Steve Perry Talks - The GQ Interview

[mistiejourney]

It was good to hear that Neal is dealing with his drinking problem.

That is actually wonderful news!

The oddest thing for me about the Steve interview is that even his own voice makes him melancholy (my word).

If I read correctly, Steve said "I'm out" back in 1987 (or whenever) and it was Jon and Neal saying, "oh let's just take a break" - the break that lasted 10 years.

Also, I always thought it was odd that Steve went out in '94 for the FTLOSM tour without Journey. Why didn't he call them then?

Steve Perry, the mystery wrapped up in the enigma - and I'll be first in line if that CD is ever released.

And the great interview ends with "f*** him".

That pretty much sums it all up, doesn't it?

[Magwheels]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.

[Barb]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.

Neal sounds like he has kissed the bullshit of the Perry era goodbye and has completely moved on.

[Magwheels]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.

Neal sounds like he has kissed the bullshit of the Perry era goodbye and has completely moved on.

Yeah..sure. SP still has the keys to the real deal...and Neal is completely moving on to his final fantasy. Although I suppose
he may never give up

[frfksakes]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.

Neal sounds like he has kissed the bullshit of the Perry era goodbye and has completely moved on.

Let’s see, he can’t talk about Perry without losing his temper, & he went through three singers to find someone who could sound as close to Perry as possible (not just who can handle the material, but who would mimic Perry down to the last inflection - the cover of AWYWI being a good example.)

Yeah, he really sounds like he’s 'completely moved on.'

[Barb]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.

Neal sounds like he has kissed the bullshit of the Perry era goodbye and has completely moved on.

Let’s see, he can’t talk about Perry without losing his temper, & he went through three singers to find someone who could sound as close to Perry as possible (not just who can handle the material, but who would mimic Perry down to the last inflection - the cover of AWYWI being a good example.)

Yeah, he really sounds like he’s 'completely moved on.'

That's my opinion and I'm standing by it. I love Steve Perry, but he comes off as borderline neurotic. I think Neal spent years being frustrated over it and has finally just let it go. He sounds happy and at peace. I hope Perry is too, but he really doesn't sound that way -- he sounds totally twisted up inside.

[YoungJRNY]

Another thing. The whole tid-bit about SP being scared to death, and felt he owed every night to the band to prove to Neal and the guys that he could fit in with the band and meet their standards. (Hence the never really felt part of the band thing..)

This is STEVE PERRY were talking about. STEVE PERRY. One of the most prolific rock god vocalists of ALL TIME..and this is the way he felt with the band even after great success?

Now...could you IMAGINE how a man like Steve Augeri...or Arnel Pineda felt..or feels right about now? Pressure must be heavy.


Unbelievable job.

[weatherman90]

Wow..just got in on this now. 9 PAGES ALREADY! I can't even begin to get caught up on the talk.

It was an interesting read but I'm still just awestruck by the possibility of new Perry.

[Saint John]

It was an interesting read but I'm still just awestruck by the possibility of new Perry.

I used to feel the same way. It wears off after about 10 years.

[weatherman90]

It was an interesting read but I'm still just awestruck by the possibility of new Perry.

I used to feel the same way. It wears off after about 10 years.

I suppose...

I was pretty shocked at how Neal ended the interview, though.

Although, I don't blame him. I would be very fed up by this point as well.

[AlteredDNA]

It was an interesting read but I'm still just awestruck by the possibility of new Perry.

I used to feel the same way. It wears off after about 10 years.

I suppose...

I was pretty shocked at how Neal ended the interview, though.

Although, I don't blame him. I would be very fed up by this point as well.

He might not have ended it that way - maybe that's just where the reporter chose to put the quote...

[weatherman90]

It was an interesting read but I'm still just awestruck by the possibility of new Perry.

I used to feel the same way. It wears off after about 10 years.

I suppose...

I was pretty shocked at how Neal ended the interview, though.

Although, I don't blame him. I would be very fed up by this point as well.

He might not have ended it that way - maybe that's just where the reporter chose to put the quote...

You're probably right - they always have to go for that edgy stuff

[Magwheels]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.

Neal sounds like he has kissed the bullshit of the Perry era goodbye and has completely moved on.

Let’s see, he can’t talk about Perry without losing his temper, & he went through three singers to find someone who could sound as close to Perry as possible (not just who can handle the material, but who would mimic Perry down to the last inflection - the cover of AWYWI being a good example.)

Yeah, he really sounds like he’s 'completely moved on.'

That's my opinion and I'm standing by it. I love Steve Perry, but he comes off as borderline neurotic. I think Neal spent years being frustrated over it and has finally just let it go. He sounds happy and at peace. I hope Perry is too, but he really doesn't sound that way -- he sounds totally twisted up inside.

I think Neal spent years being intoxicated and has finally let THAT go. Happy and at peace?!?! If what he said at the end there(not just the last sentence) is his way of being happy and at peace...no wonder things got so screwed up with his drinking(as he even admitted could have been the case).

[Rick]

It was an interesting read but I'm still just awestruck by the possibility of new Perry.

I used to feel the same way. It wears off after about 10 years.

I suppose...

I was pretty shocked at how Neal ended the interview, though.

Although, I don't blame him. I would be very fed up by this point as well.

I read that and went WOW! I actually respected Neal for saying that, and although I love Steve Perry, he has been a major pain in Neals ass for a long time.

I still say that Neal would love nothing better than to get a phone call from Perry saying "Let's do it one more time.".

[Barb]

It was an interesting read but I'm still just awestruck by the possibility of new Perry.

I used to feel the same way. It wears off after about 10 years.

I suppose...

I was pretty shocked at how Neal ended the interview, though.

Although, I don't blame him. I would be very fed up by this point as well.

I read that and went WOW! I actually respected Neal for saying that, and although I love Steve Perry, he has been a major pain in Neals ass for a long time.

I still say that Neal would love nothing better than to get a phone call from Perry saying "Let's do it one more time.".

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

[ProgRocker53]

It was an interesting read but I'm still just awestruck by the possibility of new Perry.

I used to feel the same way. It wears off after about 10 years.

I suppose...

I was pretty shocked at how Neal ended the interview, though.

Although, I don't blame him. I would be very fed up by this point as well.

I read that and went WOW! I actually respected Neal for saying that, and although I love Steve Perry, he has been a major pain in Neals ass for a long time.

I still say that Neal would love nothing better than to get a phone call from Perry saying "Let's do it one more time.".

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

Reminds me of relationships I've had myself, both in music and in "love."

I've always been the one willing to talk as well. I relate to Neal alot in that aspect.

[Barb]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.

Neal sounds like he has kissed the bullshit of the Perry era goodbye and has completely moved on.

Let’s see, he can’t talk about Perry without losing his temper, & he went through three singers to find someone who could sound as close to Perry as possible (not just who can handle the material, but who would mimic Perry down to the last inflection - the cover of AWYWI being a good example.)

Yeah, he really sounds like he’s 'completely moved on.'

That's my opinion and I'm standing by it. I love Steve Perry, but he comes off as borderline neurotic. I think Neal spent years being frustrated over it and has finally just let it go. He sounds happy and at peace. I hope Perry is too, but he really doesn't sound that way -- he sounds totally twisted up inside.

I think Neal spent years being intoxicated and has finally let THAT go. Happy and at peace?!?! If what he said at the end there(not just the last sentence) is his way of being happy and at peace...no wonder things got so screwed up with his drinking(as he even admitted could have been the case).

I'm glad Neal opening up and admitting he has defeated what he viewed as a drinking problem has given the Perry Loons another bat to beat him with. Obviously conquering that demon is a huge piece of why he seems happy now. When you come to the point where you are truly done with a negative situation or person, it's perfectly logical to say "so fuck him". It's done.

[conversationpc]

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

Both sides have engaged in childish behavior only Perry is passive-aggressive, which he can use to say that he is taking the high road. However, not even being willing to engage in conversation over the phone with Neal is just as bad as the behavior of the other guys.

[Barb]

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

Both sides have engaged in childish behavior only Perry is passive-aggressive, which he can use to say that he is taking the high road. However, not even being willing to engage in conversation over the phone with Neal is just as bad as the behavior of the other guys.

I honestly get the impression from Perry's interview that just being alive is more than he can handle.

[ProgRocker53]

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

Both sides have engaged in childish behavior only Perry is passive-aggressive, which he can use to say that he is taking the high road. However, not even being willing to engage in conversation over the phone with Neal is just as bad as the behavior of the other guys.

I honestly get the impression from Perry's interview that just being alive is more than he can handle.

I also get the impression from Perry that he's lucky to be alive. Dude was alluding to some serious depression in the post-ROR stages of his life.

[Rick]

It was an interesting read but I'm still just awestruck by the possibility of new Perry.

I used to feel the same way. It wears off after about 10 years.

I suppose...

I was pretty shocked at how Neal ended the interview, though.

Although, I don't blame him. I would be very fed up by this point as well.

I read that and went WOW! I actually respected Neal for saying that, and although I love Steve Perry, he has been a major pain in Neals ass for a long time.

I still say that Neal would love nothing better than to get a phone call from Perry saying "Let's do it one more time.".

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

Yep, and I'd bet that's where the "Fuck him" came from.

[Magwheels]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.

Neal sounds like he has kissed the bullshit of the Perry era goodbye and has completely moved on.

Let’s see, he can’t talk about Perry without losing his temper, & he went through three singers to find someone who could sound as close to Perry as possible (not just who can handle the material, but who would mimic Perry down to the last inflection - the cover of AWYWI being a good example.)

Yeah, he really sounds like he’s 'completely moved on.'

That's my opinion and I'm standing by it. I love Steve Perry, but he comes off as borderline neurotic. I think Neal spent years being frustrated over it and has finally just let it go. He sounds happy and at peace. I hope Perry is too, but he really doesn't sound that way -- he sounds totally twisted up inside.

I think Neal spent years being intoxicated and has finally let THAT go. Happy and at peace?!?! If what he said at the end there(not just the last sentence) is his way of being happy and at peace...no wonder things got so screwed up with his drinking(as he even admitted could have been the case).

I'm glad Neal opening up and admitting he has defeated what he viewed as a drinking problem has given the Perry Loons another bat to beat him with. Obviously conquering that demon is a huge piece of why he seems happy now. When you come to the point where you are truly done with a negative situation or person, it's perfectly logical to say "so fuck him". It's done.

You're missing the point. Good for him that he finally grew up and took care of his drinking problem. But that obviously hasn't affected his attitude and it's not the drinking that we're using to "beat him" with. It's the fact that (and again he even admits to this) having the drinking problem made HIM hard to work with, and screwed up his judgement etc etc. No wonder he had Cain make the phone calls.

[Magwheels]

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

Both sides have engaged in childish behavior only Perry is passive-aggressive, which he can use to say that he is taking the high road. However, not even being willing to engage in conversation over the phone with Neal is just as bad as the behavior of the other guys.

Did Perry comment on that part of it? Or was it Neal etc saying that...

[Babyblue]

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

Both sides have engaged in childish behavior only Perry is passive-aggressive, which he can use to say that he is taking the high road. However, not even being willing to engage in conversation over the phone with Neal is just as bad as the behavior of the other guys.

How do we really know for sure Neal has tryed to call Steve?We don't just because he says so will i don't believe anything he has to say.If he hates Perry so much why the need for a sound alike?

[Barb]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.

Neal sounds like he has kissed the bullshit of the Perry era goodbye and has completely moved on.

Let’s see, he can’t talk about Perry without losing his temper, & he went through three singers to find someone who could sound as close to Perry as possible (not just who can handle the material, but who would mimic Perry down to the last inflection - the cover of AWYWI being a good example.)

Yeah, he really sounds like he’s 'completely moved on.'

That's my opinion and I'm standing by it. I love Steve Perry, but he comes off as borderline neurotic. I think Neal spent years being frustrated over it and has finally just let it go. He sounds happy and at peace. I hope Perry is too, but he really doesn't sound that way -- he sounds totally twisted up inside.

I think Neal spent years being intoxicated and has finally let THAT go. Happy and at peace?!?! If what he said at the end there(not just the last sentence) is his way of being happy and at peace...no wonder things got so screwed up with his drinking(as he even admitted could have been the case).

I'm glad Neal opening up and admitting he has defeated what he viewed as a drinking problem has given the Perry Loons another bat to beat him with. Obviously conquering that demon is a huge piece of why he seems happy now. When you come to the point where you are truly done with a negative situation or person, it's perfectly logical to say "so fuck him". It's done.

You're missing the point. Good for him that he finally grew up and took care of his drinking problem. But that obviously hasn't affected his attitude and it's not the drinking that we're using to "beat him" with. It's the fact that (and again he even admits to this) having the drinking problem made HIM hard to work with, and screwed up his judgement etc etc. No wonder he had Cain make the phone calls.

No, I got your point. Neal is a guitar GOD. Perry is a vocal GOD. I'm sure the 2 egos clashed and they were both pains in the asses equally. Are you seriously going to sit here and tell me that as neurotic as Steve Perry is, and as much of a perfectionist as he is, that he was easy to work with? Please.

Fast forward 20+ years. What's done is done and Perry won't even talk to them. Now you tell me who needs to grow up. If I were Neal Schon, I'd probably say fuck him too at this point. These guys are pushing 60 years old and they can't have a conversation?

[Barb]

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

Both sides have engaged in childish behavior only Perry is passive-aggressive, which he can use to say that he is taking the high road. However, not even being willing to engage in conversation over the phone with Neal is just as bad as the behavior of the other guys.

How do we really know for sure Neal has tryed to call Steve?We don't just because he says so will i don't believe anything he has to say.If he hates Perry so much why the need for a sound alike?

Neal said Perry won't even let him have his number, so one assumes Neal would like to make contact. I don't think Neal hates Perry at all, but is done with the whole situation. As far as Arnel being a sound a like... he can be. He can sound exactly like Perry pretty much. So what? Both Neal & Jon have said they want the signature Journey sound. JSS didn't seem to fit and Augeri's voice is shot to hell. Arnel works. If you've listened to the new material, he doesn't sound much like Perry at all.

[Magwheels]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.


I'm glad Neal opening up and admitting he has defeated what he viewed as a drinking problem has given the Perry Loons another bat to beat him with. Obviously conquering that demon is a huge piece of why he seems happy now. When you come to the point where you are truly done with a negative situation or person, it's perfectly logical to say "so fuck him". It's done.

You're missing the point. Good for him that he finally grew up and took care of his drinking problem. But that obviously hasn't affected his attitude and it's not the drinking that we're using to "beat him" with. It's the fact that (and again he even admits to this) having the drinking problem made HIM hard to work with, and screwed up his judgement etc etc. No wonder he had Cain make the phone calls.

No, I got your point. Neal is a guitar GOD. Perry is a vocal GOD. I'm sure the 2 egos clashed and they were both pains in the asses equally. Are you seriously going to sit here and tell me that as neurotic as Steve Perry is, and as much of a perfectionist as he is, that he was easy to work with? Please.

Fast forward 20+ years. What's done is done and Perry won't even talk to them. Now you tell me who needs to grow up. If I were Neal Schon, I'd probably say fuck him too at this point. These guys are pushing 60 years old and they can't have a conversation?

See..it's back to Perry being the one that wasn't easy to work with. Nowhere have I said otherwise, but the POINT was, that Neal's alcohol problem admission shows that one could easily say Neal could have been the reason for a lot of things here. Alcoholism doesn't just affect the person who's an alcoholic.

You're basing this "Perry won't even talk to them" on one side of the story. I'd be curious to know what Neal wanted to talk about though- whenever something like that comes up I'm screaming at the interviewer- why don't you ask about that?!?!?!

But you know what would be nice? If after this admission of Neal's(maybe the others always knew..I know someone who always wondered) maybe they could talk to each other and say- we all had/have our excuses(drinking... neurotic...Neal's my daddy..etc)...let's start over! Uh huh.

[Rick]

I think he'd be happy to just have an honest fucking conversation to make peace with the guy. They were brothers, and even though things went horribly awry and both sides were hurt, it's time to bury the hatchet. I just don't understand why Perry won't even talk to them. That is extremely childish.

Both sides have engaged in childish behavior only Perry is passive-aggressive, which he can use to say that he is taking the high road. However, not even being willing to engage in conversation over the phone with Neal is just as bad as the behavior of the other guys.

How do we really know for sure Neal has tryed to call Steve?We don't just because he says so will i don't believe anything he has to say.If he hates Perry so much why the need for a sound alike?

Neal said Perry won't even let him have his number, so one assumes Neal would like to make contact. I don't think Neal hates Perry at all, but is done with the whole situation. As far as Arnel being a sound a like... he can be. He can sound exactly like Perry pretty much. So what? Both Neal & Jon have said they want the signature Journey sound. JSS didn't seem to fit and Augeri's voice is shot to hell. Arnel works. If you've listened to the new material, he doesn't sound much like Perry at all.

Agree on all points.

[Barb]

Neal seems...shall we say...a little.....um....BITTER.


I'm glad Neal opening up and admitting he has defeated what he viewed as a drinking problem has given the Perry Loons another bat to beat him with. Obviously conquering that demon is a huge piece of why he seems happy now. When you come to the point where you are truly done with a negative situation or person, it's perfectly logical to say "so fuck him". It's done.

You're missing the point. Good for him that he finally grew up and took care of his drinking problem. But that obviously hasn't affected his attitude and it's not the drinking that we're using to "beat him" with. It's the fact that (and again he even admits to this) having the drinking problem made HIM hard to work with, and screwed up his judgement etc etc. No wonder he had Cain make the phone calls.

No, I got your point. Neal is a guitar GOD. Perry is a vocal GOD. I'm sure the 2 egos clashed and they were both pains in the asses equally. Are you seriously going to sit here and tell me that as neurotic as Steve Perry is, and as much of a perfectionist as he is, that he was easy to work with? Please.

Fast forward 20+ years. What's done is done and Perry won't even talk to them. Now you tell me who needs to grow up. If I were Neal Schon, I'd probably say fuck him too at this point. These guys are pushing 60 years old and they can't have a conversation?

See..it's back to Perry being the one that wasn't easy to work with. Nowhere have I said otherwise, but the POINT was, that Neal's alcohol problem admission shows that one could easily say Neal could have been the reason for a lot of things here. Alcoholism doesn't just affect the person who's an alcoholic.

You're basing this "Perry won't even talk to them" on one side of the story. I'd be curious to know what Neal wanted to talk about though- whenever something like that comes up I'm screaming at the interviewer- why don't you ask about that?!?!?!

But you know what would be nice? If after this admission of Neal's(maybe the others always knew..I know someone who always wondered) maybe they could talk to each other and say- we all had/have our excuses(drinking... neurotic...Neal's my daddy..etc)...let's start over! Uh huh.

Actually what I said was that they were likely both pains in the asses equally. Did you read the part where at the walk of fame, Neal whispered in Perry's ear things that are "his" (Perry's) and how happy Neal was to see him? I'd love to see them as friends by now. What I really believe, and this is all speculation ... I think that Perry would LOVE to be in Journey and be touring right now. I think it kills him that he cannot sing anymore, and Neal and Jon remind him of what he can no longer have. Judging by how deeply he feels everything Journey, I think it would be too painful for him to interact with Neal or Jonathan and be on friendly terms and that the only way he can deal with it is to isolate from them. If that is in any way true, it's tragic. Perry strikes me as someone with tremendous pride who wants to be remembered the he was... frozen in time. He doesn't want to admit his gift is gone and release that. If he could do that, I think he could be friends with his former bandmates and they would all heal.

[RebornJrny]

Hey Steve, if you don't want to sit on a stool while performing as suggested by your colleagues, why not sit on a wheelchair for complete mobility . Shit, I'll pay a big bucks to see Perry riding his wheels on stage. I'm sure Neal and your fans will be happy as well.