Reviews
You know him as the disembodied voice on the answering machine berating Hotsy Menshot on Tool’s “message to harry manback”, and you probably have wondered “what the hell is going on here??” 🤣… well Francesco’s here to lay down the whole story, and it’s far more colorful than you could imagine!!
Mike Girouard (Canada)
Francesco, I loved it!
To all my fellow Tool fans, you need this book.
Lisa Gutiérrez (USA)
If you are a Tool fan, you need this book.
Uncover the enigma of Harry Manback, an elusive legend woven into Tool's musical tapestry. This captivating book whisks you back to the 90s, unveiling the intriguing narrative that birthed a myth. Discover the unconventional origins of the first Ænema track ever recorded: a message full of rage captured on an answering machine, an audacious testament of an Italian guy mistreated by an old friend.
The tale of Manback unravels through intimate revelations, providing a fascinating glimpse into a moment of rock history. It's more than a book, it's a key to unlocking the mysterious lore surrounding one of the most intriguing figures in Tool's illustrious journey.
Thank you Francesco for revealing to the world this touching and unique story!
Giuliano Golfieri (Milan, Italy)
This is a MUST READ for any TOOL FAN!
Heck for ANY music fan…
If you have listened to Tool’s album Ænima you would have heard this legends answering machine message, and most likely always beenintrigued as to the back story.
Well the legend himself has all of your years of wondering answered in this cheeky book!
Such a great read … this is music history in a book !
Michelle Stuart (Australia)
Are you a Tool fan?
Ever wondered what really took place in the 90's when a pissed off italiano cussed a guy out on an answering machine that was recorded by a cassette tape? Take a step back in time and walk in manbacks shoes as he takes you on his journey and live vicariously through this enticing read. Get the fly on the walls glimpse inside the start up of bill manspeakers green jelly, learn about hotsy manshot and the humble beginings of the infamous MJK and who was sleeping on whos couch. As you dive deep into the frustrations and legal battles that ensued you cant help but feel for the guy. You will not want to put it down and will probally frame it next to your Tool memorabilia. A must have for the true fanatic. Cause falling isnt flying and floating isnt infinite but words in a book (or on an answering machine) live forever just like black magic.
Dennis LaLiberte (USA)
"The Legend of Harry Man Back" is the unique story about a man leaving an ordinary angry voicemail on their roommates' answering machine and finding out decades later that the message was used in one of the songs by one of the world's most successful bands; Tool. I was able to finish the book in one sitting and enjoyed some behind the scenes stories about Tool and the band they were spawned from Green Jello.
DEWEY (USA)
You are 13 jamming to Tool in your friends parents garage.you start to hear a dark ominous voice speaking over a light piano interlude. Waves crash against a cold shore while gulls caw in the clouds. 1 of 3 Americans are dying out of cancer….what? Fuck you! Die! Bastard You think you so cool…. Huh? Did he just say? Eat shit? What? Lol play that thing again!!! Who is that voice???? Who is he talking to?!?! Why is my hair standing up?!?!?!
Well fam now you can find out everything you’ve wanted to about the mystery that is Message to Harry Manback…
Get into this book. For every Tool fan or anyone who loves to know the behind the music weirdness.
I have luckily grown to become friends with Francesco and I a very happy he is finally telling his story!!!
The Legend of Harry Manback is here to stay!
With love,You are 13 jamming to Tool in your friends parents garage.you start to hear a dark ominous voice speaking over a light piano interlude. Waves crash against a cold shore while gulls caw in the clouds. 1 of 3 Americans are dying out of cancer….what? Fuck you! Die! Bastard You think you so cool…. Huh? Did he just say? Eat shit? What? Lol play that thing again!!! Who is that voice???? Who is he talking to?!?! Why is my hair standing up?!?!?!
Well fam now you can find out everything you’ve wanted to about the mystery that is Message to Harry Manback…
Get into this book. For every Tool fan or anyone who loves to know the behind the music weirdness.
I have luckily grown to become friends with Francesco and I a very happy he is finally telling his story!!!
The Legend of Harry Manback is here to stay!
With love,
Raw-D from Caaaaaanada
I had this book sent all the way to New Zealand.
It's a great read, and I would recommend it to not only Tool fans, but anyone who wants a good read.It's very entertaining!! A+
Matt (Kiwiland)
"An essential read for any fans of the band 'TOOL'. The REAL story behind track #6 titled 'A Message from Harry Manback' on their 1996 classic album 'Ænema'. Stuck between two of the band's classic songs on that record, it's a true life voicemail left on an old tape machine. The author of the book (also the voice on that message) tells the story behind that very message and recording. The author truly deserves his credit and even royalties for that recording. Order the book and read it. Learn the truth behind one of the most mysterious tracks in music history.
Trivia: Check out the final track on the 2021 album by Green Jelly called 'Holyman Back' https://youtu.be/wi6Dd_jgCRc for the official sequel/rebuttal by the original man and author himself. "
Ryan Raventhal (Canada)