It's dEAD deAD gooD... - A Rock 'n' Roll Memoir By Steve Harrison (Hardback Book)

BOOK: 7” X 9” Hardback Edition with 400 Pages and 80 Photographs

FORWARDS: by Peter Hook and Best Selling Autor and Broadcaster Mark Hodkinson.

It’s dEAD deAD gooD... A Rock ‘n’ Roll Memoir by Steve Harrison.

Published Date: 25th April 2025.

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.

From here Steve expanded the model to include stores across the North-West region, in Altrincham, Crewe, Macclesfield, a larger Witton Walk store in Northwich with an HQ and warehouse, Wigan and finally a new town centre store in Winsford.

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 the Jefferson Aeroplane and selling out the likes of the iconic Filmore in San Franscico reinventing psychedelic lighting designer Captain Wizzo from the 1960’s across the world. Venues such as Wigan Casino, the Hacienda, Erics, the Electric Circus, and the International. The groups, studios, tours, venues, promoters, fans, film syncs, publishing, contracts, labels, sponsorships, licensing, festivals, bootleggers, ticket touts and the logistics of global touring operations.

He writes of love for Manchester City, riding motorcycles, and scooters. 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. The first Million Seller being the rave anthem Oceanic ‘Insanity.’ Steve avoided what appeared and inevitable sale to would be suitors such as Richard Branson, RCA Records and retained his independence and loyalty to Northwich.

The Transworld record sleeves celebrated the town with ‘Made in Northwich’ on every release. He oversaw the period involving the imprisonment and tragic death of Charlatans songwriter and keyboard player Rob Collins.

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. 

“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 

“Steve Harrison loves music, and he loves life. He can also tell a bloody good story. Everything he is, has been caught within these pages” – Mark Hodkinson (Author/Broadcaster/Journalist) 

“Steve would do anything for us...” – Jon Brookes (Charlatans) 

“you make all those fuckin’ great disco records” – Tony Wilson (Factory Records/Broadcaster) 

“Steve Harrison kept a much profile which did his bands a lot of favours” – John Robb (Author/Journalist) 

“Recommending Steve Harrison as Monaco’s manager was one of her better decisions” – Peter Hook (Joy Division/New Order) on Caroline Aherne 

“Steve’s one of the good guys and speaks from the heart. He’s lived a life too...” – Dermo (Northside) 

“Steve, you need to find your Oasis”... “I’ve told him many times, he already has. He is destined to be the manager of the Stone Roses” – Peter Grant (Led Zeppelin) talking to Tony Wilson