In the vein of those who have parlayed themselves from that rare moment in time known as New York Club Kids, Ernie Glam is no exception to that rule. From portraying the infamous Clara the Chicken in the 1990s in the club kid scene, to a successful career as a journalist, author and fashion designer, Glam did it all in the glow of the nightlife.

By Mike Jeknavorian

Where did you grow up? In Sacramento, California. What do you miss about it there? The warm, sunny weather. If you had to live somewhere other than New York, where would you live? In Paris or Berlin. What’s special about New York that most people aren’t aware of? The various styles of Chinese food. Since you’re a writer, what’s the “interview that got away” from you? As in, the interview that I never got, and now they’ve passed away? Right before our book, Fabulousity: A Night You’ll Never Forget… Or Remember, went to print, I was supposed to interview my co-author, Alexis DiBiasio, but he suddenly died before that could happen. What interview is most special to you? I interviewed a low-income immigrant couple who worked hundreds of hours for a failed nonprofit, in hopes that they would receive an affordable apartment in one of the buildings they volunteered to renovate. They never got the affordable apartment in the buildings they renovated. When the failed charity’s buildings were to be auctioned, my story was published and the auction administrator announced that the couple would receive monetary compensation for their volunteer work.

69 Hangovers chronicles a year of partying by journalist and nightclub personality Ernie Glam, who moved to New York City in 1984 and immediately began clubbing. Ernie Glam has a preference for flamboyant scenes and 69 Hangovers is a photo-documentary of parties where DJs played house, techno, EBM, goth rock and pop.

Who’s your dream interview? Iggy Pop. What’s the most embarrassing thing that ever happened to you during an interview? The battery on my recorder died within two minutes of starting the interview, so I got nothing and had to request a repeat interview. What article or expose are you the proudest of? An expose on school-cafeteria cleanliness violations, because it forced a school district to properly clean its cafeteria kitchens. What piece from Project X Magazine is the most special to you? A fashion spread with Milla Jovovich and Tony Ward, for which I wrote a narrative that was a poem in the spirit of Dr. Seuss. What other journalist do you admire? Ofeibea Quist-Arcton from NPR, because she sounds so polite, and I love her accent. Other than yourself or Michael Alig, who’s the most important club kid? I don’t consider myself very important. I’d say Richie Rich, because he was most successful at monetizing the club kid phenomenon.

What club kid is underrated? Onyx Noir, because his designs for Kanae & Onyx in the early 90s were brilliant and fun. Other than yourself, who’s your favorite designer? I’m not even in my top-10 favorite designers! I love Jean Paul Gaultier, John Galliano, Thierry Mugler, Vivienne Westwood, and Alexander McQueen. Which one of your old jobs least prepared you for what you do now? My first job as a teenager washing dishes in a restaurant. How did you come up with your name? I’m sure you’ve recounted that before, but I can’t quite recall. Sorry, I was a big fan of glam rock from the early 70s. If God were to take you tomorrow, how would you like to be remembered? As a fun man. What do you want to live long enough to see? Recreational cocaine decriminalized. Will you ever retire? I’m legally retired from my 20-year news-reporting job, but I may never retire from nightclubbing. What’s the weirdest question that a fan’s asked you? I’ve spent most of my adult life surrounded by people who can be considered very weird, so consequently, nothing seems weird to me.

What other celebrity did you act like a “fan” around? David Bowie. What’s the last thing that you looked at online? Job ads. What’s the best place that you’ve ever visited? Ephesus, Turkey. Who would play you in a movie? Desmond is Amazing. I’m in Party Monster for about two seconds during the outlaw-party footage in the subway. What are you superstitious about? I’m not. Do you believe in aliens? If that means microbes on other worlds, then yes. What’s the gayest concert that you ever went to? Grace Jones’ one-man-show in 1981 in Philadelphia. She licked my hand towards the end of the show. What’s the most times that you watched a movie or read a book? I’ve lost count how many times I’ve watched the Rocky Horror Picture Show. I’ve watched it enough times to know most of the song lyrics. What’s something that you learned in life only when you got older? How to compromise in romantic relationships. What did you learn from your parents? Good manners. Who’s your favorite performer? David Bowie. What’s your best characteristic? My sense of humor.

How do you enjoy spending your time? Dancing. What celebrity do you have crush on? Most of my celebrity crushes are dead. Who do you admire? Salvador Dali. If you could bring one person back from the dead, who would it be? Leigh Bowery. Where would you go in a time machine? To my college years to correct all my bad choices. What would your last meal be? My mom’s chiles rellenos. What do you worry about? I don’t worry about anything. It’s a waste of mental energy. What are you afraid of? Donald Trump. If you were a musical instrument, what would you be? A castanet. Are you more like a sheep or a wolf? A wolf. Who depends on you, and for what? My family, for moral support. Who are you closest with? My husband. What would your autobiography be called? Dizzy Chicken. What’s on your bucket list? Visiting assassinated-presidents’ resting places. I only have one left. What’s your greatest regret in life? Not being able to say “I love you” at a younger age. What’s something secretive about you that people don’t know? That I vacationed in Southeast Asia hoping to try dog or cat meat. Where can we see you? In nightclubs.