Jonathan Cain's New Memoir: 10 Things We Learned

[tater1977]

Journey Keyboardist Jonathan Cain's New Memoir: 10 Things We Learned

The co-writer of "Don't Stop Believin'" explains that whole "South Detroit" situation and details the dissolution of the original band in his book

https://www.rollingstone.com/music/list ... ed-w519534

3. Neal Schon wasn't initially thrilled when Cain and Perry began writing ballads like "Open Arms."

"After we played [that song] to the band, Neal looked dumbfounded," writes Cain. "'Where are we supposed to play on this?' he asked. "Into the awkward silence, Steve Perry said, 'We'll find the right arrangement.'" Perry was confident we could turn it into a rock anthem and began suggesting ideas for when the bass and drums could come in. I asked Neal to play the opening theme with me. The song started to grow wings and fly."

4. The phrase "Don't Stop Believin'" is something that Cain's dad said to him on the phone one night in the 1970s when he was frustrated with his life and career.

He scribbled it down on the last page of his spiral notebook and found it when Journey was writing songs for 1981's Escape. "I came up with a cool chord progression and and started humming the lyric 'don't stop-believin'-hold onto that feeling' over the changes. I didn't know what the other lyrics were yet, but I planned to show the guys the idea anyway."

5. The infamous "Don't Stop Believin'" lyric "born and raised in South Detroit" came to them very quickly.

Initially, Steve Perry tried "born and raised in Detroit," but Cain felt it needed another syllable to flesh it out. He suggested "South Detroit," though Perry wondered aloud of such a place even existed. "Heck if I know," Cain said. "If it sings well, I say let's move on." No such place exists because "South Detroit" is Canada.

6. Steve Perry broke the news to Cain and Schon that he was done with Journey after calling them to meet him near San Francisco's Richardson Bay.

"Guys, we're done," Cain remembers Perry saying. "We can't get any bigger. If we keep going, we're going to end up some classic rock nostalgia band. We'll end up just being a memory – a shadow of what we used to be." Cain was absolutely crushed. He'd been in the band a mere seven years. "Steve eventually walks away towards his car, leaving Neal and me near the shore," he writes. "As we stare out at the water, I see the city by the bay. It feels like a stranger."

7. Perry begged the band not to tour without him after a severe hip injury made it impossible for him to perform in support of the group's 1996 comeback LP Trial By Fire.

"Do whatever you guys need to do, but don't call it Journey," he said. "Call the band something else. Anything. Don't fracture the stone. I don't think I can come back if you break it." Perry has held true to his word by not singing a note with them since they began touring with a new singer in 1998.

8. Cain had major doubts about hiring new Journey singer Arnel Pineda after Neal Schon discovered him on YouTube in 2007.

"Initially, the thought of Arnel singing with us made me hesitant," he writes, "wondering what our fans in places like Raleigh, North Carolina, and regions in the middle of Texas might think. I feared the twisted mentality that went, 'That's no Steve Perry – he's Asian.'"

[bellairepark73]

Thanks for sharing. Hate to disappoint the list makers of the universe BUT...99.9% of this stuff Journey/Steve Perry fans already knew. Even the ones who come in very late in the game. Journey / Steve Perry fans are some of the most knowledgeable fans out there. There is VERY little we don't know. Heck a MAJOR JRNY fan blew up a major scandal right here on melodic rock and Neal was all over it!

So...try again list makers of the universe. Maybe someday your list MIGHT yield something interesting.

[perryfan61]

Thanks for sharing. Hate to disappoint the list makers of the universe BUT...99.9% of this stuff Journey/Steve Perry fans already knew. Even the ones who come in very late in the game. Journey / Steve Perry fans are some of the most knowledgeable fans out there. There is VERY little we don't know. Heck a MAJOR JRNY fan blew up a major scandal right here on melodic rock and Neal was all over it!

So...try again list makers of the universe. Maybe someday your list MIGHT yield something interesting.

Kind of disappointing, no news there. Hope there is more interesting info in the book, as mine should be here next week.

[tater1977]

As many times as Jon mentions SP's name, kinda wonder if he's gonna share
part of the revenue with him Just seems like, Jon thinks the more
he mentions SP's name, it will sell more books for him.
Love the background in his live , online book signing today at
Fantasty Studios.

https://www.facebook.com/jonathancainmu ... 957140682/

[tater1977]

https://chicago.suntimes.com/entertainm ... ssic-hits/

[JourneyHard]

What did Steve Perry want them to call themselves? Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon performs the Hits of Journey? Perhaps Vortex performs the hits of Journey? People might have still showed up because they would hear Journey at the shows. However, I still doubt Perry would get back with them if they had called the band something else. Perry has serious issues. He is afraid to tour or he would be on the road right now solo.

[bellairepark73]

What did Steve Perry want them to call themselves? Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon performs the Hits of Journey? Perhaps Vortex performs the hits of Journey? People might have still showed up because they would hear Journey at the shows. However, I still doubt Perry would get back with them if they had called the band something else. Perry has serious issues. He is afraid to tour or he would be on the road right now solo.

Well...he has serious health issues that might prevent him from doing so. Remember he said that his arthritis didn't stop at one hip and unless we are in his shoes taking HIS pain medication, maybe, just maybe we might stop saying he's afraid. Or maybe he is afraid...of the pain. Other stars are not touring and have cancelled shows for health reasons.

[JourneyHard]

Any name they could have come up with would have been clunky. It would have to have had included "featuring the music of Journey" at the end. So, touring under Journey is the only option they had. "Bad English featuring the music of Journey" would have been weird.

If Steve Perry did come back to Journey (which I know will never happen), it would have to be billed as Journey Featuring Steve Perry! I guess fracturing the stone as Perry says favored Perry after all.

[JourneyHard]

What did Steve Perry want them to call themselves? Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon performs the Hits of Journey? Perhaps Vortex performs the hits of Journey? People might have still showed up because they would hear Journey at the shows. However, I still doubt Perry would get back with them if they had called the band something else. Perry has serious issues. He is afraid to tour or he would be on the road right now solo.

Well...he has serious health issues that might prevent him from doing so. Remember he said that his arthritis didn't stop at one hip and unless we are in his shoes taking HIS pain medication, maybe, just maybe we might stop saying his afraid. Or maybe he is afraid...of the pain. Other stars are not touring and have cancelled shows for health reasons.

Steve Perry is a good guy. I know he isn't a liar. So when he said he had a new album coming out in 2017 or whatever, he probably meant it, but circumstances probably came up. As you say, he had health issues. Maybe he took a turn for the worse, and he isn't able to tour as a solo artist. So he said forget it to the new album. If he is sick, releasing a new album is the last thing on his mind. Just sayin'

[tater1977]

How Journey’s Jonathan Cain Hit Rock Bottom But Managed to Start Believin’ Again
April 30, 2018

by M.B. Roberts

https://parade.com/664009/m-b-roberts/h ... vin-again/

[Lora]

I pre-ordered the book and received 3 bonus chapters supposedly not in the book and a 15 minute video. It was an interesting read to me because I was around Journey part of the time covered in the book and I knew some of the people Jon talks about. I already knew most of what is in the 3 chapters but there were a few things I hadn't read before.

One part of the book pissed me off... when he talks about surviving the horrific fire at the Our Lady of the Angels school he attended when he was 8 years old. 92 of his classmates and 3 nuns died. I can't even image how much that would screw up someone's mind and soul. His father told him that god saved him from the fire for some higher purpose. WTF. So god let 92 kids and 3 nuns die in the most awful way possible because they weren't worth saving? Yeah, I know. God works in mysterious ways.

[scarab]

still trying to find out his "higher purpose".
marrying a future soft core porn star or divorcing his long time 2nd wife to marry the daughter of the devil?

[bellairepark73]

I pre-ordered the book and received 3 bonus chapters supposedly not in the book and a 15 minute video. It was an interesting read to me because I was around Journey part of the time covered in the book and I knew some of the people Jon talks about. I already knew most of what is in the 3 chapters but there were a few things I hadn't read before.

One part of the book pissed me off... when he talks about surviving the horrific fire at the Our Lady of the Angels school he attended when he was 8 years old. 92 of his classmates and 3 nuns died. I can't even image how much that would screw up someone's mind and soul. His father told him that god saved him from the fire for some higher purpose. WTF. So god let 92 kids and 3 nuns die in the most awful way possible because they weren't worth saving? Yeah, I know. God works in mysterious ways.

Dear Lora...I know you know that GOD will not ever kill others for some kind of secular higher purpose. It is not God's will to let 92 innocent people die and let Mr. Cain live so he can grow up to make music. I guess his father was trying to make sense out of the tragedy but you have every right to be ticked off at that off-handed comment...if in fact, that was really what his father said. I hope that is not what his father truly meant.

[bellairepark73]

still trying to find out his "higher purpose".
marrying a future soft core porn star or divorcing his long time 2nd wife to marry the daughter of the devil?

And please correct me if I am wrong...BUT...wasn't he still married to the 2nd one when he started dating his now 3rd wife? IF true...adultery is a sin, Mr. Cain. Please correct me someone if I am wrong about the time line and events.

[bellairepark73]

But I have to give it to Mr. Cain...I enjoyed the bonus chapters. Very thoughtfully done. I heard him very clearly. I am going to get his book and read it with interest.

BUT...the book most (90%) want is either Neal's or...yep, you guessed it, Steve's (99.9%).

[perryfan61]

Jon probably thinks he has reached his higher purpose in life...."speaking the Word of the Lord". Unfortunately, he is doing so while under the influence of a prosperity gospel pastor.

If he were using his millions he made while in Journey to help out with different charities, I might tend to agree that he did find a higher purpose. But all I see from his many posts is a lifestyle that must take most of those millions to maintain, while he shamelessly promotes his new ventures, and asks for more money from his fans.

I expect my copy of his book tomorrow, and while I'm interested in finding out about his time in the band, I also feel a bit guilty in knowing where the money I spent for it might be going. I have no respect for his high maintenance wife, or the message she delivers.

I pre-ordered the book through Amazon, not his publisher, so I will not be getting the bonus chapters. Anyone care to summarize them?

[tater1977]

Jon probably thinks he has reached his higher purpose in life...."speaking the Word of the Lord". Unfortunately, he is doing so while under the influence of a prosperity gospel pastor.

If he were using his millions he made while in Journey to help out with different charities, I might tend to agree that he did find a higher purpose. But all I see from his many posts is a lifestyle that must take most of those millions to maintain, while he shamelessly promotes his new ventures, and asks for more money from his fans.

I expect my copy of his book tomorrow, and while I'm interested in finding out about his time in the band, I also feel a bit guilty in knowing where the money I spent for it might be going. I have no respect for his high maintenance wife, or the message she delivers.

I pre-ordered the book through Amazon, not his publisher, so I will not be getting the bonus chapters. Anyone care to summarize them?

Check your inbox.

[slucero]

"Guys, we're done, we can't get any bigger. If we keep going, we're going to end up some classic rock nostalgia band.

We'll end up just being a memory – a shadow of what we used to be."

~ Steve Perry

Prophecy right there...


I'm surprised Jon included this... especially considering Neal saying this in 2016

Can fans expect new Journey music any time soon?

NS: Absolutely. I’ve been writing and have a lot of ideas. We’re going to be out on tour this year, and then I’m going to push Jon to do something. Even if we don’t do a full record. I don’t feel like we need to do a full record each year – it’s costly and time-consuming. ... However, I have a hard time sitting in neutral, and I’m not all about nostalgia.

[perryfan61]

Jon probably thinks he has reached his higher purpose in life...."speaking the Word of the Lord". Unfortunately, he is doing so while under the influence of a prosperity gospel pastor.

If he were using his millions he made while in Journey to help out with different charities, I might tend to agree that he did find a higher purpose. But all I see from his many posts is a lifestyle that must take most of those millions to maintain, while he shamelessly promotes his new ventures, and asks for more money from his fans.

I expect my copy of his book tomorrow, and while I'm interested in finding out about his time in the band, I also feel a bit guilty in knowing where the money I spent for it might be going. I have no respect for his high maintenance wife, or the message she delivers.

I pre-ordered the book through Amazon, not his publisher, so I will not be getting the bonus chapters. Anyone care to summarize them?

Check your inbox.

Thanks, tater

[tater1977]

Jon probably thinks he has reached his higher purpose in life...."speaking the Word of the Lord". Unfortunately, he is doing so while under the influence of a prosperity gospel pastor.

If he were using his millions he made while in Journey to help out with different charities, I might tend to agree that he did find a higher purpose. But all I see from his many posts is a lifestyle that must take most of those millions to maintain, while he shamelessly promotes his new ventures, and asks for more money from his fans.

I expect my copy of his book tomorrow, and while I'm interested in finding out about his time in the band, I also feel a bit guilty in knowing where the money I spent for it might be going. I have no respect for his high maintenance wife, or the message she delivers.

I pre-ordered the book through Amazon, not his publisher, so I will not be getting the bonus chapters. Anyone care to summarize them?

Check your inbox.

Thanks, tater

Your welcome.
And those damn cardiac kids ...

[Art Vandelay]

"Guys, we're done, we can't get any bigger. If we keep going, we're going to end up some classic rock nostalgia band.

We'll end up just being a memory – a shadow of what we used to be."

~ Steve Perry

Prophecy right there...

31 years after that quote, the band has put out 5 original full length CD's, one original EP, plus a box set, Greatest Hits Parts 1 and 2 (plus a rerecording of the greatest hits), an Essentials collection, a classic-era live CD and a rerelease of the Houston concert. They tour with the same rotation of other classic rock bands, and the 2017 set list was made up of 17 or so songs…all of them from 1983 or earlier.

Yep, Perry nailed it!!!!

[FamilyMan]

"Guys, we're done, we can't get any bigger. If we keep going, we're going to end up some classic rock nostalgia band.

We'll end up just being a memory – a shadow of what we used to be."

~ Steve Perry

Prophecy right there...

31 years after that quote, the band has put out 5 original full length CD's, one original EP, plus a box set, Greatest Hits Parts 1 and 2 (plus a rerecording of the greatest hits), an Essentials collection, a classic-era live CD and a rerelease of the Houston concert. They tour with the same rotation of other classic rock bands, and the 2017 set list was made up of 17 or so songs…all of them from 1983 or earlier.

Yep, Perry nailed it!!!!

I dare say Perry was short-sighted, not prophetic. If you think they're a nostalgia band now, it's because of Perry's departure. Had he stayed, what they had the potential to be was Bon Jovi or The Rolling Stones. An evolved, albeit mature band that would endure and continue to create new content and entertain new audiences as they aged. We'll never know, but that's where they were headed.

[Art Vandelay]

I dare say Perry was short-sighted, not prophetic. If you think they're a nostalgia band now, it's because of Perry's departure. Had he stayed, what they had the potential to be was Bon Jovi or The Rolling Stones. An evolved, albeit mature band that would endure and continue to create new content and entertain new audiences as they aged. We'll never know, but that's where they were headed.

Had Perry stayed on board for a TBF tour, then yes I definitely see them in the company of Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones and The Eagles. Not sure if that would have happened had they stayed together after ROR. There was just too much funkiness in the group in '87, and the musical landscape was changing to pop metal anyway. Like you said, we'll never know.

[bellairepark73]

I dare say Perry was short-sighted, not prophetic. If you think they're a nostalgia band now, it's because of Perry's departure. Had he stayed, what they had the potential to be was Bon Jovi or The Rolling Stones. An evolved, albeit mature band that would endure and continue to create new content and entertain new audiences as they aged. We'll never know, but that's where they were headed.

Had Perry stayed on board for a TBF tour, then yes I definitely see them in the company of Bon Jovi, The Rolling Stones and The Eagles. Not sure if that would have happened had they stayed together after ROR. There was just too much funkiness in the group in '87, and the musical landscape was changing to pop metal anyway. Like you said, we'll never know.

Agreed. The whole point was they should have WAITED for him to get a MAJOR piece of bone taken out of HIS body! If they had, and gone on tour and showed true friendship then YEAH they would be like The Rolling Stones or The Eagles. Prophetic...hell YEAH!

[The_Noble_Cause]

Agreed. The whole point was they should have WAITED for him to get a MAJOR piece of bone taken out of HIS body! If they had, and gone on tour and showed true friendship then YEAH they would be like The Rolling Stones or The Eagles. Prophetic...hell YEAH!

Seems like you are late to the party. The band DID wait for Perry. They waited over a decade after he quit ROR.

[bellairepark73]

Agreed. The whole point was they should have WAITED for him to get a MAJOR piece of bone taken out of HIS body! If they had, and gone on tour and showed true friendship then YEAH they would be like The Rolling Stones or The Eagles. Prophetic...hell YEAH!

Seems like you are late to the party. The band DID wait for Perry. They waited over a decade after he quit ROR.

No I am NOT late to the party sir. I KNOW that. That was the first time. It has NOTHING to do what I was talking about!!! I was obviously talking about his hip and its surgery sir. Please read my comment before commenting like I do yours! THANK YOU.

[The_Noble_Cause]

No I am NOT late to the party sir. I KNOW that. That was the first time. It has NOTHING to do what I was talking about!!! I was obviously talking about his hip and its surgery sir. Please read my comment before commenting like I do yours! THANK YOU.

What proof do you have that SP would have toured with Journey after his surgery? Aside from FTLOSM solo tour, which SP also quit, Perry's track record speaks for itself.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I'm curious to see if Cain mentions Chalfant or Augeri at all in the book.

[FamilyMan]

I'm curious to see if Cain mentions Chalfant or Augeri at all in the book.

Cain speaks lovingly about Augeri in the book.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I'm curious to see if Cain mentions Chalfant or Augeri at all in the book.

Cain speaks lovingly about Augeri in the book.

Nice. I was hoping that would be the case. Thanks.