Jonathan Cain Appreciation Thread

[Tito]

Since most of the time, the legendary Jonathan, or Jon if you prefer, Cain is unjustly and unfairly criticized. I thought it was good time to start this appreciation thread for this fine musician and better person. This much maligned man has brought us all here to celebrate the great music of Journey, which he helped create. Although, a lot of us love the '78 to '80 era, and even the pre-Perry days, I think it's safe to say we are all here because of the Cain era.

From his humble beginnings in blue-collar, Franklin Park, Illinois, Jon Cain has never forgot where he came from and is a true American success story. His loyalty, love of family, and hard work still persists. After all these years (no pun intended), this man continues to work hard and give the fans what they want - great music. He has also given others a chance of a lifetime (no pun intended again). He has rewarded other long-time, hard working musicians by giving them a chance in this super group as well as in other projects. Very few people would give unknowns chances like that, not only in music but in any business. I think it's safe to say, if there were more Jon Cain's in this world, the world would be a better place.

So at this time, I would like to personally thank Jon Cain for all that he has done. I would also like to congratulate him on the excellent, Top 5 (for two weeks) CD, Revelation. Finally, I like to say, you are appreciated and I wish you the best of luck for the future.


Others feel free to post your kind words, thoughts, and thanks to this great man. Please keep it clean and leave the bashing at home. This man does not deserve it. Even if you have taken an unfair shot(s) at this man, now is the time and place to thank this man. He’s a forgiving man, also. He has a good heart.

[bluejeangirl76]

I appreciate the way he looked when he joined the band.
I used to say he was the 2nd best looking one on the band.

(is that good? see... I can behave. and I actually meant that ^)

[stevew2]

I love you Friga, now that it is legal, Ill fly to Cal, and we will get married now.You can come out of the closet ,I know your gay,I could tell by the DVD.Ditching the whale for a black piano doesnt hide your gayness{like the way you ditch singers} You are a good musician,but that is it,go have a couple glasss of wine,and examine yourself.

[Rhiannon]

Jonathan's not always been my favorite guy, there have been moments. I spent a good portion of 2007 pissed as hell at him b/c... well, I had my reasons, and those of you who know me, know what those were. However, a couple of weeks ago I softened up a bit. Again, I have my reasons. I'd like to thank him, and a gracious colleage of his who always at least tried to accommodate my last minute ticket bargaining. (I owe someone a margarita over some Jimmy Buffet tunes!)

He's not evil as some would claim, and he's no angel either... but he does what he does in the best interest of the music. I respect that much.

Anything else is none of my business, nor would I have it be.

[Tito]

Jbut he does what he does in the best interest of the music. I respect that much.

What it takes to win!

[Saint John]

I'll play along. I think the most important thing Friga (that pisses Tito off ) has brought to Journey is song writing. From Faithfully to After All These Years the guy is able to write some pretty poignant stuff. The guy seems to have a connection with what everyday people go through and expresses that quite well lyrically. The latest album is no exception, and man does he have some good hooks on Revelation. His playing has been resurrected.

[stevew2]

Jbut he does what he does in the best interest of the music. I respect that much.

What it takes to win!

Make sure you dont stand in front of the bus when they pull out,Friga likes to drive the bus, you ll be run over

[Rhiannon]

but he does what he does in the best interest of the music. I respect that much.

What it takes to win!

What it takes to win is to never walk away.

[Tito]

The guy seems to have a connection with what everyday people go through and expresses that quite well lyrically.

Like I said, the man never forgot where he came from.

I think the most important thing Friga (that pisses Tito off )

It's CAIN!

[stevew2]

The guy seems to have a connection with what everyday people go through and expresses that quite well lyrically.

Like I said, the man never forgot where he came from.

I think the most important thing Friga (that pisses Tito off )

It's CAIN!

FRIGA

[Centaure]

Cain is a very good pop songwriter and a fairly good keyboardist. A lot of fans love Journey because of him (he is the man behind Open Arms and Faithfully, ...) because he writes great ballads.

When he replaced Rolie, Journey clearly moved into a more commercial direction. He used a lot of 80ies keyboard sounds, and when you listen to Frontiers or ROR, it sounds pretty dated (more than the Hammond B-3 tha Rolie used, IMO).

For sure, without Cain, Journey would not have been that commercially sucessfull. But it may be a problem too, because Journey is more remembered for his commercial sucess than his artistic sucess.

[Matthew]

Oh God...the usual string of cliches and half-truths....make an effort Centaure!

Cain is a very good pop songwriter and a fairly good keyboardist. A lot of fans love Journey because of him (he is the man behind Open Arms and Faithfully, ...) because he writes great ballads.

And he co-wrote all of Journey's heaviest rock songs as well....

When he replaced Rolie, Journey clearly moved into a more commercial direction.

They became more successful but the commercial direction had already been taken in 1978.

He used a lot of 80ies keyboard sounds, and when you listen to Frontiers or ROR, it sounds pretty dated (more than the Hammond B-3 tha Rolie used, IMO).

The keyboards on - say - Daydream are every bit as dated as anything on Frontiers.

For sure, without Cain, Journey would not have been that commercially sucessfull. But it may be a problem too, because Journey is more remembered for his commercial sucess than his artistic sucess.

Except that Journey were already shifting millions of records and getting panned by the critics before Cain joined. I love this idea that they were somehow credible and underground betwen 1978 and 1980. Have you heard Anyway You Want It before?

[bluejeangirl76]

Except that Journey were already shifting millions of records and getting panned by the critics before Cain joined.

Right. And the first chart hit they had was....? Anyone? Bueller?
And who's the only credited writer on it? I'll give a hint...

<----


(alright. that was loony. I admit it.)

[Rhiannon]

I wish Cain and Perry could get back to being besties. Look at that arm strewn gently upon his shoulder... they were besties.

[bluejeangirl76]

I wish Cain and Perry could get back to being besties. Look at that arm strewn gently upon his shoulder... they were besties.

Yeah the arm... but what about the look on his face?

"Just take the fucking picture already... grrr."

[Red13JoePa]

I love you Friga, now that it is legal, Ill fly to Cal, and we will get married now. Go have a couple glasss of wine,and examine yourself.

Cooperstown stuff.

[Rhiannon]

Yeah the arm... but what about the look on his face?

"Just take the fucking picture already... grrr."

I like how they recycle too... those old couches turned into some really good blazer-jacket fabric.

[Tito]

I think this thread is going well. Just a friendly reminder, please try to stay on topic. This is not to be used as a comparsion between Cain or Rolie or anybody else. That will be for another thread and day.

Would some of the people who know Cain better than most like to add something? Cyndy! and Lora? Andrew? You've done many interviews with him, I'm sure you have a kind tale.

[Tito]

Yeah the arm... but what about the look on his face?

"Just take the fucking picture already... grrr."

I like how they recycle too... those old couches turned into some really good blazer-jacket fabric.

Another positive. He's enviroment friendly.

[Michigan Girl]

I think this thread is going well. Just a friendly reminder, please try to stay on topic. This is not to be used as a comparsion between Cain or Rolie or anybody else. That will be for another thread and day.

Would some of the people who know Cain better than most like to add something? Cyndy! and Lora? Andrew? You've done many interviews with him, I'm sure you have a kind tale.

Thanks to CAIN....I miss GR so much !!!!!!

[Saint John]

Another positive. He's enviroment friendly.

You'd call him a fucking blood donor if he stabbed his mother!!!

[Rhiannon]

Lol...

[Tito]

Another positive. He's enviroment friendly.

You'd call him a fucking blood donor if he stabbed his mother!!!

He wouldn't do that, he has family values. However, I'm more than sure he's filled out an organ donor card.

[Rhiannon]

I used to say he was the 2nd best looking one on the band.

He has always had good hair. Seems to have a good personal hygiene as well.

[Michigan Girl]

I used to say he was the 2nd best looking one on the band.

He has always had good hair. Seems to have a good personal hygiene as well.

I always thought....it would've been nice if he had had braces and tear ducts!!!

[Red13JoePa]

Another positive. He's enviroment friendly.

You'd call him a fucking blood donor if he stabbed his mother!!!

He wouldn't do that, he has family values. However, I'm more than sure he's filled out an organ donor card.

LOL, I just heard SteveW2 crack his knuckles from here over this one.

[RedWingFan]

It's CAIN!

"His mama called him Friga! I call him Friga!"

[Tito]

It's CAIN!

"His mama called him Friga! I call him Friga!"

He's proud of his name and heritage. But, he probably changed his name, so his family wouldn't be harrassed when he became a star. Or, and only a very small chance, did he change it via the witness protection program.

[Tito]

I love you Friga, now that it is legal, Ill fly to Cal, and we will get married now.You can come out of the closet ,I know your gay,I could tell by the DVD.Ditching the whale for a black piano doesnt hide your gayness{like the way you ditch singers} You are a good musician,but that is it,go have a couple glasss of wine,and examine yourself.

By the way, that is disturbing.

[Red13JoePa]

I love you Friga, now that it is legal, Ill fly to Cal, and we will get married now.You can come out of the closet ,I know your gay,I could tell by the DVD.Ditching the whale for a black piano doesnt hide your gayness{like the way you ditch singers} You are a good musician,but that is it,go have a couple glasss of wine,and examine yourself.

By the way, that is disturbing.

Ha ha!
Look at what I pared his post down to above, and it's even BETTER. Has real quick-hitting impact