Backstage Pass: A Business Book That's Far From Conventional

by Harvey Lee

It started with Sex, Drugs and Rock and Roll and finished in a well-cut suit.

Ask anyone with a The road to success can be akin to riding shotgun on the Highway to Hell, as Harvey Lee, rebel turned Vice President of Product Marketing will testify...

From modest beginnings in Northern England, to the promised land of the USA, Harvey recalls how he was forced to grab life by the horns, and embarked on a 40-year white-knuckle ride through the business world, establishing himself as an MBA-level trained and renowned product marketer.

But it wasn't always smooth sailing. Harvey shares how he survived and thrived in the cut-throat music industry before joining the corporate world and launching the original Xbox.

Part business book, part personal memoir, Backstage Pass is packed with hilarious tales spanning music, videogame, and technology industries. But behind the humour lay stories of grit and determination that'll leave you invigorated, inspired, and equipped to embark on an adventure of your own making. 

Regardless of your past, present, or future aspirations, this tale of personal growth, born from a passion for music, will strike a chord with anyone pursuing a dream and leave you shouting, "Encore!"

Genres: Business

278 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 14, 2024

Reviews

[MR J · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey is a leading figure with the respected PMA (Product Marketing Association), and I was already aware of the excellent marketing content curated and authored by this body. What Harvey has penned is a genuine rarity in the non–fiction book sector; a crossover between autobiography and life learned lessons/insights that any reader can pick up and apply. It aptly summarizes why there doesn’t have to be one career path that is chosen until retirement, the importance of enduring principles that help you get ahead, and when one door closes another can open elsewhere.

What makes it stand out amongst the rest of the pack is its evocative sense of time and place (anyone who can remember the 80s will be instantly whisked back), and sheer readability. Backstage Pass is never dull. Let’s face it, who doesn’t want to be entertained while they are learning? If you’re even debating giving this a go, hopefully this review tips you over into the affirmative.

[Simon Morgan · Rating 5 out of 5]

As a product marketer, I had heard of Harvey Lee before in a training course because he gives lectures on the field and has had in impressive career thus far. From this perspective, I anticipated this book to be another typical success story.

But I was pleasantly surprised by the contrary. Lee presents a humorous, relatable, and grounded tale of professional growth. Certainly, the book is not short on business insights, but it offers so much more. It also provides a backstage pass to the UK rock scene of the 80s.

Its structure is well-suited for a narrative that seamlessly straddles multiple genres. While the book maintains a coherent storyline, each chapter can be appreciated on its own. You don't have to wade from chapter to chapter only to find the good bits of information.

For anyone seeking a departure from cliched business books, I would guinely recommend this read.

[Amit · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first encountered Harvey Lee through his impactful contributions as a thought leader in Product Marketing. When I discovered he was in the process of authoring a book, I initially expected it to be just another typical business textbook. To my delight, "Backstage Pass" turned out to be a truly unique work, offering a captivating education in street smarts and valuable life principles. Harvey imparts essential lessons on kindness, the importance of maintaining positive relationships, and the golden rule of treating others as you would like to be treated – skills that are regrettably often overlooked in today's world. There's a wealth of wisdom to be gleaned from Harvey's experiences, revealing how he built a successful career founded on these timeless values.

[Sharmi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey Lee's memoir isn't just a book, it's a life lesson delivered with the raw energy of a rock concert. Forget sugar-coated self-help; this is a real-life story, warts and all, that leaves you feeling both inspired and equipped to tackle your own challenges.

Lee doesn't shy away from the rough patches. From school dropout to roadie, his journey is a testament to resilience and resourcefulness. He doesn't just tell you about his failures, he dissects them, revealing the golden nuggets of wisdom hidden within. These "hard-won MBA moments" aren't preachy pronouncements, but relatable experiences that resonate deeply.

But Lee's not just a master of introspection, he's also a skilled storyteller. His tales of navigating the wild world of rock and roll are captivating, drawing you in with their humor, drama, and unexpected turns all the while delivering practical insights on everything from building connections to rolling with the punches.

And that's what truly sets this book apart. It's not just a memoir or a self-help guide; it's a unique blend of both, where inspiration and actionable advice seamlessly intertwine. Lee doesn't just motivate you, he equips you with the tools you need to turn that motivation into action.

The author's audible narration adds a lot of life and energy to the book, making it a gripping read from start to finish. Lee's story is a testament to the power of learning from experience and the importance of sharing those lessons with others.

[Lauren Kennedy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic read that grips you from the first chapter. It effortlessly combines the wild tales of the music industry with valuable career tips, making it a thrilling yet practical read.

What's so cool about this book is how Lee mixes entertaining rock and roll stories with down-to-earth and practical advice (not many practical reads are actionable) for anyone looking to up their game in the business world. Those stories aren't just for kicks; they're like real-life examples of the smart moves Lee wants to teach us.

Lee's insights on rocking the business world are like hidden treasures. Whether it's about rolling with the punches in the music biz or the importance of building solid connections in your career, Lee's got wisdom that's not just eye-opening but also super useful.

What hit me hard was the motivation to put those lessons into action in my own career. Lee's storytelling doesn't just entertain; it lights a fire under you.

I highly recommend. Whether you're a music buff, an aspiring entrepreneur, or just looking for an inspiring memoir that doesn't bore you to death, this one's a must. Harvey Lee's memoir isn't just a backstage pass to the world of rock and roll; it's a guidebook on how to rock your own world with determination, adaptability, and big dreams.

[Geff Ratcheson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I didn't read the "blurb" closely enough when I offered to read & review this. I was under the impression that I was reading a book about the music business.

Well, for part of it I was, but the music covered was an 80's reboot of Herman's Hermits, without Peter Noone, & a very little known band that didn't "make it", called Smalltown Heroes.

Then there's a long section about Microsoft, the Xbox & corporations which I really could care less about.

Those are all topics that don't interest me in the least. It's a compliment to the author's writing abilities that I finished the book.

The other thing I didn't like is there were sections with new agey advice on how to succeed in corporations (I DESPISE just the concept of corporations, & despise the real thing even more).

If Herman's Hermits with 2 original members remaining, The Small Town Heroes, or Microsoft & Gaming interests you, you may very well enjoy this book much more than I did. If not…………… there's tons of books with information that would have interested me quite a bit more. I'm also a former musician & music biz person & there may be information here that I am already aware of that may interest you.

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Kelly Erez · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is brilliant, funny and insightfully motivating! Harvey takes you through his life's personal and professional journey and the experiences he encounters along the way starting from leaving school early with no qualifications, to music industry jobs, him being a manger, playing on tour with some famous bands and the ending up at Microsoft as head of Marketing for XBox! It's really interesting reading about what goes on behind the scenes of the industries he takes us through!

Seeing Harvey's personality come through the words is really compelling - I can imagine how he conducted himself through the scenarios as he describes them like a movie. I had a laugh too, makes for some captivating reading.

One of the things I like most about this book is how he summarises key learning points after each chapter with key takeaways anyone can implement into their loves. I also think it's great how each chapter is named after a song title - and there's a Spotify playlist to go with the book!

I really recommend this book...I'm going to order more as presents. As Harvey says 'Rock on!'.

[H · Rating 5 out of 5]

There are very few books I can make it through - I'm not a big reader AT ALL, but this debut title from Harvey Lee had me CAPTIVATED!
Harvey's story is wonderfully told in a charming, humorous manner, and what I loved was how the story kept moving in that clever way that made you not want to put the book down - You were excited for the next opportunity to pick the book up so you could find out what happened next on Harvey's journey.

Backstage Pass: A Business Book That's Far From Conventional has SO many laugh out loud moments & exciting & interesting stories, and it was just wonderful to read Harvey's take on his life's travels. It made me smile, it made me laugh, and upon finishing the book, it made me say, "That was a bloomin' good read!"

Highly recommended if you love a good read, and if reading isn't necessarily your thing, but audio is, then the audiobook version is also incredible, and narrated brilliantly by Harvey himself.

[Norman Rohr · Rating 5 out of 5]

Prepare for the unexpected

Who knew the author had started in Rock'n'Roll and not even a proper education? I mainly had randomly heard about Harvey through the Product Marketing Alliance before as the XBOX guy in Europe, and had no preconception what his book would be about. If anything I expected some journey into business building and how to become a better product market.

Yes, that's probably the 50% business in the story - Harvey openly talks about what works and things he messed up. Valuable lessons for the future. However, what makes this book outstanding is the other 50 percent, Harvey's personal come about. Growing up in a blue color family in the industrial heart land of England, moving into Rock'n'Roll and all the craziness and f*k ups that come with it.

Harvey recounts the phases in his life, and then shares the lessons he learnt from it... Amazing read.

I was flying through the story in no time...

[Sivakumar G · Rating 5 out of 5]

We learn many lessons over our lifetimes. But do we know what we learned and when? Why do we make the decisions we do?
Harvey traces the wonderful lessons he learned over his life through experience and adversity, from how he learned to position his career to how he learned to sweat the details. He shares the wisdom his successes and failures taught him, and through the experience of traveling around the world and the various people he meets along the way.
Sometimes, the best lessons are the ones we learn from our mistakes. Even better ones are learned from the experiences of others. There are many golden nuggets in Harvey's story blow by blow account of his life story from being a school dropout, to touring with a rock band to becoming a product marketing manager as Microsoft.
Harvey's story is a testament to the power of learning from experience and the importance of sharing those lessons with others.

[Michele · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend taking the time to read this book. As I've come to expect from this author, this book is powerful. It conveys the same energy as the author delivers on stage. A must read, in fact I could not stop reading it! It combines very interesting and often amusing real life stories with crucial insights for a fast-track career.
I loved the framework of sharing the first hand experience and concluding with the key lessons in each chapter, which created a very consistent narrative and made it easier to enjoy the reading and at the same time capture key life and business lessons, indeed very valuable ones.
If you want to find new direction for your career and life and achieve the goals you just dream of then read and use this book. After reading it my motivation levels have increased and I felt inspired to take action, to make a difference. Lots of sound business advice delivered with a very compelling and pleasant narrative. Highly recommended!

[Renae Bradley · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I delved into the pages of Backstage Pass, I was immediately entranced by Harvey's captivating story. His unwavering determination and resilience struck a chord within me, prompting deep self-reflection about my own life choices and future direction. Harvey's unwavering passion for the music industry and his unwavering commitment to following one's true path resonated profoundly with me.

As an avid reader of business literature, I've come across many books, but Backstage Pass stands out as a unique gem. Its blend of uproarious real-life anecdotes, coupled with valuable business insights, created a narrative that felt remarkably relatable to my own life. With a shared love for music, I found it refreshing to witness Harvey's journey, from his humble beginnings to the diverse paths he explored, leading him to success.

[Emily Enger · Rating 5 out of 5]

Every business book attempts to use storytelling to drive home the lessons the author is attempting to teach. Usually, it is through anecdotes that clearly have an agenda, not beautiful prose. But this business book is different. It truly is part-memoir, well-told in descriptive scenes I could picture as I read. The business lessons, though important, took second fiddle to the narrative. Did I learn about business principles? Absolutely. But I also got swept up in the often-humorous, wild story and disappeared into the pages the same way I do a favorite novel. Such a feat is impressive accomplishment for a writer!

I especially recommend this book for anyone who loves music (even if you aren't in the business side of the industry) or an entrepreneur of any industry just starting their business journey.

[Pablo Ylarri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey Lee's "Backstage Pass" is a compelling read for anyone in product marketing.

Despite not being a rock fan or a passionate gamer, I found his story deeply inspiring. Lee's narrative is engaging, weaving personal anecdotes with practical insights invaluable for Product Marketing Managers.

The book's standout feature is the 'key lessons in life and business' at the end of each chapter. These concise summaries provide actionable advice based on the author's experience narrated in the chapter.

Lee's emphasis on a customer-centric approach, cross-functional collaboration, and adaptability in market changes are particularly noteworthy.

I've learned a lot and will re-read my notes in the future!

Disclaimer: I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

[Nat B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

"Backstage Pass" by Harvey Lee offers a captivating blend of business insights and the interesting life experiences of the author himself. From the very beginning, this book stands out and is a testament to Harvey's ability to seamlessly blend entertainment with professional insight, making me both laugh and ponder in quick succession.

The blend of personal anecdotes with business acumen creates a narrative that is not only entertaining but also enlightening. Harvey's life experiences serve as a backdrop for the invaluable lessons he imparts, making it a book that transcends traditional genres.

I couldn't recommend this book enough. I'm eagerly awaiting the next installment!

[Zoe Koumbouzi · Rating 5 out of 5]

Soaked up every part of this book. Funny and packed with goodness from stellar career advice to toilet jokes, rock 'n' roll behind the scenes, and product marketing golden nuggets. Specifically enjoyed the unfolding journey from school to first jobs to on the road with rock stars to corporate job and how the author learned something every step of the way. It's an inspiring book on business and career without being in any way dry or too didactic. I'm sure this will be one I re-read!

[Steven Shinder · Rating 5 out of 5]

This kind of feels like two books in one, as a portion of it covers Harvey Lee’s work in the music business, and the rest focuses on his involvement in the video games industry. There are some ups and downs throughout that really keep you on your toes, and what you think might happen may not be what you expect if you’re not so familiar with his life. Very valuable lessons throughout about do’s and don’t’s of business.

[Roger Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Backstage Pass captivated me from the first chapter and quickly revealed itself as a professional coming-of-age story. From trekking across Europe on a shoestring, selling t-shirts, to attending the biggest parties bankrolled by Microsoft, this book entertains while providing numerous lessons about business—particularly in the world of product marketing.

[Amitai Richman · Rating 5 out of 5]

From beginning to end, this book captivated my attention, making it hard to put down. Harvey's narrative style is remarkably immersive, like a casual conversation between friends. There are a lot of valuable takeaways at the end of each chapter, both for personal and professional development. It's one of the most fascinating, entertaining, and inspiring books I've ever read.

[Tamara Grominsky · Rating 5 out of 5]

A highly entertaining read - super refreshing take on the classic business memoir. They say you fall into product marketing (you don't plan to get into it), and this book shows just how true that is! Would recommend to anyone wanting to get a glimpse into what life really looks like as a PMM.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

There’s not another business book like it. For marketing veterans it’ll help you understand how the industry has changed. For newbies, it’ll show how the path in is often windy. You won’t forget Harvey’s tales.

[Reader · Rating 5 out of 5]

Too many business books are bland beyond belief. Backstage Pass was a page turner because it was hilarious, vulnerable and authentic on so many levels. One of the better books I’ve read in a while.

[Abigail · Rating 5 out of 5]

Harvey's career and experiences are truly mind-blowing! It's an easy and captivating read, with more plot twists than seem possible for a mortal man. A real treat for rock and business strategy fans.

[Jacki · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wish this could be assigned reading to anyone starting out in their career. It was fascinating and also provided very tangible tips, reminding us that a career is long and winding, not linear.

[Jason Oakley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having first encountered Harvey as a product marketer, I anticipated Backstage Pass to be a typical success story / business book. But it exceeded my expectations. It felt like I had a literal backstage pass to the UK rock scene in the '80s.

This book does a fantastic job of blending together two different genres. It combines the wild tales of the music industry with practical career tips, making it both entertaining and full of life lessons.

Whether you're a music enthusiast, an aspiring entrepreneur, or looking to advance your career, "Backstage Pass" is a must-read.

[Albane Tonnellier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I first crossed paths with Harvey Lee at a Product Marketing Alliance meetup, and when I heard he was writing a book, I expected another typical business read on Product Marketing.

I'm always up for a good business book, but Harvey's "Backstage Pass" is something else. It's packed with solid business advice and practical career tips, but what sets it apart is the rock and roll anecdotes sprinkled throughout. It's this blend that makes it such an engaging read.

As someone who also loves music, I really enjoyed following Harvey's story – from his early days to the various adventures that led to his achievements. The biggest takeaway for me is the crucial role of forging strong connections throughout one's career.