Steve Perry interview in Newsweek

[brywool]

Journey have been performing it with several singers since we parted ways in 1998. I could go out and do it myself if I wanted, but I won't. I want to protect the integrity of the songs, keep them the way they were when we were together. We were good together and what we did was good.

He's got to be so completely disgusted by what neal & jon have done to Journey.

Several? Two...

Oh, he's taking a shot here, no doubt. Well deserved, IMO.

I could go out and do it myself if I wanted, but I won't. I want to protect the integrity of the songs, keep them the way they were when we were together.

Funny, he sang Journey songs on the FTLOSM tour. Why is he so concerned about the integrity now? Fill in your own answer.

That was my first thought on reading that too...

What's so funny is that it's a JOURNEY song and everybody's interviewing Perry who hasn't been associated with them in years! Ha Ha! Neal Who?

I think Perry takes things really seriously too NIG. Sometimes I like that, sometimes I don't.
At least he didn't say "Me so not like Hilary" like in that other interview where he suddenly lapsed into babytalk...

I don't get the American Idol thing. It's almost like his answer was supposed to go with another question.

One thing Perry NEEDS to do is tell Randy Jackson to quit namedropping and acting like he was the focal point of the band- ugh..

[scarygirl]

I'm with you. Outside of him saying no new work EVER, that interview seemed so final. The fans would expect at least one Journey song or two. Unless.... and it's a big UNLESS, he's working on new material and wants to leave the past behind.

Man, after that I feel like a drink. Anybody care to join me? I'll buy.

I could go out and do it myself if I wanted, but I won't. I want to protect the integrity of the songs, keep them the way they were when we were together.

I'm sad about this. I think it means he'll never do these songs again. Does this mean he wont ever tour again then? Surely if he toured, he'd HAVE to do some Journey songs. This is about the most "final" I've ever heard him.

I'm also sad that he got quiet when the interviewer talking about American Idol & wouldnt answer that question. I think that spells out what went down about him being on AI & I guess that's something else we'll never see.

It's great to hear from him. What a great sense of humor he has.

[yogi]

He is the ONLY one in the bunch that GETS it.

Damn he's a BADASS!!!!!!!!

[JohnH]

It's obvious he knows he can't sing it like before, and that's why he wants to keep the memories of the song good. I have total respect for Steve, he knows he can't do it anymore and he's not tarnishing his legacy by trying.

JH

[ArnelRox]

Funny, he sang Journey songs on the FTLOSM tour. Why is he so concerned about the integrity now? Fill in your own answer.

That was my first thought on reading that too...

Yeah but he CLEARLY specified Journey has been singing them SINCE 1998. FTLOSM was 1994-1995.

What's so funny is that it's a JOURNEY song and everybody's interviewing Perry who hasn't been associated with them in years! Ha Ha! Neal Who?

Guess that tells u who the public thinks is Journey: Steve Perry.

I don't get the American Idol thing. It's almost like his answer was supposed to go with another question.

Maybe not. Maybe, just maybe, Journey refused to allow Perry to do Journey songs on AI for a Journey nite. Maybe all AI wanted was Journey songs. Therefore Perry coudnt go on AI. Maybe that makes him sad.

One thing Perry NEEDS to do is tell Randy Jackson to quit namedropping and acting like he was the focal point of the band- ugh..

Why? Every time Randy brings it up, it's GREAT promotion for the band. They couldnt ask for much better in this day & age.

[Saint John]

Funny, he sang Journey songs on the FTLOSM tour. Why is he so concerned about the integrity now? Fill in your own answer.

That was my first thought on reading that too...

Yeah but he CLEARLY specified Journey has been singing them SINCE 1998. FTLOSM was 1994-1995.

What's so funny is that it's a JOURNEY song and everybody's interviewing Perry who hasn't been associated with them in years! Ha Ha! Neal Who?

Guess that tells u who the public thinks is Journey: Steve Perry.

I don't get the American Idol thing. It's almost like his answer was supposed to go with another question.

Maybe not. Maybe, just maybe, Journey refused to allow Perry to do Journey songs on AI for a Journey nite. Maybe all AI wanted was Journey songs. Therefore Perry coudnt go on AI. Maybe that makes him sad.

One thing Perry NEEDS to do is tell Randy Jackson to quit namedropping and acting like he was the focal point of the band- ugh..

Why? Every time Randy brings it up, it's GREAT promotion for the band. They couldnt ask for much better in this day & age.

If AI wanted "Journey night" and Frigerace and Fro nixed it, I'm kicking both of their asses. I'm serious.

[ArnelRox]

If AI wanted "Journey night" and Frigerace and Fro nixed it, I'm kicking both of their asses. I'm serious.

I'd pay big $$$ for tix to that event. Danny boy kills the midget divas. A'ight.

[Saint John]

If AI wanted "Journey night" and Frigerace and Fro nixed it, I'm kicking both of their asses. I'm serious.

I'd pay big $$$ for tix to that event. Danny boy kills the midget divas. A'ight.

He let them continue playing the songs HE sang WITH the name Journey. Way to reciprocate. Complete fuckin' turds.

[ArnelRox]

If AI wanted "Journey night" and Frigerace and Fro nixed it, I'm kicking both of their asses. I'm serious.

I'd pay big $$$ for tix to that event. Danny boy kills the midget divas. A'ight.

He let them continue playing the songs HE sang WITH the name Journey. Way to reciprocate. Complete fuckin' turds.

Yeah but let's not forget how people like to paint Perry as SUCH a BAD BAD boy to sweet lil old Friga & Fro. (Does Friga have a crying face for this?) According to some people, he always stole their thunder & did something when they were coming out w/something else & let's not forget the one about how he only did TBF so he could get some songs released that he put on GH (even though that occurred several years later). Now they're just getting back at Stephen for all the times he one-upped them, right? After all Friga & Fro are such complete darlings.

I hope everyone knows this post is made in complete sarcasm.

[Rick]

Frigerace

[Perry86fan]

Thanks for the link it was a good read.He is a wonderful man.

[brywool]

I don't think so... Perry could've gone on and sang Oh Sherrie it would've brought the house down. I don't think people would've cared if it was that song or Faithfully.

Also, If Perry goes on, I hope he brings backing tracks cuz that AI band S U C K S. Get the "Rock Star" backup band. They've been great.
Also, there's NO WAY Schon and Cain would've nixed a performance like that. They'd do ANYTHING to get Journey that kind of exposure. Perry 'has more money than God' and doesn't need that kind of exposure... however, it DID sound like there's some kind of anger there and I'm not sure why he'd be pissed at AI, so it's gotta be aimed at Journey.

Again, he could've gone on and sang Oh Sherrie or the frig(a)gin phone book and it would've kicked a lot more ass than Tony Bennet or Bon Jovi. By the way, that BJ performance on AI was SOOOO boring. Terrible.

[Andrew]

Newsweek? why couldn't it have been for Playgirl or Maxim, something cool with more details.... ?
at this rate he'll be talking to "Horse and Hound"..........

Yep...anyone but me!

[tammy]

It's obvious he knows he can't sing it like before, and that's why he wants to keep the memories of the song good. I have total respect for Steve, he knows he can't do it anymore and he's not tarnishing his legacy by trying.

JH

That's what I believe. He got those songs way up to the top - can't go any further than that. I admire this about him. He knows WHEN to stop.

I did pick up on the AI question...it does seem like the answer was for another question which was maybe deleted because it didn't make sense to me. At least, that is what I perceived, I could be wrong.

I think he has a balance of what to take seriously & what to not take seriously. He has a healthy sense of humor, too.

[ArnelRox]

No no u misunderstood. I'm not talking about what Perry would sing on the Wed. nite when he performed.

I'm talking about Tues nite being a dedicated Journey nite w/Perry mentoring/coaching the contestants to sing Journey songs. Think about that for a second. Journey would have to consent. He couldnt do that on his own accord.

Then go back & read what Jeff said about AI on here a while back. How it was all a sore point to the band & it would not be appropriate for Steve to do it unless the band was dissolved. Then add that up. Tell me what u think now Bry. See where I'm coming from?

I don't think so... Perry could've gone on and sang Oh Sherrie it would've brought the house down. I don't think people would've cared if it was that song or Faithfully.

Also, If Perry goes on, I hope he brings backing tracks cuz that AI band S U C K S. Get the "Rock Star" backup band. They've been great.
Also, there's NO WAY Schon and Cain would've nixed a performance like that. They'd do ANYTHING to get Journey that kind of exposure. Perry 'has more money than God' and doesn't need that kind of exposure... however, it DID sound like there's some kind of anger there and I'm not sure why he'd be pissed at AI, so it's gotta be aimed at Journey.

Again, he could've gone on and sang Oh Sherrie or the frig(a)gin phone book and it would've kicked a lot more ass than Tony Bennet or Bon Jovi. By the way, that BJ performance on AI was SOOOO boring. Terrible.

[ArnelRox]

Newsweek? why couldn't it have been for Playgirl or Maxim, something cool with more details.... ?
at this rate he'll be talking to "Horse and Hound"..........

Yep...anyone but me!

I WISH he'd give u an interview. Surely he knows that u will agree to not discuss certain things he may not want brought out. Maybe he thinks u would just get too much honesty & wouldnt allow him to be so vague. Darn him.

[sindee67]

You know, as long as there is mystery to the GREAT QUESTION...He'll always be on people's lips, and live on forever..He won't fade away
Steve's not 'TUPID!

[squirt1]

I think Perry has the right to PERFORM anything he wrote with the band and needs no permission. He would need permission from Jon on Faithfully to allow another entity to use it in a show or movie. He did sing that song on FTLOSM tour and I am sure royalities were paid,but he can't re-record it and he wanted to and Jon turned him down.

[Rick]

but he can't re-record it and he wanted to and Jon turned him down.

You're kidding! Unbelievable.

[ForceInfinity]

Newsweek? why couldn't it have been for Playgirl or Maxim, something cool with more details.... ?
at this rate he'll be talking to "Horse and Hound"..........

Yep...anyone but me!

Well I'm sure you'll have a better chance getting an interview from Perry than you would Joe Elliot. One thing that strikes me about Perry is that he comes across as conflicted. On the one hand, he comes across as a very emotional figure, and on the other hand he's an extremely private person, and I see those two coming into conflict during just about any interview he does.

As to his voice, I personally don't think he can do the high ranges of years past anymore, but I honestly think if he sticks to the lower registers, he can maximize what he does have. I seem to recall on ROR he uses a lower register throughout much of the album and sounded great doing it. No reason he can use the ROR era voice now

[ArnelRox]

I think Perry has the right to PERFORM anything he wrote with the band and needs no permission. He would need permission from Jon on Faithfully to allow another entity to use it in a show or movie. He did sing that song on FTLOSM tour and I am sure royalities were paid,but he can't re-record it and he wanted to and Jon turned him down.

No that is not the way it works in general. I just asked someone who knows a lot more about this than I do. Plus Jeff mentioned in another post that for Perry to do AI, there would have to be "proper permissions". Same thing if Journey sans Perry did it.

[ArnelRox]

One thing that strikes me about Perry is that he comes across as conflicted. On the one hand, he comes across as a very emotional figure, and on the other hand he's an extremely private person, and I see those two coming into conflict during just about any interview he does.

He's always been very private & somewhat vague about things he considers private. Some people dont care who knows their business. Others like to live more private lives. Goes for movie stars & rock stars. I think Perry does a great job of balancing that. Unlike a certain guitar player w/loose lips.

As to his voice, I personally don't think he can do the high ranges of years past anymore, but I honestly think if he sticks to the lower registers, he can maximize what he does have. I seem to recall on ROR he uses a lower register throughout much of the album and sounded great doing it. No reason he can use the ROR era voice now

I think u mean TBF not ROR. I also believe he can still hit a lot of highs. Perhaps not in the way he used to & not w/the same incredible ease. His voice has matured which is the same for anyone.

[Rhiannon]

Susie knows what she says. Listen to her.

[NealIsGod]

Newsweek? why couldn't it have been for Playgirl or Maxim, something cool with more details.... ?
at this rate he'll be talking to "Horse and Hound"..........

Yep...anyone but me!

She'll never forgive you for staying friends with her ex-boyfriends.

[RunningAlone Pgh]

If AI wanted "Journey night" and Frigerace and Fro nixed it, I'm kicking both of their asses. I'm serious.

I'd pay big $$$ for tix to that event. Danny boy kills the midget divas. A'ight.

ROTFLMAO! Thanks for my morning laugh.

[RunningAlone Pgh]

Other than getting to read something from Steve, the best thing about this article is imagining how much Frig 'n Fro must HATE seeing Perry getting any publicity. Bet they were seeing red. I only wish we could've caught their reaction.

[Perrydise]

I'm real glad Perry is doing these interview, not only for the fact that we are getting to hear from him again, but the fans NEED to hear some "postives" about Journey, in light of all the negative stuff going on with Journey now.

I agree totally. He has always taken the higher road and probably always will.

Good read, thanks.

[kathyhelms]

Thanks so much.