HARVEY LISBERG – I’m Into Something Good: My Life Managing 10cc, Herman’s Hermits & Many More

Wildly entertaining, enthusiastically told, and brimming with joy and energy, this utterly rewarding read by former Herman’s Hermits and 10cc manager Harvey Lisberg is a real adventure from beginning to end.

Chronicling his days growing up in Salford in Greater Manchester and becoming smitten with music (in particular The Beatles) as a teenager to eventually developing a strong desire to immerse himself fully in the music business and yearning to make a living out of that, this warm-hearted book is a spirited account of Lisberg’s life and experiences. While his attempt at becoming a professional songwriter was hardly what one would deem a success, he soon discovered that he had entrepreneurial talent, and in what felt like no time he was suddenly managing the act that would one day adopt the name Herman’s Hermits. The band became a huge sensation and a major hit on both sides of the pond, effectively spawning the phenomenon known as Hermania, and it is fabulous not to mention illuminating to hear how they functioned as a group and a collective of strong-willed individuals in the studio and on the road. The tours were grueling, the pressure to deliver the goods everywhere they went was immense, and the expectations were high, but a lot of fun was undoubtedly had along the way as evidenced by the numerous and cheerful recollections contained in I’m Into Something Good. Harvey and the charismatic (not to mention endearing and charming) Peter Noone became close friends and enjoyed each other’s company outside of work as well, but perhaps the most interesting aspect of those years was the introduction of the ridiculously talented songwriter Graham Gouldman who contributed timeless tunes to The Yardbirds (‘For Your Love’, ‘Heart Full of Soul’, and ‘Evil Hearted You’, anyone?) and Herman’s Hermits among many others – undoubtedly a gifted human being capable of producing musical gold and one that had a profound and lasting impact on Lisberg. And of course, Gouldman would achieve worldwide fame himself with art rockers 10cc a few years down the road.

The number of funny anecdotes and cherished memories is staggering, and the chapters detailing our main character’s time managing 10cc and later on snooker legends such as Jimmy White and Alex Higgins are worth the price of this humorous and moving memoir alone. There is such a great flow to its 243 inspired and riveting pages that you will devour them in no time at all, and this is a perfect summer read that offers a fascinating glimpse of British music history. Wit and wisdom await the reader.