Retire already! Musicians who have outworn their welcome

[Rockindeano]

Journey doesnt need to retire-they need to regroup. If Steve Perry was still in the band and they were playing major arenas like Bon Jovi and Springsteen no way the Journey name makes that list.
Everytime you hear about Journey and arnie that damn youtube story comes up...again and again..thats all they will ever be known for now. Not Open Arms, DSB, WITS, but the damn youtube singer!!

what do you expect? It's the first hard rock band to go international.

Who in the FUCK are you talking about? Journey? Hard rock? Hard pop yes maybe, but definitely not hard rock. Hell, they may not even be a rock band period.

[kgdjpubs]

Journey doesnt need to retire-they need to regroup. If Steve Perry was still in the band and they were playing major arenas like Bon Jovi and Springsteen no way the Journey name makes that list.
Everytime you hear about Journey and arnie that damn youtube story comes up...again and again..thats all they will ever be known for now. Not Open Arms, DSB, WITS, but the damn youtube singer!!

what do you expect? It's the first hard rock band to go international.

Who in the FUCK are you talking about? Journey? Hard rock? Hard pop yes maybe, but definitely not hard rock. Hell, they may not even be a rock band period.

I'd think you could safely call them rock--especially the live show. Hard rock at times, though that might be a stretch given today's usage of the term--even though it was probably more accurate circa 1983. The definition of "hard rock" has changed quite a bit since the early 80s.

What you are conveniently overlooking is the point I was making in that they are the first band to go overseas to the East (ie Japan, China, Phillipines) for a singer. It's pretty big in the grand scheme of things, not to mention the monetary rewards that come with such a decision.

[Don]

Journey doesnt need to retire-they need to regroup. If Steve Perry was still in the band and they were playing major arenas like Bon Jovi and Springsteen no way the Journey name makes that list.
Everytime you hear about Journey and arnie that damn youtube story comes up...again and again..thats all they will ever be known for now. Not Open Arms, DSB, WITS, but the damn youtube singer!!

what do you expect? It's the first hard rock band to go international.

Who in the FUCK are you talking about? Journey? Hard rock? Hard pop yes maybe, but definitely not hard rock. Hell, they may not even be a rock band period.

I'd think you could safely call them rock--especially the live show. Hard rock at times, though that might be a stretch given today's usage of the term--even though it was probably more accurate circa 1983. The definition of "hard rock" has changed quite a bit since the early 80s.

What you are conveniently overlooking is the point I was making in that they are the first band to go overseas to the East (ie Japan, China, Phillipines) for a singer. It's pretty big in the grand scheme of things, not to mention the monetary rewards that come with such a decision.

As far as I can see, in the Asian market, the monetary rewards are yet to really see fruition. The Police, Bon Jovi, Bill Joel, Avril Lavine, Back Street Boys, and Aerosmith all have played the Tokyo Dome the last few years. That place seats 50k plus. That's more fans in one show than Journey had for their entire Asian tour, including the 25k from Manila. Without all the extra travel expenses associated with playing in the other places you mentioned, those other bands made a lot more money from one or two shows at the EGG then Journey did during their whole Asia tour.
Despite all the festivals played in Europe and the Asian gigs, Journey did not break the top 25 in touring this year, something they had done the last two tours, even with different lead singers.

[Since 78]

For those who don't want to click;

Journey
Power ballads should have been retired decades ago, so the time for one of their key creators to hang it up is long overdue. Things looked promising when Journey went on hiatus in 1987, but it reformed in 1995 and has been living on past glories ever since -- even though Steve Perry, who sang all the biggest hits, has been absent since 1998. Things have got so bad that Filipino Arnel Pineda was recruited to become the frontman in 2007 after YouTube clips of him singing Survivor and Air Supply songs impressed guitarist Neil Schon, the only Journey member to play on all of the band's albums.

The writer is obviously a Loon.

[kgdjpubs]

Journey doesnt need to retire-they need to regroup. If Steve Perry was still in the band and they were playing major arenas like Bon Jovi and Springsteen no way the Journey name makes that list.
Everytime you hear about Journey and arnie that damn youtube story comes up...again and again..thats all they will ever be known for now. Not Open Arms, DSB, WITS, but the damn youtube singer!!

what do you expect? It's the first hard rock band to go international.

Who in the FUCK are you talking about? Journey? Hard rock? Hard pop yes maybe, but definitely not hard rock. Hell, they may not even be a rock band period.

I'd think you could safely call them rock--especially the live show. Hard rock at times, though that might be a stretch given today's usage of the term--even though it was probably more accurate circa 1983. The definition of "hard rock" has changed quite a bit since the early 80s.

What you are conveniently overlooking is the point I was making in that they are the first band to go overseas to the East (ie Japan, China, Phillipines) for a singer. It's pretty big in the grand scheme of things, not to mention the monetary rewards that come with such a decision.

As far as I can see, in the Asian market, the monetary rewards are yet to really see fruition. The Police, Bon Jovi, Bill Joel, Avril Lavine, Back Street Boys, and Aerosmith all have played the Tokyo Dome the last few years. That place seats 50k plus. That's more fans in one show than Journey had for their entire Asian tour, including the 25k from Manila. Without all the extra travel expenses associated with playing in the other places you mentioned, those other bands made a lot more money from one or two shows at the EGG then Journey did during their whole Asia tour.
Despite all the festivals played in Europe and the Asian gigs, Journey did not break the top 25 in touring this year, something they had done the last two tours, even with different lead singers.

It's hard to compare, especially since Journey neglected their European and Eastern markets for many years. I believe most of the other bands did better with their worldwide promotion/touring. It's pretty impressive either way that Journey could play to 25k in Manilla, having never performed a show there before--and a lot of that is due to Arnel. Now, as to how much money was made after the expense of putting the show on, you may be right.

Ironically, most of the rock bands that survived the 90s were the ones that played to Europe and Japan. That way, when your album fails in the US, you still have other markets to recoup money from. Toto was playing 20k seat venues in Europe long after they lost their popularity in the US. Journey shot themselves in the foot by not playing Europe in the 80s.

As far as making money on tours, it's a safe bet to say that Night Ranger doesn't have nearly the pull as Heart or Def Leppard. Truth be told, I don't think they had much influence on ticket sales at all. That said, I do believe this past year was the first year in a long time that Journey has gone out on their own (with basically a supporting act) and played large markets. From a monetary standpoint, Journey may have made as much money on this tour as the others, even though they played to fewer people because of the percentage of gross going to them vs other band.

[Don]

I looked at the festival shows as Journey setting up for a bigger tour by getting more exposure. What I did not predict though was them shutting down for a year, especially the way the publicity wagon was rolling at the end of this past tour.

[kgdjpubs]

I looked at the festival shows as Journey setting up for a bigger tour by getting more exposure. What I did not predict though was them shutting down for a year, especially the way the publicity wagon was rolling at the end of this past tour.

It doesn't make much sense, does it? Strike while the iron is hot, get into the studio, get an album out and be on the road by late summer/early fall at the latest. This year-off strategy sounds self-defeating.

[Jana]

I looked at the festival shows as Journey setting up for a bigger tour by getting more exposure. What I did not predict though was them shutting down for a year, especially the way the publicity wagon was rolling at the end of this past tour.

It doesn't make much sense, does it? Strike while the iron is hot, get into the studio, get an album out and be on the road by late summer/early fall at the latest. This year-off strategy sounds self-defeating.

Interesting. Mostly all I hear on here is how they run their singers in the ground vocally by year after year touring. And from what I've read, for big touring bands, they never tour three years in a row. As much as I would like to see them next year and feel it would be great to capitalize on all the publicity, I get that they need a break, especially vocally, and time for enough people who saw them two years in a row to want to see them again.

[Don]

I looked at the festival shows as Journey setting up for a bigger tour by getting more exposure. What I did not predict though was them shutting down for a year, especially the way the publicity wagon was rolling at the end of this past tour.

It doesn't make much sense, does it? Strike while the iron is hot, get into the studio, get an album out and be on the road by late summer/early fall at the latest. This year-off strategy sounds self-defeating.

Interesting. Mostly all I hear on here is how they run their singers in the ground vocally by year after year touring. And from what I've read, for big touring bands, they never tour three years in a row. As much as I would like to see them next year and feel it would be great to capitalize on all the publicity, I get that they need a break, especially vocally, and time for enough people who saw them two years in a row to want to see them again.

I'm not saying they should or shouldn't tour, in my post. I'm just stating what I thought they were doing and what they actually are doing. If they had any control over it (which they don't), I think they would have loved to promote a tour or new album on Oprah, rather than a DVD.

[Saint John]

There will be Journey shows in 2010.

[steveo777]

I looked at the festival shows as Journey setting up for a bigger tour by getting more exposure. What I did not predict though was them shutting down for a year, especially the way the publicity wagon was rolling at the end of this past tour.

And nobody has come forward to explain why they shut down for a year. We don't know if it was exhaustion, band unraveling, legal issues, or lord knows what else. They've done a very good job of keeping this secret. It really makes no sense, unless they are really working hard to write and perfect the next album with the intent that it be a career highlight, then a great tour to support it.

[Don]

There will be Journey shows in 2010.

So, was Schon misinformed by management when he said they wouldn't be touring? Or, are Journey SHOWS going to be performed infrequently enough not to be considered as a full fledged tour?

[Saint John]

There will be Journey shows in 2010.

So, was Schon misinformed by management when he said they wouldn't be touring? Or, are Journey SHOWS going to be performed infrequently enough not to be considered as a full fledged tour?

GB, I'm assuming they'll do a small number of shows in the late summer or early Fall. There's no way Schon's gonna sit at home and not tour. He can't physically do that. Besides, 8-10 months is plenty of rest.

[Ehwmatt]

There will be Journey shows in 2010.

So, was Schon misinformed by management when he said they wouldn't be touring? Or, are Journey SHOWS going to be performed infrequently enough not to be considered as a full fledged tour?

GB, I'm assuming they'll do a small number of shows in the late summer or early Fall. There's no way Schon's gonna sit at home and not tour. He can't physically do that. Besides, 8-10 months is plenty of rest.

No kiddin, no pro athletes get that much rest, touring/singing are hard, but a couple solid months off of the real hard grind and he can surely go back out there

[Don]

There will be Journey shows in 2010.

So, was Schon misinformed by management when he said they wouldn't be touring? Or, are Journey SHOWS going to be performed infrequently enough not to be considered as a full fledged tour?

GB, I'm assuming they'll do a small number of shows in the late summer or early Fall. There's no way Schon's gonna sit at home and not tour. He can't physically do that. Besides, 8-10 months is plenty of rest.

I thought he was going to get his fix by doing a solo tour, after he finished writing the album. Then again maybe the shows will be that triple bill with Kansas and Styx.

[Saint John]

There will be Journey shows in 2010.

So, was Schon misinformed by management when he said they wouldn't be touring? Or, are Journey SHOWS going to be performed infrequently enough not to be considered as a full fledged tour?

GB, I'm assuming they'll do a small number of shows in the late summer or early Fall. There's no way Schon's gonna sit at home and not tour. He can't physically do that. Besides, 8-10 months is plenty of rest.

I thought he was going to get his fix by doing a solo tour, after he finished writing the album.

No way they're throwing away that momentum for nothing. They've got something planned. Start up a Perry rumor. No one believes mine anymore.

[Don]

There will be Journey shows in 2010.

So, was Schon misinformed by management when he said they wouldn't be touring? Or, are Journey SHOWS going to be performed infrequently enough not to be considered as a full fledged tour?

GB, I'm assuming they'll do a small number of shows in the late summer or early Fall. There's no way Schon's gonna sit at home and not tour. He can't physically do that. Besides, 8-10 months is plenty of rest.

I thought he was going to get his fix by doing a solo tour, after he finished writing the album.

No way they're throwing away that momentum for nothing. They've got something planned. Start up a Perry rumor. No one believes mine anymore.

Steve Perry and Adam Lambert have been seen together near an L.A. studio . Not sure if it's for business or pleasure though.

[Since 78]

There will be Journey shows in 2010.

So, was Schon misinformed by management when he said they wouldn't be touring? Or, are Journey SHOWS going to be performed infrequently enough not to be considered as a full fledged tour?

GB, I'm assuming they'll do a small number of shows in the late summer or early Fall. There's no way Schon's gonna sit at home and not tour. He can't physically do that. Besides, 8-10 months is plenty of rest.

I thought he was going to get his fix by doing a solo tour, after he finished writing the album.

No way they're throwing away that momentum for nothing. They've got something planned. Start up a Perry rumor. No one believes mine anymore.

Steve Perry and Adam Lambert have been seen together near an L.A. studio . Not sure if it's for business or pleasure though.

[MBPL]

blah, blah, blah ... Tommy Shaw had a great answer for this at a meet and greet I attended a while back. Something along the lines of, "Singer and songwriter; it's what I do. You don't ask your plumber why he is still fixing pipes, do you?"

Just caught this post. Good one, yes I agree! Course, if the rocker is slurring his/her words, falling all over the place, missing cues and forgetting how to hold a mic and a plumber installs copper pipes in my bed post rather than my sink...then, yes by all means retire. I think all parties involved, young and old should do it until they simply don't want to. Or, until their audiences are no longer interested. MBPL

[Jana]

There will be Journey shows in 2010.

So, was Schon misinformed by management when he said they wouldn't be touring? Or, are Journey SHOWS going to be performed infrequently enough not to be considered as a full fledged tour?

GB, I'm assuming they'll do a small number of shows in the late summer or early Fall. There's no way Schon's gonna sit at home and not tour. He can't physically do that. Besides, 8-10 months is plenty of rest.

I thought he was going to get his fix by doing a solo tour, after he finished writing the album.

No way they're throwing away that momentum for nothing. They've got something planned. Start up a Perry rumor. No one believes mine anymore.

Steve Perry and Adam Lambert have been seen together near an L.A. studio . Not sure if it's for business or pleasure though.

[steveo777]

http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/music/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=23000406

Must say I agree with at least a couple of them (but not all )

BB King is an example that musicians can play well into their senior years. To me as long as people want to go see them they should keep playing.

I have paid good money to see BB King before and I'd do it again.

[artist4perry]

http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/music/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=23000406

Must say I agree with at least a couple of them (but not all )

BB King is an example that musicians can play well into their senior years. To me as long as people want to go see them they should keep playing.

I have paid good money to see BB King before and I'd do it again.

The man is a genius that is for sure.

[Babyblue]

blah, blah, blah ... Tommy Shaw had a great answer for this at a meet and greet I attended a while back. Something along the lines of, "Singer and songwriter; it's what I do. You don't ask your plumber why he is still fixing pipes, do you?"

I think Tommy said it best. Styx still Rock!!!!!!!!

But agree some should go for sure.

[Triple S]

http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/music/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=23000406

Must say I agree with at least a couple of them (but not all )

BB King is an example that musicians can play well into their senior years. To me as long as people want to go see them they should keep playing.

I have paid good money to see BB King before and I'd do it again.

The man is a genius that is for sure.

He is indeed! Difference is, he doesn't have to try to be what he was 30 or 40 years ago, he just . . . is. He's a completely different kind of act/in a different category than the ones mentioned in this article. But for me - some of them can keep going for awhile .

[kgdjpubs]

http://entertainment.ca.msn.com/music/photos/gallery.aspx?cp-documentid=23000406

Must say I agree with at least a couple of them (but not all )

BB King is an example that musicians can play well into their senior years. To me as long as people want to go see them they should keep playing.

I have paid good money to see BB King before and I'd do it again.

The man is a genius that is for sure.

He is indeed! Difference is, he doesn't have to try to be what he was 30 or 40 years ago, he just . . . is. He's a completely different kind of act/in a different category than the ones mentioned in this article. But for me - some of them can keep going for awhile .

judging by a few of his comments at the show I saw earlier this year, I think he is coming to grips with the fact that he won't be able to do this much longer. He was telling the band that whenever the time comes that they should go on without him. He's still worth a ticket though--great guitar player.

[Saint John]

I know one sackless motherfucker that should quit running his mouth with cryptic messages about songs in the can, thinking about it, missing it terribly and "unretire"!

[portland]

I know one sackless motherfucker that should quit running his mouth with cryptic messages about songs in the can, thinking about it, missing it terribly and "unretire"!

and here we go again

[Saint John]

I know one sackless motherfucker that should quit running his mouth with cryptic messages about songs in the can, thinking about it, missing it terribly and "unretire"!

and here we go again

Ooooo...I know that one...Whitesnake???

[portland]

I know one sackless motherfucker that should quit running his mouth with cryptic messages about songs in the can, thinking about it, missing it terribly and "unretire"!

and here we go again

Ooooo...I know that one...Whitesnake???

yes it is.....and your little act ^^^^^ is old my friend!!!

[steveo777]

I know one sackless motherfucker that should quit running his mouth with cryptic messages about songs in the can, thinking about it, missing it terribly and "unretire"!

Huh? Kevin Chalfant keeps his songs in his sock drawer.