Should Journey return to Sony

[Don]

I know the Greatest Hits 2 isn't selling like gangbusters but it is moving more than I expected. Now, if Sony had been behind Eclipse, would that album have had a better chance? AC- DC released under Sony and still had their exclusive with Wal-Mart so that part of the equation wouldn't have been a problem.

Sony slapped the same cover on the GH2, just changing it from red to blue and it's still selling great as a digital download. Minimal effort but because they are Sony, the album moves units even without anything new on the disc.

Nomota on the other hand has absolutely no digital marketing presence despite a lot of the newer fans being of the generation that has no interest in buying a physical product. Would teaming up with Sony for one last release be a way for the band to go out with one last hurrah at retail?

[Jeremey]

I know the Greatest Hits 2 isn't selling like gangbusters but it is moving more than I expected. Now, if Sony had been behind Eclipse, would that album have had a better chance? AC- DC released under Sony and still had their exclusive with Wal-Mart so that part of the equation wouldn't have been a problem.

Sony slapped the same cover on the GH2, just changing it from red to blue and it's still selling great as a digital download. Minimal effort but because they are Sony, the album moves units even without anything new on the disc.

Nomota on the other hand has absolutely no digital marketing presence despite a lot of the newer fans being of the generation that has no interest in buying a physical product. Would teaming up with Sony for one last release be a way for the band to go out with one last hurrah at retail?

In short, no.

[Don]

I know the Greatest Hits 2 isn't selling like gangbusters but it is moving more than I expected. Now, if Sony had been behind Eclipse, would that album have had a better chance? AC- DC released under Sony and still had their exclusive with Wal-Mart so that part of the equation wouldn't have been a problem.

Sony slapped the same cover on the GH2, just changing it from red to blue and it's still selling great as a digital download. Minimal effort but because they are Sony, the album moves units even without anything new on the disc.

Nomota on the other hand has absolutely no digital marketing presence despite a lot of the newer fans being of the generation that has no interest in buying a physical product. Would teaming up with Sony for one last release be a way for the band to go out with one last hurrah at retail?

In short, no.

Okay.

[Gideon]

/thread?

[Don]

/thread?

Well, now that Jeremey and Neal have voted...Yes, perhaps so.

[Gideon]

/thread?

Well, now that Jeremey and Neal have voted...Yes, perhaps so.

How can you tell if it's Neal? Is Jeremey's vote taller?

[Jeremey]

All kidding aside, one word for you Don: Arrival.

[Don]

/thread?

Well, now that Jeremey and Neal have voted...Yes, perhaps so.

How can you tell if it's Neal? Is Jeremey's vote taller?

Because there's a wiff of scarecrow in the air.

[Gideon]

/thread?

Well, now that Jeremey and Neal have voted...Yes, perhaps so.

How can you tell if it's Neal? Is Jeremey's vote taller?

Because there's a wiff of scarecrow in the air.

Wrong Batman villain.

[Don]

All kidding aside, one word for you Don: Arrival.

Aha, but that was before Sony went up against the ten dollar CD from Wal-Mart and saw their own business model become a relic. With this new copyright law going into effect for quite a few artists who will be able to get their catalogs back, I was thinking Sony might want to play ball with some of the bands that won't benefit from that.

[Jeremey]

All kidding aside, one word for you Don: Arrival.

Aha, but that was before Sony went up against the ten dollar CD from Wal-Mart and saw their own business model become a relic. With this new copyright law going into effect for quite a few artists who will be able to get their catalogs back, I was thinking Sony might want to play ball with the bands that won't benefit from that.

Well you just answered your own question.

I think the real dynamic would be, should Journey cut ties with Azoff Music Management and become self managed in the twilight of their career. Sammy had Irving's number I believe...Azoff Corp is interested in trotting out the GH tours every summer, which there's nothing wrong with. But if JRNY really wanted to get serious about promoting new and different avenues for the band, the stage is very well set for them to handle it on their own. Though I don't think anyone in that camp has the stomach for it these days.

[Don]

All kidding aside, one word for you Don: Arrival.

Aha, but that was before Sony went up against the ten dollar CD from Wal-Mart and saw their own business model become a relic. With this new copyright law going into effect for quite a few artists who will be able to get their catalogs back, I was thinking Sony might want to play ball with the bands that won't benefit from that.

Well you just answered your own question.

I think the real dynamic would be, should Journey cut ties with Azoff Music Management and become self managed in the twilight of their career. Sammy had Irving's number I believe...Azoff Corp is interested in trotting out the GH tours every summer, which there's nothing wrong with. But if JRNY really wanted to get serious about promoting new and different avenues for the band, the stage is very well set for them to handle it on their own. Though I don't think anyone in that camp has the stomach for it these days.

Hmm, If they cut ties with Azoff, I wonder if he would hold it against them and they would have to play AEG venues. I'm assuming Azoff is the reason they have never played Staples Center.

[AR]

Does Sony even matter anymore?

And if they did, would a major label care?

[Don]

Does Sony even matter anymore?

And if they did, would a major label care?

Sony was with American Idol until just a few years ago and now they're with the next big in the X-Factor. They still matter when it comes to new Artists at least.

[Jeremey]

The only thing major labels matter to are new artists that are playing the trends...And very few new artists break each year - Better than it has been over the past few years actually, but nonetheless acts like Journey have no need for a major label, and major labels really have no interest in anything new from acts like Journey. Journey would still do well selling out wherever, LiveNation (& Azoff by proxy) run all the big sheds anyhoo....And it's a money business. Azoff isn't going to hold grudges when he can get the cut of the gate at a JRNY greatest hits tour, even if it won't be his standard 20% of everything. But like I said, I do not believe Journey has the spark at this point (nor the real driving need) to strike out on their own.

[AR]

Does Sony even matter anymore?

And if they did, would a major label care?

Sony was with American Idol until just a few years ago and now they're with the next big in the X-Factor. They still matter when it comes to new Artists at least.

Look at my avatar and see what I think about that.

I'm the one who wants a serial killer to target contestants on those shows.

I get your point though.

[Hollywood]

All kidding aside, one word for you Don: Arrival.

Aha, but that was before Sony went up against the ten dollar CD from Wal-Mart and saw their own business model become a relic. With this new copyright law going into effect for quite a few artists who will be able to get their catalogs back, I was thinking Sony might want to play ball with the bands that won't benefit from that.

Well you just answered your own question.

I think the real dynamic would be, should Journey cut ties with Azoff Music Management and become self managed in the twilight of their career. Sammy had Irving's number I believe...Azoff Corp is interested in trotting out the GH tours every summer, which there's nothing wrong with. But if JRNY really wanted to get serious about promoting new and different avenues for the band, the stage is very well set for them to handle it on their own. Though I don't think anyone in that camp has the stomach for it these days.

Hmm, If they cut ties with Azoff, I wonder if he would hold it against them and they would have to play AEG venues. I'm assuming Azoff is the reason they have never played Staples Center.

They played the Staples Center in 2003.

[artist4perry]

Greatest Hits II is not even on the shelves here yet. Maybe it isn't all across the nation yet. That may be affecting some of the sales.

[scarygirl]

I am half kidding here, but they should get Jon Bon Jovi to manage them. With the exception of the last few years, he managed to snake out hits long after the band's hey day.

I have on my rain coat and umbrella in place for the eventual tomato flinging.

Or they could always ask/beg Steve......

[jrny84]

All kidding aside, one word for you Don: Arrival.

Aha, but that was before Sony went up against the ten dollar CD from Wal-Mart and saw their own business model become a relic. With this new copyright law going into effect for quite a few artists who will be able to get their catalogs back, I was thinking Sony might want to play ball with the bands that won't benefit from that.

Well you just answered your own question.

I think the real dynamic would be, should Journey cut ties with Azoff Music Management and become self managed in the twilight of their career. Sammy had Irving's number I believe...Azoff Corp is interested in trotting out the GH tours every summer, which there's nothing wrong with. But if JRNY really wanted to get serious about promoting new and different avenues for the band, the stage is very well set for them to handle it on their own. Though I don't think anyone in that camp has the stomach for it these days.

Hmm, If they cut ties with Azoff, I wonder if he would hold it against them and they would have to play AEG venues. I'm assuming Azoff is the reason they have never played Staples Center.

They played the Staples Center in 2003.

I wonder why they havent played their in the last 3-4 years?

[Don]

Greatest Hits II is not even on the shelves here yet. Maybe it isn't all across the nation yet. That may be affecting some of the sales.

I don't think it's available at all retailers. Target doesn't appear to be carrying it. The original Greatest hits came out the gate slowly also. I think Sony will be more than happy if this moves a few thousand units a month like Volume 1 does.

[Don]

All kidding aside, one word for you Don: Arrival.

Aha, but that was before Sony went up against the ten dollar CD from Wal-Mart and saw their own business model become a relic. With this new copyright law going into effect for quite a few artists who will be able to get their catalogs back, I was thinking Sony might want to play ball with the bands that won't benefit from that.

Well you just answered your own question.

I think the real dynamic would be, should Journey cut ties with Azoff Music Management and become self managed in the twilight of their career. Sammy had Irving's number I believe...Azoff Corp is interested in trotting out the GH tours every summer, which there's nothing wrong with. But if JRNY really wanted to get serious about promoting new and different avenues for the band, the stage is very well set for them to handle it on their own. Though I don't think anyone in that camp has the stomach for it these days.

Hmm, If they cut ties with Azoff, I wonder if he would hold it against them and they would have to play AEG venues. I'm assuming Azoff is the reason they have never played Staples Center.

They played the Staples Center in 2003.

I wonder why they havent played their in the last 3-4 years?

May 20 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center. With REO and Styx. If this is the tour where they got played under the table, maybe they've got bad memories from there.

I can't imagine why they haven't returned. It's a premiere arena with outstanding acoustics and has four times the seating of the Greek Theatre which they played in 2008.

I do understand them playing the Hollywood Bowl this year though. Hard to do this when you're in a building.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZf7HVHivDQ

[jrny84]

All kidding aside, one word for you Don: Arrival.

Aha, but that was before Sony went up against the ten dollar CD from Wal-Mart and saw their own business model become a relic. With this new copyright law going into effect for quite a few artists who will be able to get their catalogs back, I was thinking Sony might want to play ball with the bands that won't benefit from that.

Well you just answered your own question.

I think the real dynamic would be, should Journey cut ties with Azoff Music Management and become self managed in the twilight of their career. Sammy had Irving's number I believe...Azoff Corp is interested in trotting out the GH tours every summer, which there's nothing wrong with. But if JRNY really wanted to get serious about promoting new and different avenues for the band, the stage is very well set for them to handle it on their own. Though I don't think anyone in that camp has the stomach for it these days.

Hmm, If they cut ties with Azoff, I wonder if he would hold it against them and they would have to play AEG venues. I'm assuming Azoff is the reason they have never played Staples Center.

They played the Staples Center in 2003.

I wonder why they havent played their in the last 3-4 years?

May 20 - Los Angeles, CA - Staples Center. With REO and Styx. If this is the tour where they got played under the table, maybe they've got bad memories from there.

I can't imagine why they haven't returned. It's a premiere arena with outstanding acoustics and has four times the seating of the Greek Theatre which they played in 2008.

I do understand them playing the Hollywood Bowl this year though. Hard to do this when you're in a building.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZf7HVHivDQ

I think its also been since 2003, when they last played the Palace of Auburn Hills in Detroit, which is a premiere venue for concerts. I believe the last time they played there was with Peter Frampton and John Waite. The place can sit over 20,000.

[jrny84]

Greatest Hits II is not even on the shelves here yet. Maybe it isn't all across the nation yet. That may be affecting some of the sales.

I don't think it's available at all retailers. Target doesn't appear to be carrying it. The original Greatest hits came out the gate slowly also. I think Sony will be more than happy if this moves a few thousand units a month like Volume 1 does.

I was in Best Buy and FYI music store on the mall yesterday and their greatest hits 2 was right in the front of both stores in with the new releases. Seem to be a good amount of cds sitting there. I also noticed the combo cd box set of greatest hits 1 and 2 on the shelves.

[Kor'n]

I know the Greatest Hits 2 isn't selling like gangbusters but it is moving more than I expected. Now, if Sony had been behind Eclipse, would that album have had a better chance? AC- DC released under Sony and still had their exclusive with Wal-Mart so that part of the equation wouldn't have been a problem.

Sony slapped the same cover on the GH2, just changing it from red to blue and it's still selling great as a digital download. Minimal effort but because they are Sony, the album moves units even without anything new on the disc.

Nomota on the other hand has absolutely no digital marketing presence despite a lot of the newer fans being of the generation that has no interest in buying a physical product. Would teaming up with Sony for one last release be a way for the band to go out with one last hurrah at retail?

Did I miss something? Why would Sony want this new incarnation of Journey back? Why would Sony damage the legacy selling music by entertaining any interest in Neal Schon's guitar band? Sony seems to have made its interest perfectly clear with release of the Greatest Hits 2 - "Steve Perry fronted Journey." Pretty sure the big colossal flop of Eclipse, even though "DSB" is booming, more or less cemented that thought.