If Steve Perry would share his opinion publicly....

[ScarabGator]

He's never once truly given a healthy dump about anyone but himself,

Wow - didn't know you knew Perry through his whole life and all of his relationships well enough to make such a claim.

But you know Drac, he does come off that way. The fact that he says nothing at all says a bunch. I hope this isnt true.

[finalfight]

Had Arnel been able to impress me right out of the gate (which he has not) I'd be rooting for him too. I'm sure the album will be good. But based on what I've seen, the live show will be sub-par compared to what I've seen/heard both recorded (Augeri) and recorded (Perry, Augeri & Soto).

Corrected that for you.

So did JSS impress you right out of the gate even those occasionally ropey early shows? What about Augeri? His early live recordings were also patchy.

I for the most part enjoyed Augeri's vocals with the band, less so with Jeff although I appreciate what a great job he did and I really like his solo output. The current Journey line up is what it is - and what it is is pretty damn great.

As an aside heres some early undoctored Augeri live footage which despite a few fluffed notes is also very enjoyable. There are a select few vocalists who could do the Journey catalogue justice and Arnel is definitely up to the task.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf9de0uYuXU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWalG1t5dPo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XWM6xRQ3Ns

[nolippin]

He never came off that way to me in what I've read. Maybe he just follows the "if you have nothing good to say, say nothing at all" rule.

He's never once truly given a healthy dump about anyone but himself,

Wow - didn't know you knew Perry through his whole life and all of his relationships well enough to make such a claim.

But you know Drac, he does come off that way. The fact that he says nothing at all says a bunch. I hope this isnt true.

[Pelata]

Had Arnel been able to impress me right out of the gate (which he has not) I'd be rooting for him too. I'm sure the album will be good. But based on what I've seen, the live show will be sub-par compared to what I've seen/heard both recorded (Augeri) and recorded (Perry, Augeri & Soto).

Corrected that for you.

So did JSS impress you right out of the gate even those occasionally ropey early shows? What about Augeri? His early live recordings were also patchy.

I for the most part enjoyed Augeri's vocals with the band, less so with Jeff although I appreciate what a great job he did and I really like his solo output. The current Journey line up is what it is - and what it is is pretty damn great.

As an aside heres some early undoctored Augeri live footage which despite a few fluffed notes is also very enjoyable. There are a select few vocalists who could do the Journey catalogue justice and Arnel is definitely up to the task.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cf9de0uYuXU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QWalG1t5dPo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8XWM6xRQ3Ns

When I saw Augeri LIVE in 1998 & 1999, he was fantastic. I was waiting for him to blow it, but I was proven wrong.

I've yet to see any JSS footage w/ Journey that sounded as bad as those Ellen clips w/ Arnel. JSS sounds great on the boot I have.

I never saw Augeri after 1999 and I'm sure that by 2003/2004 he was shredded...

I've yet to see any live footage of Arnel that has impressed me as much as Augeri & Soto. And this is not a case of loyalty to any particular singer. I've been a fan of JRNY through all the singer changes and had high hopes for Arnel as well...I wanted to like him the way I liked the other singers...I just don't.

The record I'm sure is very good..."Never Walk Away" is fantastic & Arnel sounds great on it...it's the live stuff that has left me cold.

[Arkansas]

He's never once truly given a healthy dump about anyone but himself,

Wow - didn't know you knew Perry through his whole life and all of his relationships well enough to make such a claim.

But you know Drac, he does come off that way. The fact that he says nothing at all says a bunch. I hope this isnt true.

Exactly. Being private and just disappearing are two different things. I don't recall ever reading a retirement announcement? Did he really retire, or did he just run away & hide? Has Perry ever finished anything in his life? Things get a little rough and all of the sudden he's got emotional issues that are far more important than anything or anyone else, so he's runs away. He bailed on a Journey tour, on his own tour, and then on the Journey reunion. Then when Journey does anything on their own, he pouts a little and then starts rumors about being in a studio himself.

It's just the same old whiney crap, year after year. Yet, we still can't get over him.
Whatta joke.

Yes, give the man his due - we all have spent hundreds of dollars on him & countless time debating total crap, like now - however, if he really wanted to do something for his fans, then he would come clean about who he is today...and then tell us all to F-off.


later~

[Red13JoePa]

Arkansas, "StickToItIveness" hasn't always been his strongsuit. His own liner notes on GH indicate he pulled the plug on The Alien Project after Richards passed and the band wanted to continue.

Time and again.


Good question to Mrs Memorex, too, about the "retirement" thing she's floating out there.

[ScarabGator]

He's never once truly given a healthy dump about anyone but himself,

Wow - didn't know you knew Perry through his whole life and all of his relationships well enough to make such a claim.

But you know Drac, he does come off that way. The fact that he says nothing at all says a bunch. I hope this isnt true.

Exactly. Being private and just disappearing are two different things. I don't recall ever reading a retirement announcement? Did he really retire, or did he just run away & hide? Has Perry ever finished anything in his life? Things get a little rough and all of the sudden he's got emotional issues that are far more important than anything or anyone else, so he's runs away. He bailed on a Journey tour, on his own tour, and then on the Journey reunion. Then when Journey does anything on their own, he pouts a little and then starts rumors about being in a studio himself.

It's just the same old whiney crap, year after year. Yet, we still can't get over him.
Whatta joke.

Yes, give the man his due - we all have spent hundreds of dollars on him & countless time debating total crap, like now - however, if he really wanted to do something for his fans, then he would come clean about who he is today...and then tell us all to F-off.


later~

Good post!!!!

[Memorex]

Arkansas, "StickToItIveness" hasn't always been his strongsuit. His own liner notes on GH indicate he pulled the plug on The Alien Project after Richards passed and the band wanted to continue.

Time and again.


Good question to Mrs Memorex, too, about the "retirement" thing she's floating out there.

I assumed when he said he didn't feel he had anything left to offer, he was retiring. I figured he would never record again. Somehow, that did not offend me. How odd.

So let's say it's not a retirement, but rather a long vacation. So. I'm not sure what he was supposed to say. He did the yearly Q&A's for the fans, said a few things, and appeared on the radio to promote things as needed. I'm not sure what it is you were looking for. Clearly he didn't want to be in Journey anymore. How is that a negative? It's a choice. Just because it didn't line up with what you wanted, you think it was a mistake. I don't see it as either way. There are so many artists that have hung it up, or have been quiet, etc. Do you think the same of them?

When there is resentment, I try to look for a reason. Your reasons are that Steve Perry did not tour as much as you wanted in 1987, or follow up with another Journey record in 1988 or 1989, or beyond. I'd love to have a new LRB album with the line-up that I like, or even a second line-up that I like. But I don't resent them for their choices. I want a new album from Van Halen with Sammy Hagar, but hey, life's not going to serve that up for the moment. Did you hate Dave when he left? Talk about leaving a band hanging. That was far greater than Steve Perry taking a break. Except it wasn't. And the only reason it wasn't is because the band didn't sit around crying about it. They put their creativity to the test and went for it. Journey laid down and became a nostalgia act and it bugs you as much as it bugs me. Because if you are going to be a nostalgia act, you might as well have the original. And you can't have him - waaaa, waaaa, waaaa.

Can you name me other artists in similar situations who have left bands in similar fashion that you hate as much as you hate Perry?

[Memorex]

He's never once truly given a healthy dump about anyone but himself,

Wow - didn't know you knew Perry through his whole life and all of his relationships well enough to make such a claim.

But you know Drac, he does come off that way. The fact that he says nothing at all says a bunch. I hope this isnt true.

Exactly. Being private and just disappearing are two different things. I don't recall ever reading a retirement announcement? Did he really retire, or did he just run away & hide? Has Perry ever finished anything in his life? Things get a little rough and all of the sudden he's got emotional issues that are far more important than anything or anyone else, so he's runs away. He bailed on a Journey tour, on his own tour, and then on the Journey reunion. Then when Journey does anything on their own, he pouts a little and then starts rumors about being in a studio himself.

It's just the same old whiney crap, year after year. Yet, we still can't get over him.
Whatta joke.

Yes, give the man his due - we all have spent hundreds of dollars on him & countless time debating total crap, like now - however, if he really wanted to do something for his fans, then he would come clean about who he is today...and then tell us all to F-off.


later~

Sorry, but this was an idiotic post. There are so many things psychologically wrong with it, I wouldn't even know where to start. Come clean about who he is today? I don't even know what that means. And not sure how you are entitled to anything of the sort. Very odd statement. Really puzzled by the resentment some of you have. How about we all turn an eye to every decision you have ever made and determine just what each isolated piece means about you. That would be weird, huh?

[SteveForever]

MEMOREX IS ON FIRE!!!! go get 'em boy!

[Memorex]

MEMOREX IS ON FIRE!!!! go get 'em boy!

It's just that somehow, Journey doing something always leads to what a horrible person Steve Perry is. How do people continue to make that leap year after year after year? It's a broken record.

The singer you all love will no longer be in the band you all love, period. If it ever happens again, buy the CD, enjoy it, go see them live, celebrate. But for the moment, it's 12 YEARS LATER! Move on. Of course, Journey is having trouble moving on and so maybe it's addicting. The one chance they had at moving on with some new direction scared them too much.

Here is what you should be mad at - all of you. Because this is more legitimate. Be angry that Journey, for the last 12 years, have traded creativity and drive for money. Not one of you can dispute that. That's something to put your head down about. That took away the pride I had in this band. I look at Arnel and think, hey, he's pretty good. Then I am reminded what they are trying to do. And I go, oh yea. No risk. No drive, no creativity beyond what they can do in their sleep. If we all had of focused on that for the last 12 years, I bet your band would have created something spectacular beyond mimic.

[Saint John]

Can you name me other artists in similar situations who have left bands in similar fashion that you hate as much as you hate Perry?

Only after you name a frontman that shelved a band for 12 years (when he had no intention of ever touring with them again), came back only after they replaced him with Chalfant and Rolie, parlayed his his power into the removal of their manager, made gag order stipulations, left them in pieces, and made him getting paid a stipulation of the founding member getting his band back.

[The_Noble_Cause]

That took away the pride I had in this band. I look at Arnel and think, hey, he's pretty good. Then I am reminded what they are trying to do. And I go, oh yea. No risk. No drive, no creativity beyond what they can do in their sleep. If we all had of focused on that for the last 12 years, I bet your band would have created something spectacular beyond mimic.

Very well put.

[Arkansas]

Never said I hated the man at all. Quite the opposite, in fact. He's in my all time top 10 list.
In his day, his voice was nothing short of amazing (and I don't use that word much). I'd bet his voice is still quite good today.

It's just all the constant back & forth by all the rabid fans speculating over nothing that I find very humorous. And still there are many points to be rehashed year after year.

Who the F cares what Perry thinks. If he wanted you to care, he'd tell you. Can't you all see that his silence speaks volumes?

I'm done.


later~

[Memorex]

Can you name me other artists in similar situations who have left bands in similar fashion that you hate as much as you hate Perry?

Only after you name a frontman that shelved a band for 12 years (when he had no intention of ever touring with them again), came back only after they replaced him with Chalfant and Rolie, parlayed his his power into the removal of their manager, made gag order stipulations, left them in pieces, and made him getting paid a stipulation of the founding member getting his band back.

My problem, like yours, is I follow no other bands, really. I only know the public stories, which I am sure are all crap. I know the members of Boston used to get restless waiting on what's his name.

But there is a big difference between a lot of bands and Journey. Steve Perry did not shelve a band for 12 years. After ROR, he hung it up. They all said it. Steve Perry said "I can't do this anymore". He told them that right after the tour or right before it ended. In fact, I know it was before the tour ended because Jonathan said that he knew it was over as they were doing the Alaska show. They sold everything and completely disbanded. No waiting. No limbo. First question - do you dispute that?

Now, this exact scenario has happened to countless bands. The singer has left. Who's choice was it to wait for Steve Perry to change his mind? They could have put out a new Journey album in 1988 if they wanted. So really, you must blame Neal and Jon for the wait. Because Steve Perry made it very clear it was over. He was the only one who had a clear cut direction for the foreseeable future. Again - do you dispute this?

Now, Journey goes out and decides 7 or 8 years later (not 12) to maybe put something together with a new singer. Steve Perry calls and says hey, I'd like to do this. But it wasn't that, now was it. By all accounts, John Kolodner:John Kolodner had been trying to get them to talk for a long time. The record company (blame Sony) said we will not do this without the Escape line-up. At that point, I consider Jon and Neal once again trading their creativity for money. And I believe that mostly because they agreed not to do it without Rolie, which I feel was a huge mistake. They (Jon and Neal) gave in to the wishes of Sony and John Kolodner:John Kolodner was able to get Steve Perry on board.

Ok. So here we go, new Journey album (I think their best) and everyone is happy. Oh oh, Steve Perry has health issues. The only thing that separates your side of the camp from mine is best guesses. The man did have hip replacement surgery, so I have to assume there was an actual hip problem. No one in Journey, not even the almighty Herbie, disputes this. For whatever reason, Steve feels it is not in his best interest to tour. I have no problem with that. None. Would have loved to see them, but I would like to see Lou Grahmm with Foreigner too - not gonna happen. I don't blame Lou. Or Foreigner for that matter.

Now, Journey finally says, let's do this. Let's not wait (like they waited before by their choice) and put together a new situation. Unfortunately, it was all about how to please Steve Perry fans (which actually had the opposite affect). They chickened out.

Anyone disagree and if so, can you please explain in terms that make sense?

Gag orders – as Neal recently said, it’s not that bad, just certain things about the business aspects that cannot be discussed. I actually have one of those with my employer. I wonder if non-disclosure agreements will ever become popular. It was incredible for Steve Perry to dream up such a cutting edge idea. Wow. He must be a genius. Do you think other bands or business partners might have those same types agreements now that Steve Perry has paved the way?

Gregg Rolie got paid during the Escape tour (at least) and he left on his own accord. I bet he made a nice penny sitting at home for those couple years. I’m pretty sure it was a hell of a lot more than Perry has made in the past 10 years off Journey tours, considering scale. Ross Valory and Steve Smith were paid for the ROR tour. This one makes a little more sense as leaving was not their idea. Steve Perry gets a portion of the earnings from an entity he helped build into an empire. I bet thos kind of thing happens all the time, but I don’t follow other bands so close and most other bands actually don’t discuss such things. Blame Neal and Herbie for the dirty laundry.

Steve Perry began warming up his voice and looking to do something after Journey had Soto, but before Soto was gone and any new album was discussed. How could he have known their plans? It has been 12 years since he put out an album and I seriously doubt it was that one Journey tour that made him decide to finally come out and try to mess up something he, or even Journey, knew was going to come out. Come on folks. Please let’s give common sense a little credit here.

Sorry for the length – just trying to guide some folks to reality.

[ScarabGator]

Memorex, I certainly dont hate the guy, but I resent that he doesnt keep his true fans more informed in his career decisions and/or updates. Just like the GQ article-he was quick to tell that reporter about the solo CD but what about the die hard fans like yourself? Why cant he be more informative towards the fans? Why does he resent being associated with journey so much? Does he resent the fans who still support the current band? Why couldnt he at least "jammed"with the band at the Walk of Fame when he was invited? I believe the band has tried to make ammends with him but he turns it off quickly. I dont understand it. Thats why I will support Augeri, Soto, and Arnel. At least they are trying to keep Journey alive unlike him who only seems to squeeze more pennies from them and the past.

[Memorex]

Memorex, I certainly dont hate the guy, but I resent that he doesnt keep his true fans more informed in his career decisions and/or updates. Just like the GQ article-he was quick to tell that reporter about the solo CD but what about the die hard fans like yourself? Why cant he be more informative towards the fans? Why does he resent being associated with journey so much? Does he resent the fans who still support the current band? Why couldnt he at least "jammed"with the band at the Walk of Fame when he was invited? I believe the band has tried to make ammends with him but he turns it off quickly. I dont understand it. Thats why I will support Augeri, Soto, and Arnel. At least they are trying to keep Journey alive unlike him who only seems to squeeze more pennies from them and the past.

I don't think he resents it at all. I think it's the opposite. I think he had a hard time getting over it and he doesn't want the pressure it brings. For instance, if he had of jammed with them, you know it would have been all talk about whether or not he was coming back. That wouldn't have been fair to Augeri or Perry, to be honest. Or Journey. It's false hope.

He obviously didn't want them to go on and maybe it bothers him. Dennis DeYoung feels the same way about Styx. At least Perry doesn't speak negatively about any of it.

[Michigan Girl]

Sorry for the length – just trying to guide some folks to reality.

....and making PERFECT SENSE while doing so!!!

[Memorex]

Memorex, I certainly dont hate the guy, but I resent that he doesnt keep his true fans more informed in his career decisions and/or updates. Just like the GQ article-he was quick to tell that reporter about the solo CD but what about the die hard fans like yourself? Why cant he be more informative towards the fans? Why does he resent being associated with journey so much? Does he resent the fans who still support the current band? Why couldnt he at least "jammed"with the band at the Walk of Fame when he was invited? I believe the band has tried to make ammends with him but he turns it off quickly. I dont understand it. Thats why I will support Augeri, Soto, and Arnel. At least they are trying to keep Journey alive unlike him who only seems to squeeze more pennies from them and the past.

Plus - I don't think Perry cares for them - for whatever reason. I'm sure he has his reasons. As much as we'd like him to get along with everyone, there are issues.

As far as Neal reaching out to Steve, that's BS. Neal can say all he wants, but behind closed doors he mocks Perry and says some pretty negative things - hell, not even behind closed doors. That's not truly moving past it. Going on the radio and saying "Please come out Steven, we love you..." and then naming your company Nomata is pretty lame. If your partner named his company such a thing, and said all kinds of stuff about you, would you want to come back just to sell some records? Look at all the money the Eagles put off until they were at a point of forgiveness. And even then, it was only with the people that got along.

[brywool]

Memorex, I certainly dont hate the guy, but I resent that he doesnt keep his true fans more informed in his career decisions and/or updates. Just like the GQ article-he was quick to tell that reporter about the solo CD but what about the die hard fans like yourself? Why cant he be more informative towards the fans? Why does he resent being associated with journey so much? Does he resent the fans who still support the current band? Why couldnt he at least "jammed"with the band at the Walk of Fame when he was invited? I believe the band has tried to make ammends with him but he turns it off quickly. I dont understand it. Thats why I will support Augeri, Soto, and Arnel. At least they are trying to keep Journey alive unlike him who only seems to squeeze more pennies from them and the past.

Plus - I don't think Perry cares for them - for whatever reason. I'm sure he has his reasons. As much as we'd like him to get along with everyone, there are issues.

As far as Neal reaching out to Steve, that's BS. Neal can say all he wants, but behind closed doors he mocks Perry and says some pretty negative things - hell, not even behind closed doors. That's not truly moving past it. Going on the radio and saying "Please come out Steven, we love you..." and then naming your company Nomata is pretty lame. If your partner named his company such a thing, and said all kinds of stuff about you, would you want to come back just to sell some records? Look at all the money the Eagles put off until they were at a point of forgiveness. And even then, it was only with the people that got along.

I missed the joke... what's "nomata"?

[Memorex]

I missed the joke... what's "nomata"?

No More Tails - Remember Me and maybe other songs had that as Neal's copyright. Then it turned into Nomata. Total slam. I mean, if someone I created all that history and music with did that, I would vow never to record with him, or even speak to him again. It's over the line.

[DracIsBack]

But you know Drac, he does come off that way.

True, though as fans, i've always felt we don't really have the window into their lives the way we think they do. A lot of what we get comes from the media which is often slanted as well. Not trying to suggest Perry's a saint. Just saying, "I don't know Perry".

I always view a lot of celebrity stuff like I view rumours in high school. "I heard from someone who heard from someone who heard from someone that ..."

The fact that he says nothing at all says a bunch.

I think he (and the rest of Journey for that matter) and damned if they don't speak and are damned if they do. Look at a lot of these threads.

[Liquid_Drummer]

Who friggin cares what Perry thinks or does any more?

He's never once truly given a healthy dump about anyone but himself, and now he's too old and no long prime-voiced to do anything about it. He wrote all of us fans off long ago, and it's high time we did the same to him.

Good goddamned riddance already...


later~

QFT and good night !

Perry cant write on his own for shit. He needs co-writers and a good producer.. I am sorry but FTLOSM sucks.... Mostly... Street talk had some great tunes however there was some pro song crafters helping if I am not mistaken...

I just wish him and Neil would do something and not call it Journey and just do something completely different...

Like a death metal album..

Umm no...

[nolippin]

Where does Steve Perry tell this GQ reporter about a solo CD? The reporter mentions it, but there is no quote at all from Perry about it.

Memorex, I certainly dont hate the guy, but I resent that he doesnt keep his true fans more informed in his career decisions and/or updates. Just like the GQ article-he was quick to tell that reporter about the solo CD but what about the die hard fans like yourself? Why cant he be more informative towards the fans? Why does he resent being associated with journey so much? Does he resent the fans who still support the current band? Why couldnt he at least "jammed"with the band at the Walk of Fame when he was invited? I believe the band has tried to make ammends with him but he turns it off quickly. I dont understand it. Thats why I will support Augeri, Soto, and Arnel. At least they are trying to keep Journey alive unlike him who only seems to squeeze more pennies from them and the past.

[DracIsBack]

but I resent that he doesnt keep his true fans more informed in his career decisions and/or updates.

It sucks but it's his business to commit career suicide, if he wants.

[Pelata]

Why don't we just let Perry retire in peace?

[Carlitto H@kk]

Where does Steve Perry tell this GQ reporter about a solo CD? The reporter mentions it, but there is no quote at all from Perry about it.

That's a pretty fair question. I wonder where the GQ guy
got that info???

I mean, because of other info I have heard, read and been fed
in weird, secret ways, I believe it...

But I do wonder who told the GQ guy this?

[nolippin]

I think it is as reliable as the Mark Goodman comments about it. Goodman may have read the article and quoted it as fact much the way some here have done.

Where does Steve Perry tell this GQ reporter about a solo CD? The reporter mentions it, but there is no quote at all from Perry about it.

That's a pretty fair question. I wonder where the GQ guy
got that info???

I mean, because of other info I have heard, read and been fed
in weird, secret ways, I believe it...

But I do wonder who told the GQ guy this?

[nolippin]

Also, wasn't the GQ reporter the one that was sniffing around here asking questions for his article? No telling what some may have told the guy.

Where does Steve Perry tell this GQ reporter about a solo CD? The reporter mentions it, but there is no quote at all from Perry about it.

That's a pretty fair question. I wonder where the GQ guy
got that info???

I mean, because of other info I have heard, read and been fed
in weird, secret ways, I believe it...

But I do wonder who told the GQ guy this?

[Memorex]

First question - do you dispute that?

Wholeheartedly. Though Perry wanted to get them to follow his scorched earth policy, Neal and Herbie were smart enough to hang on to Nocturne. Also, I think Jonathon knew the tour, not Journey, was over. Perry's voice was obviously trashed and he needed rest.

I'll concede some points between the top one and the reunion. Your talking points from The Nut Hut (aka Fan Asylum) are outstanding. Please tell Lora and Cyndy I said hi.

I'll never buy into any other theory other than the one that thinks that Perry's sole reason for coming back into the fold was to fire Herbie, record TBF, and leave the band in as bad of shape as possible. He was clearly irritated that they were going to try and move on without him. He made sure (in his mind) that that would never happen again. He was wrong.

In a year, go back and read this post and you will see the problem. By in a year, I mean when you are no longer in this delusional state.

One question - why didn't Journey reform with a new singer in late 87 or 88? I know they were busy with Michael Bolton, Jimmy Barnes, and Bad English, but can you give me one solid reason why they didn't reform? You say Perry made them wait. How did he make them wait, other than to say he would no longer be a part of Journey, at least for the foreseeable future.

Even if Jonathan didn't know before the tour ended, he certainly knew soon after. Remembe rthe meeting at the remote location referenced in Behind The Music?