New Gregg Rolie Interview

[Onestepper]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I wasn't there and I don't know about the interaction between the other band members and SP, but I do know that SP said "I never felt like part of the band." I'm speculating that feeling came from joining a band as the "new" guy after the others had long been together. Plus, SP, as he got the wind under his wings, began to fly and try to take the music into a new direction from what it was before. Wouldn't that rub the other band members a little, that the new guy is taking some control? I think they let him take more and more control because his ideas were working, but that doesn't mean they liked it or were comfortable with it. I don't think Perry needs to apologize for what he did for the band, but perhaps what he means in saying he was difficult, was more on the way he went about getting what he wanted for the band. SP seems so passionate and particular about his work that to get the definitive song just right in his eyes might have been a whole lot more than what was good enough for the rest of the band, perhaps another source of conflict. I don't think any of what the band did was easy, but through it all they were "good together." They accomplished some amazing things together, and what they accomplished lives on in the hearts of all of their fans. Perry had everything to do with that! He has taken the responsibility for his part in the chaos, and mistakes he made along the way. Again, Rolie could have left his words, "no one got along too well with Steve..." out of this interview. It wasn't necessary to say IMO. Granted Rolie said nice things about his voice, but saying no one could get along with him was not nice to say after what Perry brought to the band overall, especially after all these years.

I disagree. You can't ask for candid interview, and then have someone pick and choose his words to fit a fan base of a guy that could probably give two shits. You think Rolie and Perry care what the other thinks of each other at this point? It's been almost 30 years. Who cares. I certainly respect someone for speaking their mind a hell of a lot more than someone that is always worried about people liking him. That's high school crap.

Many people can give "candid interviews" without saying things that hurt other people. Steve Perry has given candid interviews and I don't think I've heard him say anything to disparage his band mates, when he certainly had the opportunity and probably could have said plenty.

The point is that he didn't say anything that Perry himself has not said. And it's obviously true, so the point is who cares? I'll tell you who cares...loons that cannot stand to see anything even remotely negative written about SP. And that's fine. Just don't make it in to a bigger drama than it really is. Like someone clearly posted previously, when taken in context with the rest of his statements, there is nothing there.

[Red13JoePa]

Actions always speak louder than words or lack thereof.

[portland]

"I never felt like part of the band" is a sentence I think Steve would love to take back and never hear again.

You think so????

[Blueskies]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I wasn't there and I don't know about the interaction between the other band members and SP, but I do know that SP said "I never felt like part of the band." I'm speculating that feeling came from joining a band as the "new" guy after the others had long been together. Plus, SP, as he got the wind under his wings, began to fly and try to take the music into a new direction from what it was before. Wouldn't that rub the other band members a little, that the new guy is taking some control? I think they let him take more and more control because his ideas were working, but that doesn't mean they liked it or were comfortable with it. I don't think Perry needs to apologize for what he did for the band, but perhaps what he means in saying he was difficult, was more on the way he went about getting what he wanted for the band. SP seems so passionate and particular about his work that to get the definitive song just right in his eyes might have been a whole lot more than what was good enough for the rest of the band, perhaps another source of conflict. I don't think any of what the band did was easy, but through it all they were "good together." They accomplished some amazing things together, and what they accomplished lives on in the hearts of all of their fans. Perry had everything to do with that! He has taken the responsibility for his part in the chaos, and mistakes he made along the way. Again, Rolie could have left his words, "no one got along too well with Steve..." out of this interview. It wasn't necessary to say IMO. Granted Rolie said nice things about his voice, but saying no one could get along with him was not nice to say after what Perry brought to the band overall, especially after all these years.

I disagree. You can't ask for candid interview, and then have someone pick and choose his words to fit a fan base of a guy that could probably give two shits. You think Rolie and Perry care what the other thinks of each other at this point? It's been almost 30 years. Who cares. I certainly respect someone for speaking their mind a hell of a lot more than someone that is always worried about people liking him. That's high school crap.

Many people can give "candid interviews" without saying things that hurt other people. Steve Perry has given candid interviews and I don't think I've heard him say anything to disparage his band mates, when he certainly had the opportunity and probably could have said plenty.

I don't think that what he said was disparaging or that he intended to be . I just think that when asked a direct question he was being honest about his opinion on his experience when in the band at the time because he was directly asked about any reason due to SP and/or band strife in the question. If he feels that he and other members of the band had a hard time getting along when he was in it then thats his opinion on his experience....he didn't say anything else in ways to disparage SP but went on to praise his singing abilities. He also emphasized that just because he may have personally been having a hard time getting along with SP that it wasn't his reason for wanting to quit the band.

[Deb]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

i didnt see it on that context.
i saw him as being honest.

there's a comment down the interview which shows his respect to perry's singing ability and work ethics.

"Perry, technically wise, you can find very little fault in what he did. He sang background and lead vocals for the four years that I was there, six to eight months out of the year, and did not falter. That's incredible. Because that singing is at the top of anybody's range. That's pretty good."

That's how I saw it too. Perry himself has admitted to not being a day at the beach back in the day. Personally, I think it was that friction and perfectionism that churned out Journey's all-time best music. Probably doesn't want that kinda stress anymore and why he's a happy contented guy just enjoying life now.

Great interview though, thanks for sharing the link Andrew.

[Blueskies]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I wasn't there and I don't know about the interaction between the other band members and SP, but I do know that SP said "I never felt like part of the band." I'm speculating that feeling came from joining a band as the "new" guy after the others had long been together. Plus, SP, as he got the wind under his wings, began to fly and try to take the music into a new direction from what it was before. Wouldn't that rub the other band members a little, that the new guy is taking some control? I think they let him take more and more control because his ideas were working, but that doesn't mean they liked it or were comfortable with it. I don't think Perry needs to apologize for what he did for the band, but perhaps what he means in saying he was difficult, was more on the way he went about getting what he wanted for the band. SP seems so passionate and particular about his work that to get the definitive song just right in his eyes might have been a whole lot more than what was good enough for the rest of the band, perhaps another source of conflict. I don't think any of what the band did was easy, but through it all they were "good together." They accomplished some amazing things together, and what they accomplished lives on in the hearts of all of their fans. Perry had everything to do with that! He has taken the responsibility for his part in the chaos, and mistakes he made along the way. Again, Rolie could have left his words, "no one got along too well with Steve..." out of this interview. It wasn't necessary to say IMO. Granted Rolie said nice things about his voice, but saying no one could get along with him was not nice to say after what Perry brought to the band overall, especially after all these years.

I disagree. You can't ask for candid interview, and then have someone pick and choose his words to fit a fan base of a guy that could probably give two shits. You think Rolie and Perry care what the other thinks of each other at this point? It's been almost 30 years. Who cares. I certainly respect someone for speaking their mind a hell of a lot more than someone that is always worried about people liking him. That's high school crap.

Many people can give "candid interviews" without saying things that hurt other people. Steve Perry has given candid interviews and I don't think I've heard him say anything to disparage his band mates, when he certainly had the opportunity and probably could have said plenty.

The point is that he didn't say anything that Perry himself has not said. And it's obviously true, so the point is who cares? I'll tell you who cares...loons that cannot stand to see anything even remotely negative written about SP. And that's fine. Just don't make it in to a bigger drama than it really is. Like someone clearly posted previously, when taken in context with the rest of his statements, there is nothing there.

+1

[Don]

I think it was fine what Gregg said. When he says "all of us", that would have to be him Neal, Ross and Smitty. Smith is the hardest one to read. After the ROR fiasco and now reading this, it's almost surprising he came back for TBF, until you realize it's about the money. What these guys personal feelings were to each other doesn't really matter.

[bluejeangirl76]

I think it was fine what Gregg said. When he says "all of us", that would have to be him Neal, Ross and Smitty. Smith is the hardest one to read. After the ROR fiasco and now reading this, it's almost surprising he came back for TBF, until you realize it's about the money. What these guys personal feelings were to each other doesn't really matter.

Right. He said what he said in an honest and non-disparaging way... I mean it's not like he said "That guy is a major asshole!" or anything. How did Steve get this image with some people of this cute wittle sweet wuvable huggable bundle of sweetness that would never harm a fly? Why, I bet you anything he squashed a bug just last week!

Come on, he's a guy, not a god. He's a person with talents and flaws and attitudes (pos and neg) and everything all the rest of us have. Jeezum.

Oooooh, Gregg Rolie said they stopped getting along at work... WHAT A DEVIL!! Ooga booga booga!!

[artist4perry]

I think it was fine what Gregg said. When he says "all of us", that would have to be him Neal, Ross and Smitty. Smith is the hardest one to read. After the ROR fiasco and now reading this, it's almost surprising he came back for TBF, until you realize it's about the money. What these guys personal feelings were to each other doesn't really matter.

Right. He said what he said in an honest and non-disparaging way... I mean it's not like he said "That guy is a major asshole!" or anything. How did Steve get this image with some people of this cute wittle sweet wuvable huggable bundle of sweetness that would never harm a fly? Why, I bet you anything he squashed a bug just last week!

Come on, he's a guy, not a god. He's a person with talents and flaws and attitudes (pos and neg) and everything all the rest of us have. Jeezum.

Oooooh, Gregg Rolie said they stopped getting along at work... WHAT A DEVIL!! Ooga booga booga!!

I totally agree with what you said BJG. I am however LMAO at the part I bolded.

Ditto that..............the Technical phrase Ooga Booga Booga, is that latin for Greg Rollie not please loon godesses?

Look, none of us knew what they went through, what was said, what the atmosphere was like, if one guy hated the way the other slurped his coffee............you get the point. They were human beings with varied personalities not unlike the ones on this very site! Clashes happen. I bet each guy on his own is fine, but maybe, just maybe together they got on each others nerves. And by the way bluejeangirl ...........wash your feet will ya?

[RedWingFan]

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

Thanks for saving me the keystrokes Dean! I liked Revelation, but these people MAKE me dislike the current lineup!!!

[Peartree12249]

Perry always impressed me as a perfectionist. He has his vision and nothing less would satisfy him. These types of individuals can often be a bitch to work with as compromise is often not a part of their vocabulary. It doesn't make them bad people, nor does it make the people who find them so difficult to work with bad. It just makes them different. Maybe he was moody who knows... who cares. How many years ago was this???

[SP Fan in Oregon]

I think it was fine what Gregg said. When he says "all of us", that would have to be him Neal, Ross and Smitty. Smith is the hardest one to read. After the ROR fiasco and now reading this, it's almost surprising he came back for TBF, until you realize it's about the money. What these guys personal feelings were to each other doesn't really matter.

Right. He said what he said in an honest and non-disparaging way... I mean it's not like he said "That guy is a major asshole!" or anything. How did Steve get this image with some people of this cute wittle sweet wuvable huggable bundle of sweetness that would never harm a fly? Why, I bet you anything he squashed a bug just last week!

Come on, he's a guy, not a god. He's a person with talents and flaws and attitudes (pos and neg) and everything all the rest of us have. Jeezum.

Oooooh, Gregg Rolie said they stopped getting along at work... WHAT A DEVIL!! Ooga booga booga!!

Rolie didn't have to say those exact words, it was what he said, that left that impression, "that guy was a major asshole" that's one of the reasons I left. My opinion is not that Perry was a "cute wittle sweet wuvable bundle of sweetness that would never harm a fly" as he said himself, he wasn't that. I wasn't writing about whether the statement is true or not, because I have no way of knowing, but only that the statement was made at all by Rolie in this interview. Yes, Perry is a person with talents, and flaws and attitudes like the rest of us have, but he also has feelings. After all these years, seems like Rolie might have stuck to his previous statements, when interviewed, "I got burned out that's why I left," without adding a slight about Perry. That was my point, and my opinion. I don't expect anyone to agree with me, but I don't want it twisted around what I'm saying either.

P.S. I thought Perry was known for harming cats, not sqashing bugs.

[bluejeangirl76]

P.S. I thought Perry was known for harming cats, not sqashing bugs.

He does it all. The guy is a menace!

[journeygirl]

"I never felt like part of the band" is a sentence I think Steve would love to take back and never hear again.

Yeah, I'm betting that Perry had wished he had never made that statement. It will follow him to the day he dies.

But overall I enjoyed the interview. I've always like Rolie's voice and he seemed like a pretty cool guy. Can't blame him for getting tired of that kind of lifestyle. He had to make the right decision for himself at the time.

[Ftloperry]

Good interview.

[Since 78]

Thanks Andrew!

[Saint John]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

Sour grapes? Bullshit. All of the guys from Journey throughout the years get along...except for one guy. Face it, Perry is a prick of epic proportions and even the world's nicest fucking guy, Gregg Rolie, thinks he's a douchesponge. Even Steve Smith thinks he's a fucking asshole and I have seen the grimace and pained look on his face at the very mention of Perry's name. Let's be clear here. Pointing out that the guy was a dickbag of historic proportions in no way takes away from the fact that he possessed the greatest voice in the history of rock.

[jrnyman28]

Jeezus Kryst, ONE person doesn't like it and the rest thought it was a good interview. What does that tell you about where the problem lies?

This was a great interview. I admit that I was looking for a little more detail about reuniting. I was actually thinking it would have been the perfect time to talk about the Journey 1995 stuff.

Gregg is a great guy doing what he loves and having fun. That is to be commended. We all know that Journey has gone through times when they were not loving what they do...with Perry and after. Gregg is the fortunate one!

Thank you Andrew for linking this. Now that Gregg is travelling even more I remain hopeful that he will get out to Denver someday!

[Red13JoePa]

he possessed the greatest voice in the history of rock.

No way, Colonel.
NO way.

[madsplash]

he possessed the greatest voice in the history of rock.

No way, Colonel.
NO way.

Yes way, Private.
YES way.

Who do YOU think is better?

This should be good.

[*Laura]

Face it, Perry is a prick of epic proportions ....

....the guy was a dickbag of historic proportions

Yup, pretty much everything about him is epic and historic, isn't it?

Seriously, Dan...wtf? You sound so bitter. It's like you had to live with the guy in the same house and he pissed in your cornflakes each morning.

He's a rock star, they are all rock stars not some sweet little pink tu-tu wearing fairies. If they wouldn't had been dicks, drunks and talented they would have never made rock and roll what it is.

[Red13JoePa]

he possessed the greatest voice in the history of rock.

No way, Colonel.
NO way.

Yes way, Private.
YES way.

Who do YOU think is better?

This should be good.

Not even the best voice in AOR.

[Don]

Jeezus Kryst, ONE person doesn't like it and the rest thought it was a good interview. What does that tell you about where the problem lies?

This was a great interview. I admit that I was looking for a little more detail about reuniting. I was actually thinking it would have been the perfect time to talk about the Journey 1995 stuff.

Gregg is a great guy doing what he loves and having fun. That is to be commended. We all know that Journey has gone through times when they were not loving what they do...with Perry and after. Gregg is the fortunate one!

Thank you Andrew for linking this. Now that Gregg is travelling even more I remain hopeful that he will get out to Denver someday!

From what he said, and the non-inclusion of any Journey material in his shows, I think that train has left the station. Once he and Chalfant got dropped for TBF, I would think that ended any chance. I would think that he didn't mention the Pre-TBF stuff because of where that question would lead back to again (Perry).

[moangel58]

I believe it was said by Steve himself and I quote:
"I was no day at the beach or picnic in the park."
Steve admitted numerous times that he was a perfectionist and things needed to go his way. He had an amazing knack for getting things done and still does.
So let this go, Steve admits his fault in the whole thing.

[Onestepper]

I believe it was said by Steve himself and I quote:
"I was no day at the beach or picnic in the park."
Steve admitted numerous times that he was a perfectionist and things needed to go his way. He had an amazing knack for getting things done and still does.
So let this go, Steve admits his fault in the whole thing.

Sorry, but those three words in your otherwise accurate statement do not fit.

[madsplash]

he possessed the greatest voice in the history of rock.

No way, Colonel.
NO way.

Yes way, Private.
YES way.

Who do YOU think is better?

This should be good.

Not even the best voice in AOR.

You're outta your gourd.

Tell me who YOU think is better, and prepare for laughter.

[mikemarrs]

if someone is a complete control freak but the product is superior then thats the way it is.if someone produces i'll overlook the rough edges and be thankful for the great output.most geniuses can be very damn difficult at times but they've earned that right.they know something others might not know plus they do it better so they are the one that makes it happen.gregg certainly ain't bitching about three or four multi-platinum discs hanging on his wall or the millions of dollars those laborious sessions gave.

[steveo777]

he possessed the greatest voice in the history of rock.

No way, Colonel.
NO way.

Yes way, Private.
YES way.

Who do YOU think is better?

This should be good.

Not even the best voice in AOR.

You're outta your gourd.

Tell me who YOU think is better, and prepare for laughter.

Haha...an arguement over who's better..a couple shots apiece and nobody's dropped a name yet. Funny shit!

[mikemarrs]

there for one minute i had a vision of no jon cain and gregg back in journey.that would be pretty sweet.even with arnel that would be interesting to see.

[Red13JoePa]

he possessed the greatest voice in the history of rock.

No way, Colonel.
NO way.

Yes way, Private.
YES way.

Who do YOU think is better?

This should be good.

Not even the best voice in AOR.

You're outta your gourd.

Tell me who YOU think is better, and prepare for laughter.

Haha...an arguement over who's better..a couple shots apiece and nobody's dropped a name yet. Funny shit!

Right off the bat Jamison and Gramm. Gary Cherone. Delp.
Freddy Mercury's a better SINGER but I don;t care for his squealy voice.