Haoui Montaug (1952[1] – June 7, 1991) was a doorman of the New York City nightclubs Hurrah, Mudd Club, Danceteria, Studio 54, and the Palladium.[2] Montaug also ran the roving cabaret revue No Entiendes which showcased among others a young Madonna and early performances by the Beastie Boys.[3][4]
At the time of his death Montaug was Panel Director of the New Music Seminar (NMS).[2] Following his death the NMS inaugurated the Haoui Montaug New Music Awards in his honour.[5]
In the late 1980s Montaug was the doorman for the Paradise Garage club[5] and the Tunnel[6] His skills at choosing who went on the guest list at the Garage were described as a "'willy nilly' affair with little logic or reason".[5] Simon Topping of the British dance project Quando Quango had to rely on his banter to get past Montaug and get permission for the group to perform at the Garage.[5]
Montaug's writings appeared in the magazines Details, Paper, and I.D.. In addition to his writing, Montaug appeared in the films Krush Groove, Cookie, and Edo Bertoglio's Downtown 81.[2][7]
Suffering from AIDS, in June 1991 Montaug invited 20 guests to celebrate his suicide at his loft apartment in the Bowery neighborhood of Manhattan[8] located at the corner of the Bowery and East 2nd Street.[3] In addition to the guests present, Madonna attended the party by telephone from Los Angeles.[8] Montaug had previously introduced Madonna at the performance for her music video for "Everybody" in the early 1980s.[9] At the gathering Montaug swallowed five Seconal barbiturate pills, and went into a deep labored sleep, but kept breathing, to the dismay of the guests.[8] His guests remained the next morning when he awoke in a fury. Montaug swallowed 20 more pills and died within half an hour.[8] He was survived by his mother and sister.[2]
