Herbie Herbert

American music manager and musician (1948–2021)

Walter James "Herbie" Herbert II (February 5, 1948 – October 25, 2021) was an American music manager and musician. He was best known for his work with Santana and Journey.

Herbert was born in Berkeley, California, on February 5, 1948. His family moved to nearby Orinda when he was a child. He attended Campolindo High School and also resided in Lafayette, California and Mendocino County.

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, after Stan Marcum, served as the manager of Santana. He and Jim Welch, Journey's art director, devised a creative marketing plan to promote the band using artists Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelly, thematic one worded album titles, and exposure at point of purchase outlets. In 1993, then lead vocalist Steve Perry asked that Herbert be replaced due to personality conflicts. By 1995, Irving Azoff was hired by the band to be the next manager. In addition to his work with Journey, Herbert managed The Steve Miller Band and co managed Swedish groups Roxette and Europe. He also managed Mr. Big, Enuff Z'Nuff, and Journey offshoots The Storm and Hardline. 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. 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. 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.