Steve Smith Question

[ScarabGator]

This may have been covered here before, if so I missed the conversation but I am wondering-Steve Smith is adamant about never returning to Journey without Steve Perry. Steve Perry fired him, along with Ross Valory in 1986. Why is SS showing such loyalty to SP after being screwed over by him? If nothing more but to spite him he should come back to Journey. I know they worked out their differences to reunite in 95 for Trial By Fire but theres still got to be a part of him that despises Perry for that entire incident. Thoughts?

[Matthew]

This may have been covered here before, if so I missed the conversation but I am wondering-Steve Smith is adamant about never returning to Journey without Steve Perry. Steve Perry fired him, along with Ross Valory in 1986. Why is SS showing such loyalty to SP after being screwed over by him? If nothing more but to spite him he should come back to Journey. I know they worked out their differences to reunite in 95 for Trial By Fire but theres still got to be a part of him that despises Perry for that entire incident. Thoughts?

Two things:

Steve Smith has owned his part in the ROR fall out and had a major attitude change in the years leading up to TBF. So he clearly no longer felt like a victim no matter how often the fans like to portray him as one.

As for the Perry issue....well, maybe he just has higher standards than anyone else in the band. Standards which are easier to stick to if you've moved on from the former glories and are happy doing something else - which in his case is jazz.

[Playitloudforme]

Steve Smith is also extremely intelligent, and knew the real 'money' machine was a Journey with Perry -- the classic line up. That's what the audiences were wanting/expecting. He also had his own vibe with Perry, as has been stated on numerous interviews, the two worked off each other during concerts. Perhaps Smith didn't think he could jam with anyone else quite the same way. He has his very lucrative and fulfilling band Vital Information, so to go to a lukewarm version of Journey didn't make sense. Just my take on it, based upon discussions and interviews.

[(Crazy)Dulce Lady]

Steve Smith is also extremely intelligent, and knew the real 'money' machine was a Journey with Perry -- the classic line up. That's what the audiences were wanting/expecting. He also had his own vibe with Perry, as has been stated on numerous interviews, the two worked off each other during concerts. Perhaps Smith didn't think he could jam with anyone else quite the same way. He has his very lucrative and fulfilling band Vital Information, so to go to a lukewarm version of Journey didn't make sense. Just my take on it, based upon discussions and interviews.

exactly. Smitty also mentions that he did Journey to get a different perspective on his playing by playing in a different genre. he said he had to modify his playing to fit the rock thing and that he really learned a lot.

I was sooooooooooooooo disappointed at ROR concert because he wasn't there. he was one of the reasons that I enjoyed Journey so much. his fills are so interesting, each one a little different. and I can still, to this day, hear something way inside that beat that is different than most rock drumming.

[ScarabGator]

Steve Smith is also extremely intelligent, and knew the real 'money' machine was a Journey with Perry -- the classic line up. That's what the audiences were wanting/expecting. He also had his own vibe with Perry, as has been stated on numerous interviews, the two worked off each other during concerts. Perhaps Smith didn't think he could jam with anyone else quite the same way. He has his very lucrative and fulfilling band Vital Information, so to go to a lukewarm version of Journey didn't make sense. Just my take on it, based upon discussions and interviews.

exactly. Smitty also mentions that he did Journey to get a different perspective on his playing by playing in a different genre. he said he had to modify his playing to fit the rock thing and that he really learned a lot.

I was sooooooooooooooo disappointed at ROR concert because he wasn't there. he was one of the reasons that I enjoyed Journey so much. his fills are so interesting, each one a little different. and I can still, to this day, hear something way inside that beat that is different than most rock drumming.

Yeah, I too am still a big of SS. I remember when the ROR album came out and he nor Ross was there, big disappointment. It actually took me a few years before I appreciated it, just because of them not there. Journey has never been a trio!!! I am a fan of Deen Castronovo and he seems like a great guy, plus he can carry the SP tune but I really miss SS. Maybe if he were there again it would help matters some.

[Matthew]

Journey has never been a trio!!!

They are in my house. I've even got a picture of just the three of them framed on my wall.

[conversationpc]

Journey has never been a trio!!!

They are in my house. I've even got a picture of just the three of them framed on my wall.

That's unfortunate.

[Matthew]

Journey has never been a trio!!!

They are in my house. I've even got a picture of just the three of them framed on my wall.

That's unfortunate.

That's what my wife says too....

[Enigma869]

As has been said here, I truly believe Steve Smith didn't view Journey as Journey, without the signature voice! In that respect, he isn't that different from many Journey fans! I also found it quite remarkable that Steve Smith seemed to have this very strong loyalty to Perry (a guy who fired him). I remember an interview with Smitty, in where he said flat-out that he would not re-join Journey if Perry wasn't the guy singing the music! Whether his reasons are loyalty or intelligence, it's tough to find fault with his thought process.


John from Boston

[mistiejourney]

Journey has never been a trio!!!

They are in my house. I've even got a picture of just the three of them framed on my wall.

That's unfortunate.

That's what my wife says too....

I had an entire wall with framed Steve Perry photos - I had bought an extra copy of the FTLOSM tourbook and framed everything in it. I put it on the wall with my autographed ROR, the poster for FTLOSM with Perry in front of mic, the three-man ROR poster and I had an 8 x 10 of Steve on the fireplace in the middle of the family shots.

I did not know the word "loon" at the time, but I'm pretty sure I fit the bill! Let's just say my hubby is very understanding.

Although, I was watching old Talisman videos the other day, the ones with Jeff in his big-hair-80s look and hubby goes "Who the hell is THAT?" I told him, "A very young Jeff Scott Soto and get used to it."

He will.

[ScarabGator]

As has been said here, I truly believe Steve Smith didn't view Journey as Journey, without the signature voice! In that respect, he isn't that different from many Journey fans! I also found it quite remarkable that Steve Smith seemed to have this very strong loyalty to Perry (a guy who fired him). I remember an interview with Smitty, in where he said flat-out that he would not re-join Journey if Perry wasn't the guy singing the music! Whether his reasons are loyalty or intelligence, it's tough to find fault with his thought process.


John from Boston

I questioned that also but I hated to say it...loyalty or intelligence. I like Smitty to much to say something negative so I'll assume loyalty....

[StoneCold]

As has been said here, I truly believe Steve Smith didn't view Journey as Journey, without the signature voice! In that respect, he isn't that different from many Journey fans! I also found it quite remarkable that Steve Smith seemed to have this very strong loyalty to Perry (a guy who fired him). I remember an interview with Smitty, in where he said flat-out that he would not re-join Journey if Perry wasn't the guy singing the music! Whether his reasons are loyalty or intelligence, it's tough to find fault with his thought process.


John from Boston

I questioned that also but I hated to say it...loyalty or intelligence. I like Smitty to much to say something negative so I'll assume loyalty....

Could be both. Perry has publicly admitted his mistake regarding Valory and Smitty. I'd guess he's expressed it privately long before TBF.

Smitty's a great example for making lemonade out of lemons. He gracefully sidestepped an "iffy" proposition and came out doing very well. Foresight and intelligence mixed with a little bit of loyalty.

No matter which, he's got respect from everyone. More power to him.

[brandonx76]

As has been said here, I truly believe Steve Smith didn't view Journey as Journey, without the signature voice! In that respect, he isn't that different from many Journey fans! I also found it quite remarkable that Steve Smith seemed to have this very strong loyalty to Perry (a guy who fired him). I remember an interview with Smitty, in where he said flat-out that he would not re-join Journey if Perry wasn't the guy singing the music! Whether his reasons are loyalty or intelligence, it's tough to find fault with his thought process.


John from Boston

I questioned that also but I hated to say it...loyalty or intelligence. I like Smitty to much to say something negative so I'll assume loyalty....

Could be both. Perry has publicly admitted his mistake regarding Valory and Smitty. I'd guess he's expressed it privately long before TBF.

Smitty's a great example for making lemonade out of lemons. He gracefully sidestepped an "iffy" proposition and came out doing very well. Foresight and intelligence mixed with a little bit of loyalty.

No matter which, he's got respect from everyone. More power to him.

Just a great drummer. We were lucky to have him in the band. I credit Smith to my initial interest in drums/drumming. Time to make a Journey Steve Smith Best-of (Let's see..La Raza, Drum Solo's from Escape Tour, Destiny (punk rock break out), New Frontiers (live)......)