Al Jourgensen

Infobox musical artist |
Name Idiot at Large
Img_capt = Al Jourgensen
Img_size =
Landscape =
Background = solo_singer
Birth_name = Allen David Jourgensen [http://www.prongs.org/minfiles/mags/pulse/pulse-march-96-pg5.jpg]
Alias = The Alien, Alien Jourgensen, Hypo Luxa, Dog, Alien Dog Star, Buck Satan, Uncle Al
=
Born = birth date and age|1958|10|9
Havana, Cuba
Instrument = Vocals, Guitar, Keyboards, Synthesizer, Bass, Harmonica, Mandolin, Saxophone, Piano, Drum Machine
Genre = Industrial rock
Industrial metal
Alternative metal
New Wave
Synthpop
Hardcore punk
Occupation =
Years_active = 1978–present
Label = Arista Records
Sire Records
Warner Bros.
Sanctuary Records
13th Planet Records
Alternative Tentacles
Wax Trax!
Associated_acts = Ministry
Revolting Cocks
Skinny Puppy
Lard
1000 Homo DJs
PTP
Acid Horse
Lead Into Gold
Pailhead
Buck Satan & the 666 Shooters
URL = http://www.ministrymusic.org
Notable_instruments =

Al Jourgensen (born October 9, 1958 in Havana, Cuba), is an American musician best known as the founder and frontman of the industrial metal band Ministry. He is sometimes credited as Alain Jourgensen, Alien Jourgensen, Hypo Luxa (his alias as a music producer), Dog, Alien Dog Star and Buck Satan. He is a member and/or founder of several industrial bands, working as a singer, guitarist or keyboard player.

Biography

Jourgensen was born in Havana to a Cuban mother and father in 1958. Soon after, he came to the US to live with his mother and his Norwegian stepfather, who changed his name to Jourgensen. His stepfather was a stock car driver, also known as a mechanic for Formula One driver Dan Gurney. Jourgensen was raised in Chicago, Illinois and Breckenridge, Colorado, eventually attending the University of Illinois - Chicago and University of Colorado. He worked as a radio DJ out of college, until becoming a professional musician by joining the band Special Affect. He began Ministry in 1981.

Jourgensen was married to Patty Marsh from 1984-1993. He has a daughter from the marriage, Adrienne, born in 1984. [ [http://everything2.com/index.pl?node=Al+Jourgensen&lastnode_id=515720&searchy.x=0&searchy.y=0 Al [e-mail] ] ] He remarried in September 2002 to Angelina Lukacin at Graceland mansion.

His lyrics reveal many aspects of his life, such as his heroin and cocaine addiction, alcoholism, and his political opinions. These were greatly influenced by the beat generation (William S. Burroughs collaborated on some of his tracks).

Jourgensen has had a life-long affinity for drugs, such as cocaine and heroin, which culminated in the 1995 police raid of Ministry's Texas headquarters and Jourgensen's arrest for possession. He received a five year probation sentence, a time that he recalls as the darkest in his life. As of 2003, he maintains that he has been drug-free, ever since a bite from a venomous spider almost caused him to lose an arm. [http://www.contactmusic.com/new/xmlfeed.nsf/mndwebpages/jourgensens%20heroin%20wake-up%20call] Jourgensen currently lives and records in El Paso, Texas. [http://www.showandtellonline.com/_ministry/_interview_112804.html]

Professional life

Jourgensen formed Ministry in 1981 after he left the band Special Affect, which was a new wave/synth pop band (notably including Frankie Nardiello, founder of My Life With The Thrill Kill Kult and drummer Harry Rushakoff of Concrete Blonde). Early singles by Ministry and Jourgensen's other projects were released on Wax Trax! Records. He was also featured as guest on some Skinny Puppy albums as well as producing their Rabies album. During that time, it is said that Jourgensen befriended Nivek Ogre, who later joined Ministry.

Ministry's newest albums, "Rio Grande Blood" and "The Last Sucker", as well as the 2006 Revolting Cocks album "Cocked and Loaded" were released on Jourgensen's new record label, 13th Planet Records. He formed this label after falling out with the mainstream agendas of major industry labels. [ [http://www.ministrymusic.org/bio/] ]

Jourgensen appeared as a fictional musician in the film "", and has had a number of songs appear in other films, including the 2008 "Wicked Lake", produced by Fever Dreams, for which he composed the entire sound track. He also makes a small appearance in the film as an art school teacher.

He also holds a large collection of religious altars from which he frequently performs during his concerts.

Political views

Jourgensen is one of many outspoken musicians in the industry today, frequently offering scathing criticism of the Bushes. Beginning with Ministry's 1992 album "Psalm 69", continuing with the 2004 album "Houses of the Molé", 2006's "Rio Grande Blood", and 2007's The Last Sucker. His favorite target has been first George H.W. Bush and then his son U.S. President George W. Bush. Ministry also contributed a song to the first Rock Against Bush album. The theme continues on Ministry's 2007 offering and in Jourgensen's various side projects.

Projects

* Ministry
* Revolting Cocks
* Skinny Puppy
* Lard
* 1000 Homo Djs
* PTP
* Acid Horse
* Lead Into Gold
* Pailhead
* Buck Satan & the 666 Shooters
* Eight and One Half
* Special Affect [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5cfVheM8bo] [http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U5cfVheM8bo]

Trivia

* Played with Frankie Nardiello (AKA Groovie Mann of Thrill Kill Kult) and Harry Rushakoff (Concrete Blonde) in a band called Special Affect c. 1978.
* Produced the 1994 Reverend Horton Heat album Liquor In The Front.
* As stated in Guitar World, he lost a toe due to infection from a contaminated needle dropped in his boot. Fact|date=February 2008
* Produced Nine Inch Nails cover of Get Down, Make Love by Queen

References

* [http://www.ministrymusic.org/bio/ Ministrymusic.org]
* [http://www.prongs.org/ministry/ Ministry @ prongs.org]
*
*
*

Persondata
NAME= Jourgensen, Al
ALTERNATIVE NAMES= Jourgensen, Allen David
SHORT DESCRIPTION= Musician
DATE OF BIRTH= 1958-10-9
PLACE OF BIRTH=Havana, Cuba
DATE OF DEATH=
PLACE OF DEATH=