Herbie Herbert was the visionary behind the legendary band Journey. He meticulously crafted their initial lineup, established the band’s reputation through relentless touring and strategic marketing, and played a pivotal role in hiring Steve Perry, which ultimately led to substantial wealth for the band through lucrative business ventures. His influence was paramount in shaping the band’s identity and success.

However, by the time Journey was poised for induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2017, Herbert had been ousted from his managerial position. His absence at the ceremony was notable, particularly given the ongoing tensions with Perry, despite Herbert’s crucial role in bringing him into the band. These dynamics exemplified the complexities of relationships within the music industry.

“Make no mistake: There’s no Journey without Herbie Herbert,” stated Paul Rappaport, who served as the senior vice president of promotion at Columbia Records, the band’s label. Herbert’s journey began when he met Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon while working as a road manager during their stint with Santana. This pivotal moment laid the foundation for what would become one of rock’s most iconic bands.

READ MORE: Discover Our Rankings of All 52 Journey Songs From the ’80s

During an interview with the UCR Podcast, Rappaport shared, “Herbie approached Neal Schon with a vision: ‘I want to build a band around you and your guitar playing.’ That’s the genesis of Journey.” He likened Herbert to a godfather figure, guiding the band through various challenges, particularly with the addition of Steve Perry, and navigating tumultuous periods that tested their unity.

Among the most significant challenges occurred during the mid-’90s reunion efforts. The legendary A&R executive John Kalonder, a colleague of Rappaport at Columbia Records, orchestrated a crucial meeting between Perry and former bandmate Jonathan Cain. This reunion transpired nearly a decade after Journey had disbanded following the release of Raised on Radio in 1986. Neal Schon soon joined the discussions, but Perry’s rejoining came with a non-negotiable demand that would alter the band’s management dynamics.

Watch Journey Members Discuss Steve Perry’s Unexpected Rock Hall Appearance

Journey’s Reunion: A New Era Without Herbie Herbert

Herbert’s departure was inevitable. Reports indicated that Perry desired more autonomy in management decisions. “Steve Perry had a profound animosity towards Herbie,” recounted Joel Selvin, a veteran music writer for the San Francisco Chronicle, in his biography, Journey: Worlds Apart. “His negotiations included reducing Herbie’s influence over the band.” This shift marked a significant turning point in the band’s management and creative direction.

Rappaport noted that Herbert had begun feeling overwhelmed by the pressures of managing the band and its various business endeavors. He expressed this sentiment prior to a Journey concert as their equipment arrived.

“He said, ‘Want to know something, Rap?’ He continued, ‘I’m really proud. Look at those semis; we own every one of them,'” Rappaport recalled. “We have a team of 70 people working at our management company in San Francisco. We can produce our own records, design album covers, and distribute globally within a week. That’s what we’ve built. And then he looked at me and added, ‘And I’m going to tell you something else. It almost wasn’t worth it.’ Those words hit hard, revealing the emotional toll of navigating the egos and challenges of the music business.”

READ MORE: Check Out Our Rankings of Every Journey Album

The classic lineup from Journey’s multi-platinum albums, Escape and Frontiers, eventually reunited, yielding the 1996 hit album Trial by Fire. The single “When You Love a Woman” achieved Grammy nomination status and became a platinum-selling Top 15 hit. However, for the first time in the history of the band, Herbert was not involved in the management. Journey was now under the guidance of Irving Azoff, a powerhouse manager known for working with iconic bands like the Eagles, Steely Dan, Van Halen, and Guns N’ Roses.

According to Rappaport, “Steve Perry gained significant power within the band, leading to a political upheaval and power struggles, with Herbie bearing the brunt of the fallout.” He elaborated on these tumultuous years in his book, Gliders Over Hollywood: Airships, Airplay and the Art of Rock Promotion. “These conflicts shouldn’t have happened, but that’s the nature of the industry. It became a complicated relationship between him and Steve, and it was painful for Herbie. When the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction approached, Herbert felt ambivalent about attending due to the circumstances of his departure.”

Watch Steve Perry’s Heartfelt Rock Hall Acceptance Speech

Rebuilding Bridges: Steve Perry’s Acknowledgment

Rappaport credited John Baruck, the manager appointed by Azoff to oversee the day-to-day operations of the band, for persuading Herbert to attend the Rock Hall ceremony in Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.

He said, “‘You have to go – John Baruck understood something that Herbie didn’t. He insisted, ‘You need to be there.’ Herbert was hesitant, expressing concerns about the potential discomfort. Baruck reassured him, ‘The guys love you; Steve loves you. You just don’t realize it. I’m telling you, you must attend.’ Ultimately, Herbert decided to go.”

Perry’s unexpected appearance on stage during the acceptance speeches was a surprise to everyone, including Herbert and the HBO production team. Perry was initially listed as “TBD” in the ceremony’s official rundown. He shared heartfelt memories about joining Journey, but only after fellow inductees Neal Schon, Ainsley Dunbar, Gregg Rolie, Steve Smith, and Ross Valory had taken the stage.

In a heartfelt moment, Perry lavished praise on Herbert, stating, “Somehow, one of my demo tapes fell into the hands of Herbie Herbert,” while gesturing towards the band’s former manager in the audience. “I wouldn’t be here tonight if it weren’t for Herbie Herbert.” The audience erupted in applause, acknowledging Herbert’s significant contribution to the band’s success.

“I think Steve just needed to make amends,” Rappaport reflected. “The first thing he said was, ‘I need to tell everyone in this room and anyone listening on the radio or on YouTube that guy right there, Herbie Herbert, is the reason I’m here. Herbie Herbert is the reason I’m in Journey.’ There is no Steve Perry in Journey without Herbie Herbert – and the world needs to recognize that.” Rappaport paraphrased Perry’s heartfelt sentiments, emphasizing their profound impact on Herbert during that emotional moment.

Nick DeRiso is the author of the Amazon best-selling rock band biography ‘Journey: Worlds Apart,’ available here and at all major bookseller websites.