$$$$$ Journey recording old hits with Arnel

[Blueskies]

You think teenagers that aren't into melodic rock are going to connect with "After All These Years"?? Sound or lyric wise? Come on! You can't be serious.

Absolutely, but Never Walk Away is so much better. Kids absolutely will like that.

I work with a group of teens...when I mentioned Journey to them recently they said "Who?"....so, their an untested market... I'll play it for them and see what they think.

[lparn]

and there is still a market of people that will attend the show based on remembering a particular song from college or whatever. Those people have no idea who is singing for the band or any of the drama that has happened.
The songs people hear on the radio are all the older songs that Steve Perry sang on and that is what people remember.
Unless any of the newer material makes it past the internet where the older fans are that are on board with all this change,
and onto the radio it is going to be hard for people to hear and decide they like it,.
The casual fans are going to go to the beer tent during the newer songs if they do any, and some of the older fans are not even on board for the "new Journey".
Then there is going to be people that remember SP or even SA and go and see the new line up and be confused.
I think they need to let people know before hand what is going on and I think rerecording the older songs makes no sense and is as confusing as releasing the dvd's they promised us in 03 and 05 at this point.

[lparn]

The re-issues are out of the current band's control. Sony can do what they live with the material.

Which I guess is exactly why they are doing a re-record of 11 classics, to give themselves some control over some tunes.

But what control do they need??? For what???
To start selling Arnel-sung Classics to advertisers for commercials?
I don't understand how they could need more control if they already own the songs.

Are you implying that, say they re-record DSB, and a show like AI wants to use it.
Could they just go direct to the Band/Walmart and pay for rights to use the Arnel-version,
and not owe Sony or Perry anything???

I was never a business major so I am trying to figure this out.
Is that the gain in this decision? (which I personally think is a Bad Decision)

I could be mistaken here, but I believe Perry (and band members) only own the song copyrights. Sony would own the recordings themselves as they paid for the studio time. It's very confusing how it all works. If they re-record, Perry would only get money from the new recordings if they got airplay because He still owns the copyrights. He wouldn't have any say with the re-records whatsoever.

Again, I could be mistaken, but I believe that's how it works.

That's what I mean.
Is this a way for the band to be able to "rent" out these songs to the
highest bidder for use in other outlets (movies, commercials, tv shows...)
and not have to wory about paying Sony and/or Perry or getting their permission?

I'm sure that's all this boils down to.
And I guess it makes sense from a $$$ standpoint for the current line-up.
But it is REALLY bad timing.
The disc of re-recorded stuff is take so much attention away from the new material.
Everyone, whether it be fans, critics, Djs, is gonna spend more time
scrutinizing over and talking about THAT music than they are the New Music.

They're already heading down the same path they were on w/Augeri;
Living off the past. I just have never understood this since the quality
of the music on Arrival was pretty damn good and a few songs
on Generations had potential; coulda been better had the ENTIRE band
been as inspired and driven as Augeri to put that album together.

You make a valid a point,. why was this kind of thing not done or pushed in the past 8 years.
I know alot of people have issues with the material on the 3 cds that they did with Augeri,
I think there was some potential for some of the songs on all three of those cds, and I agree had the entire band been
as inspired and driven as Augeri with Generations and the other 2 cds perhaps things would have been different.
Instead they relied on and lived off the past and continued to tour nonstop for months at a time playing the dirty dozen,.
There was never any kind of deal or push like with this new cd/rerecorded/dvd and they kept relying on the past and
the Journey name to sell tix. Then when the cd's do not sell like Generations they blame SA and his singing.
I do not see or think they are listening to the fans and what they want or think. This is all cool and fantastic however I do not see why it was not done over the past 8 years. It is bad timing and decisions. It is not motivated by what the fans want or think. It is about something else all together,

[journeypower]

Quite frankly...the whole "re-recording the classics" thing is a JOKE and entirely UNNECESSARY".



PS People, don't worry about SP being "driven out" of peoples memories / consciousness...after watching a few of SP's youtube videos and comparing them to AP...there is NOTHING to worry about. AP couldn't carry SP's sweat-soaked microphone.

Out.

got to admit, the excuse of who is the better singer is the lamest thing I've ever heard. both SP and AP are great singers and have their highs and lows and different in every aspect. if people still doesn't get it, SP cannot sing like AP and AP cannot sing like SP.

[Vladan]

Quite frankly...the whole "re-recording the classics" thing is a JOKE and entirely UNNECESSARY".

What alot of older fans don't get is, this is the first time in a llloonnnggg time Journey has the chance to reach a much younger fan base. Like him or not, Arnel's face and actions would be right at home on American Idol, this means alot of younger fans are taking interest in Journey, some for the first time. Recording the classics with modern day recording technology, media, etc, etc, it's a logical decision if you ask me and makes perfect sense. For all practical purposes, this is the Arnel band and company. They are obviously going to ride Arnel for everything they can get from him. Hey, I frickin think SteveP is the greatest melodic rock vocalist of all time, but Arnel with his powerful voice, young look, chaotic energy on stage, etc, has a real chance of bringing Journey back to the limelight. Perhaps for only a brief moment, but still a chance. Re-recording some hits with Arnel's voice is a great idea, this way when the fan goes to see them in concert, they will SEE the voice behind the music.

Huh????!





Here's a NOVEL idea...

"Journey", how about making it back to the top based on your own NEW, fresh, creative, original material???!

Why "hitch a ride" on the old hits just to pretend to be musically relevent again?

It sucks and it CHEAPENS the band (what's left of it).

They can re-record the hits again, it will not male a difference in the world. Everybody knows who Steve Perry is and that the was the best, and the masses of Journey fans with always forever be Perry fans first over any carbon copy clone Journey decide to dish out. Perry is the voice that brought them fame. What people have to realize, it is not 1981 anymore - this genre of music isn't relevant anymore, regardless if Perry comes back either - obviously everyone would prefer Perry at the helm because he's better, but that's not going to happen. Arnel isn't that young either, quite frankly he's probably the biggest Steve Perry clone on the planet. This band is not original anymore. JSS was their chance of originality... instead they hired a Perry clone, again.

[journeypower]

Quite frankly...the whole "re-recording the classics" thing is a JOKE and entirely UNNECESSARY".

What alot of older fans don't get is, this is the first time in a llloonnnggg time Journey has the chance to reach a much younger fan base. Like him or not, Arnel's face and actions would be right at home on American Idol, this means alot of younger fans are taking interest in Journey, some for the first time. Recording the classics with modern day recording technology, media, etc, etc, it's a logical decision if you ask me and makes perfect sense. For all practical purposes, this is the Arnel band and company. They are obviously going to ride Arnel for everything they can get from him. Hey, I frickin think SteveP is the greatest melodic rock vocalist of all time, but Arnel with his powerful voice, young look, chaotic energy on stage, etc, has a real chance of bringing Journey back to the limelight. Perhaps for only a brief moment, but still a chance. Re-recording some hits with Arnel's voice is a great idea, this way when the fan goes to see them in concert, they will SEE the voice behind the music.

Huh????!





Here's a NOVEL idea...

"Journey", how about making it back to the top based on your own NEW, fresh, creative, original material???!

Why "hitch a ride" on the old hits just to pretend to be musically relevent again?

It sucks and it CHEAPENS the band (what's left of it).

They can re-record the hits again, it will not male a difference in the world. Everybody knows who Steve Perry is and that the was the best, and the masses of Journey fans with always forever be Perry fans first over any carbon copy clone Journey decide to dish out. Perry is the voice that brought them fame. What people have to realize, it is not 1981 anymore - this genre of music isn't relevant anymore, regardless if Perry comes back either - obviously everyone would prefer Perry at the helm because he's better, but that's not going to happen. Arnel isn't that young either, quite frankly he's probably the biggest Steve Perry clone on the planet. This band is not original anymore. JSS was their chance of originality... instead they hired a Perry clone, again.

Journey would no longer be Journey if they do it the JSS way. better call it JSS band instead. Journey was born out of cooperation between band members, SP included. it's not dictatorship, otherwise it would had been called SP band for a long time. SP found his identity thru Journey and same can be said with Journey thru SP. now they looked for someone who could find their identity again and same as that goes for the new singer.

[journeypower]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

[stevew2]

You think teenagers that aren't into melodic rock are going to connect with "After All These Years"?? Sound or lyric wise? Come on! You can't be serious.

Absolutely, but Never Walk Away is so much better. Kids absolutely will like that.

I work with a group of teens...when I mentioned Journey to them recently they said "Who?"....so, their an untested market... I'll play it for them and see what they think.

Dont abuse these kids,there are laws against that

[Vladan]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

Anyone has pipes to sing Journey songs, there are literally thousands of singers out there that can sing the Journey catalog and give the songs justice, Arnel is no better than the next guy. It's not about having the pipes, it's about the who is singing it and if it isn't Perry, then you just take a look at track record before Perry joined and when he left, nothing has changed.The problem about all the clones Journey hired since Perry left the band, non of them have their own unique style. Steve Augeri was coming into his own, but as Sammy Hagar even put it "SA is a great guy, he just tried too hard to be Steve Perry". And that's exactly what is happening again. The fact of the matter is, all these new frontman Journey are hiring, are all Steve Perry fans first and foremost, they idolize the man, plain and simple.

[journeypower]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

Anyone has pipes to sing Journey songs, there are literally thousands of singers out there that can sing the Journey catalog and give the songs justice, Arnel is no better than the next guy. It's not about having the pipes, it's about the who is singing it and if it isn't Perry, then you just take a look at track record before Perry joined and when he left, nothing has changed.The problem about all the clones Journey hired since Perry left the band, non of them have their own unique style. Steve Augeri was coming into his own, but as Sammy Hagar even put it "SA is a great guy, he just tried too hard to be Steve Perry". And that's exactly what is happening again. The fact of the matter is, all these new frontman Journey are hiring, are all Steve Perry fans first and foremost, they idolize the man, plain and simple.

I understand what you are saying. however, there is nothing wrong being an SP fan. it's a tough job trying to fill the shoes of an established icon. it's more like an argument of who came first. the if statements comes in to the limelight. what if AP came before SP did? does this mean than SP becomes the clone now? I think that would be an injustice to SP/s voice if he were the latter performer. as to having having their own unique style, it is more unrealistic to say if Wheels in the Sky or any other songs were sang in a rappish manner (which I find ridiculous). I don't agree on the idea that AP is trying hard to copy SP's voice. there is always a possibility that somewhere, somehow , and somebody may appear to possess SP's voice (but not entirely since there will still be some noticeable distinctions). I for one sounded like G. Bush (seriously), but that doesn't mean I'm G. Bush and trying to copy his voice. that's 100% my voice. the sad reality of which stand in singers are facing is if they performed below the expectations of the audience, they get the fire or insulted for being underperformers or simply sucked. if they were able to perform just as well as the original, they are called copycats or clones. and if those singers are even better at it, some people would say they are trying hard to outperform SP. being the second guy gets all the crap that the original left behind, no matter if they sing it SP style or their own unique style. I can fully understand why Journey composed new songs inorder to break out from that dilemma and build a new identity for their new singer.

as far as AP is concerned, there are things that make his voice similar and not similar to SP. which hereby make him unique and not a copycat. I listened to the guy on other songs (not Journey) and it's apparent that it's his voice and was not trying to copy Perry.

[Tomulator]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

I call it a LAME "regurgitation" of CLASSIC songs which DON'T NEED re-doing!

Lame.

[journeypower]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

I call it a LAME "regurgitation" of CLASSIC songs which DON'T NEED re-doing!

Lame.

any better ideas then?

[journeypower]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

I call it a LAME "regurgitation" of CLASSIC songs which DON'T NEED re-doing!

Lame.

any better ideas then?

[Carlitto H@kk]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

I call it a LAME "regurgitation" of CLASSIC songs which DON'T NEED re-doing!

Lame.

any better ideas then?

Hmmm...
Get Azoff off his ass and have him use this supposed "pull" he has in the
biz to get 1-2 NEW sogs in regular rotation on FM/Satellite radio.
Make a video or 2 and get THOSE in heavy rotation on VH1.
Work w/VH1 to promote the new album and tour w/ constant commercials and maybe a special or two,
maybe show the new Vegas Footage or an VH1-Exclusive Performance for a small crowd...
Remember what Metallica did a few years back prior to St Anger (i think)?
They had a small show for about 100 fans where they let fans ask questions and request songs.
VERY COOL idea and it was shown on MTV2 or VH1... Again, Very Cool idea.
Give people a chance to get to know Arnel.
Start doing some promo work, ie appearances on Letterman, Leno, SNL, Regis, You name it...

[Rick]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

I call it a LAME "regurgitation" of CLASSIC songs which DON'T NEED re-doing!

Lame.

It's not lame, it's the way the guys make a living. They don't need anyone's permission to make a living.

[jrnyman28]

I think I have come up with the reason the GH are "disc 1".

But first, a question: How did the Vegas crowd react when the new music was played? Did they head for the beer tent or bathroom? Did they stick around and listen? Did they sit down?

I always say this, I hope someday Neal will realize this: Even if the audience goes for beer or the bathroom or sits down it will STILL HEAR THE NEW MUSIC!!


Now, why is the GH disc "first"? Simple: Look for the CDs to be Point-of-purchase sales. You will see them near the checkouts. When a customer walks up to or is standing in line for a cash register s/he is likely to pick up the CD and peruse the tracks on the back. With the GH being listed first s/he will see song titles s/he recognizes and be more inclined to purches based on familiarity.

I think it sucks, but that makes sense.

[texafana]

Anyone has pipes to sing Journey songs, there are literally thousands of singers out there that can sing the Journey catalog and give the songs justice, Arnel is no better than the next guy.

Actually, that's 100% wrong. Why since the beginning of American Idol has not one male singer had the pipes to sing similar to Perry? I've only heard a few singers that could do Journey justice, one is now involved with Christian rock, the other didn't get the job, the other is currently with the band.

[Enigma869]

Anyone has pipes to sing Journey songs, there are literally thousands of singers out there that can sing the Journey catalog and give the songs justice

Are you shitting me? You truly believe that "anyone" has the pipes to sing Journey songs? WHOA!!!!!! Augeri NEVER had the pipes to sing Journey's catalog, which is why the guy fried his voice, even trying! This is my new "most outrageous" statement I've ever read on MR!


John from Boston

[Carlitto H@kk]

Anyone has pipes to sing Journey songs, there are literally thousands of singers out there that can sing the Journey catalog and give the songs justice, Arnel is no better than the next guy.

Actually, that's 100% wrong. Why since the beginning of American Idol has not one male singer had the pipes to sing similar to Perry? I've only heard a few singers that could do Journey justice, one is now involved with Christian rock, the other didn't get the job, the other is currently with the band.

This is funny.
I was actually thinking about this the other day, in
regards to AI and current singers in general.
You would think that, with literally millions of hopefuls
trying out for AI, or recording contracts in general, there'd
be someone out there that is Perry reborn.
But then I got to thinking (I know, scary!)...

Maybe it's a reflection of today's state of music.
Look at all the folks on AI over the years.
All the chicks either sing like the pop divas, the R&B divas,
Amy Lee or the reigning country queens.
The exception would be this year's female rocker, Amanda,
who sings like Springsteen after 2 cartons of Pall Malls :lol:

BTW, if that Irish Chick Carley doesn't make it to at LEAST the top-3,
I may have to boycott AI forever!

For the most part, all the guys do the same: they all sing
in a style that is currently popular.

Perry's style of singing/music, and melodic rock in general,
aren't really the popular thing these days so it would be a good assumption
that, aside from tribute bands and 30-40-somethings still playing in coverbands,
no one is really out there trying to perfect this style of singing.
There may be folks with Perry's range/tenor out there but they aren't
performing outside of their cars or showers because there really isn't
a popular outlet for them. Pretty sad...

What do you think?

[jrnyman28]

I think I have come up with the reason the GH are "disc 1".

But first, a question: How did the Vegas crowd react when the new music was played? Did they head for the beer tent or bathroom? Did they stick around and listen? Did they sit down?

I always say this, I hope someday Neal will realize this: Even if the audience goes for beer or the bathroom or sits down it will STILL HEAR THE NEW MUSIC!!


Now, why is the GH disc "first"? Simple: Look for the CDs to be Point-of-purchase sales. You will see them near the checkouts. When a customer walks up to or is standing in line for a cash register s/he is likely to pick up the CD and peruse the tracks on the back. With the GH being listed first s/he will see song titles s/he recognizes and be more inclined to purches based on familiarity.

I think it sucks, but that makes sense.

Since this thread is almost played out, I am hoping I can at least get an answer to the question about the crowds in Vegas during the new songs...

[Tomulator]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

I call it a LAME "regurgitation" of CLASSIC songs which DON'T NEED re-doing!

Lame.

any better ideas then?

Yeah...RETIRE.

[Tomulator]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

I call it a LAME "regurgitation" of CLASSIC songs which DON'T NEED re-doing!

Lame.

It's not lame, it's the way the guys make a living. They don't need anyone's permission to make a living.

Well...I don't have to fund their living either!

[Melissa]

I think I have come up with the reason the GH are "disc 1".

But first, a question: How did the Vegas crowd react when the new music was played? Did they head for the beer tent or bathroom? Did they stick around and listen? Did they sit down?

I always say this, I hope someday Neal will realize this: Even if the audience goes for beer or the bathroom or sits down it will STILL HEAR THE NEW MUSIC!!


Now, why is the GH disc "first"? Simple: Look for the CDs to be Point-of-purchase sales. You will see them near the checkouts. When a customer walks up to or is standing in line for a cash register s/he is likely to pick up the CD and peruse the tracks on the back. With the GH being listed first s/he will see song titles s/he recognizes and be more inclined to purches based on familiarity.

I think it sucks, but that makes sense.

Since this thread is almost played out, I am hoping I can at least get an answer to the question about the crowds in Vegas during the new songs...

Actually the crowd was pretty much all on their feet for the new stuff. I remember more sitters for other cuts that weren't in the "dirty dozen" category.

[journeypower]

I think that the reason behind the rerecording is to promote and give exposure Journey's new singer. and since it is obvious that AP has the pipes to give justice to Journey's previous hits and could create interests among old and new fans, it's a good marketing idea for the recording studio. call it a "rediscovery" of Journey's old sound (the music that started it all) and finding a way to continue that particular sound by creating new songs. you can't progress unless you don't know where your breaking ground was.

I call it a LAME "regurgitation" of CLASSIC songs which DON'T NEED re-doing!

Lame.

any better ideas then?

Yeah...RETIRE.

that's pretty LAME !!!

[DarwinNebraska]

Absolutely, but Never Walk Away is so much better. Kids absolutely will like that.

You're kidding yourself. This release won't gain the slightest bit of traction.

[Rick]

Absolutely, but Never Walk Away is so much better. Kids absolutely will like that.

You're kidding yourself. This release won't gain the slightest bit of traction.

It'll gain more traction than you're getting with your old lady.

[brywool]

Absolutely, but Never Walk Away is so much better. Kids absolutely will like that.

You're kidding yourself. This release won't gain the slightest bit of traction.

And DeYoung's will??? Can he even get it released here? Can he even get arrested here?

This Journey song is ONE song out of a bunch of an album's worth of material. They've ripped themselves off before as have other bands... If the entire album's like this, then maybe there's a reason to bitch. This is ONE song...

[brywool]

Anyone has pipes to sing Journey songs, there are literally thousands of singers out there that can sing the Journey catalog and give the songs justice, Arnel is no better than the next guy.

Actually, that's 100% wrong. Why since the beginning of American Idol has not one male singer had the pipes to sing similar to Perry? I've only heard a few singers that could do Journey justice, one is now involved with Christian rock, the other didn't get the job, the other is currently with the band.

This is funny.
I was actually thinking about this the other day, in
regards to AI and current singers in general.
You would think that.... there'd
be someone out there that is Perry reborn.
But then I got to thinking (I know, scary!)...

Arnel's pretty friggin' close for my money. So is Hugo.

[Carlitto H@kk]

Anyone has pipes to sing Journey songs, there are literally thousands of singers out there that can sing the Journey catalog and give the songs justice, Arnel is no better than the next guy.

Actually, that's 100% wrong. Why since the beginning of American Idol has not one male singer had the pipes to sing similar to Perry? I've only heard a few singers that could do Journey justice, one is now involved with Christian rock, the other didn't get the job, the other is currently with the band.

This is funny.
I was actually thinking about this the other day, in
regards to AI and current singers in general.
You would think that.... there'd
be someone out there that is Perry reborn.
But then I got to thinking (I know, scary!)...

Arnel's pretty friggin' close for my money. So is Hugo.

Ok Bry, aside for good ol' Arnel and the legendary Hugo and Dave Perry.
I am talking about the younger folks out there, your 18-30 yo range.
I was just throwing a theory out there on why you don't hear or see singers in the vein
of Perry in that demographic.

[brywool]

Anyone has pipes to sing Journey songs, there are literally thousands of singers out there that can sing the Journey catalog and give the songs justice, Arnel is no better than the next guy.

Actually, that's 100% wrong. Why since the beginning of American Idol has not one male singer had the pipes to sing similar to Perry? I've only heard a few singers that could do Journey justice, one is now involved with Christian rock, the other didn't get the job, the other is currently with the band.

This is funny.
I was actually thinking about this the other day, in
regards to AI and current singers in general.
You would think that.... there'd
be someone out there that is Perry reborn.
But then I got to thinking (I know, scary!)...

Arnel's pretty friggin' close for my money. So is Hugo.

Ok Bry, aside for good ol' Arnel and the legendary Hugo and Dave Perry.
I am talking about the younger folks out there, your 18-30 yo range.
I was just throwing a theory out there on why you don't hear or see singers in the vein
of Perry in that demographic.

Sorry! Came in late, tried to catch up!
Well, speaking as a singer- first VLADEN- "anyone has pipes to sing Journey songs" - you're WAY wrong. What Perry had is a talent that is far beyond that of most singers. Otherwise, there'd be a ton of guys throughout the rock world with that kind of command of range, passion, dexterity, etc. There are very VERY few. There aren't guys out there that LOOK like Steve Perry either. He was born with that incredible singing aparatus (F*CKER!) and now the rest of us can only look inferior.

Getting back to your point Carlitto- I think that singing teaching AND technique have changed a lot since Steve was the king. A lot of that could be because people tried to emulate him so much (who knows?) but singers younger than Perry use more of their Falsetto and Headvoice than Perry did to get those higher notes. Perry had a really high chest voice and then he'd go into his head voice and just rip your head off. I think that younger singers are taught to use more of their falsetto and not to pull their chest voice higher. This way you get singers like Justin Timberlake. Good singer, high range, but he could NOT do what Perry and Arnel and a few others can. They don't have any balls when in those higher registers. It's all very soft stuff. Same with Smokey Robinson. He used his falsetto and head voice to get that sound he did and it wasn't a ballsy sound. It was the Smokey sound! But, you'd never see that guy singing "Edge of the Blade". His voice couldn't do it.

I know in voice lessons now that the 'correct' way to sing is to use your middle voice which is a blend of your chest and head voice and it works to some degree, but not in the way that Perry's did. It doesn't have the power that he did. Maybe he just was a natural (my suspicion), but singers today are taught NOT to pull their chest voices high. They're taught that in order to preserve their voices. So rather than pull it up, they'll use a mixed voice to get over the bridge between their falsetto and chest voice.

Now, if you look at what happened to Perry's voice (rough, lower, etc.) this could be EXACTLY why it happened, because he used his high chest voice all the time and damaged himself vocally. Though his technique worked great for a few albums and a few world tours, that kind of grind will take a toll on anybody's voice. Possibly, if Steve had used the technique that is being pushed today, he would've lasted. BUT, I don't think he would've been the same singer. Augeri did use this technique, but I think that he wasn't born and raised on it. I think he learned it later and maybe didn't assimilate it as well as he could've. So when he got into trouble, he'd tense and try to yell out the notes AND THIS blew out his voice.

I could be wrong, but that's what I think after watching them both for hours.

You COULD just throw all this out and explain it with these little words:

Perry and Arnel are freaks of nature!

By the way, Who's Dave Perry? Never heard of him.