iT’s dEAD deAD gOOD - A Rock 'n' Roll Memoir By Steve Harrison - book launch eventIn conversation with guest interviewer: John Robb+ Q&A + book signing
The Ferret55 Fylde RoadPreston, England, PR1 2XQUnited Kingdom(map)
At seven years of age, Steve Harrison bought his first record; Hermans Hermits ‘I’m into something Good’ with his Christmas money. He told Mum and Dad that he was going to have a record shop when he was big. He grew-up through the punk scene in 1976 and tagged into the northern soul and scooter scene in 1978.
Steve began selling Northern Soul records in 1982 at a Morecambe All-Nighter. In March 1983 he realised his dream and opened a tiny 100 sq. ft. specialist record shop record in Winsford, Cheshire. By 1985 he had established what would be the iconic 70 Witton Street store in his hometown of Northwich in the south Manchester commuter belt.
He launched the dEAD deAD gooD Record label and management company in 1989 and later the Transworld Dance label. He talks about his friendships with the likes of Tony Wilson (Factory Records), Peter Grant (Led Zeppelin), Ian Brown, Noel Gallagher, and working with industry icons such as Seymour Stein, and Martin Mills. Labels such as Sire, Island, Parlophone, Polydor, Def America, RCA, MCA, Atlantic and Beggars Banquet. Working with the USA booking agents of the Doors and Jefferson Aeroplane and selling out the likes of the iconic Filmore in San Franscico and venues such as Wigan Casino, the Hacienda, Erics, the Electric Circus, and the International.
DDG supported the careers of many artists over the next twenty-years working with the likes of Alfa 9, Alfie, Mark Burgess, Chameleons, Charlatans, Dario G, Digital Orgasm, Peter Hook (Joy Division / New Order / Monaco), Mantaray, Oceanic, Orange Deluxe, Relish, Rhythm Eternity, Rig, Sussed, That Uncertain Feeling, Venus Beads, Jez Williams (Doves). DDG engaged in the release of over seventy-five albums and two-hundred singles, including Number One albums and singles across the world.
Steve was the subject of a huge fraud by his accountant, rebuilt and is now ready to tell his story... A story of a passion of music, record shops, of taste, investment, industry, deal- making, success, loss, tragedy, highs and lows, creative souls and lots of other worldly stuff in an exceptional story of community. "There is no doubt of Steve and Dead Dead Good's part in the history of Manchester and surrounding district’s music, no doubt at all. He was there at the beginning and helped many careers, both personally and through the power of his records shops and label. He has great taste in people as well as music. As to whether anyone agrees, knowing Steve, I doubt that he cares... he is a fighter, and I admire that. One thing I do know is that it will be confrontational and honest.” - Peter Hook January 2025
“That my darling Steve, is because you and I know better, and the rest of them are all cunts” – Tony Wilson (Factory Records/Broadcaster)
“We’d meet outside Horners scooter shop in Old Trafford and head off on the runs with Steve Harrison and attend soul all-nighters” – Ian Brown (Stone Roses)
“Through retail, labels, management, promotion and tireless enthusiasm, Steve has lots of wisdom to impart and stories to tell. He has done so much for the North-West and has music pumping through his veins” – Mark Radcliffe (Broadcaster/Author/Musician)
“Building a chain of record shops, and carefully managing a band from nowhere to the heart of the hottest scene in the UK takes some nous” - John Robb
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Guest interviewer: John Robb - the man needs no introduction… an icon in the music industry. Broadcaster, commentator, author, journalist, Membranes, Louder Than War… it goes on… he wrote a book about one of the bands Steve worked with; Charlatans called “We Are Rock” and has recently had a best-seller “The Art of Darkness”.
