LA for the record...

[Andrew]

In regards to any DL Q's that have been asked...

There were a couple of mutual friends of both bands present at both shows and it was made very clear to me – crystal clear – that no one in Def Leppard would be having anything to do with me and there would be no ‘burying the hatchet’ or other such attempt to move on.
Backstage is big enough that you can keep out of people’s way if need be and once I learnt that, it was the way I kept it.
I thought of this trip as an excellent opportunity, but so be it…
I had an absolute blast with the Journey guys and look forward to getting all that coverage online once I return home and sort everything out.

[Paul_UK]

I was gonna ask about that seeing it hadnt been mentioned among the awesome reports from the Journey side of the coin, which has made excellent reading!

I think this only makes Joe look all the more negative in all this. What is that guy's problem? Oh well, you offered the hand of friendship and it was pushed away, only one aggressor in this picture. Such a shame.

[Ratgirl]

Well that's a shame.
Give it time, maybe he'll move on.

Loved your Journey review tho, makes me even more eager to see them next month.

[KCfla]

I'm sorry Andrew- I had hoped.........



I'm glad that you had a great time though. Can't wait to read the rest of your report(s)!

[Dux]

That shows that you were the bigger man and more mature about the whole thing and Joe came out looking like a schmuck. Shame on him! I always knew he was an egomaniac. This proves it.

You keep on rockin' Andrew.

[LadySlang9]

I love this band, but it sounds like they could use a serious "reality check."

Sorry this did not go well for you Andrew.

[KittyKat]

I adore Andrew
In no way do I think Joe Elliott is a schmuck or any of the other names he's being called though either.
He is 1.) A man who is stands by his convictions 2.) A prick when he wants to be or feels that he has to be which is imo a very good thing. 3.) No more wrong than anyone else in this saga and Joe is obviously the mouthpiece for the whole band on this particular issue which by the way is a professional not personal grievance.

I remember all too well how the exciting news leading up to the rumors and speculation of the covers album was going and absolutely did turn on a dime within the DL fan community over all this. I personally never blamed Andrew but then there's apparently a lot that we don't know about on DL's side of things that got ruined for them unintentionally I'm sure but it doesn't change the result for the band I guess. As for Joe everyone knows how sensitive he is especially over bad media reviews and Andrew is the press. How that translates to egotistical I'm not sure but I don't believe it for a minute.

[Big J]

So Andrew, did you wind up just not staying for any of the DL shows the whole time here? And will you review their stuff in the future?

I mean to me, despite them being prickly toward you, it's still in your job description to stay pretty neutral on whatever they might put out and report on it good or bad. That's just good journalism.

Then again I can see where this becomes a "why give them any more pub" deal too. I disagree with an above poster who said its a professional not a personal matter. Joe's spouted off about Andrew's character several times. Andrew's yet to call a spade a spade in return.

[jrnyman28]

I do believe Andrew has been the bigger man in all this. And he still offered a true review of Yeah! when it was released. He has said that he will still review Def Leppard and pass on DL news. And on the front page today he said he is done with the "saga"...but that does not imply he is done with the band.

I just think at this point it is foolish for the band to continue to hold a grudge.

[Demontooth]

C'mon Joe, don't be a big time douchebag!

[bbweekend]

Andrew, you've taken the high road the entire time. You've done what you can, and that is all you can do. Your efforts and enthusiasm shine through this website, and there are a lot of grateful supporters. Joe showed me the real dick that he is long ago. The world's full of them. Ass bag.

[frostbite]

At this stage, it's old news like Andrew says. I'll always love the Leps music but their (esp. Joe's) attitude over this has made them look like knobs. Shake hands, have a beer and move on.

[Daza]

I found it amusing how Elliot said that the covers album gave them the opportunity to do their most successful tour since 1988. No Joe, this covers album gave you the EXCUSE to tour again this year, like last years greatest hits gave you the EXCUSE to tour last year. (Remember, you have already had one greatest hits release) Journey on the bill helped give you your most successful tour since 1988, and that was the only reason.

Record some decent new material, do a different setlist, and do a successful tour by yourselves. Then you might start to earn some respect again. Stop living on past glories.

[RockInDetroit]

Wow, I thought this board would be for Def Leppard fans. I am surprised by all these posts.

[LadySlang9]

Wow, I thought this board would be for Def Leppard fans. I am surprised by all these posts.

Surprised how ... ?

[Andrew]

I mean to me, despite them being prickly toward you, it's still in your job description to stay pretty neutral on whatever they might put out and report on it good or bad. That's just good journalism.

I'll review the next album for sure...but until then...

[Andrew]

And thanks for the rest of the posts...I'm not looking to continue this in any way, so no comment from me!

[frostbite]

Wow, I thought this board would be for Def Leppard fans. I am surprised by all these posts.

We are Def Leppard fans here but if you look at this situation objectively, even a hardcore fan such as myself has to see that Andrew's got a hell of a raw deal here. I don't see what Andrew has done wrong to be honest. Joe's ego took a bashing and he started huffing. He's still huffing. Look, I love Leppard but they are just being knobs about this. I thought Leppard had more class to be honest.

[RockInDetroit]

It is not just about this trend. Most of the trends for Def Leppard are negative.

From what I understand this all stems from Andrew posting information about the Yeah! cd before it was released. I see no reason to be mad about that. But let me try to look at it from Joe's side. First I would like to say Andrew is the greatest. This is a great site. Maybe Joe is a little upset because Andrew seemed to critique (review) the cd before it came out. I am just guessing.

[Angiekay]

Joe's got rather a large chip on his shoulder for being in the business for over 25 years and hearing probably every negative review there could be to get his panties in a wad over a COVER album review! If it was his own written music, I could see the hurt, but he didn't even write these songs!! How immature!

[Demontooth]

Joe is pretty thin skinned that's for sure.

[dugnet]

There is surely one easy way to resolve this tiresome stand-off and that is for Andrew to write to Joe (via the webmaster at DL.com) reiterrate his apology for his early review, there is no need to apologise for the content as this does not appear to have caused particular offence, and perhaps confirm how he came to be in pocession of the material. Such a letter could remain private between Andrew and Joe and both could mutually agree if any further information should be offered by both sides to all those engrossed in the ongoing war of words.

I do think Andrew needs to make that move first as it was his decision to go to press with his view of the unfinished CD. However if a genuine apology is offered in this way he has done all he can to build a bridge with the band (and primarily Joe) and he can be comfortable.

I have no doubt got the vibe that he should keep his distance from those concerned. As Joe has questioned his integrity I feel a personal communication would go a long way to resolve this matter and would surely address the bitterness that Joe feels. Joe obviously feels aggrieved that he didn't start this spat and in, what he sees as, defending himself and the band he still feels that the initial wrong has not been corrected. Perhaps the approach of a personal letter should have been considered before the trip to LA but as this is still rumbling in the background both parties need to give some ground and try and resolve matters.

I have a great respect for the work Andrew does on melodicrock and have very much enjoyed, if not always agreeing with (e.g. on the cd in question I think it is an awesone version of Rock On), his opinions. I have a similar respect for Leppard and feel they have not got the credit they deserve from the mainstream music press.

It is a great pity that melodicrock readers will not apparently get a view on the overall package that is the Journey/Def Leppard show as a result of this nonsensical disagreement.

Here's hoping commonsense will prevail and all concerned can put this to bed and move on, I sense that if this doesn't happen both parties may begin looking stubborn at best and foolish at worst.

Rgds

The Voice of Reason.............

[KittyKat]

Great post Dugnet I read Joe's response on dl.com about all this and there's clearly two sides to every story. Very disheartening to come here and see so much negativity directed at Joe and then the Journey board to boot. Not a pleasant site to visit anymore if you're a Def Leppard fan.

[Andrew]

:idea:



I do think Andrew needs to make that move first as it was his decision to go to press with his view of the unfinished CD. However if a genuine apology is offered in this way he has done all he can to build a bridge with the band (and primarily Joe) and he can be comfortable.

I appreciate the post - but I have made the "first" move already on 2 or 3 different occasions. My time is better spent on bands that need the publicity.

[dugnet]

Fair enough, hopefully time will heal the rift or hopefully it will be ultimately forgotten.

I don't think there have been any "winners" out of all this.......