Lou Maglia, the founder of BMG’s now-defunct Zoo Entertainment (where he employed our own Bud Scoppa for more than four years), the onetime head of Island and heavyweight at Elektra, has resurfaced in cyberspace. If you knew him back in the day, you’re gonna find it hard to believe the degree to which this hard-living dude has cleaned up his act.

Bearing the heading, “Lou Maglia—moving forward,” the former gunslinger’s webpage describes a major change in the life approach of the former high-roller, in his own words.

“Moving forward in a way that I never imagined existed," he begins. "Six months after I decided that I didn’t want to continue destroying my body any longer, I turned 65.

“After six months of intense cleaning and healing with Chinese tonics and a variety of herbs and mushrooms, I lost 50 pounds of my old diseased body—lost 10 Western medications—lost almost all of my addictions and found the love of myself to bring me to the beginning of a journey that is so far beyond my wildest dreams that I can’t even imagine where it will bring me.

“Without the big houses, the big toys and the big habits, I found a little peace in my new home on Warwick Neck, Rhode Island.

“The ocean, the trees, the flowers and all of the wondrous creatures around me are my new gold and platinum awards that I once thought were me.

“The energy that went into my first 65 years was a creative energy based on ‘sex, drugs and rock & roll,’ and I thought it was an incredible energy. But the energy that I have experienced in the first year of my next 65 years is light years beyond the imaginable.

“It’s almost embarrassing to face the reality of being an infant in a new life. A life that is filled with peace and bliss, living in the moment 'Gently Being.'

“To all that I ever met and loved—I will always give you my energy. To all that I will ever meet and love, I offer you the energies of my gentle being.”

For a look at the new Lou, go to his page at http://loumaglia.com/Welcome.html. Gone is the trademark salt-and-pepper beard, along with \a shocking amount of flesh. He’s a walking advertisement for spiritual redemption through physical change. Hmm…could it be that he’s picked up a franchise for those tonics, herbs and mushrooms? Whoa, big guy, just asking.