Herbie Herbert interview

[carleysdad]

Could someone please post an active link to the infamous Herbie Herbert interview from (roughly) 10-12 years ago. I am writing a piece on Journey for a rock history course and would like to include some of Herbie's insight. I've looked on this board and have performed multiple web searches but none of the links to the interview are active any longer. Thank you!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Castles Burning interview is gone. Someone may have an archived version.
Andrew's MR Herbie interview is here http://www.melodicrock.com/interviews/h ... rbert.html
Here's a different interview http://archive.is/FLxwE

[carleysdad]

Thanks for the link Noble Cause. I wonder why the Castles Burning interview has been removed (from the entire web)??!!

[lbeau12]

I posted this in another thread

got to http://archive.org/web/ and paste in http://members.cox.net/mrcarty/. try this also http://web.archive.org/web/200206010820 ... t/mrcarty/

[livin2do]

It's not up anymore because I no longer get free webspace from my internet provider.

[Rick]

It's not up anymore because I no longer get free webspace from my internet provider.

Get it back up there motherfucker! Just kidding, Matt. But really, that's a huge piece of Journey history.

[StoneCold]

It's not up anymore because I no longer get free webspace from my internet provider.

try one of these

https://www.freehosting.com/

http://www.prchecker.info/web-hosting/t ... ing-sites/

[livin2do]

I actually spent some time yesterday pulling down as much of it as possible from webarchive.org. Two of the pages had dead links, so I am missing the last page of both section 2 and section 3. Other than that, I have it. The computer it was written on died years ago, and I have been through every disc I can find that says "backup" on it to try and find it. So far, no good.

I'm sure my ISP notified me that the webspace option was going away, but I didn't get the message. Otherwise, I would have downloaded it all from them before it went away. I do, however, have the original tapes, and yesterday recorded them to mp3. The sound quality is atrocious, but it's all there. I sound like such a dork on these things. That was at a time when Journey was the most important thing in the world to me. I knew Herbie Herbert's career better than he did, I think.

[StoneCold]

I actually spent some time yesterday pulling down as much of it as possible from webarchive.org. Two of the pages had dead links, so I am missing the last page of both section 2 and section 3. Other than that, I have it. The computer it was written on died years ago, and I have been through every disc I can find that says "backup" on it to try and find it. So far, no good.

I'm sure my ISP notified me that the webspace option was going away, but I didn't get the message. Otherwise, I would have downloaded it all from them before it went away. I do, however, have the original tapes, and yesterday recorded them to mp3. The sound quality is atrocious, but it's all there. I sound like such a dork on these things. That was at a time when Journey was the most important thing in the world to me. I knew Herbie Herbert's career better than he did, I think.

Someone may have printed or downloaded those pages at the time that thread was popular. But that someone sticking around and seeing this thread is another matter.

[slucero]

I have them in JPG... if anyone wants them PM me your email addy,...

[StoneCold]

I have them in JPG... if anyone wants them PM me your email addy,...

Well, there ya go. pm sending in 3 ... 2 ... 1

[The_Noble_Cause]

I sound like such a dork on these things. That was at a time when Journey was the most important thing in the world to me. I knew Herbie Herbert's career better than he did, I think.

Thanks for doing it. At the time, the fan community only had the VH1-BTM to go on concerning the band's break-up. There was a real lack of info and the internet was still in its infancy. The Herbie interview provided ALOT of insight.

[StoneCold]

I have them in JPG... if anyone wants them PM me your email addy,...

Got them, thanks for sending and doing the word conversion.

[StoneCold]

I sound like such a dork on these things. That was at a time when Journey was the most important thing in the world to me. I knew Herbie Herbert's career better than he did, I think.

Thanks for doing it. At the time, the fan community only had the VH1-BTM to go on concerning the band's break-up. There was a real lack of info and the internet was still in its infancy. The Herbie interview provided ALOT of insight.

Ditto this. It's insightful reading.

[DracIsBack]

I sound like such a dork on these things. That was at a time when Journey was the most important thing in the world to me. I knew Herbie Herbert's career better than he did, I think.

Thanks for doing it. At the time, the fan community only had the VH1-BTM to go on concerning the band's break-up. There was a real lack of info and the internet was still in its infancy. The Herbie interview provided ALOT of insight.

Ditto this. It's insightful reading.

Insightful and (for me) kind of infuriating. The guy comes across as a sneering, arrogant prick. As much as he has issues with Perry (and Cain), I read through that thinking, "this full-of-himself SOB has got to be part of the problem".

[slucero]

Insightful and (for me) kind of infuriating. The guy comes across as a sneering, arrogant prick. As much as he has issues with Perry (and Cain), I read through that thinking, "this full-of-himself SOB has got to be part of the problem".

A manager is a professional prick... that's his job.. and Herbie made all of them millionaires... having Herbie as a manager seems like a nice problem to have.

[Rick]

Insightful and (for me) kind of infuriating. The guy comes across as a sneering, arrogant prick. As much as he has issues with Perry (and Cain), I read through that thinking, "this full-of-himself SOB has got to be part of the problem".

A manager is a professional prick... that's his job.. and Herbie made all of them millionaires... having Herbie as a manager seems like a nice problem to have.

Definitely have to agree with this. It was a terrific interview, Matt, and very insightful. It was greatness for hard core Journey fans.

[MysteryMountain]

Newbie here, and I have to agree with the Castles Burning interview being very insightful and eye opening. Still waiting for a well written book on this band.

Been trying to get access to this board for awhile now, and finally, I can participate in the Journey talk! Although I'm in the "Original Journey (4 piece)" camp, I have grown to appreciate each album for what they are, and who is singing on them. My favorite period would be Journey up through Departure, after that it was tough to hang on, considering where they had been & what they became, and how much of a fan of Greg Rolie I was. I had the Departure 8-track in the 5th grade, and filled in the blanks with the rest over time. I can honestly say now, I do appreciate all the records, and cannot get enough of this band. I only wish I had been born a few years earlier, because bootlegs don't cut it. God bless whomever was able (Wolfgangs Vault?) to finally get the Passaic, NJ show released. What a revelation to finally see some of my favorite tunes performed live. Although my one beef is, was there really a need for all the cowbell on every live version of "Next"? Come on Steve, just couldn't let someone else hold the spotlight for 4 1/2 minutes huh?

[The_Noble_Cause]

Newbie here, and I have to agree with the Castles Burning interview being very insightful and eye opening. Still waiting for a well written book on this band.

Been trying to get access to this board for awhile now, and finally, I can participate in the Journey talk! Although I'm in the "Original Journey (4 piece)" camp, I have grown to appreciate each album for what they are, and who is singing on them. My favorite period would be Journey up through Departure, after that it was tough to hang on, considering where they had been & what they became, and how much of a fan of Greg Rolie I was. I had the Departure 8-track in the 5th grade, and filled in the blanks with the rest over time. I can honestly say now, I do appreciate all the records, and cannot get enough of this band. I only wish I had been born a few years earlier, because bootlegs don't cut it. God bless whomever was able (Wolfgangs Vault?) to finally get the Passaic, NJ show released. What a revelation to finally see some of my favorite tunes performed live. Although my one beef is, was there really a need for all the cowbell on every live version of "Next"? Come on Steve, just couldn't let someone else hold the spotlight for 4 1/2 minutes huh?

Welcome to the forum, Mystery!

[Andrew]

I'd start writing a Journey book tomorrow if I thought I could get around the gag orders

[tater1977]

I'd start writing a Journey book tomorrow if I thought I could get around the gag orders

reda.JPG (41.94 KiB) Viewed 7077 times

[DracIsBack]

Insightful and (for me) kind of infuriating. The guy comes across as a sneering, arrogant prick. As much as he has issues with Perry (and Cain), I read through that thinking, "this full-of-himself SOB has got to be part of the problem".

A manager is a professional prick... that's his job.. and Herbie made all of them millionaires... having Herbie as a manager seems like a nice problem to have.

Not in disagreement to have that in a manager when it comes to negotiations. But still doesn't change the fact that he comes across like one of those assholes who snickers and sneers at the back of the class at everyone else. He can go on and on about what kind of jerks Perry and Cain were, but he comes across as every bit the conceited asshole himself.

[Aaron]

The Castles Burning interview with Herbie was the best interview I've read in my entire time as a Journey fan. Herbie shot it 100% straight as he seen it and I have a lot of appreciation for his approach. Cheers to livin2do for the best Journey interview to this point!

[annie89509]

Easy for people to sit back and reap praise on HH for "telling it like it is!" We fans like to hear juicy stories and all the gory details. Problem is these stories are one sided. Not saying he lied ..., just that everything is from his perspective ... his recollection of events, not anyone else's.

So, Herbie made these guys millionaires...ah huh... What about these guys made Herbie a millionaire!? They were the ones up there, spilling their blood/sweat/tears, every day/night ... not Herbie. How about some gratitude for them making him so rich, he can retire at 50 to Hawaii? What other band has he managed before or after that has been successful ...and don't say Santana and Mr. Big. Santana was a 60's cult band (and he was more like their roadie than business manager). Mr. Big was/is small-time (sorry Deb).

[slucero]

Easy for people to sit back and reap praise on HH for "telling it like it is!" We fans like to hear juicy stories and all the gory details. Problem is these stories are one sided. Not saying he lied ..., just that everything is from his perspective ... his recollection of events, not anyone else's.

So, Herbie made these guys millionaires...ah huh... What about these guys made Herbie a millionaire!? They were the ones up there, spilling their blood/sweat/tears, every day/night ... not Herbie. How about some gratitude for them making him so rich, he can retire at 50 to Hawaii? What other band has he managed before or after that has been successful ...and don't say Santana and Mr. Big. Santana was a 60's cult band (and he was more like their roadie than business manager). Mr. Big was/is small-time (sorry Deb).

It's the business of music that made them rich... not the making of the music.

There were lots of great bands in the 80's, writing great songs... but not many had the deep pockets, and marketing power Columbia possessed... nor the marketing savvy of Herbie. A lot of Journey's early marketing strategy (point of sale, radio and tv spots) became the blueprint for the bands that followed... and all of that came from Herbie..

They all acknowledge it was a team effort... Herbie brought the music business savvy.. the band brought the music.. but in the end, after writing great songs.. they become millionaires by selling millions of copies. Even though Herbie has given them all the praise in the world.......... as musicians, they weren't paying him to be "grateful". They were paying him to make them "Rich & Famous". Which he did.

As businessmen.. managing their own money.... the band were idiots. After all it was Perry who goaded them to sell everything and fire Herbie at the height of their shared success... and the other share holders (band members) went right along...

... talk about a stupid ass business decision..

[annie89509]

Look, we’ve all seen Frontiers & Beyond. Journey was the biggest band in America, 1st class all the way, state of the arts promotional material, stage design/lighting... yada and yada … but, how do we know all the above “accomplishments” (as detailed by Slucey) originated from the mind of one man? Herbie says they were his ideas, so must be so? … does the guy never build himself up?

For all we know, many, many people, and the band themselves contributed a lot of ideas. Nightmare LLC was run like a corporation. Stands to reason brainstorming takes place every day of every week. The leader always takes the credit, but it’s the underlings that encompass true creative force… no?

None of us (as outsiders) know the true dynamics that went on in those days. We can only speculate and argue and make assertions framed as facts. A few years ago (when Deano was still around-god rest his soul) I remember a long post from Jeremey that gave us fresh insight to the whole HH vs. SP/Band thing. He was an insider for a brief period of time and apparently got a spoken glimpse (from JC) of the band’s days dealing with their ex-manager. Maybe someone can find that post, or Jeremey may wish to re-hash. Would love to see the post again.

[Deb]

Easy for people to sit back and reap praise on HH for "telling it like it is!" We fans like to hear juicy stories and all the gory details. Problem is these stories are one sided. Not saying he lied ..., just that everything is from his perspective ... his recollection of events, not anyone else's.

So, Herbie made these guys millionaires...ah huh... What about these guys made Herbie a millionaire!? They were the ones up there, spilling their blood/sweat/tears, every day/night ... not Herbie. How about some gratitude for them making him so rich, he can retire at 50 to Hawaii? What other band has he managed before or after that has been successful ...and don't say Santana and Mr. Big. Santana was a 60's cult band (and he was more like their roadie than business manager). Mr. Big was/is small-time (sorry Deb).

HH also managed Roxette and Europe in the US. Mr Big's song To Be With You went #1 in 15 countries ( Journey 0 #1s in 0 countries). Not so small time.

[Marzdog]

He can go on and on about what kind of jerks Perry and Cain were, but he comes across as every bit the conceited asshole himself.

Reality is that good/great managers, are this way. Their success, and that of their clients, wouldn't be if they weren't assholes. It doesn't hurt that his artists had a nice product to sell either...

It's very well known that the music industry is full of cut throat people, assholes, pieces of shit, and whatever else you wish to call them. Sometimes you have to be at the top of that to be the most successful.

[slucero]

Look, we’ve all seen Frontiers & Beyond. Journey was the biggest band in America, 1st class all the way, state of the arts promotional material, stage design/lighting... yada and yada … but, how do we know all the above “accomplishments” (as detailed by Slucey) originated from the mind of one man? Herbie says they were his ideas, so must be so? … does the guy never build himself up?

For all we know, many, many people, and the band themselves contributed a lot of ideas. Nightmare LLC was run like a corporation. Stands to reason brainstorming takes place every day of every week. The leader always takes the credit, but it’s the underlings that encompass true creative force… no?

None of us (as outsiders) know the true dynamics that went on in those days. We can only speculate and argue and make assertions framed as facts. A few years ago (when Deano was still around-god rest his soul) I remember a long post from Jeremey that gave us fresh insight to the whole HH vs. SP/Band thing. He was an insider for a brief period of time and apparently got a spoken glimpse (from JC) of the band’s days dealing with their ex-manager. Maybe someone can find that post, or Jeremey may wish to re-hash. Would love to see the post again.

NO band succeeds without a brilliant manager... period. In fact I can't think of ONE artists that has made it without great management. Herbie's job was making them money... and that's what Herbie did, all the incorporating, building buying (they actually had a real estate division), trucking, stage & sound, etc... were all businesses that made the Journey corporation money when they weren't touring themselves... and Perry (as a shareholder) tore it all apart... so it makes absolute sense that Herbie was pissed... If you started a company and the board dismantled it from under you, you'd be pissed too..

They had to incorporate before they could be "run like a corporation" much less spawn all those subsidiaries... and it was Herbie who incorporated the band... and while I don't doubt that they had some brainstorming going in.. remember it was the 80's, it's been well document that Perry was focused on one thing... his singing regimen.. and Neal and Ross were focused on playing rockstars (I grew up in the Bay Area and remember Neal getting busted in S.F. with a bag of coke in his Ferrari)... these guys were living the life, enjoying their fame and having more money than they'd ever had, for the first time in their lives.

Neal is also on record thanking Herbie for convincing him not to sell his stake in Nightmare.....

It would be completely illogical for a HH to volunteer to tear apart and sell the very thing(s) that was making him (and the others) rich. I'm really surprised that NS, JC RV and SS aren't MORE pissed at Perry for the lost income those alternate income streams could have generated.. maybe that has something to do with the gag orders (that are also well known) that Perry had on the band..


I think the Jeremey post you are referring to is this one: viewtopic.php?f=69&t=57317&p=4678877&hilit=Herbie#p4678877

[tater1977]

Look, we’ve all seen Frontiers & Beyond. Journey was the biggest band in America, 1st class all the way, state of the arts promotional material, stage design/lighting... yada and yada … but, how do we know all the above “accomplishments” (as detailed by Slucey) originated from the mind of one man? Herbie says they were his ideas, so must be so? … does the guy never build himself up?

For all we know, many, many people, and the band themselves contributed a lot of ideas. Nightmare LLC was run like a corporation. Stands to reason brainstorming takes place every day of every week. The leader always takes the credit, but it’s the underlings that encompass true creative force… no?

None of us (as outsiders) know the true dynamics that went on in those days. We can only speculate and argue and make assertions framed as facts. A few years ago (when Deano was still around-god rest his soul) I remember a long post from Jeremey that gave us fresh insight to the whole HH vs. SP/Band thing. He was an insider for a brief period of time and apparently got a spoken glimpse (from JC) of the band’s days dealing with their ex-manager. Maybe someone can find that post, or Jeremey may wish to re-hash. Would love to see the post again.

NO band succeeds without a brilliant manager... period. In fact I can't think of ONE artists that has made it without great management. Herbie's job was making them money... and that's what Herbie did, all the incorporating, building buying (they actually had a real estate division), trucking, stage & sound, etc... were all businesses that made the Journey corporation money when they weren't touring themselves... and Perry (as a shareholder) tore it all apart... so it makes absolute sense that Herbie was pissed... If you started a company and the board dismantled it from under you, you'd be pissed too..

They had to incorporate before they could be "run like a corporation" much less spawn all those subsidiaries... and it was Herbie who incorporated the band... and while I don't doubt that they had some brainstorming going in.. remember it was the 80's, it's been well document that Perry was focused on one thing... his singing regimen.. and Neal and Ross were focused on playing rockstars (I grew up in the Bay Area and remember Neal getting busted in S.F. with a bag of coke in his Ferrari)... these guys were living the life, enjoying their fame and having more money than they'd ever had, for the first time in their lives.

Neal is also on record thanking Herbie for convincing him not to sell his stake in Nightmare.....

It would be completely illogical for a HH to volunteer to tear apart and sell the very thing(s) that was making him (and the others) rich. I'm really surprised that NS, JC RV and SS aren't MORE pissed at Perry for the lost income those alternate income streams could have generated.. maybe that has something to do with the gag orders (that are also well known) that Perry had on the band..


I think the Jeremey post you are referring to is this one: viewtopic.php?f=69&t=57317&p=4678877&hilit=Herbie#p4678877

Here's what I guess I don't get..
JOURNEY was a 5 member band ...
HH the manager, was a full 'band' member too.
That equals 6 members. So that's 6 votes..
Perry''s 1 guy, which is 1 vote.

So I guess I'm asking....what happened?

Perry gets all or most of the blame.
So if no one else wanted to dispose of everything,
where's all the 'NAY' votes ?
Where were their backbones at ??

So for me, when they whine about the loss..
it's all their own faults.

Yea or Nay not that hard to say.