Jonathan Cain's Transformation

[Rick]

Why soak it in V8?? If you're a woman, send him the genuine article!!! nothing says 'fuck you' better than a blood soaked tampon!!!

EWWW!

Yeah, I would imagine you don't want to get on Franks bad side. lol

[piecesofeight]

I was excited as hell. I finally get to meet Jonathan Cain. Well, about 5 minutes later he got off the elevator with a jogging suit on and a bag over his shoulder. The manager told him to hurry up and board the bus because they had an all night bus ride. Jon gave him a sort of nasty look and kept walking. Out of respect, I waited till he got near me, and took about two steps towards him, when he looked at me and said "what do you want?"

That sounds rough, Jrnysc. What a nightmare. I had the same experience with a soccer hero of mine. Best to keep a distance from people who you look up to but don't actually know, isn't it?

Vert well said. I have come to learn and believe that it's best to not meet, let's call them our heros, because it usually isn't what we expect.
It's one thing to not get a response we want. Fine, how many times now have they heard the same stories, but to actually one on one be a true ass on purpose, that bites. Having a bad day is one thing, but to do it over and over..wow.
When it turns out well though, it sure does impact us, like it was worth it all the years to care about their music.
When I met Tommy Shaw one day, it was early morning the day of the show. The show was to be at a large inside arena that night. The meet and greet was a completely different place than the show. I was about like fifth in line. Tommy was the first at the table.
Now, I consider myself a good judge of character, especially BS character. When it was my turn, Tommy really listened to what I had to say. He must have, in one way or another, heard what I was saying, but he listened and grinned.
Anyway, night of the show. We were about 10 rows back center. I was doing nothing at the start of the show, but enjoying the music. I wasn't like jumping up and down insane or trying to get his attention. Tommy all of a sudden looked our way and stayed focused for a while and pointed at us, smiled, gave a big thumbs up and did like a quick 'writing' motion.
Well, damn it all, in between the meet and greet, whatever was going on that day, and the show, he actually read the brief letter I handed him.
Knowing how much time you get at a meet and greet, ahead of time I had written down a quick note to let him know why two songs he wrote SERIOUSLY saved my life. May sound korny writing something, but hey, I was young.
Now, that's what it's all about and what we should be hearing...these songs that we grew up on affected our lives when we were younger, still do, and what a treat to get to tell the person who wrote them.
In our daily lives we don't even spend enough time telling those we can how they affect our lives, and we never imagine being able to tell someone out of reach how they affected our lives.
It was even because he was famous Tommy Shaw, it was being able to tell the PERSON who wrote the songs.
Sorry for the rant.. Still in bed.

[chf34jmac]

What transformation? This guy has been a class A dickhead since he first joined. Just to refresh your memories, read what HH had to say about him only being willing to join if Herbie would promote his wife's music. Another asshole with an agenda. Go figure.

[FormerJrnyFan]

Frig never won me over, great songwriter, blah blah blah... I couldn't like him less now...

[Rick]

I transcribed this about a year ago. Now everyone can have a copy of it. There may be some typo's, not sure.

Download

[separate_wayz]

In fact, that day in 2001 was VERY strange indeed. I got to basically see the band from soundcheck to post show. I watched the road crew do their thing...all from the side of the stage. I got to see alot of 'true colors'...and that day was officially the beginning of the end of my Journey fan days. I don't AT ALL hold the same reverence I did for them when I was 16. After seeing Fro treat these guys...all guitar playing guys in their 20s, like complete crap....It made me sick to my stomach.

Neal's a complete douchebag. He always was, always will be. It's VERY hard once you see how much of a prick he really is...to listen to Journey without feeling ALOT less of the magic.

Jeeeeez ..... that's too bad, man. It certainly is a bummer when you meet your idol and he turns out to be a fucktard. Your story was interesting because you had met other guitarists and had a basis of comparison: not all of them need to be idiots.

I suppose it's that way with any kind of celebrity idol -- politicians, businessmen, athletes, whatever. Some are genuinely personable, others are complete douchebags when you meet them (and totally ruin whatever image you may have had of them). The problem for Journey is that a lot of their songs are sappy and emotional. You'd expect shitty Rock Star behavior from shitty rock stars, not the guys who play "Open Arms" and "Faithfully". So rude behavior toward fans may resonate more than if they were Sid Vicious and Sex Pistols.

[conversationpc]

What transformation? This guy has been a class A dickhead since he first joined. Just to refresh your memories, read what HH had to say about him only being willing to join if Herbie would promote his wife's music. Another asshole with an agenda. Go figure.

I don't personally have a problem with that. This is America and negotiating deals with employers is often part of the game. That being said, if I were Herbie at the time, I might not have reacted the same way but there you go.

[piecesofeight]

[The problem for Journey is that a lot of their songs are sappy and emotional. You'd expect shitty Rock Star behavior from shitty rock stars, not the guys who play "Open Arms" and "Faithfully". So rude behavior toward fans may resonate more than if they were Sid Vicious and Sex Pistols.

Ding, ding. Makes sense. Here's a better one for you, my wife met the dudes from Air Supply, and let's just say, they weren't what you'd expect from guys writing that sort of music....
What also is up with all the divorces from people who write songs that are meant to help keep all of us together? My wife wsa telling me that the Air Supply boys have had their share of divorces too.
Then you meet people like Ozzy and Alice Cooper and they are kick ass...

[conversationpc]

What also is up with all the divorces from people who write songs that are meant to help keep all of us together? My wife wsa telling me that the Air Supply boys have had their share of divorces too.

Well, I suppose the musician lifestyle, travelling all the time, keeping strange hours, and just the general strain of being away from family probably does in even the best of people sometimes. I can't imagine being away from my family for extended periods of time like that.

[scarygirl]

I emailed Gregg Rollie a couple months back and even though his reply was short and sweet at least he had the decency to reply. Very nicely I might add.

Yep, I'm a Gregg fan.

[bluejeangirl76]

I don't know about "transformation". I think he's just always been a dick.
Even listening to/watching the old interviews, he oozes arrogance in a major way.
I've always thought that, even before I ever heard any of the bad stories about him and the way he acts toward fans, etc.
You can kind of just tell. Jon Cain is a puppy fucker.

That should be on t-shirts.

[strangegrey]

You know, I think he's just given up on concealing it.

I used to fall for the wide-eyed, awe schucks bullshit he spewed...you look at him on something like frontiers and beyond, and that humble bullshit about "if I were a drummer, I'd be your roadie steve smith"....and then the crying game on the BTM. What a fucking complete load of bullshit!!!

Like I said, the more you see a total assfucker like Neal Schon in action for 20-25 years, you start to take up some of those same qualities....Maybe Cain had those qualities as well, but he envied Schon's ability to let them ooze without any remorse. 25 years of seeing Schon be a total douchebag to fans, with effortless panache....Fucka probably went "hey, I need to let the evil out a little more..."

Fucka...a collosal douchebag, but yet, only 1/3 the douchebag Fro is!

[yogi]

My experience with Jonathan was when I met him after a 1999 concert I called him Erica. He dared me to call him that again, finally on a double dare I did it. He took a swing at me and this led to my television & radio shows.

Jim Rome should try this on one of his Rome is Burning broadcasts.

[JrnyBratt]

July 22nd, 2006...Indianapolis Indiana...ILAA Meet'n'Greet

I've been a die hard Journey fan for 28 years. These tix were a gift to me from my b/f for our anniversay. 550 bux worth. The guys roll up on their golf cart, we get in line to meet them, we get up there for our ILAA group photo, I turn around, Deen makes note of the rather large tattoo of Steve Perry on my back, Neal responds with "OMG, that is Perry"...Friga sniggers, rolls his eyes at me, and shakes his head...then looks at me as if I'm a low life piece of shit. My expectations....shattered. I wouldn't piss on Friga if he was on fire.

[strangegrey]

My expectations....shattered. I wouldn't piss on Friga if he was on fire.

I would.....but only if he opened his mouth!

[brywool]

Maybe he just doesn't like tatoos?
Yeah, Cain's apparently a weird dude. I love Herbie's story about Cain forcing a tape of his wife on him before he'd join Journey.
If that's not THE definition of a total puss, then nothing is....

Cain, you're a wanker. Get the hell off the stage and let Rolie take over.

[brywool]

My experience with Jonathan was when I met him after a 1999 concert I called him Erica. He dared me to call him that again, finally on a double dare I did it. He took a swing at me and this led to my television & radio shows.

Jim Rome should try this on one of his Rome is Burning broadcasts.

Okay, this is a totally funny post.

[ohsherrie]

I don't know about "transformation". I think he's just always been a dick.
Even listening to/watching the old interviews, he oozes arrogance in a major way.
I've always thought that, even before I ever heard any of the bad stories about him and the way he acts toward fans, etc.
You can kind of just tell. Jon Cain is a puppy fucker.

That should be on t-shirts.

I'm so glad to see that I'm not the only one who saw through all the phoney, humble, ingratiating bullshit. He's always harbored a resentment that he wasn't heralded as Amadeus, 'songwriting superstar of Journey'. He wasn't shit before he had Steve Perry writing with him and singing the songs and he hasn't been shit since. He's just hanging on to the coattails girlfriend.

[chf34jmac]

I hate to say this but as a musician and composer he can't hold Yanni's crank. That dude has more talent in one finger when it comes to writing and playing.

[brywool]

I hate to say this but as a musician and composer he can't hold Yanni's crank. That dude has more talent in one finger when it comes to writing and playing.

Hahahahaha. I see you're drinkin' tonight too.
Yanni... funny shit.

[ohsherrie]

I hate to say this but as a musician and composer he can't hold Yanni's crank. That dude has more talent in one finger when it comes to writing and playing.

You got that right Chief. I haven't bought any of Yanni's stuff but I've liked what I've heard.

Jon would like to be noted for his piano and composing virtuosity, but it just isn't going to happen. He's just no Amadeus or Yanni.

[The_Noble_Cause]

..we get in line to meet them, we get up there for our ILAA group photo, I turn around, Deen makes note of the rather large tattoo of Steve Perry on my back, Neal responds with "OMG, that is Perry"...Friga sniggers, rolls his eyes at me, and shakes his head...then looks at me as if I'm a low life piece of shit. My expectations....shattered. I wouldn't piss on Friga if he was on fire.

Tattoos, shrines, prayer circles…no, no, no, no.
These are all emblematic of the precise brand of certifiable nutbag fanaticism that made Neal and Cain swear off Journey fandom forever.
Gotta side with Cain on this one.
Would it have made you feel better if he waited to break into a hyena-like fit of uncontrollable laughter after your left, as I’m sure Neal did?

Still, I guess it could be worse, at least you didn’t saunter in with a homemade Butterfly prison tattoo etched with a broken penknife.

"You see Neal and Jonathan, the lyrics were especially inspiring as I served time for holding up various asian-run downton LA liquor stores and appeal after appeal was overturned. Frequently as I was being butt-raped in the shower I would find myself reciting these lyrics for strength: 'Within a cage..Tried to escape..But no one ever listened...counting every second, minutes turn to hours...The wait's eternal."

[Crazie Scarab]

"The very nature of the band's name implies change and movement, and you must go with that." -Steve Perry "[/i]

I like that quote, TNC. However, I don't think Mr. Perry was actually implementing the use of the word "movement," as in "taking a shit." Do you?

[The_Noble_Cause]

I like that quote, TNC. However, I don't think Mr. Perry was actually implementing the use of the word "movement," as in "taking a shit." Do you?

More than likely, I think he was trying to justify the dismissal of Smith and Valory.
Not sure how he'd feel with one of his quotes now being taken out of conext and randomly used against him.

When you stop and think about it, I've essentially created the first 527 anti-Perry campaign ad.

[Crazie Scarab]

I like that quote, TNC. However, I don't think Mr. Perry was actually implementing the use of the word "movement," as in "taking a shit." Do you?

Not sure how he'd feel with one of his quotes now being taken out of conext and randomly used against him.

I'm not sure either. Wasn't using it against him and besides, who cares? He'll get over it.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Wasn't using it against him....

No, but I AM.
His excuse for moving on w/out two members has become my favorite go-to excuse for moving on without him.
And all he can do about it is jostle the computer (that he allegedly doesn't own) and pound the floor with his cane, rattling the cob-web enshrouded chandeliers and candelabras that litter his gloomy Hollywood Hills Mansion.

[whocares]

You mean San Diego Suburb.

And yeah, he mentioned his "email" last week, so I'm pretty sure he's not denying having a computer anymore.

[bluejeangirl76]

Jon would like to be noted for his piano and composing virtuosity, but it just isn't going to happen.

He believes otherwise. His antics during "Faithfully" on the 2001 dvd are insane.
You can tell just how much he is in love with himself over that one song.

Probably why he recorded it twice more.

(psssst... hey, you there... FRIG! Perry nailed that shit down like a motherfucker the first time, dude...you can leave it be, we all know you wrote it and we appreciate it, so now just drop it already)

[whocares]

not to mention bjg76, letting all thsoe other peole bastardize the song.

Though I have a version by a Hawiian group that's pretty sweet as alternate versions go.

[Playitloudforme]

[The problem for Journey is that a lot of their songs are sappy and emotional. You'd expect shitty Rock Star behavior from shitty rock stars, not the guys who play "Open Arms" and "Faithfully". So rude behavior toward fans may resonate more than if they were Sid Vicious and Sex Pistols.

Ding, ding. Makes sense. Here's a better one for you, my wife met the dudes from Air Supply, and let's just say, they weren't what you'd expect from guys writing that sort of music....
What also is up with all the divorces from people who write songs that are meant to help keep all of us together? My wife wsa telling me that the Air Supply boys have had their share of divorces too.
Then you meet people like Ozzy and Alice Cooper and they are kick ass...

AND Steve Jones of the Sex Pistols kicks ass!