with Rascal Flatts

[YoungJRNY]

Anyone hear Arnel speak English? You can barely understand him. Him singing the way he does is pretty damn impressive givin' the task he was approached with virtually out of nowhere in 2008. I believe Cain/Schon tried to soften up his English but I don't think they ever tried to completley change his delivery or pronounciation. He never properly had or has the means to go from Filipino, to straight American like some people here think he should of.

They brought him to the states, made an album & went straight on tour. On top of that, Arnel has hit super-stardom not only with Journey, but his own people when he's NOT with Journey, so that means he's been busy with the Filipino-crowds since his arrival as Journey's front-man when he goes back home. He's LITERALLY juggling two cultures into one singing voice. As I said, you should hear him speak English, especially in person. If you ever did, then you'd give the guy more credit and deal with what is & and that is he'll always sing with a slight accent. I think it's nit-picking at its finest. The dude delivers night in and night out. You don't have to like Neal, Cain or anybody else in charge of the new-face Journey but I respect the hell out of their lead singers. No, they aren't Perry, but Steve A and Arnel busted and are busting their ass respectively to keep the music going. I'm grateful for that.

[AR]

Anyone hear Arnel speak English? You can barely understand him. Him singing the way he does is pretty damn impressive givin' the task he was approached with virtually out of nowhere in 2008. I believe Cain/Schon tried to soften up his English but I don't think they ever tried to completley change his delivery or pronounciation. He never properly had or has the means to go from Filipino, to straight American like some people here think he should of.

They brought him to the states, made an album & went straight on tour. On top of that, Arnel has hit super-stardom not only with Journey, but his own people when he's NOT with Journey, so that means he's been busy with the Filipino-crowds since his arrival as Journey's front-man when he goes back home. He's LITERALLY juggling two cultures into one singing voice. As I said, you should hear him speak English, especially in person. If you ever did, then you'd give the guy more credit and deal with what is & and that is he'll always sing with a slight accent. I think it's nit-picking at its finest. The dude delivers night in and night out. You don't have to like Neal, Cain or anybody else in charge of the new-face Journey but I respect the hell out of their lead singers. No, they aren't Perry, but Steve A and Arnel busted and are busting their ass respectively to keep the music going. I'm grateful for that.

Very true and I have grown to appreciate him.

The criticisms are valid though.

Neal is a dick and will toss him aside the second he has lost his usefulness. That's a fact.

I pray Arnel ditches these guys and I will go see him in a heartbeat live once he does.

Love Arnel's cover of "Alone" by Heart.

[donnaplease]

Anyone hear Arnel speak English? You can barely understand him. Him singing the way he does is pretty damn impressive givin' the task he was approached with virtually out of nowhere in 2008. I believe Cain/Schon tried to soften up his English but I don't think they ever tried to completley change his delivery or pronounciation. He never properly had or has the means to go from Filipino, to straight American like some people here think he should of.

They brought him to the states, made an album & went straight on tour. On top of that, Arnel has hit super-stardom not only with Journey, but his own people when he's NOT with Journey, so that means he's been busy with the Filipino-crowds since his arrival as Journey's front-man when he goes back home. He's LITERALLY juggling two cultures into one singing voice. As I said, you should hear him speak English, especially in person. If you ever did, then you'd give the guy more credit and deal with what is & and that is he'll always sing with a slight accent. I think it's nit-picking at its finest. The dude delivers night in and night out. You don't have to like Neal, Cain or anybody else in charge of the new-face Journey but I respect the hell out of their lead singers. No, they aren't Perry, but Steve A and Arnel busted and are busting their ass respectively to keep the music going. I'm grateful for that.

With all due respect Travis, it's not nit-picking to expect to hear the songs being sung as they were originated, ESPECIALLY when the idea behind hiring him was to "get back to the legacy sound", as told to us by both Neal and Jon. They can't have it both ways - legacy sound does not include an asian accent. If you're willing to accept the difference in delivery, that's great. But you're perfectly explaining why it doesn't work for me and many like me.

Furthermore, the fact that you totally disregarded JSS as one of their lead singers hurts your argument IMO. Hell, he not only "busted his ass to keep the music going", he dropped everything to keep the '06 TOUR going. He bailed them out when he stepped in, and he impressed the hell outta me. Made me a fan of Journey all over again. But it's all good - you keep going to Journey shows and I'll keep going to see JSS in his QE and other shows - they're both singing songs that someone else made famous.

[KDOUBLEU]

That performance pretty much sucked..

[YoungJRNY]

Anyone hear Arnel speak English? You can barely understand him. Him singing the way he does is pretty damn impressive givin' the task he was approached with virtually out of nowhere in 2008. I believe Cain/Schon tried to soften up his English but I don't think they ever tried to completley change his delivery or pronounciation. He never properly had or has the means to go from Filipino, to straight American like some people here think he should of.

They brought him to the states, made an album & went straight on tour. On top of that, Arnel has hit super-stardom not only with Journey, but his own people when he's NOT with Journey, so that means he's been busy with the Filipino-crowds since his arrival as Journey's front-man when he goes back home. He's LITERALLY juggling two cultures into one singing voice. As I said, you should hear him speak English, especially in person. If you ever did, then you'd give the guy more credit and deal with what is & and that is he'll always sing with a slight accent. I think it's nit-picking at its finest. The dude delivers night in and night out. You don't have to like Neal, Cain or anybody else in charge of the new-face Journey but I respect the hell out of their lead singers. No, they aren't Perry, but Steve A and Arnel busted and are busting their ass respectively to keep the music going. I'm grateful for that.

Very true and I have grown to appreciate him.

The criticisms are valid though..

I agree. If there is no such criticism thrown one's way, you simply haven't arrived to stardom. There will always be critics, but coming down on a Filipino singing for an American band and rag on his for diction issue's is kind of something he probably can't change. He's changed his diction. I've seen live performances/boots where he nailed every note, timing and stayed true to his key but singing night after night & performing the same songs hundreds of times over is when fatigue sets in. We've all been to exhaustion and fall back into our comfort zone when fatigue sets in so Arnel's accent will never go away, period. I'll give him that pass everytime.

With all due respect Travis, it's not nit-picking to expect to hear the songs being sung as they were originated, ESPECIALLY when the idea behind hiring him was to "get back to the legacy sound", as told to us by both Neal and Jon. They can't have it both ways - legacy sound does not include an asian accent. If you're willing to accept the difference in delivery, that's great. But you're perfectly explaining why it doesn't work for me and many like me.

Not everyone is going to support every decision their favorite band makes. Hell, for Arnel to rise above what he has within the MAJORITY of the BRUTAL Journey fanbase for just being from another country ALONE is phenomenal. As you've said before, you've heard the best of the best, the original. Steve Perry IS Steve Perry and you've had the privilege of seeing Journey at their peak. Sometimes, people take that for granted and use that against new singers when it should be the other way around because people like myself never had the opportunity to see such a thing. They only exist on record or DVD. For my sake and for the people who never saw the Perry years, Steve A, Arnel, and yes, JSS has carried that torch for me and I'm forever grateful for that to see the band able to still rock out, diction issues or not.

Furthermore, the fact that you totally disregarded JSS as one of their lead singers hurts your argument IMO. Hell, he not only "busted his ass to keep the music going", he dropped everything to keep the '06 TOUR going. He bailed them out when he stepped in, and he impressed the hell outta me. Made me a fan of Journey all over again.

I don't think it hurts my argument whatsoever. JSS, at the end of the day, was a stand-in & simply did his job. The dude didn't have to go through Nazi concentration camp. He dropped everything he had to do to tour one of the summers HOTTEST gigs next to his hero's and sung in front of hundreds of audience's per-night to which he described as his dream-gig with JOURNEY, who were always one of his hero's in music. For him to be on the grandstand and front and center with JOURNEY I'm sure did his own world wonders, not the other way around. He did a helluva job of it. Hell, my VERY FIRST CONCERT was with JSS at the helm. I not only saw him once in 2006, but twice. September 13, 2006 is when I asked my girlfriend to be with me. JSS was fronting that night so yes, Soto deserves a TON of credit as well and I give him that credit but it just didn't work out in the end.

But it's all good - you keep going to Journey shows and I'll keep going to see JSS in his QE and other shows - they're both singing songs that someone else made famous.

I'll be going to every Journey show I can until the fat lady sings, no doubt. But that doesn't mean I won't go see JSS if I ever have the opportunity as well. I love JSS. WET is one of my all-time favorite albums and I think he is total BADASS on the whole entire record. Same with Damage Control. I'd spend money on JSS in a heartbeat but it all translates back to the Journey-machine. Before him fronting Journey, I had NO IDEA who JSS was. Now, I can enjoy his music and gained one fan. Thanks Journey & thanks JSS for the 2006 tour (my very first one)

[Deb]

I don't think it hurts my argument whatsoever. JSS, at the end of the day, was a stand-in & simply did his job. The dude didn't have to go through Nazi concentration camp. He dropped everything he had to do to tour one of the summers HOTTEST gigs next to his hero's and sung in front of hundreds of audience's per-night to which he described as his dream-gig with JOURNEY, who were always one of his hero's in music. For him to be on the grandstand and front and center with JOURNEY I'm sure did his own world wonders, not the other way around. He did a helluva job of it. Hell, my VERY FIRST CONCERT was with JSS at the helm. I not only saw him once in 2006, but twice. September 13, 2006 is when I asked my girlfriend to be with me. JSS was fronting that night so yes, Soto deserves a TON of credit as well and I give him that credit but it just didn't work out in the end.

Incorrect Trav. He was not a stand-in, he was officially announced as Journey's new lead singer, just as Augeri and Arnel were as well. So unless you want to start calling them 'stand-ins' too, can we lose that term please.

[Don]

I don't think it hurts my argument whatsoever. JSS, at the end of the day, was a stand-in & simply did his job. The dude didn't have to go through Nazi concentration camp. He dropped everything he had to do to tour one of the summers HOTTEST gigs next to his hero's and sung in front of hundreds of audience's per-night to which he described as his dream-gig with JOURNEY, who were always one of his hero's in music. For him to be on the grandstand and front and center with JOURNEY I'm sure did his own world wonders, not the other way around. He did a helluva job of it. Hell, my VERY FIRST CONCERT was with JSS at the helm. I not only saw him once in 2006, but twice. September 13, 2006 is when I asked my girlfriend to be with me. JSS was fronting that night so yes, Soto deserves a TON of credit as well and I give him that credit but it just didn't work out in the end.

Incorrect Trav. He was not a stand-in, he was officially announced as Journey's new lead singer, just as Augeri and Arnel were as well. So unless you want to start calling them 'stand-ins' too, can we lose that term please.

This is true, it was public knowledge.

[The Sushi Hunter]

I've not read any official literature anywhere on the internet that lists JSS as either a current or past member of the band ever.

[AR]

I've not read any official literature anywhere on the internet that lists JSS as either a current or past member of the band ever.

It was posted on Journey's official website and I was in the room when Neal told Jeff it was his gig.

That good enough for ya?

[Don]

I've not read any official literature anywhere on the internet that lists JSS as either a current or past member of the band ever.

JOURNEY NAMES JEFF SCOTT SOTO OFFICIAL NEW LEAD SINGER



http://thecelebritycafe.com/features/8512.html

12/19/2006


Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey. He had been filling in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the U.S. tour with Def Leppard shortly after it began on June 23 due to illness.
"We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to Journey," says Journey in a joint statement. "We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring."
Steve Augeri states: "Singing for Journey these last eight years have been the most challenging and the most rewarding of my career. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the band, and especially the fans, for the privilege of being part of a musical legacy that has touched so many hearts and souls. I wish my fellow bandmates success and happiness as they continue to make great music in the future, as I will strive to do the same myself."
Jeff Soto also adds, "With delight & pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with Journey now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour. I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping Journey continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive Journey into the next stage of this band's future."

Since Soto's first appearance with Journey on July 7 in Bristow, VA, his performances have been garnering rave reviews. To wit:

"Right off the bat, Journey's new lead singer is fantastic. Jeff Scott Soto is a supremely talented vocalist who handled with ease the many sky-high notes and the mile-long range in Journey's repertoire. Steve Perry fans have never gotten over the original lead singer's departure from the band, but I'm here to tell you this guy rocks the role. And yes, if you close your eyes he sounds just like Perry, but -- dare I say it? -- maybe even more passionate and full of verve. Hits such as 'I'll Be Alright Without You' and 'Wheel in the Sky' showcased his mighty voice."
--Lorilee Craker, Grand Rapids Press

"The one-time Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist channeled (Steve) Perry flawlessly, nailing all the high notes and then some...Soto's got it going on."
--Christopher John Treacy, Boston Herald

"Could Soto cut it? Yes. And then some. His vocals and stage presence were impressive."
--Dave Ferman, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

"Soto is a really strong vocalist, so instead of struggling to emulate (Steve) Perry's laser-beam vibrato, he can get away with a style that mixes grainy power with effortless key changes."
--Johnny Loftus, Metro Times Detroit

Steve Augeri is currently recording his debut solo album, IN THE MOMENT, due out the summer of 2007. He's also putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated follow-up to the AOR classic TALL STORIES album, launching early next year. For more info, visit www.steveaugeri.com.
Journey--Neal Schon (guitar), Ross Valory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals)-are currently mapping out plans for 2007.

[Liam]

THEN the douchebags fucked him over

[brywool]

THEN the douchebags fucked him over

Happens all the time in the music business. The guy wasn't right for the job, so they got someone they felt was. They thought he'd be a good fit, for some reason, he wasn't. Whether it was personality or voice, only those individuals know. It's their business, they are entitled to make that decision. JSS doesn't seem to have lost much sleep over it, not sure why everyone else is.
The whole "audition a new guy while the old guy is still in place" is commonplace. Just ask Steve Perry and Robert Fleishman.
Yes, they didn't pick our favorite guy, so we must hate the guy that they put in... which actually wasn't Arnel at the time.
Jeremey, I hate you.

[The Sushi Hunter]

I'm not a lawyer but "Welcome to the family" is broad and ambiguous. So what is the definition of, and by whom is making "the family" reference? Hell, isn't it a fair statement that "family" could also include fans, roadies, personal friends of the band, etc. etc?

I don't know. I wasn't at all involved with any of these discussions back when JSS was involved in the band I guess. Could be, but it seems the band did a whole lot more to say Arnel Pineda is the lead singer for the band then the band did to say JSS as a lead singer for the band. Obviously there was a huge difference between the two.

It will definitely be interesting to read the band's autobiography if ever one is published.

[Abitaman]

It will definitely be interesting to read the band's autobiography if ever one is published.

IF, a big word in the Journey universe

[AR]

I'm not a lawyer but "Welcome to the family" is broad and ambiguous. So what is the definition of, and by whom is making "the family" reference? Hell, isn't it a fair statement that "family" could also include fans, roadies, personal friends of the band, etc. etc?

I don't know. I wasn't at all involved with any of these discussions back when JSS was involved in the band I guess. Could be, but it seems the band did a whole lot more to say Arnel Pineda is the lead singer for the band then the band did to say JSS as a lead singer for the band. Obviously there was a huge difference between the two.

It will definitely be interesting to read the band's autobiography if ever one is published.

From the press release Don just posted that was on Journey's website.

"Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey"

Clear enough?

[Deb]

I'm not a lawyer but "Welcome to the family" is broad and ambiguous. So what is the definition of, and by whom is making "the family" reference? Hell, isn't it a fair statement that "family" could also include fans, roadies, personal friends of the band, etc. etc?

I don't know. I wasn't at all involved with any of these discussions back when JSS was involved in the band I guess. Could be, but it seems the band did a whole lot more to say Arnel Pineda is the lead singer for the band then the band did to say JSS as a lead singer for the band. Obviously there was a huge difference between the two.

It will definitely be interesting to read the band's autobiography if ever one is published.

From the press release Don just posted that was on Journey's website.

"Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey"

Clear enough?

Maybe the hunter of sushi needs to actually see the contract/agreement first to make sure all the t's were crossed and i's dotted? Pretty sure there is much more that goes into officially becoming a lead singer of a band than a handshake and a statement. I'm sure if he wanted to, Jeff could verify it was official.

[RedWingFan]

I'm not a lawyer but "Welcome to the family" is broad and ambiguous. So what is the definition of, and by whom is making "the family" reference? Hell, isn't it a fair statement that "family" could also include fans, roadies, personal friends of the band, etc. etc?

I don't know. I wasn't at all involved with any of these discussions back when JSS was involved in the band I guess. Could be, but it seems the band did a whole lot more to say Arnel Pineda is the lead singer for the band then the band did to say JSS as a lead singer for the band. Obviously there was a huge difference between the two.

It will definitely be interesting to read the band's autobiography if ever one is published.

From the press release Don just posted that was on Journey's website.

"Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey"

Clear enough?

Well, they buried it deep enough in the article didn't they?

[YoungJRNY]

I don't think it hurts my argument whatsoever. JSS, at the end of the day, was a stand-in & simply did his job. The dude didn't have to go through Nazi concentration camp. He dropped everything he had to do to tour one of the summers HOTTEST gigs next to his hero's and sung in front of hundreds of audience's per-night to which he described as his dream-gig with JOURNEY, who were always one of his hero's in music. For him to be on the grandstand and front and center with JOURNEY I'm sure did his own world wonders, not the other way around. He did a helluva job of it. Hell, my VERY FIRST CONCERT was with JSS at the helm. I not only saw him once in 2006, but twice. September 13, 2006 is when I asked my girlfriend to be with me. JSS was fronting that night so yes, Soto deserves a TON of credit as well and I give him that credit but it just didn't work out in the end.

Incorrect Trav. He was not a stand-in, he was officially announced as Journey's new lead singer, just as Augeri and Arnel were as well. So unless you want to start calling them 'stand-ins' too, can we lose that term please.

You missed where I clearly said "at the end of the day." I'm well aware that they named him the lead singer because even though I liked JSS from the get-go, turned around, thought about it & changed my mind, I was accepting of the fact he was going to be my lead singer of Journey and I personally PM'ed Soto around that time saying no hard feelings and how I am totally excited about what the future holds. He never got back to me and a week later, he was ousted. That said, he was a stand-in because they simply never moved FORWARD from the time they announced him. Technically, since he WAS named, I guess you can throw his name in there but in reality, to the band, he was nothing but a stand-in who saved their tour and that's what I'll always believe because they never moved on with Soto to where he could of officially put his fingerprints on being the official lead singer (a Soto-led album.) It never happened.

Around that time period, I worked for my brother, T-Time & we officially were the sole provider for Neal's t-shirts for Journey's website (Neal's Afro Society.) I stood there and witnessed my brother talk to Steve Toomey (who we met in Vegas) to where he told us that Soto ended up being ousted because of personality issues. This was more than one conversation over the telephone. I'm sure there's more to the story and noone will truly know why and how it happened (even JSS is probably still confused) but Toomey told us it was character issues. Take it with a grain of salt but it wasn't because they didn't think he could hack it. He clearly could but they simply changed their mind in mid-sentence.

[AR]

I'm not a lawyer but "Welcome to the family" is broad and ambiguous. So what is the definition of, and by whom is making "the family" reference? Hell, isn't it a fair statement that "family" could also include fans, roadies, personal friends of the band, etc. etc?

I don't know. I wasn't at all involved with any of these discussions back when JSS was involved in the band I guess. Could be, but it seems the band did a whole lot more to say Arnel Pineda is the lead singer for the band then the band did to say JSS as a lead singer for the band. Obviously there was a huge difference between the two.

It will definitely be interesting to read the band's autobiography if ever one is published.

From the press release Don just posted that was on Journey's website.

"Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey"

Clear enough?

Well, they buried it deep enough in the article didn't they?

Well first line in the press release.

I know plenty about all of it. All parties are doing well.

I won't state private facts here, but my opinion is Augeri should have been protected more.

Jeff was a better fit than given credit for and if he was only a "replacement" then why give him the permanent gig which they did.

Jeremey could have handled the gig. Frontiers shows are more difficult than singing the dirty dozen with 2 other bands on the bill. Plus he is a songwriter.

Arnel is very talented but is the most awkward fit for this band of all. However he is very good and I hope he ditches them and becomes a solo act. Very happy for him.

[Don]

I'm not a lawyer but "Welcome to the family" is broad and ambiguous. So what is the definition of, and by whom is making "the family" reference? Hell, isn't it a fair statement that "family" could also include fans, roadies, personal friends of the band, etc. etc?

I don't know. I wasn't at all involved with any of these discussions back when JSS was involved in the band I guess. Could be, but it seems the band did a whole lot more to say Arnel Pineda is the lead singer for the band then the band did to say JSS as a lead singer for the band. Obviously there was a huge difference between the two.

It will definitely be interesting to read the band's autobiography if ever one is published.

Dude, it's from Journey's own website, what the fuck else do you want?

http://web.archive.org/web/200701042055 ... ndex2.html

[AR]

I'm not a lawyer but "Welcome to the family" is broad and ambiguous. So what is the definition of, and by whom is making "the family" reference? Hell, isn't it a fair statement that "family" could also include fans, roadies, personal friends of the band, etc. etc?

I don't know. I wasn't at all involved with any of these discussions back when JSS was involved in the band I guess. Could be, but it seems the band did a whole lot more to say Arnel Pineda is the lead singer for the band then the band did to say JSS as a lead singer for the band. Obviously there was a huge difference between the two.

It will definitely be interesting to read the band's autobiography if ever one is published.

Dude, it's from Journey's own website, what the fuck else do you want?

http://web.archive.org/web/200701042055 ... ndex2.html

Exactly. You couldn't have been more clear and accurate about it!

[steveo777]

I'm not a lawyer but "Welcome to the family" is broad and ambiguous. So what is the definition of, and by whom is making "the family" reference? Hell, isn't it a fair statement that "family" could also include fans, roadies, personal friends of the band, etc. etc?

I don't know. I wasn't at all involved with any of these discussions back when JSS was involved in the band I guess. Could be, but it seems the band did a whole lot more to say Arnel Pineda is the lead singer for the band then the band did to say JSS as a lead singer for the band. Obviously there was a huge difference between the two.

It will definitely be interesting to read the band's autobiography if ever one is published.

Dude, it's from Journey's own website, what the fuck else do you want?

http://web.archive.org/web/200701042055 ... ndex2.html

I'm surprised that page is still in existence anywhere. LOL

[Ehwmatt]

I can't help but laugh at the proponents of all sides quibbling over semantics here. In the end, both JSS and Arnel were and are bad fits for Journey for different reasons. JSS lacked the range and Arnel simply lacks the skills to translate talent that is at least sufficient to approximate the "legacy sound" into results, i.e., he might have the range but he has little else (especially when it comes to timing and songwriting). Think of an athletic freak who can run a stunning 40, leap like a frog, bench like vintage Arnold, but can't catch a football or learn a playbook. That's Arnel. For those reasons, he is an utter failure.

And another thing: it's not fair to assume that those who criticize or don't enjoy Arnel in Journey are only hypercritical, older, diehard purists (who, by extension, are huge fans who know the nuances of every song) who saw Perry every tour in his prime. To be sure, there are legions of "casual fan" type people who undoubtedly go to these shows and think Arnel sounds awesome. And to be sure, those who don't like Arnel for whatever reason(s) are often among us diehard fans of the band. But make no mistake: even casual music fans can notice and dislike the defects in Arnel's performances. For instance, I bought my sister and her fiancé tickets last summer to the show, and they wanted to leave halfway through because they "couldn't even understand him" when he sang (and the mix, while bad, had nothing to do with it). In their words, the show was "terrible."

For now, I can only assume that those who rave about Arnel's performances catch him on "good nights." And for my part, I've unfortunately yet to see him in such a zone, whether it be at the show I attended last summer, at the SUper Bowl, this CMT performance, or the Manila DVD.

[YoungJRNY]

but can't catch a football or learn a playbook. That's Arnel. For those reasons, he is an utter failure.

Just because you're describing the Cleveland Browns since 1964, don't take an entire lifetime of anger on Arnel Pineda, lead singer of Journey.

[AR]

but can't catch a football or learn a playbook. That's Arnel. For those reasons, he is an utter failure.

Just because you're describing the Cleveland Browns since 1964, don't take an entire lifetime of anger on Arnel Pineda, lead singer of Journey.

Jim Brown is the greatest Baltimore Raven ever based on NFL logic with the Indianapolis Dolts.

[Liam]

Fuckin' Ochocinco.

[AR]

I can't help but laugh at the proponents of all sides quibbling over semantics here. In the end, both JSS and Arnel were and are bad fits for Journey for different reasons. JSS lacked the range and Arnel simply lacks the skills to translate talent that is at least sufficient to approximate the "legacy sound" into results, i.e., he might have the range but he has little else (especially when it comes to timing and songwriting). Think of an athletic freak who can run a stunning 40, leap like a frog, bench like vintage Arnold, but can't catch a football or learn a playbook. That's Arnel. For those reasons, he is an utter failure.

And another thing: it's not fair to assume that those who criticize or don't enjoy Arnel in Journey are only hypercritical, older, diehard purists (who, by extension, are huge fans who know the nuances of every song) who saw Perry every tour in his prime. To be sure, there are legions of "casual fan" type people who undoubtedly go to these shows and think Arnel sounds awesome. And to be sure, those who don't like Arnel for whatever reason(s) are often among us diehard fans of the band. But make no mistake: even casual music fans can notice and dislike the defects in Arnel's performances. For instance, I bought my sister and her fiancé tickets last summer to the show, and they wanted to leave halfway through because they "couldn't even understand him" when he sang (and the mix, while bad, had nothing to do with it). In their words, the show was "terrible."

For now, I can only assume that those who rave about Arnel's performances catch him on "good nights." And for my part, I've unfortunately yet to see him in such a zone, whether it be at the show I attended last summer, at the SUper Bowl, this CMT performance, or the Manila DVD.

Soto does not lack range though Matt. The fact that he could pull those songs off as a baritone and not a high tenor shows that.

[Deb]

Around that time period, I worked for my brother, T-Time & we officially were the sole provider for Neal's t-shirts for Journey's website (Neal's Afro Society.) I stood there and witnessed my brother talk to Steve Toomey (who we met in Vegas) to where he told us that Soto ended up being ousted because of personality issues. This was more than one conversation over the telephone. I'm sure there's more to the story and noone will truly know why and how it happened (even JSS is probably still confused) but Toomey told us it was character issues. Take it with a grain of salt but it wasn't because they didn't think he could hack it. He clearly could but they simply changed their mind in mid-sentence.

Yeah, shame he was too much frontman for the Princess. Seeing Neal and Jeff's work together in Soul Sirkus, all that testostrone probably scared the hell out of him.

I find it ironic that some on here (SJ, etc.) give JSS a hard time and never miss a beat posting how they thought Jeff was too open with the fans, discussing businesss decisions, etc. Funny how anybody else in the Journey camp isn't held to that same standard.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Ok so the buzz word "contract" is brought up for shits and giggles, but actually, what's spelled out within the four corners of the contract is the meat and potatoes in determining what JSS's relationship with the band is, was, and will be. Also this is true for not only JSS, but all who have any type of business relationship with the band. It all boils down to the specific language within the contract.

I do have a question though and that is if a person is no longer singing for a band, what does it matter what thier status was while they were singing for a band?

[AR]

Around that time period, I worked for my brother, T-Time & we officially were the sole provider for Neal's t-shirts for Journey's website (Neal's Afro Society.) I stood there and witnessed my brother talk to Steve Toomey (who we met in Vegas) to where he told us that Soto ended up being ousted because of personality issues. This was more than one conversation over the telephone. I'm sure there's more to the story and noone will truly know why and how it happened (even JSS is probably still confused) but Toomey told us it was character issues. Take it with a grain of salt but it wasn't because they didn't think he could hack it. He clearly could but they simply changed their mind in mid-sentence.

Yeah, shame he was too much frontman for the Princess. Seeing Neal and Jeff's work together in Soul Sirkus, all that testostrone probably scared the hell out of him.

I find it ironic that some on here (SJ, etc.) give JSS a hard time and never miss a beat posting how they thought Jeff was too open with the fans, discussing businesss decisions, etc. Funny how anybody else in the Journey camp isn't held to that same standard.

Just terrible that Jeff is fan friendly isn't it?

Steve Augeri was/is very fan friendly too as is Jeremey, and I am pretty sure Arnel is as well from what I have been told.

Neal Schon is a douchebag. Period.