Journalist Request: Fan input for Journey article

[Sarah]

I’ve been checking out some of the responses posted on this board to Arnel Pineda’s first shows with Journey, and I’ve seen some people expressing really strong opinions about the current incarnation of the band.

You should know that didn't just start with Arnel. The Journey fandom has been a shitstorm since probably before the Internet.

(Is there a difference between Augeri people and Perry people?)

Be careful... sore subject on both sides

I’d like to find out why, after all these years, the announcement of a new Journey singer still gets people fired up.

Because it's just the nature of Journey fans. Only a special type of person gets obsessed with this band, I've found. Including me, sure.

I'll email you about the rest.

[pappademas]

Thanks to everybody who's posted their thoughts here, and to everybody who's emailed me privately. (I'm in the process of getting back to all of you-- the response has been overwhelming.)

Only a special type of person gets obsessed with this band, I've found.

So what kind of person gets obsessed with Journey? I'm curious. All the things you guys have said about the Arnel vs. Perry vs. whoever else controversy have been interesting, but I'd love to hear more about what people personally relate to about the band, regardless of who's singing.

Thanks.
AP

[slucero]

Just remember that this board represents but a tiny concentrated faction of Journey's overall fanbase and opinions can be very strong and discussions often heated!

To be precise... over 100,000 MySpace adds... and over 2500 members on the Journey Forum only one month after it reopens.

AP - contact me privately and I'll put ya in touch with the folks who run the "other place" along with Journey Island in Second Life.

Steverino

[livin2do]

My introduction to Journey was "The Party's Over," from Captured. That was the first album I ever bought with my own money, which I had earned through my job delivering Pennysaver newspapers at $.12 a piece (I was 13 - I couldn't legally do hard labor yet.) A little while after that, there was a girl I liked who I knew liked Journey. She had just gotten Escape, and I brought Captured to a party she was throwing. We never really hit it off the way I had hoped - but I gave her the poster that came with the album. She had a thing for Neal Schon - 'fro and all.

So, what hooked this boy on Journey? Girls like Journey. Why I've stayed a fan for so long is not something that's easy to put my finger on though.

In 1983, Journey was the biggest band there was. My first concert was watching them and Bryan Adams at Hollender Stadium in Rochester, NY. There were 31,000 people there - I mean, this was the one show everybody wanted to be at. And I was there. I was a quarter mile away from the stage, but I was there. From that point on, everything was Journey to me. I played the drums, and was constantly frustrated that I couldn't match Steve Smith's precision. I wrote songs, trying to make them the kind of songs that huge crowds would sing - like Journey's. I bought the old records and educated myself on the whole history of the band. I tried to convince myself that Infinity was their best studio album, even after Escape and Frontiers had gone into the stratosphere.

Journey’s songs were universal. They could be about you, me or anyone. If the words were simple, complex, or made no sense at all, it didn’t matter. You could instantly relate to what Steve Perry was singing. The emotion in his voice pervaded the listener. The lyrics were hopeful, the music joyous. Journey’s music has a timeless, uplifting spirit.

So much in this world is out of our control. I think what has kept me a fan all these years is that familiarity I get from the music. I know that when I listen to Journey’s music, it just makes me feel good.

[Eric]

Thanks to everybody who's posted their thoughts here, and to everybody who's emailed me privately. (I'm in the process of getting back to all of you-- the response has been overwhelming.)

Only a special type of person gets obsessed with this band, I've found.

So what kind of person gets obsessed with Journey? I'm curious. All the things you guys have said about the Arnel vs. Perry vs. whoever else controversy have been interesting, but I'd love to hear more about what people personally relate to about the band, regardless of who's singing.

Thanks.
AP

The music is magical...there is nothing like it. The soaring vocals and guitars...the out of this world sounds....Its positive music WITH energy and edge. THAT, cannot be said much.

Why we all come online and talk about them is because over the last 13 years we've all grown accustomed to arguing with each other about everything.

[tammy]

Thanks to everybody who's posted their thoughts here, and to everybody who's emailed me privately. (I'm in the process of getting back to all of you-- the response has been overwhelming.)

Only a special type of person gets obsessed with this band, I've found.

So what kind of person gets obsessed with Journey? I'm curious. All the things you guys have said about the Arnel vs. Perry vs. whoever else controversy have been interesting, but I'd love to hear more about what people personally relate to about the band, regardless of who's singing.

Thanks.
AP

All kinds. We are regular every day people. I think it would be very difficult to put your finger on why. Personally, for me...this music (I prefer my Journey with Steve Perry...and, a twist of lime) touches the soul. It is heartfelt music, it's passionate, it's tender, it feels good...it's like...ah, never mind. And, then of course, you get pulled in & find out more than you wish.

[Jenna]

Steve Perry's voice has a way of pulling you into a song---and once he does ----there you stay------difficult to find someone else that does that. He was by far the best of the best-----imitated--never duplicated----

[Lady Luck]

Am am but one opinion, that is correct. But I have seen it all....

Have you seen this?!?

Oh geezus...LOL!

[TRAGChick]

Steve Perry's voice has a way of pulling you into a song---and once he does ----there you stay------difficult to find someone else that does that. He was by far the best of the best-----imitated--never duplicated----

Precisely!

You had a way of putting into 2 sentences what would've take me ALL DAY to get across.

Steve Perry is the whole reason why I'm a Singer. Case closed.

[Rockindeano]

Nora, spinning your CD now. Want a public review or a private one?

[Lula]

Just remember that this board represents but a tiny concentrated faction of Journey's overall fanbase and opinions can be very strong and discussions often heated!

To be precise... over 100,000 MySpace adds... and over 2500 members on the Journey Forum only one month after it reopens.

AP - contact me privately and I'll put ya in touch with the folks who run the "other place" along with Journey Island in Second Life.

Steverino

it would be nice to have an actual piece written that did not come from the 'official spin' journey camp. it is refreshing that there is an interest in what the fans are saying when they are free to speak their mind and not be censored by the journey powers that be. i would hope that if the writer wanted to do a hearts and flowers piece on the band he would have contacted them directly, so maybe, just maybe an objective piece is being written. there have been so many voices and opinions squashed by the official site it's embarrassing. andrew has allowed us all the freedom to speak our minds.... that would be an interesting article.

[slucero]

Just remember that this board represents but a tiny concentrated faction of Journey's overall fanbase and opinions can be very strong and discussions often heated!

To be precise... over 100,000 MySpace adds... and over 2500 members on the Journey Forum only one month after it reopens.

AP - contact me privately and I'll put ya in touch with the folks who run the "other place" along with Journey Island in Second Life.

Steverino

it would be nice to have an actual piece written that did not come from the 'official spin' journey camp. it is refreshing that there is an interest in what the fans are saying when they are free to speak their mind and not be censored by the journey powers that be. i would hope that if the writer wanted to do a hearts and flowers piece on the band he would have contacted them directly, so maybe, just maybe an objective piece is being written. there have been so many voices and opinions squashed by the official site it's embarrassing. andrew has allowed us all the freedom to speak our minds.... that would be an interesting article.

why not one article.. with all perspectives.....

... and what makes you think he hasn't already contacted them....

[Lula]

i don't know whether or not he has contacted them, i was responding to what you said. all perspectives are represented here in an uncensored capacity. there wouldn't be so many heated discussions if this site only had one perspective represented. i don't care if the writer contacts journey for yet another fluff piece, just adding my 2 cents.

[perryfaithful]

but I'd love to hear more about what people personally relate to about the band, regardless of who's singing.

Thanks.
AP

can't get beyond the "who's singing!!"

[Panther]

The only question I have is.... Will Mr. Pappas come back in and let us know when/if said piece will actually be published and in which issue? Can you just imagine the spike in sales just from the fans?

[Lora]

it would be nice to have an actual piece written that did not come from the 'official spin' journey camp. it is refreshing that there is an interest in what the fans are saying when they are free to speak their mind and not be censored by the journey powers that be. i would hope that if the writer wanted to do a hearts and flowers piece on the band he would have contacted them directly, so maybe, just maybe an objective piece is being written. there have been so many voices and opinions squashed by the official site it's embarrassing. andrew has allowed us all the freedom to speak our minds.... that would be an interesting article.

Very nicely said, Wyatt's momma.

[Sarah]

Only a special type of person gets obsessed with this band, I've found.

So what kind of person gets obsessed with Journey? I'm curious. All the things you guys have said about the Arnel vs. Perry vs. whoever else controversy have been interesting, but I'd love to hear more about what people personally relate to about the band, regardless of who's singing.

I wish I knew. I guess it's what Eric said... we're used to arguing. Journey fans are hilariously stubborn.

over 100,000 MySpace adds

Only a small percentage of those are diehards or probably even people who know more songs than DSB and AWYWI.

[jrnychick]

Hi Alex-- I'll send off an email when I have a chance. It's great that you want to include the fans' opinions in your article!

[no1uknow]

Hello Alex,

Steve Perry IS Journey to me. His voice touches my very soul. The intensity in his eyes when he sings, his body language, his mouth.....is all magical. No other singer could ever replace his classics and Journey will never be whole again without him. It makes me sad to see them perform with someone else singing his songs. It is like having a limb missing. (If you can imagine what I mean)?

[perryfaithful]

Wondering how the article is going.

Anyone hear??

[ohsherrie]

but I'd love to hear more about what people personally relate to about the band, regardless of who's singing.

Thanks.
AP

can't get beyond the "who's singing!!"

That's me too. It was The Voice of Steve Perry singing the music that he created with them that made me a Journey fan and it's not really Journey to me without that voice. Nobody else sounds like him. Just hitting high notes isn't singing like Perry.

[The Sushi Hunter]

So did the band tell you to come here for opinions?

nope, just came across the boards while researching the story.

Is your name Susie?

[slucero]

over 100,000 MySpace adds

Only a small percentage of those are diehards or probably even people who know more songs than DSB and AWYWI.

... and you have proof of this how....

[ohsherrie]

over 100,000 MySpace adds

Only a small percentage of those are diehards or probably even people who know more songs than DSB and AWYWI.

... and you have proof of this how....

I'm not sure what you consider a diehard but I'm one of the 100,000 on MySpace and one of the 2500 you mentioned in the quote below.

and over 2500 members on the Journey Forum only one month after it reopens.

And it's not because I want anything at all to do with what's calling itself Journey now. I know of several other people that applies to also.

[Deb]

Awwww.....look at Wyatt and his lil wombat! Simply adorable, great AV Lu.

[Rockindeano]

And it's not because I want anything at all to do with what's calling itself Journey now. I know of several other people that applies to also.

Jesus Christ, we get it. You don't like Journey without Perry. My God, give it a fucking rest already.

[Rick]

And it's not because I want anything at all to do with what's calling itself Journey now. I know of several other people that applies to also.

Jesus Christ, we get it. You don't like Journey without Perry. My God, give it a fucking rest already.

Yep, it was Journey before Perry and it's Journey after. Journey was more successful with Perry, but Van Halen was more successful with Hagar. Doesn't make it any less Van Halen without Hagar.

[sniper16]

as you can tell there are many factions of journeydom
the steve perry is lord of all things people
the steve perry is journey people
the neal people
the people who just appreciate the music
the people who never knew who jeff scott soto was but now believe he is the lord and savior
and many more.

[slucero]

over 100,000 MySpace adds

Only a small percentage of those are diehards or probably even people who know more songs than DSB and AWYWI.

... and you have proof of this how....

I'm not sure what you consider a diehard but I'm one of the 100,000 on MySpace and one of the 2500 you mentioned in the quote below.

and over 2500 members on the Journey Forum only one month after it reopens.

And it's not because I want anything at all to do with what's calling itself Journey now. I know of several other people that applies to also.

OK - so "several other people" equals... 100,000? I asked for "proof" not supposition....

[Sarah]

over 100,000 MySpace adds

Only a small percentage of those are diehards or probably even people who know more songs than DSB and AWYWI.

... and you have proof of this how....

TBH you're fooling yourself if you truly believe that most of those 100,000 people know much more than the greatest hits. Do you have proof that they do? Journey's Myspace is likely a true sample of the full fanbase.