New Neal Rolling Stone Interview

[The_Noble_Cause]

Neal Schon on Journey's Farewell Tour, Life After the Band

https://share.google/VC6WPsGyPhxZTOW17

Apparently Neal contacted RS before the press release was even sent out.
In the interview, he says they no longer have a manager (pretty obvious).
He says Journey is done but also says they will continue.

Alot to unpack and really quite all over the place.

The interviewer has a line at the beginning mentioning that it was Neal's idea to form the band.
I think that would come as a surprise to the late Herbie Herbert.

When asked about his tweets that gave the impression that Cain suddenly quit, Neal is quick to turn the blame around on Jonathan and a video Jon allegedly uploaded. However, Jonathan never uploaded any video. It was an obscure religious podcast that I dug up and posted on here including the timestamp where Jon mentions the band doing a farewell and his own intention to get off the road. Shortly thereafter, it was blasted all over Neal's social media. I would not be surprised if Neal is heavily lurking on this forum.

[kmjrr]

Great interview. The interviewer knew what he was talking about and didn't shy away from asking and reasking relevant questions.It sounds like Neal has agreed to not continue as Journey, and that's where "Journey Beyond" came from. He's still mad at Ross and Steve S. His relationship with Jon isn't so great. An Evening with Journey with no other acts. It sounds like Deen and Jason will sing more to give Arnel a break. Deep cuts.

[youkeepmewaiting]

Good interview that. The interviewer knew what he was talking about and didn't ask the usual questions.

[Arkansas]

Whew, yeah, great interview! There's so much buzz, I wish everything (especially, Rick Beato's interview) would be 'required reading' before the Final Frontier tour shows.

Post Journey - One thing I've always championed is another blues album - 'Piranha Blues II'. I've got tons of ideas for it, which I outlined in an old BackTalk or Skylord forum post, that involves two lead guitars, two singers, two variations on the same song, two of many ideas, etc.

I would love to make all this happen (finance/co-produce) ...someday.


later~

[danielb]

Good interview only missing the obvious elephant in the room about Arnel getting vocal assistance. I wish someone would address it as any talk about him sounding "strong" no longer holds merit after the autotune evidence came to light.

[Eric]

Neal is quick to turn the blame around on Jonathan and a video Jon allegedly uploaded. However, Jonathan never uploaded any video. It was an obscure religious podcast that I dug up and posted on here including the timestamp where Jon mentions the band doing a farewell and his own intention to get off the road. Shortly thereafter, it was blasted all over Neal's social media. I would not be surprised if Neal is heavily lurking on this forum.

I forgot where I saw that clip of Cain saying that, BUT it was the first I had heard of a farewell and was confusing to me.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I forgot where I saw that clip of Cain saying that, BUT it was the first I had heard of a farewell and was confusing to me.

If true, I kind of feel like you would have been quick to post about that on this forum. The band ending is pretty big news.

[Eric]

I forgot where I saw that clip of Cain saying that, BUT it was the first I had heard of a farewell and was confusing to me.

If true, I kind of feel like you would have been quick to post about that on this forum. The band ending is pretty big news.

It was probably on here I saw it. And you may be right. Thinking back I may have read a rumor prior to that clip - on here - that someone had heard it was the final tour. When I saw that clip I think I remember it not being clear if he meant himself or the band, though. I don't think in THIS instant I blame Schon for the confusion, though.

And to be honest, its hard to have concern about the band ending when the tour is already scheduled for 2 years... and the 50th anniversary tour ran for 3 years. We were getting to the point the end was inevitable anyway. I mean... by the time its all said and done we're kissing 2030.

It's very good news that its an evening with and then I'm hoping Schon tours small barns with DeenO and we get even more of the show we want. Nothing is jarring about any of this to me, like it would have been 10 years ago.

[JohnH]

Thanks for this Noble! I sure would like to hear more actual Arnel songs in the set , as well as stuff off of Arrival- ( like Higher Place) and Generations. It’s just been only a Steve Perry tribute band at this point for awhile. Nightranger seems to have switched to the same only MTV era setlist, situation. It is boring.

[FamilyMan]

Hoping the band has the class to invite Steve Augeri to join them for just a few (east coast) dates and do a couple of his songs.

[Loneman1]

Hoping the band has the class to invite Steve Augeri to join them for just a few (east coast) dates and do a couple of his songs.

I really wish this could happen, but it sounds like wishful thinking unfortunately IMO. While this is an amazing opportunity to ride off into the sunset in a pretty spectacular fashion, the fact in one of these interviews it sounded like Neal isn't interested in playing anything pre-Perry and it doesn't seem like Neal has the greatest of relationships with Augeri, JSS, or even Gregg Rolie at this point after Neal sold the JTT album/DVD for profit instead of 100% charity which Gregg balked at. Is it weird that friggin' Perry might have the best chance at popping up at a bay area show even though we know damn well that won't ever happen?

I hope I'm wrong but it feels like this tour is going to be the normal dirty dozen plus all their alternating songs they've played over the last few years all performed the same night so probably nothing groundbreaking set-wise.

Honestly though with this being potentially the real last hurrah for the proper "Journey" band, I would love to eat every word I just typed and the stars aligned even just for a night or two to get some amazing setlists and former members showing up for a proper goodbye live album/Blu-Ray release. This band has been through sooooo many things in its over a half a century tenure that it deserves the greatest PROPER send off possible!

[The_Noble_Cause]

it doesn't seem like Neal has the greatest of relationships with Augeri, JSS, or even Gregg Rolie at this point after Neal sold the JTT album/DVD for profit instead of 100% charity which Gregg balked at.

JSS took a picture with Neal after a show on the last tour. I think they are just fine now.

[Loneman1]

it doesn't seem like Neal has the greatest of relationships with Augeri, JSS, or even Gregg Rolie at this point after Neal sold the JTT album/DVD for profit instead of 100% charity which Gregg balked at.

JSS took a picture with Neal after a show on the last tour. I think they are just fine now.

Glad to hear that!

[Art Vandelay]

Hoping the band has the class to invite Steve Augeri to join them for just a few (east coast) dates and do a couple of his songs.

I really wish this could happen, but it sounds like wishful thinking unfortunately IMO. While this is an amazing opportunity to ride off into the sunset in a pretty spectacular fashion, the fact in one of these interviews it sounded like Neal isn't interested in playing anything pre-Perry and it doesn't seem like Neal has the greatest of relationships with Augeri, JSS, or even Gregg Rolie at this point after Neal sold the JTT album/DVD for profit instead of 100% charity which Gregg balked at. Is it weird that friggin' Perry might have the best chance at popping up at a bay area show even though we know damn well that won't ever happen?

I hope I'm wrong but it feels like this tour is going to be the normal dirty dozen plus all their alternating songs they've played over the last few years all performed the same night so probably nothing groundbreaking set-wise.

Honestly though with this being potentially the real last hurrah for the proper "Journey" band, I would love to eat every word I just typed and the stars aligned even just for a night or two to get some amazing setlists and former members showing up for a proper goodbye live album/Blu-Ray release. This band has been through sooooo many things in its over a half a century tenure that it deserves the greatest PROPER send off possible!

There's a difference between what Neal wants (and the dedicated fans hope for) and what the promoters want. I agree with you. Wishful thinking aside, this will end up being another dirty dozen show with a few revolving deep cuts here and there.

[youkeepmewaiting]

The big issue is going to be that the life style Schon lives will not be able to be funded by doing smaller shows that dig deeper, but big arenas aren’t going to want deep cuts

[Journey/Survivor]

The big issue is going to be that the life style Schon lives will not be able to be funded by doing smaller shows that dig deeper, but big arenas aren’t going to want deep cuts

It would be more a matter of what a promoter wants than it would be what an arena wants. But promoters and arenas don't always get what they want.

After a certain point Columbia Records were not aloud to have any say in what the final product of the album released was.

I also think that promoters should be smart enough to realize that it doesn't matter which songs the band are playing when the audience goes to the bathroom or to buy beer or food. I never get beer at a concert, unless you're talking about seeing a band in a bar. And I try not to buy food unless it's necessary, because the food is always immorally expensive to buy at an arena.
But a huge percentage of people do go buy beer, and then they have to go to the bathroom.
They're going to do that at some point, so if they are not interested in deep cuts they go during them.
If they didn't go to the bathroom or to buy beer during deep cuts, then they would go during the hits.

And I'm sure that Schon does not plan on doing away with the hits. He just wants to add in deep cuts. That equals a longer show, which is giving the crowd a bigger bang for their buck. It's a win-win!

Either way they are out of their seats at times.
What difference does it make to a promoter or arena when those people do those things?
The tickets have already been sold, and the promoters and arenas already have their money. Which is the ONLY thing that they care about!

[youkeepmewaiting]

Promoters and arenas (the audience) absolute do get what they want. Schon cannot fill arenas playing deep cuts (especially without the actual Journey name to back it up. How many bathroom break songs can he get away with? Be realistic

The big issue is going to be that the life style Schon lives will not be able to be funded by doing smaller shows that dig deeper, but big arenas aren’t going to want deep cuts

It would be more a matter of what a promoter wants than it would be what an arena wants. But promoters and arenas don't always get what they want.

After a certain point Columbia Records were not aloud to have any say in what the final product of the album released was.

I also think that promoters should be smart enough to realize that it doesn't matter which songs the band are playing when the audience goes to the bathroom or to buy beer or food. I never get beer at a concert, unless you're talking about seeing a band in a bar. And I try not to buy food unless it's necessary, because the food is always immorally expensive to buy at an arena.
But a huge percentage of people do go buy beer, and then they have to go to the bathroom.
They're going to do that at some point, so if they are not interested in deep cuts they go during them.
If they didn't go to the bathroom or to buy beer during deep cuts, then they would go during the hits.

And I'm sure that Schon does not plan on doing away with the hits. He just wants to add in deep cuts. That equals a longer show, which is giving the crowd a bigger bang for their buck. It's a win-win!

Either way they are out of their seats at times.
What difference does it make to a promoter or arena when those people do those things?
The tickets have already been sold, and the promoters and arenas already have their money. Which is the ONLY thing that they care about!

[Journey/Survivor]

[quote="youkeepmewaiting"]Promoters and arenas (the audience) absolute do get what they want. Schon cannot fill arenas playing deep cuts (especially without the actual Journey name to back it up. How many bathroom break songs can he get away with? Be realistic]

I will say that if Schon is not using the Journey name, that then it's unlikely that the crowds will be as big as for Journey. That's just the way it works in general, unless you're someone like Paul McCartney who is no longer using The Beatles name but is still a mega-star.

But it's a fact that a band adding deep cuts into the set list while not dropping the hits is NOT going to drive fans away.

That would be like McDonald's saying we are going to give you more food now for the same price, and people deciding to NOT get McDonald's because how dare they give me more food for the same price, those stinking bastards!

Some people just don't think these things out, I guess?

[ebake02]

Rolling Stone would the last site on earth that I would do an interview with, especially if I were Neal or anyone else connected with the band.