Michael Alago, a Brooklyn native, stood out as a respected figure within the corporate music industry. During his tenure as an A&R executive at Elektra Records, his contributions extended beyond merely signing artists such as Metallica, John Lydon, and Nina Simone; he forged genuine friendships with them. Prior to this, he honed his skills in the vibrant scenes of CBGB and Max’s Kansas City, accompanied Wayne County as a photographer, and curated acts at the Ritz. Much like Will Rogers, he had an affinity for people, rarely encountering someone he didn’t connect with. Following his departure from the record business, Alago faced and overcame significant challenges, including battling AIDS, achieving sobriety, and embracing photography as his new creative pursuit.