annie89509 wrote: I think HH, after seeing his previous interviews in print, realized he came across as a raving lunatic, bitter mad man. This time, he toned it down, said he has “gratitude” right at the start of the interview.
Yes, there is only 1 HH, the colorful man with the colorful stories that only he can spin, the all-mighty genius know-it-all, and everyone else’s recollections/feelings be damned. You know the old saying? There are 3 sides to the truth: mine, yours, and somewhere in between. Just because he was an insider and we are not doesn’t mean we have to take his word as the gospel truth of what went down.
So SP is the only person to blame for Journey not achieving rock immortality along the likes of the Beatles and making Herbie the Brian Epstein of american rock.
Hello? How about SP had some strong convictions, and he also had creative ideas and other things (in tandem with Neal & Jon) that THEY wanted to put forth since it is THEIR name and sweat on the product. I don’t doubt for a minute that early in their history, HH was featured very prominently and called all the shots. With Escape and JC coming in strong to collaborate with SP, HH seemed to be pushed back in the background from year-to-year, album-to-album. This premise is beared out (in my mind) by ALL the many old news articles/interviews that I have read, which are archived by various time periods on Journey tribute sites, and the audio stuff that I have collected and listened to.
I also recall a poster (not a regular) showing up here some time ago (during Tapegate period) and saying that HH was known to conduct personal financial dealings while the band was breaking their ass on the road (in essence “stealing” from the band). When SP found out about a particular transaction, he blew his top. Now, I have no idea if this was inside information, speculation, gossip, or what. It sure made me pause and think, however, that there were no one above reproach in that camp. And anyone that makes himself out to be one is the one with the ego problem.
Raving lunatic bitter madman? Really? Sounded to me like a guy who has enough cash and is comfortable enough with what he's achieved to not give a sh*t if he hurts anyone's feelings by telling the truth (as he saw it). I do believe he was the "genius" that helped them achieve their initial level of success, and the one who had the master plan, the guy who was watching the business side so the artists could produce their art. He also helped push concert promotion, staging and video production into what it is today, so the next time you see any major artist and are amazed by their stage production, you owe him a "Thank you."
About Herbie being pushed into the background. Let's talk about that. Escape? Great album, beginning to end. Frontiers was a little weaker (in my opinion and sales numbers will likely back me up), and ROR was weaker than that. So, as Perry's influence increased, the quality of the band's material arguably decreased to some degree.
I think what Herbie was saying about Perry being "to blame" for Journey not achieving greater "immortality" is that they were right on the cusp and Perry pulled the plug on the deal and left it to go stale for nearly a decade. The momentum built was lost, and TBF did nothing to bring that momentum back (sorry if you like that CD, but I'm like Herbie in that it just lays there and does nothing for me). That's what Herbie was saying. When the Ferrari is running near peak condition, you don't leave it in the garage.
As far as everyone saying Herbie got "let go," I don't believe that's the way it went down. Neal wanted him to manage them on the reunion, and I'm sure the other guys did as well, as they saw what he did for them the first time around, but Perry didn't. Even more than that, I think Herbie was at a point, financially and otherwise, where he didn't feel like dealing with the headaches. The guy had accomplished his goals (financial success, yes, but getting a band to No. 1 on the charts seems like that was a big goal for him as well, and he did that with several other bands).
I think Steve Perry is one of the greatest vocalists ever, but I do believe he was a prima donna. Hell, Neal has said in past interviews that Perry rarely was around on the ROR tour. I believe he had a separate bus and disappeared as soon as the show was over. Now I know, rest the voice, take care of yourself, no excessive talking, etc., but it sure didn't sound like Perry showed much interest in being a part of a band.
What you all seem to think is "sour grapes" on Herbie's part is just, to me, the "I didn't sign any non-disclosure agreements, so I can actually tell it as I see it" attitude.
I do think he resented the fact that Perry took the shiny, beautiful, sleek yacht that was Journey, the yacht that Herbie had busted his ass for 20 years to build by hand and maintain, and Perry ran it aground and never looked back. I'd be pissed, too. But I do not think it was all about the money for Herbie. It sounds like he's doing just fine, and he's been retired now, for the most part, since around 2000 or 2001, which means he semi-retired in his early 50's, something almost every one of us can only wish we could do.
j/k I think HH, after seeing his previous interviews in print, realized he came across as a raving lunatic, bitter mad man. This time, he toned it down, said he has “gratitude” right at the start of the interview. After he used that word a couple of times, I knew there would be no venom to be hurled.
