January 1st 2025.
Harvey Lisberg, a famous manager in the music industry, decided to take on the challenge of managing two of snooker's most notorious players - Jimmy White and Alex Higgins. While some may think this would be a difficult task, Lisberg saw it as a thrilling adventure.
In the early 1980s, snooker was gaining popularity and Lisberg wanted to be a part of it. He first signed on a young and talented Jimmy White, also known as the "Whirlwind." Lisberg added some glitz and glamour to White's image, hoping to introduce him to the world.
Later, Lisberg took on an even bigger challenge by managing the legendary Northern Irishman, Alex Higgins, also known as the "Hurricane." Despite his wild reputation, Lisberg had fond memories of working with both players. In his new book, "Managing the Bad Boys of Snooker," Lisberg shares some wild tales of his time with White and Higgins. This book follows his previous book, "I'm Into Something Good," which focused on his work in the music industry.
Lisberg explained that the positive reaction to the snooker section of his previous book motivated him to reconnect with Jimmy White after 40 years. He now speaks to White almost every other day. White shared some wild stories with Lisberg, including one about the infamous Kray twins.
One of the most memorable anecdotes in Lisberg's book is about White being taken to visit Ronnie Kray in prison at the gangster's request. Lisberg also mentioned that he never felt frustrated managing White, despite his distractions off the table. To Lisberg, it was all just part of the ride and he compared it to going to the Blackpool Pleasure Beach when you're eight years old - pure fun and excitement.
Higgins, on the other hand, was a different story. Lisberg had worked with rock stars before, but he admitted that Higgins was probably the wildest person he had ever known, even more so than Keith Moon. He described Higgins as a total hustler and a mad gambler. Lisberg recalled a time when Higgins and White went to Saudi Arabia for a two-day performance and White ended up losing all their money at the racetrack.
In the 1980s, snooker players were becoming just as famous as rock stars, if not more. Lisberg was surprised by the level of stardom his players had achieved, with their media presence surpassing that of his musical acts. He even shared a funny story about Higgins demanding to be paid £600 for an interview, which was unheard of at the time.
Lisberg's experience in snooker may have been brief, but it was definitely eventful and entertaining. Looking back 40 years later, he sees a completely different snooker landscape. According to him, the most similar players to White and Higgins today would be the one and only Ronnie O'Sullivan.
However, Lisberg noted that the game has changed, with players now more focused on winning and less interested in their off-table reputation. He mentioned that players like Steve Davis may have been considered "boring" in the past, but their dedication to the game is what made them successful. While there are still some colorful characters in snooker today, it's nothing like the wild and unpredictable days of White and Higgins.
"Managing the Bad Boys of Snooker" is available as a Kindle book and an Audiobook. It's a must-read for anyone interested in the wild and exciting world of snooker in the 1980s.
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