-well put.
@@andreastone7507 some people definitely did go to get close to Alig but a lot of people including myself went for the awesome music and wild atmosphere.
Most NYC clubs today are incredibly lame by comparison.
Nelson Sullivan's videos are incredible. You're right, he was the original vlogger. I somehow stumbled across them on YT.
I walked past his former home the other night and took a couple pics. It looks largely the same except now the sidewalks and streets are overflowing with douchey people and the meat packing businesses are replaced with high end boutiques, hotels, restaurants and multimillion dollar apartments.
hahahaha thats all the media was...thats why the kids were able to have this limelight.
You left out the fact that in several interviews while in prison, Michael Alig admitted he missed being on drugs because jail was too boring without them.
Was. Alig died a few years ago
@@natalier7204 wow did he really?? I know he had a UA-cam channel. I didn’t know he died tho. Haven’t watched the video yet.
Edit: wow yeah heroin fentanyl and meth. On Christmas. What a way to go. That’s sad all around. What a waste of a life.
@MmeFangsAlot definitely dont blame it on the drugz. His personality helpes him murder
He overdosed a few years ago.
Wow...certainly a unique, repulsive statement. The disdain for that clown is well deserved.
I think it'd be really cool if you analyze the accuracy of movie depictions of mental health. Girl, Interrupted is the one I was thinking of.
Good idea 👍🏻
My sister (who has a violent, abusive streak and is an addict) always admired Lisa. It’s hard to say if Lisa grew out of her ways but I know my sister never did. As an adult I watch this movie and realized why. Back then I always thought Suzanna want out because she got better but now I think it was more because she didn’t want to end up like Daisy. I think it is a good idea to evaluate it and even talk about how our opinions can change.
Which one do you think shows pretty good accuracy?
@@ren17x50 Bojack Horseman is a show that depicts mental illness very well!
Girl Interrupted and Prozac Nation were memoirs. So they are subjective based on the author’s experience and viewpoint.
I went to art school in NY in the early 90s. I was no club person, but I went a few times. Someone came up to you and whispered in your ear “ecstasy?” No payment needed. Offered freely to me several times. I didn’t react in a dramatic manner. Not my style. If it’s free, God only knows what was offered. Interesting and completely agree w your analysis
No payment likely bc you were a young attractive lady. Just putting it out there
@@sciencenate yeah maybe but as a club child in the early 2000s I saw plenty of freebies handed out to boys and girls alike. Just depended on the place and the type of people around. Back then it was cheap and high quality and while we probably shouldn’t have been doing it at 18-19-20 years old… that was just the thing to do and lots of interesting conversations and fun was had. People could bond overnight with what would usually take a year to do; and that’s why they used to use ecstasy in marriage counseling in the 80s I think? Molly today isn’t the Molly of those days from what I read the chemical makeup is totally wrong bc the trees they used to make the quality stuff they cut them all down so they’re super rare to find for the base material.
There was a really good study done on mdma and it’s effects on empathy also healing ptsd anxiety and depression. Along with ketamine and mushrooms. Pretty interesting stuff.
@@sciencenate well all I can add to that is growing up on long island NY ectsasy was around a LOT, I did my share, though I only ever witnessed the freebies being offered to the young ladies
his dad looks super familiar, is he an actor or something?
@@sciencenate boys, they like boys
I don't know what this says about my current state of recovery (opiate free for almost 2 years! yay!!!) but when Dr. Grande said, "He accidentally overdosed and died, " I responded.... out loud... to a video...(you know, a pointless act of audible commentary to an non-existent audience on my part), "Ohhhhh he did the BIG oopsies". Having been in Michael's exact position myself and somehow having the luck/fortune of being allowed to start breathing again, I am saddened for him and those that loved him. However, if I ever (GOD FORBID) relapse and expire from it.... let my obituary read, "She lived for love, but died from the big oopsies". One Day At A Time, y'all.
I wish you all the best in your ongoing sobriety!
I have been on prescribed opiates for 30 years for severe chronic pain. In my case, I, and my doctors, have no other choice. We've tried absolutely everything to help control the pain, EVERYTHING, but the only thing I can tolerate is what I'm on.
Still, although I can somewhat function, although I can't work, these meds aren't optimum. But again, it's all I have.
My meds are prescribed very carefully, and I take them very carefully.
A person who has pain doesn't become addicted.
During the very rare times when, for some reason, my pain settles down, I don't take my meds,.
The weird thing is that I don't crave the meds then and don't show signs of withdrawal.
I'm always hoping for new, safer meds and or new treatments.
Take good care of yourself and be safe!
Wow??!! You DON'T withdraw from on/off.thirty.years of opiates?? That is.INCREDIBLE!!!XXX
Congratulations on being opiate free for 2 years! I don't know you, but I'm proud of you you! I work in an inpatient drug detox/rehab and I see what the patients go through to be able to walk out of our facility clean. But yes, one day at a time, or even one minute at a time sometimes. No oopsies or relapses, you've got this. Hang in there and keep up the great work. You are worth fighting for. 💜
Right on, Sharon! I have been dope free for 6 years & 11 months. I actually began using in 1996, right after I stopped going to Tunnel & Limelight & The Palladium...I was 19 back then.
Congrats on another day not being a slave to the smack.
Very proud of you. This shit is rough, especially when you have pain. I always have to keep quiet when I want to ask for a shot, because if I say it out loud it will become real. If I can keep it it my head, I can argue with myself into finding a better solution. If I say it outloud, I'm doomed. I am about 4 months completely sober at this point with no relapses, but have been on methadone for about 1 1/2 years(and working very hard to get off of it as well). One day at a time, one moment at a time.
I was on the periphery of this decadent movement in the late 80's. I was a rock bootleg dealer in Greenwich Village for 15 years. In '89, I had a gaggle of Club Kids invade the apartment above me on 6th St. & Ave B. Every Saturday night, like clockwork at 2 in the morning, the bevy of 'em would traipse down the block & assemble on the street below. In unison, the throng would yell for their club kid "pal" to come to the window. It was time to go out. Anyway, Grande rocks!
Where's a bucket of napalm when you need one?
So interesting!
Poor Angel. I can't imagine being hit with a hammer.
There were guys on portobello Rd and Camden Town markets selling bootleg rock tapes, they made the switch to rave DJ set tapes early 90's. They made a fortune. I sold counterfeit album cassettes myself. I made a good living.
Me and my girlfriend went to Trade club night, Saturday and Sundays nights It was the London version
6th /b.
I know it well my friend
Just a reminder, I'm not diagnosing anybody in this video; only speculating about a smug club kid who thought he was awesome and could get away with a murder like this.
Heavy drug users don't get smug, it only gets in the way of the high... getting in the way of the high is why Angel was killed in the first place.
@@joshentheosparks7492 Smugness in a K-Hole... Too funny!)
Michael, was only smug when it came to fashion. Definitely not when it came to the tragedy...
Lolzords
LOL
Dr. Grande, you were spot on about Michael Alig. I live in NYC. I was a New York clubber in the early to late 1990's. I knew a woman whose now in her mid 50's name Screamin' Rachel. She was a local, pop singer who never made it as big as Madonna. Her friends knew me. We all use to hang out at the Limelight dance club where MIchael worked. He was a character. He never gave you the impression he could kill anyone. After he committed his murder, Rachel was told by Michael he killed Angel. She blabbled to anyone who'd listen. When I was told about his murder, I didn't believe it and neither did the police at rhe time until eyewitness evidence turned against Michael. He was a narcissist who was proud of being one. As always your analysis is complete and accurate.
Rachel seems like an interesting person. I can't say I think much of her music though.
I met screaming rachel backstage at the Geraldo show, she was very upset at the way Geraldo flipped the script and tried to blame her, after inviting her to his show.
@@morellawalker373 She should have brought up ' Al Capone's vault ' lol
Dorian Corey allegedly killed and hid the body of a 'client' in her closet to be found only after her own death. Please make a video about this 🙏
Yes..."Pose" paid homage to her
YES. PLEASE.
Great idea 💡
Oh!! This is who I was thinking of! Yes he should cover it
YES!!!
Dr. Grande, I usually agree with your assertions but I have to disagree with you on one major point: the movie was awesome 😂 but seriously, great video as always!
Hah! I was about to make the same comment!
I said the same thing while watching this...definitely awesome movie!
Are we talking about killer klowns from outter space? Because that is an incredible movie!
you never met HISTRIONIC- until you met my siblings; all Dramatic types.
The music was better lol. But I've learned to like the movie
I was working at Dancateria in the 80's. But I didn't engage in needle drugs. So, thankfully I was excluded. I knew all these guys. But had no idea about their more bizarre antics.
it was incredibly seductive to hangout with the coolest club kids. But I was totally seduced by the Ska/Mod youth movements at the time. And wasn't interested in self identifying as gay.
I remember Angel pretty well and have met several of these guys like Ernie Glam and James Clark until I moved to Rhode Island after the murder.
@@meenki347
You don't "self identify" as gay unless you are.
Especially back then.
You're either gay, bi, or not. There's no choice.
@@abelis644I think he just means he was in the closet or didn't want other people to think he was gay for being a club kid.
Growing up in the 90's, male bisexuality was not recognized. Neither was even bicuriousity or "metro." You were either team hetero or team homo.
One of the most disturbing things I've seen is a video here on YT of Alig and the child Desmond is Amazing. I knew about the club kids and Alig's crime, but didn't know he had died. Well, stuff happens, huh?
That poor kid is being abused, and he has incorporated the abuse into his identity to try to crush the dissonance it causes.
If it's a child blame the parents for allowing it.
Yes i saw that awhile ago and it was just wtf is this real? His mother allowing that is sick. She probably set it up. She seems like an abusive stage mom
I can't believe the mother let her underaged son associate with people who promoted partying and drug use and too to meet a convicted murderer, I remember they called him their youngest club kid, yikes so incredibly disturbing. And too who knows kind of groomers and pedophiles there where. That was even more disturbing than the way the kid was dressed, I have no problem with drag but totally inappropriate for a little child. Though this was some years ago so hopefully the mother realised how stupid it was or maybe social services got involved.
Yea it's so messed up... especially that roofies picture behind them
This the most balanceed analysis of Michael Alig as a case study. Thumbs up!
(11:20-16:47) Indeed!
Note: no such thing as "innocent and vulnerable drug dealers"
He was being ironic.
😂🤡
Came for the mental health insight. Stayed for the very dry humor. Subscribed.
I saw him in interviews years ago. And read about this in a popular magazine back in the 90's just after it happened. Very shallow crowd of men.
That's homaphobic
@@howiegruwitz3173 how is it remotely homophobic? Shallow is a very accurate way to describe the "Club Kids."
@@howiegruwitz3173 I'm gay, and I agree that they are shallow. I'm tired of this kind of dysfunction in our communities.
@@caucasoidape8838 lol.. as deep as a saucer
@@caucasoidape8838 how do you feel about the trans epidemic in the young…🤕
Soooooo happy you did this one!! I was obsessed with Party Monster and the club kids when I was growing up.
The sentence he & his murderous co-killer got were the real offense here. Killing and dismembering someone should've been life in prison, not the sentence they got. He got a painless death by overdose on a euphoric drug while Angel was beaten to death with a blunt object. And he bragged about it.
A true summation of a terrible crime!
Agreed! They both got a great deal!! They should have gotten life!
I saw the Club Kid episode of Geraldo from which the thumbnail photo was taken. I found Michael the least interesting and charismatic guest on the panel.They all just seemed like they wanted to dress up and have fun. Sadly Angels murder exposed the rampant drug use and dark underbelly of the Club Kid scene. Thanks for your analysis Dr G
RuPaul was on that episode !!!
@@brookehenderson5762 Oh cool. I'll have to find and re-watch it sometime. It's been 31 years since I saw the original broadcast, so parts are fuzzy.😊
Something similar happen to me with Raves Partys when I was a teen. They all dress cool and fashion and sometimes exccentrinc and bizzare with that weird and cool music and ligth effects everywhere. Then after going for the first time I discovered is all about drug abuse. Never ever had a bigger disappointment in my life and feel utterly betrayed.
@@davhot4107 Yep, the Rave scene was all about drugs. Sorry you felt so let down, but sometimes experiencing things first hand is the only way to learn. I hope that you found other pursuits that were genuine, wholesome and fulfilling 🙂🙏
@@laurastrobel718 I did. Thankfully after that bad experience I embrace the Gothic and D&D comunity. They a lot more wholesome and still i'am in contact with old friends.
Thanks for this analysis, Dr. Grande, I have been interested in this case for numerous years. This bastard was a hot mess and should have gotten a life sentence. I have the movie Party Monster and thought that Macauley Culkin was very suitably nasty and disgusting in his portrayal as Michael Alig, and therefore did a serviceable job. He really made me hate Michael. And, being a lifetime New Yorker (Queens), I like your digs at Jersey. Cheers!
Odd, if Michael had been given a life sentence he'd probably be alive today.
I also thought that Macauley Culkin did a pretty good job at impersonating Michael. Seth Green did a phenomenal job impersonating James St. James too. Just because the movie wasn't to your tastes, and the characters were weird, over the top & generally unlikable does not mean the acting or the film were subpar.
Now the movie, Disco BloodBath, really was a hot mess.
@@abe6517 Sad but true, until he was released from solitary he was at least structured and his intake of drugs, more regularly watched. He was clean for awhile when he got out, but there were just too many vices to dip into on the NYC scene, to resist...and no club kid wanted to be the "uncool" one to pressure him for rehab.
He continued to do drugs to keep himself distracted from, and numb to what he had done. Drugs are an escape, he was trying to escape the reality of his screwed up life and actions. Far from motivating him to quit, his situation motivated him even further to do drugs to escape the reality of his life.
he continued to do drugs because he was a drug addict. He didn't care about the fact that he took a life to steal drugs and money. He only ever cared about himself. He was not struggling with guilt. He was a psychopath
More and more entertaining and funny. "No one would follow him to new jersey". Seriously this guy has a funnier schtick than Dr. Drew. Love it!
Heehee!
Yick he sounds like an insufferable person to be around. I almost felt bad for him but then thought better of it after I saw that awful video he did with Desmond is Amazing. He was just a gross person. And I hate that so many people kinda liked him.
I was going to make a comment about that too!
Absolutely disgusting that he featured Desmond on his channel.
Dr. Grande, I love it when you do cases older than dirt; these same cases are almost always upsetting, but you take the sting out. Thanx again. (RIP Angel).
:::pulls out the dagger from being called “older than dirt” bc I was a club kid during this time::: Hahahah
Hey! resident of toms river, NJ here, lol.
i used to run into Aleg in the early 80s, before he became super huge and long before he killed anyone.
Would you consider reviewing the Wineville Chicken Coop murders? I've only read a brief summary but it sounds right up your alley and I'd love to hear your take on it!
Good one!!
That would be a very interesting case. I thought Angelina Jolie was amazing in The Changeling. That movie made my blood run cold.
@@LMCEK oh yes, that movie was so sad. All those baby boys🥺🥺 RIP to all of them. 🕊🕊🕊🕊
@@chrissyknowsitall5170 they're dead. They're the special few who don't need anything, not even sympathy. Stop feeling sorry for yourself pls
Ooh, yes! I read a history about it a couple of years back. What a freaky story. I'd definitely like to see Dr. Grande cover that case.
FF, Johnny Depp referred to a book during his trial testimony "Disco Bloodbath". That's Michael's former bff James St. James account of the club kid's murder.
I wondered how many people would catch that!
Thanks for the shade on New Jersey! It never gets old 😂😂😂
What is it all about? He shades NJ so often but I still don't get why? Do you know?
It's just easy to do! Ask anyone!
Thank you so much! Love your videos, figured it’d be a good one. I actually didn’t even know that he had died recently, I used to work for a music venue about four or five years ago and Michael Alig was actually supposed to be a special guest, but a lot of people, mostly angel’s family protested against it and that DJ night that we usually have had to be moved that night to a different location. I think your analysis is pretty spot on as always, great job.
Thank you so much for making my requested video! So happy to watch this and get your thoughts!!!!!
Former jewel thief, Larry Lawton, often mentions how drugs are ubiquitous in prison.
You don't want to know the particulars of how drugs get in and around in prison.
The poophole loophole
we know. It's definitely not a mystery. 🤣
The staff.
The Officers and staff.
Larry is awesome
"Was Michael Alig a psychopath?"
You should have shown Michael Alig's original artwork that shows a little girl in a dress skipping rope and in the right hand corner it says, 'Rohypnol'.
That's the date rape drug.
Alig also had 'Desmond Is Amazing', the 10 year old drag performer on his podcast, and Desmond asked about snorting ketamine on the couch!
I'd believe you'd have your answer.
Thank you for covering this!
I think he would of continued to be a part of pop culture and would have become even more influential had he not been taken over by his addiction. He was the center of nyc nightlife for quite some time and hung around some big names at the time so he could have carried that success into something greater but he started hitting rock bottom. I believe addiction can take you places you never would have gone and make you commit acts you never thought of doing before, that were not part of who you were fundamentally before your addiction took over.
That is a good insight. There definitely is a strong Nihilistic tendency that takes possession of the heroin junkie.
It certainly was an unusual time in NYC. But club scene was something unique and many other people took advantage of it to become famous (Madonna, RuPaul etc). Even some of Alig’s friends like James st James ended up with pretty productive life and achieved a certain level of fame. Michael was definitely a dark character, but very unusual and strangely fascinating. What he did was inexcusable and horrific. Even in his older years he refused to change, get a decent job after being released from prison, instead all he wanted was to make a come back. He had old friends who were helping him after his release but even those relationships didn’t last because Michael refused to mature and take responsibility. He just was a very dysfunctional person overall in addition to being a murderer and a drug addict. I bet he would be dead much earlier if he wasn’t imprisoned. But his case creates an interesting discussion about whether or not someone like him could ever be rehabilitated after crime, prison and drug use. He also had a UA-cam channel for some time where he talked about his life after prison.
I think that channel is called Peeew! and he did it with this guy Ernie. who is still running it by himself.
Brilliant analysis as always. Thank you Dr Grande.
This story has always fascinated me. So glad to see you cover it!
Sometimes the truth is stranger than fiction.
What a crazy story!!!!
Thanks Dr.G.🌵🌵🌵🌵
Thank you for talking about this case Dr. Grande.
Agreed on all points. Around 51 years ago, a man who is now dead, James Gilmore, wrote a book on the Manson Family titled The Garbage People; it came out around the same time as Helter Skelter, DA Vincent Bugliosi's very bad account of the murders, a sensationalist text that won't help you learn much about the case. Garbage People did because it didn't resort to exaggeration, sensationalism, and the atmosphere of the times.
I think now that the smoke is truly cleared with Michael's death, we can see a few things better, and a number of them were dealt with here: the histrionic personality disorder is something you almost never hear about with Michael Alig, nor psychopathy, but it seemed to me there was smoke at the time, he was clearly sick.
I corresponded with Michael for a couple of years and met his mother, and I can tell you with a reasonable degree of certainty that this diagnosis is spot on accurate. Due to the era it took place in, however, I don't believe that it was going to be dealt with constructively and could only have ended the way it did. I knew like most of his correspondents that he had no remorse and that he would dead in time after his release from an overdose. So mote it be.
Wow. Thank you for sharing! I believe all of this and have always felt the same way about him. I bet visiting with his mother was behind interesting.
@@RachelCameron87 Elke's an interesting person to be sure. I was surprised, kindly, but certainly eccentric!
Have you read the book “Chaos”? The author talks about how nuts Bugliosi was. And that there was at least 1 C1A operative who had infiltrated the Manson “Family”. And that the C1A and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s knew that there was going to be some kind of mass murder. But they thought it was going to target the Black Panthers (another group targeted by the FB1 and C1A). There is zero doubt who committed the Tate/LoBianco murders. But the reason for the murders wasn’t “Helter Skelter/provoke a race war”. Bugliosi and others in the LA DA’s Office made that up so that Manson could be tried for the murders too. Even though he didn’t commit them.
@@katrinaolsen2444 I've noticed that over the years and will take a look, thanks.
@@katrinaolsen2444 When Frank Zappa was first living in Laurel Canyon, he said representatives of the Family AND the CIA came to his front door. I believe it. You're right about Bugliosi's prosecution strategy.
👏👏 thank you doctor Grande for all you report for us🌿✨
Thanks for posting. I was watching the trial and was getting aggravated!
That last witness had me pulling my hair out. He's the reason people don't seek out treatment. Substance use disorder I feel bad for his victims, I mean Patience's.
Same
This is one of the cases the got me interested in true crime waaaaaay back in the early 90s when I was a teen. I've been following it since. It is one of those that happened due to a perfect storm of time and place and people which couldn't have happened anywhere else etc. I find those stories the most fascinating. Rip Angel. With friends like Michael who needs enemies. He was so narcissistic.
Dr. Grande. Could you do a video about Bobby Sands and the 10 Hungerstrikers in 1981 Ireland. That was a such a big part of my growing up. Thank you Sir.
Wow this was so very well done. Especially the remark at the end about the drugs always being the star. I was hanging on till the last word. Thank you
Omgggg, love this case. Thanks for covering it
Appreciate your humor, as ALWAYS, Dr. Grande!!
YO thanks for taking a look at this case. It always interested me.
Great analysis Dr Grande!!!
Sooooo Kool that you covered this doc, thanks😎✌🏻
Jersey is never safe with Dr.G 😄...
what about the pine barrens?
Love from Minnesota 🌹
Ur videos are awesome & I like the type of humor u randomly put into them 👌🏻
And from Arizona!🌵🌵
Always enjoy your analysts
Very informative indeed! Fascinating story.
This is INSANE!!! I was randomly thinking about this case the other day
Thanks for covering this
thx for doing my vid request!! i didn't meet michael when i lived in nyc, but i knew all these people who were close to 'freeze' in alphabet city. it seemed like michael was 'cloistered'' off--they were a clique-ish group, not really my thing. i think the club kid 'bubble' was def a created 'precious space' (adlerian) b/c they were addressing their inferiority disorders--you were right . . .
thx!! but something tells me there's an even deeper onion layer . . . fo' real.
Yikes. Um...thanks, I guess. We advertised, "Outrage!", with DJ Keoki and Whill Thrillwell spinning every week. Alig, was there for his own party every week...my guess is you as well as others more faint-of-heart just don't grace the LES?
I've been waiting for this one for a long, long time.
Thanks. I really enjoyed this video.
Yesss!! Great i always wished for this! Thx!
He ruined the club scene in NYC after what he did. Drugs will foop everyone's life one way or another. Thanks for the video Doc. Have an amazing day.
He spoiled ecstacy for everyone.
Well, actually, I blame the disgrace also known as Rudy Giuliani.
He was my pen pal when I was in high school & he was in prison. As I got older I saw how strange that was. He was always interesting to me though & I wanted to pick his brain.
What did your parents think?
@@eadweard. they never realized it was happening lol
Sometimes young people know what they want to do in life, were you always interested in psychology & the psyche of humans.. could that be why you chose to relate to someone in prison, communicate rather. Were you playing a game with his brain or were you actually trying to figure something out? Please don’t take offense to this, did you feel like you were superior while doing this.. or were you quite lonely?Final.. Were you trying to find a soul or a conscience?
Did you find what you were looking for?
Or are you possibly just quite macabre? I wouldn’t inquire in any other format be assured, although Dr. Grande does discuss these sort of things…
I hope you’re in school.🧠🎓🌍.
Signed,
Not Insidious 🏄♀️.
@@ZYX84 I had just moved to a new town & was living with my grandmother (also from Indiana)...saw the Party Monster movie & was intrigued by his lively character. How one can be so full of life & color can do something so horrendous is what got to me I guess you'd say. He was very open and honest...answered every question you'd ask. He had my photo on his wall along with many others...I wonder what happened to them all? & I actually interpret for ASL clients in a sober living facility! Thank you & I take no offense at this. *edit* it was never anything dark. I truly wanted to know what type of person he was.
I’ve considered being a prison pen pal myself but you really take a chance. He could have looked up your address when he was paroled
He was also writing a book titled “Aligula” which I think really illustrates how he saw himself. I wish it had been published, probably an interesting read.
I like this vid. Good insight and great analysis.
U did a awesome job on this one.
Yay I commented for this one! So excited!
One thing that I think is important to note is that Limelight did not have more drug use than anywhere else. While the Club Kids were known for drug use, they were not the only people at the Limelight... far from it. Proportionately, any NYC bar had more substance use than the huge dance clubs did.
Yes, this was NYC after all.
But it was the club kids very close association with Limelight, and their methods of drawing in club-goers by handing out drugs, as well as the outrageous behavior they were known for and this gruesome murder, which painted Limelight as a drug den.
Alig and a few of the other club kids were essentially freelance contractors to Limelight, paid to promote the club. Later, police would try to link club owner Peter Gatien to the sale of drugs, but they failed. I believe Gatien had paid for Alig to go to a drug rehab center, which obviously failed. But Gatien tried to help him, and seemed to take an interest in Alig's welfare.
Excellent analysis.
Hey Dr. Grande💞 How in the world did I miss this video?! I make sure to check your channel bc YT doesn't always send out alerts. I'm glad I found it now!
Very nicely done. Thank you !!!!!
“They still believed that Michael was pathetic…” 🤣🤣🤣🤣
I remember reading about this story in a rave magazine, back in the early 90s. Michael and his crew were also on a Club Kid episode of Donahue show
Loved seeing you talk about this. I’ve always been fascinated by the story. Saw the movie and the documentary and have been a fan of James St James for a while.
It’s so sad and scary. I was honestly surprised when he was released from prison. He should’ve gotten more time.
I’m leaving this one for after working out. Thank you!!!!!
It's utterly insane that this club kid ( adult) got released on probation. Once again the parole board screws up and puts the general public in danger.
The poser was ahead of his time .. ALL 'REALTY' shows, so sickiningly popular these days .. Are based on exacly what he was doing with his behavior .. Which says a lot about current 'society' .. TgT
I didn't even know he died. Not a surprise though.
Great analysis sir! 👍🏻
Very interesting case, thanks doc :)
Another (subtle) dig at good ole New Jersey............Love it, Dr. G!!! Jim C.
OMG what a great choice of topic!
I lived in NYC during the "Club Phase" The Limelight, known to us here as the "Slimelight" is still standing. It was originally built as a church back in the early days of New Amsterdam, after this horror story it became a shopping center, and is now a gym.. 2 disco balls from the club days are still hidden away in a closet there.
The saddest part of this is Angel and his family. His brother put up fliers, and asked everyone - but nobody would tell what they knew. His family legacy is now and forever this awful, sad murder
The gym won't last, but the building is protected and it will. I only hope that they can do something really useful with it, the architecture is lovely, but it will always be known for this crime and not as the church it as originally intended
The church was built in 1844. almost 200 years after New Amsterdam became New York. The wiki article on Limelight is fairly comprehensive.
Another great analysis Dr Grande! I would like to suggest an analysis on jazz jennings from the I am jazz tv show, thanks 💯
This hits a little close to home since I (sort of) knew Michael. Never in person, but we corresponded through letters. He gave me his business card, which I still have, and told me to email a friend of his that was moderating a forum for him where he could keep friends and acquaintances together to update them on his life in prison and his plans for the future.
I know Michael did an absolutely abhorrent thing. And though drugs contributed to his actions, it didn't excuse it. I've never condoned what he did, and I always had a feeling if he died young, it'd be from drugs, I was still gutted over his death.
♥️♥️
I knew him well. He loved his friends. The tragedy was a combination of many events...like many things in life, nuanced, and not just on one person in this case.
Very sad, very crazy. Glad you’re doing this one. He just died on Xmas eve 21. Thanks, Grande.
2020.
I have always been fascinated with this story.
I couldn't remember if this was the "Party Monster" case or not until Dr. Grande mentioned it (I didn't think it was terrible, just hyper stylized)
Good video Dr Grande! If you haven’t watched the documentary about this whole situation I would recommend it! Very good. Called Party monster: the shockumentry. Also the limelight documentary!
I was thinking that was where I heard about this, but it must have been the Limelight documentary.
Is it on Netflix?
Disco Bloodbath: a fabulous but true tale of murder in clubland is a great book by James St. James about him.
mgg
"In Warhol's Shadow": Part of Alig's problem was his birthplace. South Bend is one of those cities where many "need to get out of." Joyce Aparo needed to "get out of Missouri." It's interesting to speculate on why individuals find themselves "trapped by circumstances." In many cases it is rooted in sexual dissatisfaction, as in, "this town is too conservative for me." We know that Alig was gay and that he admired the "work" of Andy Warhol. In one article about him the writer writes, "Alig and his followers were not initially addicted to drugs-they were addicted to fame." (Christopher Bollen, 2010) In the same article we learn that Club Kids was much more than a group of 24-hour party people; it was an attempt to replace what was lost when Andy Warhol's Factory disappeared. Unfortunately, the desire for fame was not joined by much artistic talent. Instead the provocations, if that's what they were, were attempts to gain attention by going beyond ordinary boundaries. This makes a good deal of sense: the Alig non-story shows just how desperate people become when they have nothing to offer. Thanks for reading.
"the "work" of Andy Warhol";
Stealing other people's photos of celebrities and adding pastel colors. Genius! Giant pictures of Mao. What a splendid human being.
@@robertgiles9124 couldn't agree more, the entire "enterprise" was a joke, but he knew that
Alig is definitely missing that moral core, and any kind of restraint as far as codes of behavior and the law.
I've watched snippets of Alig's videos on his UA-cam channel, (or maybe it was his friend's channel). Alig seems to try to dodge blame, and I believe he lacks real remorse - although I think he genuinely is sorry that happened, but mainly because Alig went to prison and it cut short his club career. I find it hard to see how people could be charmed by him and not feel irritated and repulsed by his narcissistic, attention seeking manner. I've also seen his appearance on that daytime TV show back in the 90s, and I don't know how anyone could stand him (or any of the other club kids on the show).
I found it very puzzling that the Limelight club owner, Peter Gatien, took Alig under his wing, and at one point I believe Gatien paid for Alig to go for drug rehab. He seemed to like, and care about Alig.
Thank you Dr. Grande for the 101 on Club Kids. Sad case!
The Walmart reference was priceless, I just love your humor
You're always diggin on NJ.
I corresponded with Michael when he was in jail. His letters were well written and funny. He was sober and a different man. However I really felt that when he got out he would use again. I never felt like he would murder again but I didn't feel like he got the help he needed to be successful. He did just that. I talked to him a couple of times after he was released and could tell he wasn't sober. He did the crime and he got lucky that he didn't do more time. He was a talented artist and could have had a great future but he couldn't stay off drugs or around the people who enabled him. I do believe he felt bad for what he did. He told me that Party Monster got a lot wrong, it was a shockumentary anyway, and that bothered him. Why? He didn't say. Angel was a good kid and absolute did not deserve what happened to him!!! Drugs were no excuse!! Robert has gone on to live a productive life, clean and sober, and stays away from the media. This was a horrible case. I was sad when Michael died but not at all surprised.
@Ric Guiseppe i wasn't. I corresponded with him through letters.
@Ashley Powers i never felt sorry for him. I do believe he felt bad about it but as far as truly being sorry, I'm not so sure. My sadness came more from a life lost and what could have been. I felt worse for Angel's family.
@@armani3287 absolutely not!!! I'm a 57 year old grandmother of 7. We were the same age. We never talked about anything like that. Michael was gay. Mainly he talked about my life and how if things had been different he could have been somewhat in my shoes.
wow thanks for the story. he clearly adored attention but never seemed to hold focus and became too "flaky" when he had real job duties. jump to him getting out to a world where queer identity and self expression is more accepted and even being a youtube personality these days is serious 40+ hour a week work: its obvious the world changed and he didnt.
Joy, this says a lot about you as a person and none of it good.
I think that this analysis is very accurate. I am very familiar with this case and think that the Dr. pretty much nailed it.
Excellent timing. I’m reading party monster now
I remember this so well!
The digs at New Jersey always get a snicker out of me 🤣
Always interesting. Kinda sounds like Club 54
Thank you.
Peace 💕🇺🇲
MF - All that stuff seems to me ridiculous now? Disco NO!
Chloe Sevigny played It Girl Gitsie! (In the film)
🪁
Good morning Dr. Grande🌵.
Vonna - We find you with few words today! Like your comments so miss what might have been!💌
@@bthomson Hi B.For you I wish that you miss out on nothing ✨
if I can help you let me know though. 🌱.
I’m moving equipment in the mountains along the coast, I’m lucky to have a signal just now..
It’s one of those hurry up and get here then wait half of the day jobs.😑 wouldn’t hurt so bad if diesel didn’t cost over six dollars per gallon,I won’t mention the price on DEF or the oil..
knowing these dirty bastards petroleum / governments only get bigger.
Trucks get seven per mile on a good day.. like driving the highways driving in steep mountains your mileage varies so to speak😉
No more middle class B… Seems they keep making shit over there in the land of China, shipping it to us over here to shop for their crap at Walmart…
Seems not many of us are left to be able to buy it because we don’t have any money… Or any fuel to get there even if we wanted to.🔥
running us out of business..
Meaning the oil companies / gov. they’re so rich already they don’t care. Well now I filled up a couple of chapters here❣️
Please accept my apology for venting… I should be so lucky, it’s a beautiful day the oceans just about 20 minutes down the mountain… But I kind of dislike my job because they chop my redwoods tree down..
There’s a lot of timber coming out of here these days. Fire safety they say. 🤨 I moved some heavy equipment in order for them to do their job… I’m just a cog in the wheel today B. 😕.
Well wherever you are, you be good take your minerals & vitamins get some sunshine enjoy every day dammit🌍
Hi Dr Grande, may I please request your analysis of Dr David Spiegel' testimony and cross examination. Would love to hear your opinion❤