How much does a Journey lead singer make -- any guesses?

[AR]

I think Eric Carr was making $60,000 or so a year for Kiss back in the day. I'd have to confirm that, but it was low. Augeri was not getting a portion of the gate - NO WAY. Neither is JSS

[siobhan222]

I think Eric Carr was making $60,000 or so a year for Kiss back in the day. I'd have to confirm that, but it was low. Augeri was not getting a portion of the gate - NO WAY. Neither is JSS

That's it? Well I guess accounting for inflation ... but man, there is NOT a lot of money in these gigs.

[AR]

Some of the posts here would fail band economics.

[nolippin]

They absolutely would have gone ahead. Augeri happened to be the best replacement at the time. His time is now past, IMO.

Neal didn't meet JSS until...???...2004-05??? He formed SS shortly thereafter. I believe SS was JSS's audition for Journey.

but to completely discredit Augeri and the fact that if he wasn't around since 1998, there would've been NO Journey up to this point is mind-boggling to me.

Your dogmatism is what is mind boggling to me.
You can't say that with any degree of certainty. For all we know, if Neal and Jon hadn't auditioned Augeri they would have went ahead and called up their old bud, Kev C. or someone else.

[AR]

That's it? Well I guess accounting for inflation ... but man, there is NOT a lot of money in these gigs.

Remember, in Eric's case, it did not matter how long he was in the band, Gene and Paul own Kiss. Even when Ace & Peter came back, they were given a GREAT retainer for hundreds of dates over a long period of time. And though it was 2 mill or so, think about that. That tour was the #1 grosser in 96 and was still big for awhile later.

Augeri made way less than 100K per year if I had to guess. He did well, but he didn't get rich either.

This is my supposition, and I have enough friends in the business to get a more accurate guess if necessary. But those who think that Augeri went along with lip synching for a tour and a half to get rich are WAY off.

[siobhan222]

It comes up because a lot of people believe it and people here are allowed to speak their mind regardless of what "you people" think about that.

But WHY is it all you have to say is bad things about Steve? If you believe this is true, do you honestly think he did it alone -- without Neal's knowledge? Come on ... Why do you bash ONLY Steve?

[AR]

I believe SS was JSS's audition for Journey

I also believe that as well.

They absolutely would have gone ahead. Augeri happened to be the best replacement at the time. His time is now past, IMO.

Agreed as well. Steve A served them well. I hope some recognize that. Check out my live posts. he was very good. He can't do it any longer. Probably not his fault, but Steve was an employee. In any job, you do what is asked and if you can't anymore you are replaced. that's how it works. He shouldn't be thrown under the bus though IMO/

JSS is up next. Looking forward to it.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I believe SS was JSS's audition for Journey.

Well, the upside of that is, Neal has seen first hand if JSS has the goods and can handle the rigors of life on the road.
Going on tour with a singer is radically different from singing a few Journey songs over the course of one weekend (which I believe is what Augeri's initial audition consisted of).

[siobhan222]

I guess I'm just tired of seeing how badly he's gotten thrown under the bus over this.

And again, I ask .. why is all always about Augeri? If it happened, how could it possibly have happened without Neal knowing? And if Neal knew, then isn't he responsible? What about Ross, Jon, Deen? Why is it that Steve is the ONLY bad guy?

That's one of the major reasons I have such a hard time believing it. If people were saying "damn the band as a whole", it would be more plausible. But no, it's "damn Augeri". This stinks of a way to discredit Augeri.

Think about it folks.

[nolippin]

Because, ultimately, he is the one who walked out on that stage every night knowing he was deceiving his fans. No one could have forced him to do that. No contract could have made him perform fraudulently when he was not physically able to do so. There is just NO WAY in hell that he did not know prerecorded vocals were being played.

It comes up because a lot of people believe it and people here are allowed to speak their mind regardless of what "you people" think about that.

But WHY is it all you have to say is bad things about Steve? If you believe this is true, do you honestly think he did it alone -- without Neal's knowledge? Come on ... Why do you bash ONLY Steve?

[The_Noble_Cause]

I guess I'm just tired of seeing how badly he's gotten thrown under the bus over this.

And again, I ask .. why is all always about Augeri? If it happened, how could it possibly have happened without Neal knowing? And if Neal knew, then isn't he responsible? What about Ross, Jon, Deen? Why is it that Steve is the ONLY bad guy?

That's one of the major reasons I have such a hard time believing it. If people were saying "damn the band as a whole", it would be more plausible. But no, it's "damn Augeri". This stinks of a way to discredit Augeri.

Think about it folks.

There's nothing to think about.
Where does the buck stop, lady?

[Dano]

but to completely discredit Augeri and the fact that if he wasn't around since 1998, there would've been NO Journey up to this point is mind-boggling to me.

Your dogmatism is what is mind boggling to me.
You can't say that with any degree of certainty. For all we know, if Neal and Jon hadn't auditioned Augeri they would have went ahead and called up their old bud, Kev C. or someone else.

Well, it's not dogmatism, it's fact. (And actually, I think you meant to use a different word entirely, but I'm not here to correct people's English skills). He was the singer the band chose and has been the frontman for eight years. Chalfant was already considered, before Perry came back and TBF was released. Geoff Tate was considered, and several others. The fact is, though you don't want to admit it, that Steve Augeri taking the lead singer slot allowed the band to continue, including eight tours, two full-length albums and one EP, and a live DVD. When the tour plans were cancelled due to Perry's hip in 1996, most of us weren't sure there would ever be a Journey. I'd never even gotten to see them live before 1998, and have been fortunate to see them numerous times since. So yes, I give Augeri a hell of a lot of credit. He has been the frontman for this band, and doing a damn fine job of it for the better part of his tenure. Actually, until something official is posted, he still is the frontman for this band. For that fact alone, I refuse to stoop to burying the guy like so many others have. Never realized he was so disliked by this fanbase until "Tapegate" came down.

[siobhan222]

Remember, in Eric's case, it did not matter how long he was in the band, Gene and Paul own Kiss. Even when Ace & Peter came back, they were given a GREAT retainer for hundreds of dates over a long period of time. And though it was 2 mill or so, think about that. That tour was the #1 grosser in 96 and was still big for awhile later.

That really makes you think, huh? Gene and Paul got super rich. Everyone else made a living.

Augeri made way less than 100K per year if I had to guess. He did well, but he didn't get rich either.

This is my supposition, and I have enough friends in the business to get a more accurate guess if necessary. But those who think that Augeri went along with lip synching for a tour and a half to get rich are WAY off.

And if he is really gone, and his voice isn't what it used to be, what does he do now? Was it all really worth it after all?

[AR]

Because, ultimately, he is the one who walked out on that stage every night knowing he was deceiving his fans. No one could have forced him to do that.

We do not know what he needs to do to feed his family. I'm telling you I probably make as much money per year as he was. I could see Schon and Cain saying "Hey, you want to keep the gig? Let's do this....."

Blame it on the entire band as a whole - including Augeri. But those who say thatAugeri wasn't a very good singer form 98 - 04, that's where you lose me. That's all.

[nolippin]

That's right. They also had a chance to test their writing chemistry together. I think Neal is used to working closely with the singer in that process. The chemistry just wasn't there with Augeri.

I believe SS was JSS's audition for Journey.

Well, the upside of that is, Neal has seen first hand if JSS has the goods and can handle the rigors of life on the road.
Going on tour with a singer is radically different from singing a few Journey songs over the course of one weekend (which I believe is what Augeri's initial audition consisted of).

[siobhan222]

Because, ultimately, he is the one who walked out on that stage every night knowing he was deceiving his fans. No one could have forced him to do that. No contract could have made him perform fraudulently when he was not physically able to do so. There is just NO WAY in hell that he did not know prerecorded vocals were being played.

But if that's the case, Neal, Jon, Ross and Deen went along with it. They committed the same fraud he did. There is just NO WAY in hell they did not know prerecorded vocals were being played.

So, again I ask you, why do you ONLY bash Steve ... but say nothing at all of the other 4 members of the band?

[whocares]

those who say he wasn't a good singer from 98-04, never liked him "taking over".

And I don't think many will dis-agree that the band as a whole was responsible for anything that happened recently. Augeri was just the fall guy. Schon/Cain/Mgmt. made sure of that.

[AR]

This discussion is much better than the reactionary stuff from a few weeks ago BTW.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Well, it's not dogmatism, it's fact. (And actually, I think you meant to use a different word entirely, but I'm not here to correct people's English skills).

Then you shouldn't have mentioned it at all.
You're wrong by the way.

dog·ma·tism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (dôgm-tzm, dg-)
n.
Arrogant, stubborn assertion of opinion or belief.

The fact is, though you don't want to admit it, that Steve Augeri taking the lead singer slot allowed the band to continue,.....

Whoa, right there. That's not what you said. Nice try at revisonist posting.
NOBODY was debating that Steve enabled the band to get back on the road. ANY Perry-esque singer would have facilitated that.
You said (and I quote) that without Augeri "there would've been no Journey up to this point".
Sorry. That ain't fact.
That's the fanciful workings of a presumptuous mind.
Kevin, Eric Martin, etc - many of these guys prolly could've done the same job.

Never realized he was so disliked by this fanbase until "Tapegate" came down.

Maybe "Tapegate" is what caused his fanbase to sour?

[siobhan222]

Blame it on the entire band as a whole - including Augeri. But those who say thatAugeri wasn't a very good singer form 98 - 04, that's where you lose me. That's all.

I agree arrivalrules. That makes no sense at all. Because I heard the guy sing. He sang christmas songs to a bunch of fans at a piano in Dec 03 and I was one of them. And it was a voice to remember. And it wasn't augmented one bit by anything. I saw him in 04 several times and he totally rocked and it was definitely live. I didn't see him perform last year. I don't know how he sounded because I wasn't there.

But if there was some deceipt going on, the BAND is to blame -- not just one guy who was a hired hand.

[AR]

those who say he wasn't a good singer from 98-04, never liked him "taking over".

Maybe so. I was impressed by Augeri just by the fact that anyone at all could evencome close to emulating what Perry did. Didn't think it was possible. Now a lot of people will say he wasn't as good. My answer is "sure", but I can't believe anyone is even in the ballpark.

Just wait, that other sites "house frows" will be talking about JSS's outfits and what he's wearing and poor Jeff is gonna get it too..........

[The_Noble_Cause]

We do not know what he needs to do to feed his family. I'm telling you I probably make as much money per year as he was.

One of Deen's relatives (sister, mother?) on BT stated that Steve and Deen are equal partners.
If I read correctly, all band members recieve an equal cut.

[whocares]

totally agree A.R. It's just a matter of time.

I didn't mind giving him a chance, I liked a few songs here and there, but wasn't overly impressed as a whole in that "era" of the band, but I didn't hate him for doing his job. Ther'es all kinds of extremes when it comes to this band. We see them all here.

[AR]

Maybe "Tapegate" is what caused his fanbase to sour?

It disappointed me for sure.

Still not willing to throw Augeri undr the bus for something I'm very sure he just went along with. In the end I blame JRNY management. They could have used the Boston model with Delp deferring to Cosmo for vocals and being honest. Yes the Perry only fans would have pointed fingers, but no one else. Had I been manager I could have spinned things into getting the crowd behind Augeri for attempting to tour this year. Then again, I'd have gotten Soto sooner.

The name on the marque says "Journey" and if it takes a choir to get the songs right I'm all for it. My man Steve Perry hasn't sand live for the most part in 12 years. I am happy that the songs are still being delivered in concert. Good luck to JSS!

[Dano]

Because, ultimately, he is the one who walked out on that stage every night knowing he was deceiving his fans. No one could have forced him to do that.

We do not know what he needs to do to feed his family. I'm telling you I probably make as much money per year as he was. I could see Schon and Cain saying "Hey, you want to keep the gig? Let's do this....."

Blame it on the entire band as a whole - including Augeri. But those who say thatAugeri wasn't a very good singer form 98 - 04, that's where you lose me. That's all.

Exactly my point, ArrivalRules. Thank you! So many people are just discrediting all those years. I'm not saying what has happened isn't pretty shocking news to the fans (myself included), but I am just amazed at some of the talk lately. "Oh the band would've continued on anyway". None of us know what might've happened, but we do know what did happen. We had a singer come into a virtually no-win situation and, not only allowed the band to continue, but built a pretty big fanbase of his own, which is no small feat when you consider how beloved (and irreplaceable) a talent like Steve Perry is/was.

All I'm saying is that I wish people would keep an open mind on all this. None of us, and that includes Deano and countless other people here (excluding Andrew) who try to convince us that they're "on the inside" know exactly what happened, who was responsible and who knew what. Someday the truth will come out, but I suspect it's going to be from Augeri at some point, and not by the band. Regardless, the fact is none of us (to the best of my knowledge anyway) are members of Journey or employed by Journey, so we are not at liberty to say what exactly happened. In the meantime, let's enjoy this new chapter in Journey history with JSS, whether temporary or permanent, and try and keep an open mind.

[AR]

All I'm saying is that I wish people would keep an open mind on all this. None of us, and that includes Deano and countless other people here (excluding Andrew) who try to convince us that they're "on the inside" know exactly what happened, who was responsible and who knew what.

And as I don't claim to either, I do know that replacement parts to bands that only make money touring are not compensated as well as some seem to believe.

Walking Away (from the Edge) probably was not as easy as some would like everyone to think.

[The_Noble_Cause]

None of us know what might've happened,

Apparently you do.
You said (and I quote) that without Augeri "there would've been no Journey up to this point".

[nolippin]

All band members are equal partners. I'm sure of that. They are also responsible for their own actions.

The idea that anyone forced Augeri to commit fraud or that he did not know prerecorded tapes were playing is just absurd.

We do not know what he needs to do to feed his family. I'm telling you I probably make as much money per year as he was.

One of Deen's relatives (sister, mother?) on BT stated that Steve and Deen are equal partners.
If I read correctly, all band members recieve an equal cut.

[Dano]

Well, it's not dogmatism, it's fact. (And actually, I think you meant to use a different word entirely, but I'm not here to correct people's English skills).

Then you shouldn't have mentioned it at all.
You're wrong by the way.

dog·ma·tism ( P ) Pronunciation Key (dôgm-tzm, dg-)
n.
Arrogant, stubborn assertion of opinion or belief.[/q]

No, you are incorrect because I don't believe I was being stubborn or arrogant. That implies an unwillingness to listen to an opposing view because I believe something regardless of facts that would prove otherwise (i.e. Me saying the President is Al Gore, regardless of the fact that it's George Bush). Thanks for trying to impress me with your ability to visit dictionary.com, though. Now can we get back to discussing Journey, please?

[AR]

You said (and I quote) that without Augeri "there would've been no Journey up to this point".

Well there would not have been. They made their choice. I had been tired of waiting since "Ask the Lonely" on the Greatest Hits CD.

I never said (as some nuts did) that Augeri was better than Steve Perry. What I have always said is that he was able to make me care and go to shows I would have never have seen and enjoy myself (minus 2005).