A Letter to Deano

[Mandi]

Hello Dean,

After seeing your photo posted I am feeling pretty confident that you aren't really an ogre or some kind of freakish monster. You look very human, and to me that translates into "decent and reasonable". So, I am going out on a limb here, knowing I am not a favorite of yours, and knowing that I risk embarressment and humiliation.

I don't post very much, and when I do my posts lack the expertise and musical insight that most of the other posters here display. I am not a Journey expert. I am only someone who happened to catch a Journey concert in 1998, and fell instantly in love with the music, the band, and yes dare I say it, the lead singer. I became a die-hard Augeri fan, and a Journey fan all at once. I bought every single cd of theirs they have ever made, every one. I was a casual fan, I liked Steve Perry's voice, but that was it. That changed for me in 98.

Why am I boring you with this? OK, I will get to the reason for this letter.

I hated you at first, (sorry, I know that is a very strong word) for what you claimed about Steve Augeri. I resented your obvious gift for getting your point across and making people feel belittled. I read every thing you posted. Everything. Then I began to doubt. Not you, but the band. And your claims began making sense, and I hated you for that as well.

I was there at the first show of the tour, in Camden. It was one of at least two dozen concerts I attended since 98. I could tell something was wrong with the band. They were mechanical, unsmiling, lacked energy and it was easy for a die-hard fan to see that something was very wrong. I was also at Mohegan Sun a few days later. Things were a little better, but Steve could hardly sing, could barely speak. The sound was clearly rigged to drown out the vocals. I thought about you. I thought about everything you had claimed so vehemently. You were relentless in your claims of taped vocals, and sure enough in Raleigh, everything you said fell into place. I thought about you alot during that time. I thought about one concert back in 2005, where I was in the second row, and how for one fleeting moment it seemed like Steve wasn't really singing. I thought about how I pushed that out of my mind, and soon forgot all about it. Until you brought up "tapegate". And I started to see you in a very different light.

Have you ever had your heart broken, Dean? I would guess you have. Well, it sounds stupid to most, but I was heartbroken over what happened to Steve Augeri and to Journey. Everything you said came true. You were right all along. I now believe it. I know you are thinking "big deal". But I just wanted to let you know that I have a new respect for you. I think you were heartbroken over Journey, too. And you got angry and you did something about it. That is something many people wouldn't do and I have to admire and respect you for having such deep convictions. You are a man of character, and a truthful one. Very colorful at times, but still truthful.

I don't ever agree with the Augeri bashing you do, however. And I will never change my mind about Mr. Augeri's contributions to the band. I am grateful for what he gave us, I continue to love his work on Arrival and Generations. I still like him, just not so much, if you know what I mean. I guess I am disappointed. And I don't hate you anymore. In fact, I have enormous respect for your courage, and conviction to do what you did. To believe in something so strongly and to stand up for that belief is something I wish I had more of in myself. Maybe we could all use a little more of that quality.

And now, Journey has JSS! Thank you, Dean. You stuck to your guns. I would ask you to go a little easier on Steve Augeri once in awhile but I don't want to incurr your wrath! I have a million questions, but I won't ask. I will just wait and see what happens next. I was not going to post this publicly, because I don't want to start this debate all over again. We have all had enough of that, and should leave it in the past. We have the future to look forward to, and it is looking very bright for Journey fans.

I am so sorry to everyone that this is so long. I just felt I needed to say it. Thank you Dean, for reading.

Regards,
Mandi

[Clasicrockldy]

That is a very nice letter, Mandi. Well thought out.

[journeywoman]

That is what you call a true Journey fan!

[Crazie Scarab]

Yes.. Dean was right. I doubted him at first, too..

Great post, Mandi!

Now... Let's let Journey rock forward with JSS! YEAH! Hell yeah!!

[froy]

Now... Let's let Journey rock forward with JSS! YEAH! Hell yeah!!

[/quote]

No Intrest

[Saint John]

Now... Let's let Journey rock forward with JSS! YEAH! Hell yeah!!

No Intrest[/quote]


Then get the fuck out of here. And learn how to spell too. I've noticed that you have the vocabulary of a 3rd grader.

[Monker]

Now... Let's let Journey rock forward with JSS! YEAH! Hell yeah!!

No Intrest[/quote]

What ARE you interested in...that doesn't have to be changed, modified, or some type of fantastical thing? "Your" Styx is gone. "Your" Journey is gone...what's left?

[Crazie Scarab]

Now... Let's let Journey rock forward with JSS! YEAH! Hell yeah!!

No Intrest[/quote]

No shit! Like we all didn't know that already!

[Moon Beam]

Nicely worded thoughts Mandi.
Thanks in advance as well for swelling Dean'os ego.

Kiddng fella

[Lula]

Nicely worded thoughts Mandi.
Thanks in advance as well for swelling Dean'os ego.

Kiddng fella

Right on, Moon, I agree!! Except for the kidding part

[Rockindeano]

Nicely worded thoughts Mandi.
Thanks in advance as well for swelling Dean'os ego.

Kiddng fella

Rather have a swelling ego, which I do not have, instead of a swelling meatditch.

[Rockindeano]

Mandi,

Thanks for posting this.

Look, I am just a guy, a fan, a fan with passion, and I just felt like my heart was broken (not to be taken as gay, mind you)...Anyway, you know, I hated doing this, and the way it went down, but Goddammit, someone had to do it, and who better than me. I can take heat, take abuse and give it right back ten fold.

I want to move on, as does the band. I know these guys want to move on. They know me and know what I did. They can't say anything, and I can't blame them, but it had to happen. If this had not happened, where we would be now? Seriously, where would we be as fans right at this moment? I know Jeff would be in some slinky bar singing his black ass off to Boogie Knights, and no Jeff, that is NOT a slam. I know Neal, Ross, Castro and The Frig would be up on stage NOT having a good time, and going through the motions, like last year. I wish I could do it all again, because I would do it differently. I would not be so abusive, but then again, I had a lot of shit flung my way too.

Journey are my buddies. All of them even, Friga. They know I would steal your coal to keep them warm and then come back and steal your stove. Neal Schon. Is the guy an angel? hell no. Do Ilove that guy? Fuckin A I do. jeff Scott Soto is the shit, and Ross is the all knowing Modern Marvel king. I LOVE these guys. I only did enough to affect change. I NEVER was going to go far enough to injure the band. I told the members this. They believe me.

Now, the subject at hand. This will be the last time I address this.

Steve Augeri, Dude, I do NOT hate you. In fact, I like you, I was/am just kinda sortof pissed at you. You had an impossible job filling in for that Perry guy, but you know what, you did that fine. Hell, I thought you were great. It's just this that bothered me Steve:

Man to man.

Steve, I know it was getting tough, but you had to know it wasn't right to want to go on doing this. I am not even saying you lipped..I am just saying that maybe you should have stepped down with grace and dignity. You did a Helluva job for 5 years. I, personally, just thought that the fact that you wanted to keep going along as such....well that is the thing that pissed me off the most. I don't blame you soley, no. Is Neal, Friga and others to blame? Maybe, However, I can't blame Neal for knowing or NOT knowing how much was being "PA'd" nightly. Neal has so much shit going through his mind....He has selective rememberance going on all the time. I DO blame you for not being the man who everyone says is "stand up." Steve, you should have stepped down, and I think you agree with me that it would have been a smart move.

I would love to talk to you Steve, to smooth over each and every bump;

I, as a Journey fan, want to move on. The band is pretty fucking good right now. Better than last year? Hell, Stevie Wonder could see the difference.

I stand by what I did, but I also say, "let's stop the abuse, the fighting, the ridicule" and recognize unity, if that's possible.

[Mandi]

To those of you who have read this post, and have responded with such kind and encouraging words, I can only say thank-you. If you are one of the many others who have read it, but chose not to respond, you also have my gratitude.

I realize it is a bit self-indulgent, and a clumsy attempt at self-therapy. I am also aware that it comes off as major ego-stroking, but that was a hazard I was willing to take on. Sorry, Lula! It wasn't my intent.

I only ask some others to please not hijack this thread and turn it into a pissing match. If that happens then Andrew will surely be compelled to close it and I want to make sure the message reaches the person it was intended to reach. It is a peace offering, one I needed to make, and I would like it to stay.........well, peaceful. For now, anyway. Please?

Stay Well,
Mandi

[Rockindeano]

It is a peace offering, one I needed to make, and I would like it to stay.........well, peaceful. For now, anyway. Please?

Stay Well,
Mandi

Peace offering? I took it as such. That is all I want too.

I am thinking of emailing Steve. I just am not sure if he wants that yet.

[Deb]

Bravo to both Mandi's and Deano's posts! Now lets move on.... a shot for you, a shot for you, and a shot for you.....

[A Fire Inside]

Steve Augeri, Dude, I do NOT hate you. In fact, I like you, I was/am just kinda sortof pissed at you. You had an impossible job filling in for that Perry guy, but you know what, you did that fine. Hell, I thought you were great. It's just this that bothered me Steve:

Man to man.

Steve, I know it was getting tough, but you had to know it wasn't right to want to go on doing this. I am not even saying you lipped..I am just saying that maybe you should have stepped down with grace and dignity. You did a Helluva job for 5 years. I, personally, just thought that the fact that you wanted to keep going along as such....well that is the thing that pissed me off the most. I don't blame you soley, no. Is Neal, Friga and others to blame? Maybe, However, I can't blame Neal for knowing or NOT knowing how much was being "PA'd" nightly. Neal has so much shit going through his mind....He has selective rememberance going on all the time. I DO blame you for not being the man who everyone says is "stand up." Steve, you should have stepped down, and I think you agree with me that it would have been a smart move.

Dean, this is probably of the best post I've read from you... no name-calling, no slurs, just decent honest words. I agree that Augeri absolutely should have stepped down when he could not go on live. But I am also glad you are no longer "kicking him when he's down".

Thumbs up!

[larryfromnextdoor]

wow , good post.. i think andrew should lock it now and keep bumping it back up,, alright for mandi and dean,,

[Mandi]

Well said, Deano, and very true. All of it. Thank you for your response. As someone very special said to me recently," he is the ultra fan". And you are. Once I understood that, every thing else fell into place.

I hope Mr. Augeri reads your post. That took a lot to put into print.

I am ready to enjoy Journey again, new, bright and better than ever. Like you said, lets get past it!!

Regards,
Mandi

[Rockindeano]

Well said, Deano, and very true. All of it. Thank you for your response. As someone very special said to me recently," he is the ultra fan". And you are. Once I understood that, every thing else fell into place.

I hope Mr. Augeri reads your post. That took a lot to put into print.

I am ready to enjoy Journey again, new, bright and better than ever. Like you said, lets get past it!!

Regards,
Mandi

If he didn't read it here, he can read it in his mailbox. I sent him an email.

Time to heal, and unite, and stop the division.

[Lula]

No worries, Mandi I can handle Dean. This thread is very thoughtful and appreciated. I wish more people could behave as you are.

I know people (person) is out there telling lies about Dean and myself. For the record- Dean was not paid off by the band to cut the blog. I was not in Europe to be snubbed by the band, and said "inside sources" to her do not exist. A 20 year close personal friendship with Jeff and the liar does not exist.... she knows who she is and should heed my warning- stop talking shit about me- now.

Some think there could be a defamation/libel law suit brought against Dean, but that is simply ridiculous.

Just as Mandi has done, as well as so many, it is time to move on and enjoy the music once again.

[fredinator]

Mandi, you seem very sweet... I loved your post..

Nancy

[yulog]

aww that was goooey sweeeeeeet------

[Wally_Hatchet]

I think Mandi spoke for a lot of us in that post - myself included.

[conversationpc]

Now... Let's let Journey rock forward with JSS! YEAH! Hell yeah!!

No Intrest

Then get the fuck out of here. And learn how to spell too. I've noticed that you have the vocabulary of a 3rd grader.[/quote]

Like I said in another thread...He's Monker only without the vocabulary.

[A Fire Inside]

Like I said in another thread...He's Monker only without the vocabulary.

No, even Monker hates Froy!

[styxman]

Louuuuuuuvely, so Lovely. Yul, throw me a bucket.

[Citygirl]

I'm gonna get it for saying this but to be honest I hope he tells Deano where to go.

I sure as hell wouldn't entertain that even if the whole thing was true.

[styxman]

I'm gonna get it for saying this but to be honest I hope he tells Deano where to go.

I sure as hell wouldn't entertain that even if the whole thing was true.

Dean e-mailing SA, and next he'll be tellin' us he's going to a U2 concert mellow moments pass by oh so quick

[yulog]

[Perry86fan]

Hello Dean,

After seeing your photo posted I am feeling pretty confident that you aren't really an ogre or some kind of freakish monster. You look very human, and to me that translates into "decent and reasonable". So, I am going out on a limb here, knowing I am not a favorite of yours, and knowing that I risk embarressment and humiliation.

I don't post very much, and when I do my posts lack the expertise and musical insight that most of the other posters here display. I am not a Journey expert. I am only someone who happened to catch a Journey concert in 1998, and fell instantly in love with the music, the band, and yes dare I say it, the lead singer. I became a die-hard Augeri fan, and a Journey fan all at once. I bought every single cd of theirs they have ever made, every one. I was a casual fan, I liked Steve Perry's voice, but that was it. That changed for me in 98.

Why am I boring you with this? OK, I will get to the reason for this letter.

I hated you at first, (sorry, I know that is a very strong word) for what you claimed about Steve Augeri. I resented your obvious gift for getting your point across and making people feel belittled. I read every thing you posted. Everything. Then I began to doubt. Not you, but the band. And your claims began making sense, and I hated you for that as well.

I was there at the first show of the tour, in Camden. It was one of at least two dozen concerts I attended since 98. I could tell something was wrong with the band. They were mechanical, unsmiling, lacked energy and it was easy for a die-hard fan to see that something was very wrong. I was also at Mohegan Sun a few days later. Things were a little better, but Steve could hardly sing, could barely speak. The sound was clearly rigged to drown out the vocals. I thought about you. I thought about everything you had claimed so vehemently. You were relentless in your claims of taped vocals, and sure enough in Raleigh, everything you said fell into place. I thought about you alot during that time. I thought about one concert back in 2005, where I was in the second row, and how for one fleeting moment it seemed like Steve wasn't really singing. I thought about how I pushed that out of my mind, and soon forgot all about it. Until you brought up "tapegate". And I started to see you in a very different light.

Have you ever had your heart broken, Dean? I would guess you have. Well, it sounds stupid to most, but I was heartbroken over what happened to Steve Augeri and to Journey. Everything you said came true. You were right all along. I now believe it. I know you are thinking "big deal". But I just wanted to let you know that I have a new respect for you. I think you were heartbroken over Journey, too. And you got angry and you did something about it. That is something many people wouldn't do and I have to admire and respect you for having such deep convictions. You are a man of character, and a truthful one. Very colorful at times, but still truthful.

I don't ever agree with the Augeri bashing you do, however. And I will never change my mind about Mr. Augeri's contributions to the band. I am grateful for what he gave us, I continue to love his work on Arrival and Generations. I still like him, just not so much, if you know what I mean. I guess I am disappointed. And I don't hate you anymore. In fact, I have enormous respect for your courage, and conviction to do what you did. To believe in something so strongly and to stand up for that belief is something I wish I had more of in myself. Maybe we could all use a little more of that quality.

And now, Journey has JSS! Thank you, Dean. You stuck to your guns. I would ask you to go a little easier on Steve Augeri once in awhile but I don't want to incurr your wrath! I have a million questions, but I won't ask. I will just wait and see what happens next. I was not going to post this publicly, because I don't want to start this debate all over again. We have all had enough of that, and should leave it in the past. We have the future to look forward to, and it is looking very bright for Journey fans.

I am so sorry to everyone that this is so long. I just felt I needed to say it. Thank you Dean, for reading.

Regards,
Mandi

Deano i liked it till you said that Perry guy.I believe his name is Steve Perry. And Sock boy will always be that to me. Other than that it was a nice letter from you. See i knew you was a good guy.It's time to let everyone see that. There was no way S.A. could ever fill Mr P shoes it may have been better if he just went out and sang the songs. And not try so hard to sound like Mr P. I think Jeff is what the band needs he does not try to sound like anyone but his self.