Exclusive Book Extracts In Today's Independent Newspaper!

The Independent, a British newspaper, has published several exclusive extracts from my book today.

"When American showbiz lawyer Steven Machat entered the family business, he dealt with Michael Jackson, James Brown, Sam Cooke and many more. In this exclusive extract from his memoir he gives some of his recollections"

To read the feature "Excess all areas: A life in rock'n'roll" click here.


Here's two extracts;

Michael Jackson and New Edition

Michael Jackson was on the speaker-phone, we were on mute, and this was one strange conversation.

The self-proclaimed King of Pop was begging me to send on over a bunch of teenagers I managed so they could hang out with him. I began to see the funny side. Who wouldn't?

New Edition were back then the hottest teen band in America, with a string of hits and two smash albums, and the group were about to be the launchpad of the career of Bobby Brown, a second front-man whose charisma promised even better things to come for him and me. He had no fear. None.

To continue reading, go to the Independent feature here

Ahmet Ertegun and Henry Kissinger

I sat with Henry Kissinger and the boss of Atlantic Records, Ahmet Ertegun. Ahmet's and my mutual drug-dealer had just entered the room. I was convinced we were about to do blow together...

"Dr Kissinger, this is Steven Machat and he is one of the most educated people in the music industry and a real worldly citizen," said Ertegun.

Within minutes of sitting, the buzzer went on the intercom. Ertegun was told that a different kind of doctor altogether was waiting outside. Without missing a beat Ahmet said: "Show him in."

In walked Dr A, who was a doctor only in the sense that he dispensed mother Earth's processed goods for the music business without any licence to practice. Dr A was the drugs dealer to the New York scene.

Ahmet smiled: "Everyone, this is my doctor. Dr A, this is Dr Kissinger. Dr A, this is Steven Machat, a good friend of Atlantic Records."

I decided to keep a diplomatic silence, only too well aware that this could go horribly wrong. Dr A and I shook hands as if we'd never met. Dr A then shook Kissinger's hand and smiled awkwardly, because what could he say? "Hello, I'm Ahmet's drug dealer..."?

Ertegun turned to me. "Steven, Dr Kissinger. Please excuse us for a moment. The doctor and I have things to discuss, in private."

To continue reading, go to the Independent feature here

Fascism returns in the Pacific

Reading the Independent newspaper in London, UK this morning, an article that the American corporate controlled press will not repeat. I read a story about the coming Japanese elections where the ruling conservative party of the last 55 years may have a problem...

The Japanese have a new national political party. Their name is The Happiness Realization Party. Their platform for the elections is the following: 1) multiply the population of Japan by 2 1/2 times to 300 million people. 2) overtake America to become the planet's leading power, 3) pre-emeptively strike Korea and 4) rearm for war with China. Plus inject religion into all area's of Japanese life.

Funny, things do not change. Depression brings aggression as everyone wants and new forces combine to get rid of the old swine and promise nothing but glory and riches. This is the first of many that will follow in many other nations. Fundamentalist, nothing but trouble selling hope, destruction and death. Remember, the Nazis were elected when the then exsisiting government couldn't supply the basic needs of the people of Germany.

My first book, hot off the press!

My publisher, Simon Petherick

The end of a fantastic day at WOMAD

inverted headstand

Try this at home, it will improve EVERY function! This is one for our next book HEADSTANDS AROUND THE WORLD.

WOMAD '09

I was one of the four original co-founders of WOMAD back in 1982

WOMAD '09

MY LADY, MISCHA AND I

WOMAD 09

WOMAD 2009 JULY - what a stunning day! saw

In a 10 hour period we saw 11 bands from around the world! Ended with a great performance by Peter Gabriel, only UK date in 2009

Gangsters and Honour

 HONOR AMONGST MAN AND SOCIETY. WHERE HAS IT GONE? WHY HAS IT LEFT. DO WE EVEN KNOW WHAT HONOR WAS?

 Why we are allowing our representatives to continue to allow the banks and the insurance companies to continue to own and run our nation. People wake up and demand the change needed of our representatives or fire them. No money for summer school for children in 39 states Insurance companies spending your money, I am told one and a half million dollars a day fighting a health care system for all the nation. Wake up.

Take a stand, unify, and demand the veil be pulled off this big scam, big government, big gangsters, big deception!

Inspired by the movie Network, we all need to throw open our windows and scream loud and long at our legislators, I AM MAD AS HELL AND I AM NOT GOING TO TAKE THIS ANYMORE!

Let's shake it up, America!

July the fourth, 1776. The day the declaration of Independence was published. I honor those who signed and gave up everything they had under the old system. If the war was not won, their signatures would have been their own death warrant. Men with courage and the honor to institute change, not hope. Happy fourth to my past heroes, men with honor and the courage to stand tall.

Political

My wish on this fourth of July is for our nation to return to its Honor as stated so well in our declaration. Become the leader of compassion and respect for all Man on this world. No more the unpaid police force that perpetuates dictators and rulers whom the respective nations wish to shake as we, the states got rid of the British King who tried to get the colonies to pay for the war against the French with taxes 233 years ago.

Have we as a nation, or world community for that matter, evolved or devolved? Return to honor and all decisions going forward will be very clear as Truth is binary; you are either living it or not. On or off, which switch do you live by? There is a right way through all this mess we allowed our governments to create.

Five thoughts of Man that prevent Peace. 1. Mis-knowledge. 2. Ego-ism. 3. Attachment to Physical Possessions. 4. Hate and 5. Man's fear of Death

Why does western religion, that began in the dessert we know as the middle east, teach it's teammates that their religion/team is the only way to a happy journey after death?

US fellow citizens, make Congress, regardless of political affiliation enact National Health Care program for all citizens. If not, fire the reps. There is no reason European nations have national health and we do not. Stop listening to our politicians lie as they protect the interest of the lobbyist who give them money. If we give cash to banks why not health care to the people. WAKE UP AMERICA-NOW & take control.

Life. The freedom of choice and the absence of control. Where people respect and love is the only motivator.