Steve Perry Talks - The GQ Interview

[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.

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.

Yes, and I also read the part where he says he is working on SoMeThInG..and that he still can sing(if those listening to him are as honest as he says). So no, I don't think it does kill him that he cannot sing anymore- maybe that he can't sing like he used to. I believe he actually is proud of the fact that Neal and the gang keep trying to find people who sound like him, etc.


Imagine a sober Neal..who decided to leave the Journey name alone and go make another super group. Look at all the time that could have been put into THAT.

[Magwheels]

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.

That was pretty good

[Shadowsong]

Neal doesn't hate
I don't see it in him

A lil birdy came to melast night
whispered in my ear

Neal has great admiration for Steve Perry
In fact if I read between the lines
he is thanking him for being the one to derail the Journey train

Steve gave himself & everyone on that band
time to take control back over there lives
before it was too late & they would look back
at nothing but a shattered shell of existance.


Just my humble opinion...

[Shadowsong]

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.

That was pretty good

OK, I have faith Steve could pull it off...

OHhh look
He;s doing a wheely

[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.

Yes, and I also read the part where he says he is working on SoMeThInG..and that he still can sing(if those listening to him are as honest as he says). So no, I don't think it does kill him that he cannot sing anymore- maybe that he can't sing like he used to. I believe he actually is proud of the fact that Neal and the gang keep trying to find people who sound like him, etc.


Imagine a sober Neal..who decided to leave the Journey name alone and go make another super group. Look at all the time that could have been put into THAT.

Why are you even on this board then if you are so against Neal going on with the Journey name? Journey hasn't included Perry for quite a while.

Since the band was actually founded around Neal Schon's guitar playing I am astouned that you have the audacity to suggest that he and Jonathan should not go on as Journey when they co-wrote 2/3 of the damned music!

Steve Perry cannot sing anymore. If he could, he would. Try reading between the lines of his answers. It PAINS him to hear his own voice because sometimes he sounds like he used to.

I have so much respect for Steve Perry's talent. No one can or ever will come close to his former abilities, but I'm not a zealot and it's pretty obvious his voice is gone. He's been saying he's working on new material for over a decade.

[Shadowsong]

I happen to believe Steve is much more than just a voice.
He can make beautiful music with his eyes
or with the simple laugh or smile.

I can only imagine how deep the cut goes
but there comes a time when enough is enough
& I can only hope we all find a way back to the light...

[perrylover52]

Thanks Andrew for posting the link to the interview. It was great to read about Steve's thought's.

I do believe that Steve can still sing. Just ask Lora. She post that Steve let them listen to a few demos way back in February, I believe, they love what he had done and hoped Steve would do something with them. I firmly believe that he still has it and that it's better then ever.

There are alot of stars who can't watch themselves on the screen or hear themselves sing. So the fact that Steve finds if hard, I find natural. That's why he had others listen to what he had done, people he trusted and who always told him the truth even if it hurt. That's what true friends do. Tell you the truth. I'll be waiting for what he does and I'm sure if he does something it will be posted on FA

[Vladan]

Thanks Andrew for posting the link to the interview. It was great to read about Steve's thought's.

I do believe that Steve can still sing. Just ask Lora. She post that Steve let them listen to a few demos way back in February, I believe, they love what he had done and hoped Steve would do something with them. I firmly believe that he still has it and that it's better then ever.

There are alot of stars who can't watch themselves on the screen or hear themselves sing. So the fact that Steve finds if hard, I find natural. That's why he had others listen to what he had done, people he trusted and who always told him the truth even if it hurt. That's what true friends do. Tell you the truth. I'll be waiting for what he does and I'm sure if he does something it will be posted on FA

Hey, you woudn't be a Steve Perry fan would ya?

[perrylover52]

Thanks Andrew for posting the link to the interview. It was great to read about Steve's thought's.

I do believe that Steve can still sing. Just ask Lora. She post that Steve let them listen to a few demos way back in February, I believe, they love what he had done and hoped Steve would do something with them. I firmly believe that he still has it and that it's better then ever.

There are alot of stars who can't watch themselves on the screen or hear themselves sing. So the fact that Steve finds if hard, I find natural. That's why he had others listen to what he had done, people he trusted and who always told him the truth even if it hurt. That's what true friends do. Tell you the truth. I'll be waiting for what he does and I'm sure if he does something it will be posted on FA

Hey, you woudn't be a Steve Perry fan would ya?

Gee what gave me away
But yes I am. I love his singing but I understand that it's his choice if he wants to sing in public again. If he does. I'm there in the front row.

[DracIsBack]

Steve Perry cannot sing anymore ... it's pretty obvious his voice is gone

The way some of you tell the story, you make it sound like Stephen Hawking speaking through a monotone voice-box when he sings. Even if his voice is damaged, even if he only has a portion of the range that he used to have, he set the bar so damn high originally that he's probably a well above average vocalist still.

No doubt he can probably still out-sing most of the people/armchair lead vocalists on this board who are claiming "his voice is gone", "he can't sing anymore", "he has no talent".

Unless one of you has had the opportunity to sing scales beside him that I don't know about?

[EightyRock]

Barb wrote "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."

You obviously didn't get what Perry's gift was in the first place, to make a post like that.

Some people need to get over the idea that they "need" to get over it and walk into the sunset together. I'm betting there is plenty of blame to go around with every past member. Neal wants to throw the ball into Perry's court as far as perpetuating the blame game. He wants people to forget that HE is the one that dragged the Journey name through the shit-laden fairgrounds and taped/lipped performances.

Case in point...look how he treated Soto. He was supposed to be one of his best buds. Looks like Neal wants to blame Soto for that relationship split, too. It's never Neal's fault. He says he had an alcohol problem, but then he saiys f-him, either verbally or in his actions toward everybody he supposedly admires. So Neal......what's up with THAT???? Sounds like a twelve step on attitude adjustment might help ya out as well.

[Magwheels]

Why are you even on this board then if you are so against Neal going on with the Journey name? Journey hasn't included Perry for quite a while.

Since the band was actually founded around Neal Schon's guitar playing I am astouned that you have the audacity to suggest that he and Jonathan should not go on as Journey when they co-wrote 2/3 of the damned music!

Steve Perry cannot sing anymore. If he could, he would. Try reading between the lines of his answers. It PAINS him to hear his own voice because sometimes he sounds like he used to.

I have so much respect for Steve Perry's talent. No one can or ever will come close to his former abilities, but I'm not a zealot and it's pretty obvious his voice is gone. He's been saying he's working on new material for over a decade.

Ah...Barb....that's lame to once again whine about someone being here because Steve Perry isn't in Journey anymore. Especially in a thread titled "Steve Perry Talks"

And yes, I have the audacity to suggest they should have gone w/out the name Journey. It's become a joke now, with all the lead singer changes etc. IMO they'd have done much better if they'd started something else. Even I'd have been interested in that.

He can sing btw. I've read what he's said. I've read between the lines. I've read them upside down.

BTW..back to Neal's drinking affecting everything...

[Monker]

Here's the thing, Barb. Mags isn't so new to the crap that goes on in these forums. He's one of those Perry fans who has nothing to talk about unless it is related to bitching about Neal and the rest of the band. So, he'll sit back, pick a fight with you or somebody else, play "let's bash Journey cuz Perry isn't around to fawn over" until you get tired of it and move to a different thread. He's not exactly worth your time, to be honest.

Argue with me instead!

Why are you even on this board then if you are so against Neal going on with the Journey name? Journey hasn't included Perry for quite a while.

Since the band was actually founded around Neal Schon's guitar playing I am astouned that you have the audacity to suggest that he and Jonathan should not go on as Journey when they co-wrote 2/3 of the damned music!

Steve Perry cannot sing anymore. If he could, he would. Try reading between the lines of his answers. It PAINS him to hear his own voice because sometimes he sounds like he used to.

I have so much respect for Steve Perry's talent. No one can or ever will come close to his former abilities, but I'm not a zealot and it's pretty obvious his voice is gone. He's been saying he's working on new material for over a decade.

Ah...Barb....that's lame to once again whine about someone being here because Steve Perry isn't in Journey anymore. Especially in a thread titled "Steve Perry Talks"

And yes, I have the audacity to suggest they should have gone w/out the name Journey. It's become a joke now, with all the lead singer changes etc. IMO they'd have done much better if they'd started something else. Even I'd have been interested in that.

He can sing btw. I've read what he's said. I've read between the lines. I've read them upside down.

BTW..back to Neal's drinking affecting everything...

[Magwheels]

Oh that was lame, Monker. After I just asked you a serious question in the other thread even But I'm sure Barb appreciates the out

But you are right about one thing. I'm not new to "the crap" that goes around in forums such as this. Nor the crap that goes on with "Journey"...as I've been reading you seem to agree with these days.

[Barb]

Why are you even on this board then if you are so against Neal going on with the Journey name? Journey hasn't included Perry for quite a while.

Since the band was actually founded around Neal Schon's guitar playing I am astouned that you have the audacity to suggest that he and Jonathan should not go on as Journey when they co-wrote 2/3 of the damned music!

Steve Perry cannot sing anymore. If he could, he would. Try reading between the lines of his answers. It PAINS him to hear his own voice because sometimes he sounds like he used to.

I have so much respect for Steve Perry's talent. No one can or ever will come close to his former abilities, but I'm not a zealot and it's pretty obvious his voice is gone. He's been saying he's working on new material for over a decade.

Ah...Barb....that's lame to once again whine about someone being here because Steve Perry isn't in Journey anymore. Especially in a thread titled "Steve Perry Talks"

And yes, I have the audacity to suggest they should have gone w/out the name Journey. It's become a joke now, with all the lead singer changes etc. IMO they'd have done much better if they'd started something else. Even I'd have been interested in that.

He can sing btw. I've read what he's said. I've read between the lines. I've read them upside down.

BTW..back to Neal's drinking affecting everything...

I wasn't whining. (I don't ever whine). I was asking an honest question. Thanks for your answer. Perhaps there are days when Perry can sing, but I suspect they are not as frequent and not as perfect as he would like. He truly is a tortured soul. I love Neal and I love Steve. I will support both in whatever they do for as long as they are doing it. I just think taking cheap shots at Neal Schon for his drinking are petty. Neal said it today in the CBS piece that he'd love to just be able to call Steve and say hi, how ya doin... but Perry refuses. He also said he'd love to hear his voice again. I think the fact that Perry won't talk to Neal is lame at this point in time.

[Magwheels]

Why are you even on this board then if you are so against Neal going on with the Journey name? Journey hasn't included Perry for quite a while.

Since the band was actually founded around Neal Schon's guitar playing I am astouned that you have the audacity to suggest that he and Jonathan should not go on as Journey when they co-wrote 2/3 of the damned music!

Steve Perry cannot sing anymore. If he could, he would. Try reading between the lines of his answers. It PAINS him to hear his own voice because sometimes he sounds like he used to.

I have so much respect for Steve Perry's talent. No one can or ever will come close to his former abilities, but I'm not a zealot and it's pretty obvious his voice is gone. He's been saying he's working on new material for over a decade.

Ah...Barb....that's lame to once again whine about someone being here because Steve Perry isn't in Journey anymore. Especially in a thread titled "Steve Perry Talks"

And yes, I have the audacity to suggest they should have gone w/out the name Journey. It's become a joke now, with all the lead singer changes etc. IMO they'd have done much better if they'd started something else. Even I'd have been interested in that.

He can sing btw. I've read what he's said. I've read between the lines. I've read them upside down.

BTW..back to Neal's drinking affecting everything...

I wasn't whining. (I don't ever whine). I was asking an honest question. Thanks for your answer. Perhaps there are days when Perry can sing, but I suspect they are not as frequent and not as perfect as he would like. He truly is a tortured soul. I love Neal and I love Steve. I will support both in whatever they do for as long as they are doing it. I just think taking cheap shots at Neal Schon for his drinking are petty. Neal said it today in the CBS piece that he'd love to just be able to call Steve and say hi, how ya doin... but Perry refuses. He also said he'd love to hear his voice again. I think the fact that Perry won't talk to Neal is lame at this point in time.

You can call them cheap shots if you want. The fact is, Neal had an alcohol problem, and as I said before...that can have a major(negative)affect on those around him as well as himself.

You know what...if it's true that Neal is really trying to get a hold of Steve Perry, he'd find a way to do it. He keeps saying he's tried to call. How about a letter first? Or through someone else? What Neal said in that interview really helped too, didn't it. F-him. Yeah, Steve is just begging for Neal to call him.

[Barb]

Why are you even on this board then if you are so against Neal going on with the Journey name? Journey hasn't included Perry for quite a while.

Since the band was actually founded around Neal Schon's guitar playing I am astouned that you have the audacity to suggest that he and Jonathan should not go on as Journey when they co-wrote 2/3 of the damned music!

Steve Perry cannot sing anymore. If he could, he would. Try reading between the lines of his answers. It PAINS him to hear his own voice because sometimes he sounds like he used to.

I have so much respect for Steve Perry's talent. No one can or ever will come close to his former abilities, but I'm not a zealot and it's pretty obvious his voice is gone. He's been saying he's working on new material for over a decade.

Ah...Barb....that's lame to once again whine about someone being here because Steve Perry isn't in Journey anymore. Especially in a thread titled "Steve Perry Talks"

And yes, I have the audacity to suggest they should have gone w/out the name Journey. It's become a joke now, with all the lead singer changes etc. IMO they'd have done much better if they'd started something else. Even I'd have been interested in that.

He can sing btw. I've read what he's said. I've read between the lines. I've read them upside down.

BTW..back to Neal's drinking affecting everything...

I wasn't whining. (I don't ever whine). I was asking an honest question. Thanks for your answer. Perhaps there are days when Perry can sing, but I suspect they are not as frequent and not as perfect as he would like. He truly is a tortured soul. I love Neal and I love Steve. I will support both in whatever they do for as long as they are doing it. I just think taking cheap shots at Neal Schon for his drinking are petty. Neal said it today in the CBS piece that he'd love to just be able to call Steve and say hi, how ya doin... but Perry refuses. He also said he'd love to hear his voice again. I think the fact that Perry won't talk to Neal is lame at this point in time.

You can call them cheap shots if you want. The fact is, Neal had an alcohol problem, and as I said before...that can have a major(negative)affect on those around him as well as himself.

You know what...if it's true that Neal is really trying to get a hold of Steve Perry, he'd find a way to do it. He keeps saying he's tried to call. How about a letter first? Or through someone else? What Neal said in that interview really helped too, didn't it. F-him. Yeah, Steve is just begging for Neal to call him.

Ok.

[r@y]

"He hugged me, I hugged him, and he said a few things in my ear—that are mine, I’m not gonna mention ‘em."

Any takers as to what exactly Neal whispered into Perry's ear at the Walk of Fame ceremony?

My guess is it was something along the line of, "You were right. It's just not the same."

I kinda think so too, TNC..!

Maybe something like this :

I'm glad you came, Steve. I'm sorry but we just had to do this, y'know ? Just between us, it's not the same, man. It just isn't the same

Cheesy, I know...but WTF...


Ray

[r@y]

I think, and this is just my opinion, the interveiwer missed a very important question that he should have asked :

There was talk that your decision not to tour for TBF, was as much as because you weren't sure that your voice could withstand the rigours of the road, as much as it was your medical condition..? Comment ?



Ray

[Shadowsong]

Neal must have some big time hurt in regards to Perry. Those guys love each other and there is no doubt about that in my mind. I think that Neal is very hurt that Perry wont even speak to him. I mean Perry wont even let him have his phone number ? Wow...

My take on the phone deal:

The man was fighting for his life & limbs
He had to do what he had to do.
When they went on without him
Steve was hurt
He takes calls only from friends
Neal let him down
on him he can not depend
so it's business now
& Neal has to go thru proper channels...

Simple



Neals not that bad

maybe the one that visits in my dreams sometimes

LOL

I actually don't dislike Neal

I did

but now I think he's just a guy w a guitar who lives to play it

Don't think he meant to hurt SP

Just as Steve had to stop as he was toast

Neal had to go on with or without him

I don't think Steve would be happy on the road

Anyway

What was I saying

[walkslikealady]

Well, Shadow, don't you think SP has ever hurt anyone? I think he probably has.

Did the people cut him when he refused to talk to them...or did they keep trying to communicate and his precious privacy put him behind a wall?

[amaron]

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.'

Maybe he'd be less pissed about Perry if people stopped asking him?

If you had a bitter divorce, would you be happy and cheery if someone kept asking you how your ex-wife was doing?

[4everkop]

I just wish they could get over it. just for the fans sake. it's not like perry didn't put his nose where it didn't belong. No pun intended. He wanted Ross and Smith fired in the eighties. I actually applaud Schon for moving forward, after all it is his band. With or without the hits that put them on the map.

[Saint John]

I think I know exactly why "the voice" distances himself from Schon and Cain...he CAN'T tour anymore. He knows if he keeps perpetuating this "war" against Neal and Jon that his sheep will keep the "He is too classy to ever return to Journey" mantra going. He finds every little excuse to keep the war going because deep down inside he can't admit that he can no longer tour and it kills him that they've moved on without him...regardless of how much/little success they've had. Everything he bitches about is a front to cover the fact that he can't return to Journey. That's the way I see it.

[Tomulator]

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.

BANG!!!!!!

Hit the nail right on the head!

Best statement yet on exactly what I believe is going on in SP's head.

Thanks for stating it so well.

[RockitRide]

I think I know exactly why "the voice" distances himself from Schon and Cain...he CAN'T tour anymore. He knows if he keeps perpetuating this "war" against Neal and Jon that his sheep will keep the "He is too classy to ever return to Journey" mantra going. He finds every little excuse to keep the war going because deep down inside he can't admit that he can no longer tour and it kills him that they've moved on without him...regardless of how much/little success they've had. Everything he bitches about is a front to cover the fact that he can't return to Journey. That's the way I see it.

Why is it that Perry is never asked point blank; "Can you still sing the Journey catalog?" Why is it that none of these interviewers have the stones to ask him the only question that really matters. They need to pin him down once and for all instead of always giving him a free pass.

[Onestepper]

I think I know exactly why "the voice" distances himself from Schon and Cain...he CAN'T tour anymore. He knows if he keeps perpetuating this "war" against Neal and Jon that his sheep will keep the "He is too classy to ever return to Journey" mantra going. He finds every little excuse to keep the war going because deep down inside he can't admit that he can no longer tour and it kills him that they've moved on without him...regardless of how much/little success they've had. Everything he bitches about is a front to cover the fact that he can't return to Journey. That's the way I see it.

Why is it that Perry is never asked point blank; "Can you still sing the Journey catalog?" Why is it that none of these interviewers have the stones to ask him the only question that really matters. They need to pin him down once and for all instead of always giving him a free pass.

If he's causing drama to avoid the issue of admitting he can no longer sing like he would need to, why would he admit that he couldn't sing the catalog to some joe-schmoe reporter? Not denying that the theory is not accurate, but I don't buy that just because someone asks him 'that' question, it would somehow be answered any more honestly than anything else he holds so close to his vest.

[amaron]

I think I know exactly why "the voice" distances himself from Schon and Cain...he CAN'T tour anymore. He knows if he keeps perpetuating this "war" against Neal and Jon that his sheep will keep the "He is too classy to ever return to Journey" mantra going. He finds every little excuse to keep the war going because deep down inside he can't admit that he can no longer tour and it kills him that they've moved on without him...regardless of how much/little success they've had. Everything he bitches about is a front to cover the fact that he can't return to Journey. That's the way I see it.

Why is it that Perry is never asked point blank; "Can you still sing the Journey catalog?" Why is it that none of these interviewers have the stones to ask him the only question that really matters. They need to pin him down once and for all instead of always giving him a free pass.

I'm willing to bet money that he screens all of the questions in his interviews before he does them.

[DracIsBack]

All of these people who don't know Steve Perry personally are trying to figure out what's going on in his head.

Hillarious.

[Saint John]

Hillarious.

The irony.