Remembering ‘Herbie’ Herbert
• Walter James “Herbie” Herbert II, a Bill Graham protégé who began his music industry career as a roadie for Santana and famously managed Journey for 20 years, died at his home in Orinda, CA on Monday, Oct. 25, of natural causes. He was 73 years old.
After leaving his Santana roadie gig, Herbert put together the original Journey line-up in 1973, remaining as the band’s manager until 1993. He also established Nightmare Productions to make the records, pioneering the use of large-scale videos through Nocturne Productions, which revolutionized state-of-the-art lighting and sound for the stadiums that bands were now playing, establishing the foundation for today’s live concert industry. Herbert also parlayed Journey’s real estate holdings into a sizable income. Herbert went on to manage The Steve Miller Band and co-managed Roxette and Europe, along with Mr. Big, Enuff Z’Nuffand Journey splinter groups The Storm and Hardline.
Legendary Chicago-based promoter Jeff McClusky traces his relationship with Herbert back to Cleveland in the mid-’70s. “Herbie was my friend and a mentor to me,” he said. “I was hired by Columbia Records in 1976 and moved to Cleveland to do local promotion. Journey’s first record was coming out, and that’s when I got to know Herbie and Journey’s Tour Manager Pat Morrow. I worked very closely with Herbie and Pat until we broke the band with ‘Lights,’ ‘Wheel in the Sky’ and ‘Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin.’ WLS/Chicago even asked me for an extended edit of ‘Lovin’, Touchin,’ and played a seven-minute version!”
McClusky added, “Herbie was a brilliant guy and my gateway to The Grateful Dead, Jefferson Airplane, Bill Graham, Bill Thompson, Jerry Garcia… I got to know them all because of Herbie. My office walls are decorated with many original San Francisco concert posters and cover art from the Grateful Dead and many others. Herbie and Bill Graham gave them to me when we broke Eddie Money and Journey.”
McClusky also mourns the recent passing of two other former associates of Bill Graham, Arnie Pustilnik and Dell Furano, noting, “Three members of San Francisco music industry royalty now gone, and I’m sorry and sad at their passing.” For more in-depth coverage of Herbert’s colorful life and career, please read Roy Trakin‘s excellent coverage in Variety. [Photo: Pat Johnson]
