Neil Schon: ‘The door is always open

[Yoda]

I think the ideal reunion would include Perry and Smith coming back with Josh Ramos on guitar.

Nah. Schon can still play, Perry can't say the same. So it's only ideal if you're interested in listening to shitty vocals, which, knowing you, is always possible.

You've heard Perry sing recently?

No, I just live in the real world where 63-year-old singers don't typically go from their current raspy asthmatic warbles to the pristine, glass-shattering vocals they enjoyed in their prime, some 30 years ago. Perry's vocals in TBF were passable and occasionally great (WYLAW); the idea that he's somehow transcended that at his age and after this many years since that vocally underwhelming album is... exceptionally unlikely at best.

Meanwhile, Schon, Cain, and even Journey's resident crypt-keeper can still play like it's 1983.

Oh, I see.... so you're just pulling your ideas out of your ass! Gotcha...!

[Gideon]

I think the ideal reunion would include Perry and Smith coming back with Josh Ramos on guitar.

Nah. Schon can still play, Perry can't say the same. So it's only ideal if you're interested in listening to shitty vocals, which, knowing you, is always possible.

You've heard Perry sing recently?

No, I just live in the real world where 63-year-old singers don't typically go from their current raspy asthmatic warbles to the pristine, glass-shattering vocals they enjoyed in their prime, some 30 years ago. Perry's vocals in TBF were passable and occasionally great (WYLAW); the idea that he's somehow transcended that at his age and after this many years since that vocally underwhelming album is... exceptionally unlikely at best.

Meanwhile, Schon, Cain, and even Journey's resident crypt-keeper can still play like it's 1983.

Oh, I see.... so you're just pulling your ideas out of your ass! Gotcha...!

If by "pulling ideas out of my ass" you mean "using rational and logical deduction to make inferences about the real world", then sure. Hang around long enough and you just may learn a thing or two.

[Deb]

I think the ideal reunion would include Perry and Smith coming back with Josh Ramos on guitar.

Nah. Schon can still play, Perry can't say the same. So it's only ideal if you're interested in listening to shitty vocals, which, knowing you, is always possible.

You've heard Perry sing recently?

No, I just live in the real world where 63-year-old singers don't typically go from their current raspy asthmatic warbles to the pristine, glass-shattering vocals they enjoyed in their prime, some 30 years ago. Perry's vocals in TBF were passable and occasionally great (WYLAW); the idea that he's somehow transcended that at his age and after this many years since that vocally underwhelming album is... exceptionally unlikely at best.

Meanwhile, Schon, Cain, and even Journey's resident crypt-keeper can still play like it's 1983.

They are also playing with strap on instruments (get your mind out of the gutter ) that can be replaced multiple times over, not a God given instrument that you only get one of. Sorry man, but I'll take these 'raspy asthmatic warbles' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idE1lsqG2Vc .......over most of his early glass shattering vocals. I'll be willing to bet he doesn't sound too far off these vocals, today. Either way I'll take 60% of Perry's pipes over 95% of what's out there today. There is VERY few that have the ability to deliver a song that well.

[Gideon]

They are also playing with strap on instruments (get your mind out of the gutter ) that can be replaced multiple times over, not a God given instrument that you only get one of.

With ten digits that are God-given instruments.

Sorry man, but I'll take these 'raspy asthmatic warbles' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idE1lsqG2Vc .......over most of his early glass shattering vocals.

We know.
Look, Frontiers/Raised on Radio-era Perry is my favorite to listen to, but the fact remains that no one wants to hear him rap songs like "Lights" or whatever that are custom built around that epic range. Some of the catalog is built around that raspy, emoting, soulful bullshit you and I adore so much but then other parts of it aren't. For my money, he needs to be able to pull both off.

The alternative is making excuses for an old man well past his prime who can't do what is expected of him by the songs he created.

I'll be willing to bet he doesn't sound too far off these vocals, today. Either way I'll take 60% of Perry's pipes over 95% of what's out there today. There is VERY few that have the ability to deliver a song that well.

Well since they'd never tour behind TBF alone (though that would be cool), it's a moot point. People expect the dirty dozen and Perry simply can't deliver it. I have no attachment to these men. If Schon couldn't bend strings like he used to or can currently, I wouldn't want to see him either. As performers and musicians, they have a job to do and if they can't do it, well, what's the point? Seeing a wrinkly, immobile, aged Perry on stage in tails for the explicit purpose of remembering how great he used to be?

If Perry toured and wanted to do an acoustic set to accommodate his faltering voice, that would be fine. But the lead singer of Journey requires more on all fronts... and that expectation of mine is ultimately Perry's doing for setting the bar so high.

It all comes down to whether or not you listen to the music for the music or for the men.

[Deb]

Well since they'd never tour behind TBF alone (though that would be cool), it's a moot point. People expect the dirty dozen and Perry simply can't deliver it. I have no attachment to these men. If Schon couldn't bend strings like he used to or can currently, I wouldn't want to see him either. As performers and musicians, they have a job to do and if they can't do it, well, what's the point? Seeing a wrinkly, immobile, aged Perry on stage in tails for the explicit purpose of remembering how great he used to be?

If Perry toured and wanted to do an acoustic set to accommodate his faltering voice, that would be fine. But the lead singer of Journey requires more on all fronts... and that expectation of mine is ultimately Perry's doing for setting the bar so high.

It all comes down to whether or not you listen to the music for the music or for the men.

As compared to the other Journey members? Not to pick on him, but have you seen Ross? Must say, Perry is holding up pretty damn well.

No where in my post did I say I want to see him out on tour fronting Journey again? You're expectations are what they are, although I for one have never expected any original lead singer to sound like they did 30-35 years ago. My expectations are a little more realistic than that. Does Perry have to have the exact range he did on the original "Lights" to be able to pull it off real well.......uh no. 99.9% of the time I would rather hear the original singer on those rock songs even if they have to tune it down or all the highs aren't quite being hit.

PS: Gid, do you like Nelly? Or the rap/hiphop genre. For the most part I don't except for a few, but I totally dig that song in my sig for some reason.

[Yoda]

I think the ideal reunion would include Perry and Smith coming back with Josh Ramos on guitar.

Nah. Schon can still play, Perry can't say the same. So it's only ideal if you're interested in listening to shitty vocals, which, knowing you, is always possible.

You've heard Perry sing recently?

No, I just live in the real world where 63-year-old singers don't typically go from their current raspy asthmatic warbles to the pristine, glass-shattering vocals they enjoyed in their prime, some 30 years ago. Perry's vocals in TBF were passable and occasionally great (WYLAW); the idea that he's somehow transcended that at his age and after this many years since that vocally underwhelming album is... exceptionally unlikely at best.

Meanwhile, Schon, Cain, and even Journey's resident crypt-keeper can still play like it's 1983.

Oh, I see.... so you're just pulling your ideas out of your ass! Gotcha...!

If by "pulling ideas out of my ass" you mean "using rational and logical deduction to make inferences about the real world", then sure. Hang around long enough and you just may learn a thing or two.

ha! If you say so Gid!

[Yoda]

Gideon:

I think the point people are trying to make is that there is a different feel to the music with replacement musicians/singers that goes beyond the mechanical aspects. I don't know if you understand that or not; I hope you do! If not, stick around, and you might learn something!

It's really simply this. Journey is not the same without both a healthy Steve Perry AND Steve Smith. It's just not the same band. That isn't to say that the current line up cannot perform those classics well, because they do! But, it's not the same chemistry. And believe or not, for some people, it goes way beyond being able to hit this or that note clearly, or to play a certain passage exactly the way it is on the record - it's the chemistry. Don't believe me? Well, listen to the sound bytes of Schon's upcoming album. I never realized the extent to how much I miss Steve Smith in Journey until I heard those sound bytes. I heard A LOT of Journey in those sound bytes! Keep in mind though, I'm not knocking the current line up. I have loved and followed Journey almost all of my life, through all the line up changes, and I'm going to see them in October in support. However, I DO know that there would be a completely different feel to the band if the original guys (the early 80's were my favorite) were in the band.

As far as Steve Perry is concerned, I don't believe for a second that he cannot sing. I'm not going to assume, though, past that point what shape his vocals are in. Until I hear it for myself, I give the man all the benefit of doubt. So, it's really not necessarily rational to say his vocals are shit, without having proof. I remember listening to some Kansas recordings with Steve Walsh in the 90's - his voice was terrible! In much worse shape, in my opinion, than Perry's! Of course, I think much of his issues may have been drug related, but nevertheless, his vocals were toast. Fast forward years later, whatever it is that Walsh did to improve his vocals really helped. He DOESN'T sound like he did in the 70's (who in their right mind would think that) but he sounds 100 times better now than he did in the 90's! So, I DO think there are ways to improve a damaged voice.

And honestly, to me, there's just something about that familiar voice. It may not be the same, but you recognize it. And through that familiarity you find the chemistry that those artists built within the music they created together - and that is why you have certain people who will say they'll never support the band without this or that member. To me, I'll continue to support the band through all phases, but it wouldn't be the same for me if Perry DID come back but Smith didn't. Smith completes that band. Likewise, no matter what abuse we dish out to Schon, if Schon wasn't in the band, it wouldn't be Journey. Likewise with Cain, although I loved the Rolie era as well.

So, there IS some of us who are intelligent enough to realize that it goes past merely the notes played and the lyrics sung. And while your conclusions, based on certain facts, could point to Steve Perry no longer being able to perform his craft at an acceptable level, you just really don't know. I think it's more fun to fantasize of having all past and present members on stage and assume they all could perform rather than to pick each member (past or present) apart and the fans who love them. After all, it's just all BSing until 5pm anyway!

[Michigan Girl]

Great post, Yoda ...it will be lost on Giddy, though, as I think he has
a problem w/the elderly ...even though the most important remaining
members of his favorite band are older than his parents and he, himself,
sports a Dennis DeYoung Doo from 1981.

[Lora]

As performers and musicians, they have a job to do and if they can't do it, well, what's the point? Seeing a wrinkly, immobile, aged Perry on stage in tails for the explicit purpose of remembering how great he used to be?

Congratulations. A new low for you.

[Gideon]

As compared to the other Journey members? Not to pick on him, but have you seen Ross? Must say, Perry is holding up pretty damn well.

Compared to Ross, who isn't? I'm convinced that he's been physically dead for years and has been reanimated through witchcraft or voodoo.

No where in my post did I say I want to see him out on tour fronting Journey again? You're expectations are what they are, although I for one have never expected any original lead singer to sound like they did 30-35 years ago. My expectations are a little more realistic than that. Does Perry have to have the exact range he did on the original "Lights" to be able to pull it off real well.......uh no. 99.9% of the time I would rather hear the original singer on those rock songs even if they have to tune it down or all the highs aren't quite being hit.

Not me. I don't expect identical versions to studio songs; Arnel, on his best day, doesn't match the range of Perry at his best day, but I expect respectable interpretations of these classic songs.

PS: Gid, do you like Nelly? Or the rap/hiphop genre. For the most part I don't except for a few, but I totally dig that song in my sig for some reason.

Not a fan of hip hop in general, but Nelly's all right. I have "Just A Dream" on my iPod and I like his duet with Tim McGraw from way back when.

Gideon:

I think the point people are trying to make is that there is a different feel to the music with replacement musicians/singers that goes beyond the mechanical aspects. I don't know if you understand that or not; I hope you do! If not, stick around, and you might learn something! Laughing

It's really simply this. Journey is not the same without both a healthy Steve Perry AND Steve Smith. It's just not the same band. That isn't to say that the current line up cannot perform those classics well, because they do! But, it's not the same chemistry. And believe or not, for some people, it goes way beyond being able to hit this or that note clearly, or to play a certain passage exactly the way it is on the record - it's the chemistry. Don't believe me? Well, listen to the sound bytes of Schon's upcoming album. I never realized the extent to how much I miss Steve Smith in Journey until I heard those sound bytes. I heard A LOT of Journey in those sound bytes! Keep in mind though, I'm not knocking the current line up. I have loved and followed Journey almost all of my life, through all the line up changes, and I'm going to see them in October in support. However, I DO know that there would be a completely different feel to the band if the original guys (the early 80's were my favorite) were in the band.

As far as Steve Perry is concerned, I don't believe for a second that he cannot sing. I'm not going to assume, though, past that point what shape his vocals are in. Until I hear it for myself, I give the man all the benefit of doubt. So, it's really not necessarily rational to say his vocals are shit, without having proof. I remember listening to some Kansas recordings with Steve Walsh in the 90's - his voice was terrible! In much worse shape, in my opinion, than Perry's! Of course, I think much of his issues may have been drug related, but nevertheless, his vocals were toast. Fast forward years later, whatever it is that Walsh did to improve his vocals really helped. He DOESN'T sound like he did in the 70's (who in their right mind would think that) but he sounds 100 times better now than he did in the 90's! So, I DO think there are ways to improve a damaged voice.

And honestly, to me, there's just something about that familiar voice. It may not be the same, but you recognize it. And through that familiarity you find the chemistry that those artists built within the music they created together - and that is why you have certain people who will say they'll never support the band without this or that member. To me, I'll continue to support the band through all phases, but it wouldn't be the same for me if Perry DID come back but Smith didn't. Smith completes that band. Likewise, no matter what abuse we dish out to Schon, if Schon wasn't in the band, it wouldn't be Journey. Likewise with Cain, although I loved the Rolie era as well.

So, there IS some of us who are intelligent enough to realize that it goes past merely the notes played and the lyrics sung. And while your conclusions, based on certain facts, could point to Steve Perry no longer being able to perform his craft at an acceptable level, you just really don't know. I think it's more fun to fantasize of having all past and present members on stage and assume they all could perform rather than to pick each member (past or present) apart and the fans who love them. After all, it's just all BSing until 5pm anyway!

So what you're saying is: it's ok for you to believe that Perry's voice doesn't sound like shit but it's not ok for me to think otherwise?

I'm sensitive to the alterations in band chemistry and, to use your example, the effect Smith's drum technique has on a song compared to, say, Deen's. And while I accept that the absence of Perry, Smith, and Rolie did adjust the chemistry to varying degrees (for better or worse), the bottom line is that Perry's primary asset to the band was always his voice. His voice, all that range and power, is what brought and kept him in the hearts of the public.

The bottom line is that whatever Perry may bring to the table in terms of presence, chemistry, gravitas, whatever you want to call it is nothing compared to however many octaves he brought as a vocal god. If he can't replicate it to a respectable, consistent degree, then I'm not interested. As I've said, the sum and total of his worth to me is as an accomplished singer. It is, as I've said, the same situation if Neal climbed onto the stage in his crotch-hugging leathers and went from his melodic blitzing to Eric "Slowhand" Clapton; I'd roll my eyes and leave. They have a talent and bereft of their talent, I have zero interest in seeing them in Journey.

Great post, Yoda ...it will be lost on Giddy, though, as I think he has
a problem w/the elderly ...even though the most important remaining
members of his favorite band are older than his parents and he, himself,
sports a Dennis DeYoung Doo from 1981.

I have nothing against the elderly. I do hate nursing homes, though.

Congratulations. A new low for you.

Yep, because what I said was just the embodiment of harsh. With a ridiculously oversensitive and whiny attitude like that, you should run Perry's fanclub.

Oh wait.

[RedWingFan]

Not me. I don't expect identical versions to studio songs; Arnel, on his best day, doesn't match the range of Perry at his best day, but I expect respectable interpretations of these classic songs.

You are close. Arnel on his best day can't touch Perry on his worst day, singing or writing. You're comical and are bitter because the indisputable fact is. Perry has all the credibility. If he chose to rejoin the band, and marketed *Steve Perry for the first time in 26 years is back with Journey live...blah, blah, blah.* They would be able to fill sheds on their own, and not forced to drag other bands on triple bills to outperform them nightly. (ie; Foreigner, Night Ranger)

Neil has shown he will do whatever it takes to book shows with whatever singer or playback device is available for the cash of hardworking fans. I'm not even gonna mention the phone photos that punchline took of himself.

If Perry said he want's to do a final cd and farewell tour next summer to retire the band name the way it deserves. You know damn well Cain would chomp at the bit to repair some of his disgust (at what went on with tapegate) and take this thing out the way it deserves. Neil would be faced with the pressure of Cain, Perry and Smith who Perry would recruit to come back also.

I'm sure Perry would be smart enough to get an ironclad agreement from his lawyers to keep Niel from using the retired "Journey" name and bring back Arnel, Deen and propping up a cardboard cutout of Cain and not honoring whole "farewell tour" he just made a boatload of bank on....again no credibility.

[Gideon]

Arnel on his best day can't touch Perry on his worst day,

I appreciate you being kind enough to make it clear just how much of a complete and utter moron you are in your first two sentences. I'd have been pretty pissed if I'd wasted my time reading your entire post.

You're comical and are bitter because the indisputable fact is.

Bitter? This from the guy who goes out of his way to misspell Neal's name in every goddamn post going on a year now?

[slucero]

Gid's never seen Perry... so I gotta handicap his comments..


Having seen all incarnations except Fleishman and Soto... comparing any of them to Perry is sort of like the difference between guessing the weight of a bar of gold from a distance vs. holding it in your hands... you only realize how much heavier it is when you actually hold it.

[Gideon]

Gid's never seen Perry... so I gotta handicap his comments..

Hey, I own Live in Houston and RedWingFan's cornered the market on handicapped comments.

Having seen all incarnations except Fleishman and Soto... comparing any of them to Perry is sort of like the difference between guessing the weight of a bar of gold from a distance vs. holding it in your hands... you only realize how much heavier it is when you actually hold it.

No doubt. But we're talking about how good he'd be now, not how good he was then.

[tater1977]

Gid's never seen Perry... so I gotta handicap his comments..


Having seen all incarnations except Fleishman and Soto... comparing any of them to Perry is sort of like the difference between guessing the weight of a bar of gold from a distance vs. holding it in your hands... you only realize how much heavier it is when you actually hold it.

GIDEON...the pix below is NOT SP...

[slucero]

Gid's never seen Perry... so I gotta handicap his comments..

Hey, I own Live in Houston and RedWingFan's cornered the market on handicapped comments.

Having seen all incarnations except Fleishman and Soto... comparing any of them to Perry is sort of like the difference between guessing the weight of a bar of gold from a distance vs. holding it in your hands... you only realize how much heavier it is when you actually hold it.

No doubt. But we're talking about how good he'd be now, not how good he was then.

Live In Houston is great... but being 30 yards from the stage when Perry opens his mouth is mind-boggling..


There's a HUGE difference between singing backup on a David Pack song and singing the Dirty Dozen.

Anyone who thinks Perry can simply open up his mouth and crank out the Dirty Dozen is smoking crack. Even Perry had to put himself on a training regimen to sing those songs.. The regimen alone (diet, vocal training/exercise) is something he'd have to work himself back into, just to find out if he even HAS that range again...

absent some time in that regimen.. NO ONE... (not even Perry) likely knows what his range is these days.. talking or arguing about it is simply idiotic.

[Gideon]

Gid's never seen Perry... so I gotta handicap his comments..

Hey, I own Live in Houston and RedWingFan's cornered the market on handicapped comments.

Having seen all incarnations except Fleishman and Soto... comparing any of them to Perry is sort of like the difference between guessing the weight of a bar of gold from a distance vs. holding it in your hands... you only realize how much heavier it is when you actually hold it.

No doubt. But we're talking about how good he'd be now, not how good he was then.

There's a HUGE difference between singing backup on a David Pack song and singing the Dirty Dozen.

Anyone who thinks Perry can simply open up his mouth and crank out the Dirty Dozen is smoking crack. Even Perry had to put himself on a training regimen to sing those songs.. The regimen alone (diet, vocal training/exercise) is something he'd have to work himself back into, just to find out if he even HAS that range again...

Right.

It seems to me that while anything is possible, the factors overwhelmingly point to a very diminished Perry. That's not bashing, that's not attacking, that's just probability.

[steveo777]

They are also playing with strap on instruments (get your mind out of the gutter ) that can be replaced multiple times over, not a God given instrument that you only get one of.

With ten digits that are God-given instruments.

Sorry man, but I'll take these 'raspy asthmatic warbles' http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=idE1lsqG2Vc .......over most of his early glass shattering vocals.

We know.
Look, Frontiers/Raised on Radio-era Perry is my favorite to listen to, but the fact remains that no one wants to hear him rap songs like "Lights" or whatever that are custom built around that epic range. Some of the catalog is built around that raspy, emoting, soulful bullshit you and I adore so much but then other parts of it aren't. For my money, he needs to be able to pull both off.

The alternative is making excuses for an old man well past his prime who can't do what is expected of him by the songs he created.

I'll be willing to bet he doesn't sound too far off these vocals, today. Either way I'll take 60% of Perry's pipes over 95% of what's out there today. There is VERY few that have the ability to deliver a song that well.

Well since they'd never tour behind TBF alone (though that would be cool), it's a moot point. People expect the dirty dozen and Perry simply can't deliver it. I have no attachment to these men. If Schon couldn't bend strings like he used to or can currently, I wouldn't want to see him either. As performers and musicians, they have a job to do and if they can't do it, well, what's the point? Seeing a wrinkly, immobile, aged Perry on stage in tails for the explicit purpose of remembering how great he used to be?

If Perry toured and wanted to do an acoustic set to accommodate his faltering voice, that would be fine. But the lead singer of Journey requires more on all fronts... and that expectation of mine is ultimately Perry's doing for setting the bar so high.

It all comes down to whether or not you listen to the music for the music or for the men.

Much to the chagrin of a handful of loons, the things you have stated are precisely why Journey would not kick Arnel to the curb just because Perry wanted to rejoin the band. Not that there is any risk of that happening, but most sane people get it. That said, bashing Perry because he has aged and cannot deliver as he used to be able to is a bit over the top, IMO. It's kind of like bashing a kid because he was born with autism, mental retardation or, in the case of a singer.....just got older and had physical ailments. These things are not under anyone's control. Now we can either choose to continue the journey.......or not. Some wont, but most will. Arnel Pineda is a power house of a singer and I enjoy him very much. He's not Steve Perry.....noone is. He brings something different to the table.

[slucero]

Gid's never seen Perry... so I gotta handicap his comments..

Hey, I own Live in Houston and RedWingFan's cornered the market on handicapped comments.

Having seen all incarnations except Fleishman and Soto... comparing any of them to Perry is sort of like the difference between guessing the weight of a bar of gold from a distance vs. holding it in your hands... you only realize how much heavier it is when you actually hold it.

No doubt. But we're talking about how good he'd be now, not how good he was then.

There's a HUGE difference between singing backup on a David Pack song and singing the Dirty Dozen.

Anyone who thinks Perry can simply open up his mouth and crank out the Dirty Dozen is smoking crack. Even Perry had to put himself on a training regimen to sing those songs.. The regimen alone (diet, vocal training/exercise) is something he'd have to work himself back into, just to find out if he even HAS that range again...

Right.

It seems to me that while anything is possible, the factors overwhelmingly point to a very diminished Perry. That's not bashing, that's not attacking, that's just probability.

The medical advances in care for vocalists is pretty amazing these days... usually injury involves some sort of hemorrhaging, then scar tissue, which inhibits the use of that area in the vocal range... in other cases singers have surgery that results in scar tissue.. a god example is Julie Andrews.

There's a new treatment that injects a substance into the injured (scarred) area of the vocal fold that literally restores the elasticity (and use of) of that area for up to 6 months at a time. Sort of like collagen is injected in the lips. It's only a matter of time before this treatment is perfected and in use.

It's entirely possible Perry could avail himself of this.

[Gideon]

That said, bashing Perry because he has aged and cannot deliver as he used to be able to is a bit over the top, IMO. It's kind of like bashing a kid because he was born with autism, mental retardation or, in the case of a singer.....just got older and had physical ailments. These things are not under anyone's control. Now we can either choose to continue the journey.......or not.

Oh, for fuck's sake, who was bashing Perry for being old? I'm becoming seriously convinced that frequent use of this message board deteriorates mental faculties and comprehension. Let's dissect my comment word-by-word. "Wrinkly": Perry's 63-years-old and has apparently eschewed Neal's patented solution to any crease, which is to botox the ever loving fuck out of it; "immobile": Perry's 63-years-old and suffered degenerative hip condition, even with full replacement, this guy isn't going to be leaping across the stage; "aged": Perry's 63-years-old, emphasis on old.

As Michigan Girl pointed out, out of Journey's current five members, one is older than Perry (Ross), one is a year younger (Jon), and the youngest of the three (Neal) is pushing 60. They're all old, that's not a value judgment, that's the fucking truth.

[steveo777]

That said, bashing Perry because he has aged and cannot deliver as he used to be able to is a bit over the top, IMO. It's kind of like bashing a kid because he was born with autism, mental retardation or, in the case of a singer.....just got older and had physical ailments. These things are not under anyone's control. Now we can either choose to continue the journey.......or not.

Oh, for fuck's sake, who was bashing Perry for being old? I'm becoming seriously convinced that frequent use of this message board deteriorates mental faculties and comprehension. Let's dissect my comment word-by-word. "Wrinkly": Perry's 63-years-old and has apparently eschewed Neal's patented solution to any crease, which is to botox the ever loving fuck out of it; "immobile": Perry's 63-years-old and suffered degenerative hip condition, even with full replacement, this guy isn't going to be leaping across the stage; "aged": Perry's 63-years-old, emphasis on old.

As Michigan Girl pointed out, out of Journey's current five members, one is older than Perry (Ross), one is a year younger (Jon), and the youngest of the three (Neal) is pushing 60. They're all old, that's not a value judgment, that's the fucking truth.

Gideon,

Do you just want to quote the part of my post that you perceived as attacking you? I wasn't. I can see some of your points. Now don't go getting loony. The band in it's current iteration is doing very well and the people that are attending these concerts have mostly good things to say, save for a handful of sour grapes. Maybe some of our opinions of what, exactly, the band should be doing at this point in their careers differ. The general vibe is that it works and Journey's selling plenty of tickets and the concert experience is great for most.

[Gideon]

Do you just want to quote the part of my post that you perceived as attacking you? I wasn't.

Attacking me?
You're not attacking me, you're misconstruing my very clear words. The only thing you're attacking is the English language.

[steveo777]

Do you just want to quote the part of my post that you perceived as attacking you? I wasn't.

Attacking me?
You're not attacking me, you're misconstruing my very clear words. The only thing you're attacking is the English language.

Well, friends we'll always be, but if we ever disagree, well fuck you, here's to me!

These discussions are just ridiculous. Nobody is right. Can't wait for December. I'm gonna go to Vegas and see them again.

[RedWingFan]

Arnel on his best day can't touch Perry on his worst day,

I appreciate you being kind enough to make it clear just how much of a complete and utter moron you are in your first two sentences. I'd have been pretty pissed if I'd wasted my time reading your entire post.

What a brilliant cop out.

You're comical and are bitter because the indisputable fact is.

Bitter? This from the guy who goes out of his way to misspell Neal's name in every goddamn post going on a year now?

A running joke about the joke, and it's spelled just like the topic heading.

I'm not bitter. I come here to laugh at Neil and those with their nerdy glasses that are still fogged up from sucking his balls. That'd be you professor.

[RedWingFan]

Gid's never seen Perry... so I gotta handicap his comments..

He said Eclipse is Journey's best cd. Which puts him in the musical equivalent of the 1%, except without all the wealth and success and demonization, and the fact that people laugh at him.

[steveo777]

Gid's never seen Perry... so I gotta handicap his comments..

He said Eclipse is Journey's best cd. Which puts him in the musical equivalent of the 1%, except without all the wealth and success and demonization, and the fact that people laugh at him.

It's 11:32 PM where I am...makes it 2:32 am where you are. Nobody in their right and sober mind is still up on either coast. LOL

[stevew2]

His butt it always open

[Yoda]

So what you're saying is: it's ok for you to believe that Perry's voice doesn't sound like shit but it's not ok for me to think otherwise?

I never gave an opinion either way, I just merely stated that I believe Perry can still sing, but that's neither an indictment nor an endorsement of the quality.

I'm sensitive to the alterations in band chemistry and, to use your example, the effect Smith's drum technique has on a song compared to, say, Deen's. And while I accept that the absence of Perry, Smith, and Rolie did adjust the chemistry to varying degrees (for better or worse), the bottom line is that Perry's primary asset to the band was always his voice. His voice, all that range and power, is what brought and kept him in the hearts of the public.

There are plenty of singers who have power and range in their vocals that don't interest me in the least; nor interests other Journey fans. So, obviously, there was more to Perry's voice than simply power and range.

The bottom line is that whatever Perry may bring to the table in terms of presence, chemistry, gravitas, whatever you want to call it is nothing compared to however many octaves he brought as a vocal god. If he can't replicate it to a respectable, consistent degree, then I'm not interested. As I've said, the sum and total of his worth to me is as an accomplished singer. It is, as I've said, the same situation if Neal climbed onto the stage in his crotch-hugging leathers and went from his melodic blitzing to Eric "Slowhand" Clapton; I'd roll my eyes and leave. They have a talent and bereft of their talent, I have zero interest in seeing them in Journey.

The bottom line is, I didn't ask you what you thought Perry's most enduring qualities as a rock vocalist were, nor did I ask what your interests were. I just simply asked you, have you heard Steve Perry sing lately? No was the answer, that's all I needed to know.

[portland]

His butt it always open

Hey Steve

[portland]

So what you're saying is: it's ok for you to believe that Perry's voice doesn't sound like shit but it's not ok for me to think otherwise?

I never gave an opinion either way, I just merely stated that I believe Perry can still sing, but that's neither an indictment nor an endorsement of the quality.

I'm sensitive to the alterations in band chemistry and, to use your example, the effect Smith's drum technique has on a song compared to, say, Deen's. And while I accept that the absence of Perry, Smith, and Rolie did adjust the chemistry to varying degrees (for better or worse), the bottom line is that Perry's primary asset to the band was always his voice. His voice, all that range and power, is what brought and kept him in the hearts of the public.

There are plenty of singers who have power and range in their vocals that don't interest me in the least; nor interests other Journey fans. So, obviously, there was more to Perry's voice than simply power and range.

The bottom line is that whatever Perry may bring to the table in terms of presence, chemistry, gravitas, whatever you want to call it is nothing compared to however many octaves he brought as a vocal god. If he can't replicate it to a respectable, consistent degree, then I'm not interested. As I've said, the sum and total of his worth to me is as an accomplished singer. It is, as I've said, the same situation if Neal climbed onto the stage in his crotch-hugging leathers and went from his melodic blitzing to Eric "Slowhand" Clapton; I'd roll my eyes and leave. They have a talent and bereft of their talent, I have zero interest in seeing them in Journey.

The bottom line is, I didn't ask you what you thought Perry's most enduring qualities as a rock vocalist were, nor did I ask what your interests were. I just simply asked you, have you heard Steve Perry sing lately? No was the answer, that's all I needed to know.

Bottom line is Giddy could never just post a one word answer.