Gods Gangsters & Honour

Overview

From Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, an insider's account of the deals and the dodges inside the music and entertainment business over the last 30 years

From Frank Sinatra to Michael Jackson, an insider's account of the deals and the dodges inside the music and entertainment business over the last 30 years As the son of the legendary showbiz lawyer Marty Machat, Steven Machat grew up among such names as Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Frankie Valli, and Sam Cooke. Following in his father's footsteps, by the time he was in his late 20s he was proud to see his name alongside his father's on the brass plaque outside their Broadway offices. But there was a price—Steven discovered from a young age that the glitter and the glamour too often disguises a crude and cruel reality, and that those who are publicly perceived as gods can just as easily be seen as gangsters. He found himself wondering how to live with such contradictions, and whether it is possible to maintain any sense of honor inside such a world. This beautifully constructed memoir of a life inside a fascinating world of celebrity includes appearances by Frank Sinatra, Leonard Cohen, Michael Jackson, David Copperfield, Sharon Osbourne, George Bush, Phil Collins, Suge Knight, Tupac, Biggie, Gianni Versace, Phil Spector, Joan Collins, Donny Osmond, Bobby Brown, and many more.

Reviews

"Each page sparkles with drama and wit. If you loved John Niven's Kill Your Friends, this is the real deal." News of the World “One man who knows better than anyone about the real inside story is lawyer Steven Machat, who worked with everyone from Seal and Donnie Osmond to Bobby Brown and Suge Knight. His excellent new book, Gods, Gangsters and Honour, details the highs and lows of his life in the industry, as he recalls scrapes with superstar celebrities, pulling off multi-million dollar deals and saving the likes of Michael Jackson, Claudia Shiffer and David Copperfield from massive mistakes. Whether you want to get into the game, or are simply a fan of music, this is the book you need to read right now.” RWD Magazine “Off-the-wall, gossipy companion to rockbiz classics The Mansion on the Hill by Fred Goodman and Hit Men by Fredric Dannen...top-notch.” Mojo Magazine, Book of the Month “Excess all areas.” The Independent “Top US music industry lawyer and sometime artist wrangler for 30 years...amusing.” Q Magazine

Author Biography

Steven Machat is an entertainment attorney with nearly 30 years of experience producing music, films, television, and theatrical productions. He has functioned as a record company owner, a music publisher, and a talent manager. He splits his time between New York and London.