Walter Herbert | |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Herbie Herbert |
| Born | Walter James Herbert II (1948-02-05)February 5, 1948 Berkeley, California, U.S. |
| Died | October 25, 2021(2021-10-25) (aged 73) Orinda, California, U.S. |
| Genres | R&B,soul |
| Occupation(s) | Artist manager, promoter, real estate developer, entrepreneur |
| Instrument(s) | Lead vocalist, guitar |
| Years active | 1966–2021 |
| Labels | Sy Records |
Walter James "Herbie" Herbert II[1] (February 5, 1948 – October 25, 2021) was an Americanmusic manager and musician. He was best known for his work withSantana andJourney.
Herbert was born inBerkeley, California, on February 5, 1948. His family moved to nearbyOrinda when he was a child. He attendedCampolindo High School and also resided inLafayette, California and Mendocino County.[2]
Herbert got his start in the music business in 1966. Bud Herbert was dubbed "Herbie " by his partner, Jim Nixon, also known as Oakland Dupree, when they co-managed Frumious Bandersnatch. Jim introduced Herbie to Bill Graham and also secured his position with Santana. Bill then mentored Herbie.Bill Graham,[3] after Stan Marcum, served as the manager ofSantana.[2] Herbert then became a roadie for the group, along with the Villanueva brothers John and Jackie, (where he metNeal Schon andGregg Rolie). He had previously co- managedFrumious Bandersnatch (where he metRoss Valory andGeorge Tickner). When Santana imploded in 1973, Herbert put together the original lineup of Journey (consisting of Schon, Rolie, Tickner, Valory and drummerPrairie Prince, who was soon replaced by Aynsley Dunbar) and remained its manager through 1993.[1] Herbert was heavily involved in all business aspects of the band and travelled as their road manager. With a sharp business sense, Herbert brought everything in-house under the name of Nightmare Productions and pioneered the use of large screen videos (via the creation of Nocturne Productions), impressive lighting and sound for stadium-sized concerts. A shrewd businessman, Herbert made a fortune with Journey's real estate holdings, Nocturne Productions, and catalog management.[3][4] He and Jim Welch, Journey's art director, devised a creative marketing plan to promote the band using artistsStanley Mouse andAlton Kelly, thematic one-worded album titles, and exposure at point-of-purchase outlets. In 1993, then lead vocalistSteve Perry asked that Herbert be replaced due to personality conflicts.[1][4][5] By 1995,Irving Azoff was hired by the band to be the next manager.[5]
In addition to his work with Journey, Herbert managedThe Steve Miller Band and co-managed Swedish groupsRoxette andEurope.[3] He also managedMr. Big,Enuff Z'Nuff, and Journey offshoots The Storm and Hardline.[4] During the late 1990s, Herbert moved from behind the scenes into the spotlight, recording three albums as Sy Klopps and touring the San Francisco Bay Area with the Sy Klopps Band, which has included current and former Journey band members Schon, Rolie, Prince, and Valory.[3][4] Herbie, as Sy Klopps, sang lead in the Trichromes, a band featuring Bill Kreutzmann, Ralph Woodson, Steve Kimock and Ira Walker. Trichromes were managed by Herbie's long time pal Steve Parish of the Grateful Dead.
Herbert was married to Maya Herbert for 20 years until his death. Together, they had two children: Katherine and Seaya.[2]
Herbert died on October 25, 2021, at his home in Orinda. He was 73, and suffered from an unspecified "prolonged illness" prior to his death.[2][4]
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