Gunbot wrote:This claim to fame shit about outing Steve Augeri is sickening. I am not a big fan of Augeri but without his contribution, Journey would be dead and buried. If he lipped, it was to his own vocals. How many other artists use backround vocals on the lead. I don't know and you people don't know but I bet there are quite a few. Anything he did was not by himself. Do you honestly think he could have a backing tape synced to him without the rest of the band knowing? If what he did was so bad the question is why you are all still fans. Neal and John run the band, they are just as guilty as Augeri for what happened, but Augeri is the bad guy? And once Jeff was in the band, tapegate suddenly isn't a big deal, Journey just did what they had to do? What fucking hypocrisy. If you're gonna crucify Augeri for lipping then his co-conspirators, JSS, Arnel and all the rest of Journey should be dead to you. And than for some to pay homage to the party for outing him is complete bullshit. If lipping was such a sin than why did JSS allow himself to associated with such people. Don't tell me he didn't know, that it was such a big secret that he couldn't have possibly heard about it. I'm not calling out Jeff, Arnel or the band at all, I'm talking about the people here that couldn't wait to take part in the destruction of another person's life, over something that was at the most a bad judgement call but not so uncommon in the world of live entertainment. The guilty one's know who they are, and if you don't like that I called you out, then, please, post a response explaining your actions.
-Yes, without Augeri's contribution there's a chance of Journey being dead, YET there are several other capable vocalists that Journey could have chosen that would've filled the role just as well, if not better. Not a slam on Augeri's talents at all (he's a great singer, decent writer, and class man), but it's the truth.
-Keep in mind, however, that without Deano's contribution Journey could be dead and buried as well. They were on a slippery slope that started with the lipping, Dean outing them and them bringing JSS off the bench was what kept the band alived.
-"How many other artists use background vocals on the lead?" The answer is, quite a few, BUT.... that doesn't make it acceptable for ANYONE, let alone the great band Journey.
-EVERY MEMBER of the band was responsible for TapeGate, and the whole thing was a disaster. However, it's pretty much been outright proven that Augeri was forced into it by Neal/Jon/Management.... and I can't say I really blame the guy. He was put in a corner, his demands went unheard, and had no choice but to lip.... or lose his job (which ended up happening anyway).
-I'm sure JSS didn't give the lipping issue a second thought when he joined Journey. I wouldn't give Journey's history of shitcanning personnel a second thought if they called me up to play with them myself. The opportunity to live your dream with a favorite band is the chance of a lifetime and I'd take it, regardless of what kind of people they are.
-I doubt Augeri's life is destroyed. The man probably made a VERY comfortable amount of money off record sales for Arrival, and touring for eight years. The man did hundreds of shows and got a lot of royalties... I'd be VERY surprised if his kids weren't set for college, if he didn't have a reliable car and a paid-for home. His voice is back, new Augeri and Tall Stories records are supposedly in the works... no way his life is ruined.
-I'm still a fan because I've always loved and always will love Journey's MUSIC, period, and try not to judge the band members too much... even though they have proven to be douches more than once. What the band members have done personally and professionally, does not prevent me from appreciating high-quality rock music and live shows.
