Journey may go on hiatus after 2016

[Don]

Arnel is going to ride it out with these guys as long as he can. By his own admissions he's made some bad business decisions with some of his new found wealth. As he ain't part of the royalty gravy like certain other members the dude needs to keep working like the rest of us.

[Yoda]

Arnel is going to ride it out with these guys as long as he can. By his own admissions he's made some bad business decisions with some of his new found wealth. As he ain't part of the royalty gravy like certain other members the dude needs to keep working like the rest of us.

That's a shame that Arnel has made some bad business decisions, but then again, if it was because he was taking a chance on starting a business that could sustain him after Journey, then I commend Arnel for trying. He had the guts to try. Obviously, he knows this gig may not last another ten years, so he needs to do something. I am looking forward to hearing his new solo album when it comes out.

[WalrusOct9]

You guys really think Arnel has any input into Journey's long-term plans? Given how they've treated previous singers, I don't think he really factors into the equation. Journey will stop when Neal decides to stop. That's it.

[DracIsBack]

Really, I cant think of another band at Journey's stature and popularity that do tour constantly like they do.

You said one: Chicago. At their peak, they had 8 albums on the charts simultaneously. And instead of a 'dirty dozen', they have a 'dirty forty'.

I always thought both bands should tour more sporatically ... like the Stones and the Eagles. The crowds would stay larger and you'd see less 'package' tours ... something that's indicative of bands that tour too often,it seems.

[scarab]

The Eagles and Stones are light years ahead of Chicago and Journey, who need to tour for the $.

[brywool]

The Eagles and Stones are light years ahead of Chicago and Journey, who need to tour for the $.

Their last album was so bad... not a hook to be found.

[jrny84]

Really, I cant think of another band at Journey's stature and popularity that do tour constantly like they do.

You said one: Chicago. At their peak, they had 8 albums on the charts simultaneously. And instead of a 'dirty dozen', they have a 'dirty forty'.

I always thought both bands should tour more sporatically ... like the Stones and the Eagles. The crowds would stay larger and you'd see less 'package' tours ... something that's indicative of bands that tour too often,it seems.

I agree that Chicago did sell more records than Journey; 100 million+ vs. 80 million and have more hits, but in terms in popularity in the last 5+ years...its not even close. Chicago hasnt had a hit album since 1988 and only average about 1,700 people per show in concert vs. Journey's average of 7,700 per show.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Time is no longer going to be on their side in 2016. I'd believe that if they do go on a "hiatus" in 2016, very little reason to even think they'd ever get it back together a few years or so after that.

[DracIsBack]

I agree that Chicago did sell more records than Journey; 100 million+ vs. 80 million

It was 100 million twenty years ago. It's well over 120 million now.

Chicago hasnt had a hit album since 1988

Chicago 19 was the last big album that had lots of hits (4 in the top ten). To be fair though, neither has Journey with the exception of TRIAL BY FIRE. Yes, I know the first Arnel album sold well, but that was due to it having a greatest hits and live DVD tacked onto it for $10 bucks. Without them? Well ... you saw the result with Eclipse.

And of course, prior to 19, Chicago had a whole shitload of hit albums. Remember - this was one of the biggest bands on the planet in the 1970s when Journey was still finding their footing and the success continued through the 1980s.

and only average about 1,700 people per show in concert vs. Journey's average of 7,700 per show.

Journey is likely a bit higher (when not part of a package deal), but not sure where you get these averages from?

[annie89509]

Really, I cant think of another band at Journey's stature and popularity that do tour constantly like they do.

You said one: Chicago. At their peak, they had 8 albums on the charts simultaneously. And instead of a 'dirty dozen', they have a 'dirty forty'.

I always thought both bands should tour more sporatically ... like the Stones and the Eagles. The crowds would stay larger and you'd see less 'package' tours ... something that's indicative of bands that tour too often,it seems.

I agree that Chicago did sell more records than Journey; 100 million+ vs. 80 million and have more hits, but in terms in popularity in the last 5+ years...its not even close. Chicago hasnt had a hit album since 1988 and only average about 1,700 people per show in concert vs. Journey's average of 7,700 per show.

Chicago was huge and rode the hit parade all through the '70s and '80s. Their popularity took a nosedive when Peter Cetera left...not unlike Journey losing SP. The DSB phenomenon brought Journey back to the limelight, opening their music up to new generations of fans. To this day, I still love all the Chicago songs...but, most particularly, PC's ballads. I know, I know, his voice(singing style) grates on some people ...but I find it endearing.. . I don't much care for Peter's replacement...the Jason Sheff (?) guy... singing, songwriting-wise... not even close.

[Jana]

So if Journey still had Steve Perry would they be playing to large ampitheatres and arenas without having to co-package with another band? I know they wouldn't have to do a three-pack tour, but would they have to have a well-known band like Heart open for them to pack them in?

Journey has saturated any interest in the band by touring so often, especially because their setlist is so predictable and shows no creativity. Look at Depeche Mode. They have sold over 100 million albums. They tour every three to four years, put out an album, and in Europe play seven new songs and usually five in the states because they're not as popular and don't play stadiums here like in Europe, just arenas and ampitheatres mostly with a thirty-minute opening but not well-known band. Also they do a two-hour show, which allows them to at least give a few deeper cuts in conjunction with their new songs and their "classics." Yet many fans still complain they are a GH act because they don't play more deeper cuts compared to their hits. They should try being a Journey fan. They lost Alan Wilder (the only real trained musician) in '95, who was the architect of taking Martin Gore's songs (sole songwriter at that time) to a whole other level sonically and instrumental in the DM sound, and most thought they would fold but they have gone on and made more albums.

So if Journey would take off at least a year in between tours and extend their shows to two-hour shows, so they can give a more varied setlist wouldn't that be better, with an opening band like Night Ranger or Heart, etc., and really put on a show, instead of their 90-minute same old setlist every year packaged with two bands? Even without Perry back, it seems like it might get people more excited to see them if they were playing songs we haven't heard live in forever by them but still able to put the hits in for the casual fan. I refuse to see them again unless they reinvigorate themselves show-wise. A band with their catalogue doing a 90-minute show and saying they have to do all these Dirty Dozen and not much else shows no interest in their fanbase to me. I don't listen to Springsteen, but I give the guy credit for doing long shows and digging deep in his discography. Plus, they need to bring back Gregg for a two-hour show concert tour. That would be fantastic for their Rolie era songs and add some excitement for the next tour.

[Jana]

Arnel is going to ride it out with these guys as long as he can. By his own admissions he's made some bad business decisions with some of his new found wealth. As he ain't part of the royalty gravy like certain other members the dude needs to keep working like the rest of us.

That bar was the dumbest thing in the world. Throwing money away. He should have taken that money and invested n real estate or something and worked on building his wealth, not being an absentee nightclub owner with no experience running one, pouring more money in over and over. Plus his love of classic rock and heavy rock doesn't necessarily seem to translate over there anyway. Sock that money away so you never have to take another gig after Journey is over unless you want it.

[jrny84]

I agree that Chicago did sell more records than Journey; 100 million+ vs. 80 million

It was 100 million twenty years ago. It's well over 120 million now.

Chicago hasnt had a hit album since 1988

Chicago 19 was the last big album that had lots of hits (4 in the top ten). To be fair though, neither has Journey with the exception of TRIAL BY FIRE. Yes, I know the first Arnel album sold well, but that was due to it having a greatest hits and live DVD tacked onto it for $10 bucks. Without them? Well ... you saw the result with Eclipse.

And of course, prior to 19, Chicago had a whole shitload of hit albums. Remember - this was one of the biggest bands on the planet in the 1970s when Journey was still finding their footing and the success continued through the 1980s.

and only average about 1,700 people per show in concert vs. Journey's average of 7,700 per show.

Journey is likely a bit higher (when not part of a package deal), but not sure where you get these averages from?

The averages are from last years Pollstar Yearend Report. Pretty big deal though for Journey to have a #3 album, a top 20 hit nominated for a grammy, and a million plus seller album in the 90s. It was pretty hard in the 90s for any classic rock band to get success on the charts with the weird shift in music. In today's music culture, Chicago just isnt seeing the heightened popluarity Journey has seen in the last 5+ years.

I agree though, Chicago was a hit making machine for a while there. They had hits in every decade from the 60s-90s, that in itself is amazing. Even after Cetera's departure Champlin managed to score a handful of hits as well as Scheff. I am a fan of both bands. Chicago unfortunetly though has seen a steep decline in popularity over the years.

[DracIsBack]

The averages are from last years Pollstar Yearend Report.

Can you send a URL? I'm always into data like this!

Pretty big deal though for Journey to have a #3 album, a top 20 hit nominated for a grammy, and a million plus seller album in the 90s. It was pretty hard in the 90s for any classic rock band to get success on the charts with the weird shift in music.

Yeah - every band I like literally fell off the charts overnight. They all have forums here.

In today's music culture, Chicago just isnt seeing the heightened popluarity Journey has seen in the last 5+ years.

Herbie Herbert once made the comment, "It's hard to miss you if you don't go away". You can make that claim about Journey since Augeri joined, but Chicago has literally never gone away except for a brief hiatus in 1981. I suspect both bands would be in a much better state if they took a few years off.

Chicago unfortunetly though has seen a steep decline in popularity over the years.

They'll always be able to tour and have people come and they'll always have catalogue sales. They just have too many hits for that. But yeah, this is a far cry from the band that filled stadiums and had 8 albums on the charts at the same time in 1975.

[brywool]

not a whole lot about Journey's future.

What exactly is there to say? They are a profitable touring entity. That is all.

Folks, it's winding down, better grab a concert while you still can.

Sure, sure. And after "Arrival" flopped that spelled the end. And when Neal left to do Soul Sirkus that signaled the penultimate death knell. Blah, blah, blah. Here are the facts - Journey remains the members' primary cash cow and they will milk it until its udders up in the turd blossum field.

YUP.

[Pelata]

not a whole lot about Journey's future.

What exactly is there to say? They are a profitable touring entity. That is all.

Folks, it's winding down, better grab a concert while you still can.

Sure, sure. And after "Arrival" flopped that spelled the end. And when Neal left to do Soul Sirkus that signaled the penultimate death knell. Blah, blah, blah. Here are the facts - Journey remains the members' primary cash cow and they will milk it until its udders up in the turd blossum field.

YUP.

Schon was 44 when Augeri joined...he's 59 now. Cain is 63. By the time the begin this alleged "hiatus" Cain will be 66 and Schon 62. The clock is ticking. Schon may keep going into his late 60s, but it won't be in Journey.

[jrny84]

The averages are from last years Pollstar Yearend Report.

Can you send a URL? I'm always into data like this!

Sure. Pretty interesting info: http://www.pollstarpro.com/files/charts ... nTours.pdf

[The Sushi Hunter]

Schon was 44 when Augeri joined...he's 59 now. Cain is 63. By the time the begin this alleged "hiatus" Cain will be 66 and Schon 62. The clock is ticking. Schon may keep going into his late 60s, but it won't be in Journey.

Exactly what I was saying a few previous posts up. Time is not on their side.

[tater1977]

Neal posted on his FB

ns11.JPG

[The_Noble_Cause]

Nice derivative touch of the Journey Infinity symbol. I wonder if the songs with Deen on vox will be more Journeyish than we expect.

[Eric]

Nice derivative touch of the Journey Infinity symbol. I wonder if the songs with Deen on vox will be more Journeyish than we expect.

I hope so. I want to hear Neal's guitar sing Journey...and don't want to be missing out on it because Cain doesn't want to create anymore.

[artist4perry]

I will leave it up to the guys as to when they retire. It annoys me to no end to hear supposed fans constantly gripe about this band on a regular basis. If you like them fine but really you sound like a bunch of armchair quarterbacks telling the NFL team what to do through your TV. LOL Like they are really listening to YOU.

[Rick]

I will leave it up to the guys as to when they retire. It annoys me to no end to hear supposed fans constantly gripe about this band on a regular basis. If you like them fine but really you sound like a bunch of armchair quarterbacks telling the NFL team what to do through your TV. LOL Like they are really listening to YOU.

Oh, they listen. They just can't afford to appease us. Seriously, we're such a small demographic of their fanbase. We're the hard cores, who want what we want. But, what we want isn't what sells tickets and, of course, they know that. The casual fan is who buys the vast majority of the tickets, so they're going to put on a show for them, which is the dirty dozen. They do throw in the dog biscuit for us here and there, which is a deeper cut of theirs.

[DracIsBack]

Sure. Pretty interesting info: http://www.pollstarpro.com/files/charts ... nTours.pdf

Thanks man - appreciate the link!

[artist4perry]

I will leave it up to the guys as to when they retire. It annoys me to no end to hear supposed fans constantly gripe about this band on a regular basis. If you like them fine but really you sound like a bunch of armchair quarterbacks telling the NFL team what to do through your TV. LOL Like they are really listening to YOU.

Oh, they listen. They just can't afford to appease us. Seriously, we're such a small demographic of their fanbase. We're the hard cores, who want what we want. But, what we want isn't what sells tickets and, of course, they know that. The casual fan is who buys the vast majority of the tickets, so they're going to put on a show for them, which is the dirty dozen. They do throw in the dog biscuit for us here and there, which is a deeper cut of theirs.

I like it all. New, Old, don't matter to me. As I said, it is all good in my opinion. I am not one to stand over a grave and try and push their careers into it until they are good and ready to retire. I am referring to those who say they are done. I think they have more in them than meets the eye.

[jestor92]

I think Neal will continue to tour under the Journey name until he can't move his fingers anymore. It's sad to say, but with how many marriages he's had and the amount of children from each marriage he probably needs the money more then say Cain does. On top of that it costs money for him to put together his side efforts like the Schon/Mendoza/Castronovo gig, his solo stuff, the stuff he's supposedly going to do with Steve Smith. Neal could probably retire now and live comfortably for the rest of his life, but I think he needs/wants the money. As long as Arnel can sing he'll be the vocalist, but when his voice starts to tail off I think you'll see another vocalist eventually.

[Don]

I think Neal will continue to tour under the Journey name until he can't move his fingers anymore. It's sad to say, but with how many marriages he's had and the amount of children from each marriage he probably needs the money more then say Cain does. On top of that it costs money for him to put together his side efforts like the Schon/Mendoza/Castronovo gig, his solo stuff, the stuff he's supposedly going to do with Steve Smith. Neal could probably retire now and live comfortably for the rest of his life, but I think he needs/wants the money. As long as Arnel can sing he'll be the vocalist, but when his voice starts to tail off I think you'll see another vocalist eventually.

Schon doesn't need the money. I think the Amber court case showed everyone how much money actually goes to these exes of his. Just royalties and licensing alone earn him a lot more than he is doling out for his prior spouses/children. Those women and kids don't get paid forever either.

[jestor92]

I think Neal will continue to tour under the Journey name until he can't move his fingers anymore. It's sad to say, but with how many marriages he's had and the amount of children from each marriage he probably needs the money more then say Cain does. On top of that it costs money for him to put together his side efforts like the Schon/Mendoza/Castronovo gig, his solo stuff, the stuff he's supposedly going to do with Steve Smith. Neal could probably retire now and live comfortably for the rest of his life, but I think he needs/wants the money. As long as Arnel can sing he'll be the vocalist, but when his voice starts to tail off I think you'll see another vocalist eventually.

Schon doesn't need the money. I think the Amber court case showed everyone how much money actually goes to these exes of his. Just royalties and licensing alone earn him a lot more than he is doling out for his prior spouses/children. Those women and kids don't get paid forever either.

I believe it. I still think he wants the money more then he lets on. The band has been touring basically nonstop since Augeri come aboard and hasn't slowed down. He and the guys in the band enjoy the money and I think as long as there is a want for Journey they'll be out there to tour. Personally I feel it would've been smart for them to take a year or two off here and there to let Augeri rest up when he was in the band and currently right now just because they've over saturated the market. It's nice they're touring, but sometimes being away makes the fans miss you. Bands like Journey and Styx don't really understand that.

[Gideon]

For younger fans like me, Journey's constant touring has been a blessing. I've been able to see them 8 times since 2005 and enjoyed them all. But the 75 minute sets, exhausting triple bills, and lame ass set lists are leaving me increasingly disenfranchised.

[Eric]

For younger fans like me, Journey's constant touring has been a blessing. I've been able to see them 8 times since 2005 and enjoyed them all. But the 75 minute sets, exhausting triple bills, and lame ass set lists are leaving me increasingly disenfranchised.

They should feel comfortable enough at this stage to go out on their own and fill small barns and play what they want. Play the 3k theatre barns..what the hell.