New Neal Interview

[Red13JoePa]

Listen to Where Did I Los Your Love to hear Arnel sound like Jamison...not exactly,

Inasmuch as it's a deeper tone, like Jamo's, but that's it.
I liken it more to perry's FTLOSM or TBF vocals SOUNDwise.

[Tito]

Sounds to me like what they're trying to avoid is creative conflict. Keeping the peace seems more important to Neal at this point. With all the turmoil that went on during the Perry years, it doesn't surprise me. With touring being their life's blood, I think Neal just wants to be with as many guys he can get along with as possible.

Unfortunately, the man is still mentally scared from this era. He has to remember the other singer is no longer in the band. It's his band, always was, alway will. Jon's too.

[Tito]

Neal didn't come off sounding like an asshat the way he sometimes does. Graciously complimentary of Jeremey, enthusiastic about Arnel, committed to more rockers on the "next" album, explained why it really did look like they were making it up as they went along in Vegas... Nothing to bitch about here, imo.

I have never heard Neal come off as an ass in any interview. Ever. Always classy and very professional. He has never said a bad word about anyone, even if they deserved it. Also, I can say no interview is ever the same with him.

[Tito]

The only thing I could think was "Oh my god! Hes got a girlfriend already?" "Run Lisa! RUN!!"

Why? If she's smart, she'll take advantage of his only flaw....loyalty. She'll marry him and then divorce him and get paid. Even if it's 1/2 of 1/2 of 1/2 of another 1/2. That's still a lot of money. The man is way too loyal.

[Michigan Girl]

The only thing I could think was "Oh my god! Hes got a girlfriend already?" "Run Lisa! RUN!!"

Why? If she's smart, she'll take advantage of his only flaw....loyalty. She'll marry him and then divorce him and get paid. Even if it's 1/2 of 1/2 of 1/2 of another 1/2. That's still a lot of money. The man is way too loyal.

It must be that LOYALTY thing that keeps him married in the first place, right?

[Behshad]

What Neal says in an interview may be classy but far from his true personality.
His words may show class, but in the past his actions has proven to be the exact opposite.

[mistiejourney]

The only thing I could think was "Oh my god! Hes got a girlfriend already?" "Run Lisa! RUN!!"

Why? If she's smart, she'll take advantage of his only flaw....loyalty. She'll marry him and then divorce him and get paid. Even if it's 1/2 of 1/2 of 1/2 of another 1/2. That's still a lot of money. The man is way too loyal.

Loyal? Although we certainly don't know (and shouldn't know) what went on in Neal's personal life, it's not too far off the mark to say 4 failed marriages is a lot.

Number One, okay it was a mistake.

Number Two, well maybe she was the one who had the problem.

Number Three, why can't this guy hold onto a wife? Okay, loving a music man isn't always what it 'sposed to be. (My sister married a man who had been married twice before and he is a gem, so I'll give ya three!)

Number Four (a) The woman had a lot of faith and (b) something is very wrong.

Anyone else who marries someone with four failed marriages behind him (or her!) is absolutely nuts.

But that is just my opinion. And since when it comes to music, Neal is flawless so hey, what the heck.

[Tito]

Can't you two just get over it?

My 2 comments - Jeremey is an incredible singer and very versatile.

We were getting along fine until that bullshit post of his, Drew. Don't know where that came from.

Sigh. Yeah, I know... Life is short folks... this whole factional divsions in the fan base is so old...

Don't mean to jump in here but since I'm new, I would like to be clear were I stand in this for future reference. I've always embraced and supported this team, in every incarnation. Even though I wasn't around in the Pre-Perry era, I enjoy it. The Perry era - supported and still do, unfortunately some on the team weren't such good teammates. Personally, was robbed as I never got to see live. Augeri era - fully supported as evidence by the dozens of times I've seen them live. Great teammate as well. Did everything that was asked of him, got most out of his talent, and left it all on field. Soto days - Supported and would've continued to support if they wanted to continue down this route. Personally, not the best fit but willing to accept. Probably the best sports analogy to sum up the Soto days, a 10 Day NBA contract. We needed a player. Arnel era - 100% supported and endorsed. Ready to go. If Jeremy was the singer would've felt the same way. I trust Neal and Jon's decision making, with the caveat they should've moved on in '87.

[mistiejourney]

Can't you two just get over it?

My 2 comments - Jeremey is an incredible singer and very versatile.

We were getting along fine until that bullshit post of his, Drew. Don't know where that came from.

Sigh. Yeah, I know... Life is short folks... this whole factional divsions in the fan base is so old...

Don't mean to jump in here but since I'm new, I would like to be clear were I stand in this for future reference. I've always embraced and supported this team, in every incarnation. Even though I wasn't around in the Pre-Perry era, I enjoy it. The Perry era - supported and still do, unfortunately some on the team weren't such good teammates. Personally, was robbed as I never got to see live. Augeri era - fully supported as evidence by the dozens of times I've seen them live. Great teammate as well. Did everything that was asked of him, got most out of his talent, and left it all on field. Soto days - Supported and would've continued to support if they wanted to continue down this route. Personally, not the best fit but willing to accept. Probably the best sports analogy to sum up the Soto days, a 10 Day NBA contract. We needed a player. Arnel era - 100% supported and endorsed. Ready to go. If Jeremy was the singer would've felt the same way. I trust Neal and Jon's decision making, with the caveat they should've moved on in '87.

I have often wondered how things would have been different if they had moved on in 1987. Maybe even 1990. I'd have given SP some lee-way with burn out, etc, but not a full ten years. How would we have reacted back then? I would have done the same thing I did with Augeri, kick and scream and then wind up loving the guy!

[Matthew]

I have often wondered how things would have been different if they had moved on in 1987.

I honestly believe it would have been a giant flop. And Schon and Cain knew it too...otherwise they would have continued.

And before people chime in with "well Van Halen did it"...do you really think it would have worked if Eddie Van Halen had been replaced?

[Tito]

The only thing I could think was "Oh my god! Hes got a girlfriend already?" "Run Lisa! RUN!!"

Why? If she's smart, she'll take advantage of his only flaw....loyalty. She'll marry him and then divorce him and get paid. Even if it's 1/2 of 1/2 of 1/2 of another 1/2. That's still a lot of money. The man is way too loyal.

It must be that LOYALTY thing that keeps him married in the first place, right?

We don't know what went on in his personal life nor do I care. However, knowing human nature, I'm sure the Mrs. wasn't always faithful during those long tours as well. He tried to have a family life, but it's difficult especially when you're on the road all the time. At least he's not like most of these hollywood types or 40% of the country that are having kids out of wedlock. Mr. Schon definitely gets a passing grade in family values.

[Tito]

What Neal says in an interview may be classy but far from his true personality.
His words may show class, but in the past his actions has proven to be the exact opposite.

I fail to recall one bad thing he's done (publicly).

[The_Noble_Cause]

I honestly believe it would have been a giant flop. And Schon and Cain knew it too...otherwise they would have continued.

And before people chime in with "well Van Halen did it"...do you really think it would have worked if Eddie Van Halen had been replaced?

Future sales may not have reached Escape-like levels, but then again, the band was already on a downhill trajectory then anyway.
With Herbie's managerial machine behind them and Chalfant's soaring tenor, I have no doubt they would've made some sort of splash.

There is a reason why, after all, that Perry came running back in 1995 upon hearing the band was moving on with KC.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I trust Neal and Jon's decision making, with the caveat they should've moved on in '87.

Why?
Most of the good decisions in this band came from on-high, as ordered by Herbie.
Neal and gang didn't even want Perry initially, remember?
Jeff Soto also once said something to the effect of trust in Jon and Neal (it was on the Notceboard).
A few months later he was sent packing.

I trust Jon and Neal's creative abilities - that's it.

[Saint John]

I have often wondered how things would have been different if they had moved on in 1987.

I honestly believe it would have been a giant flop. And Schon and Cain knew it too...otherwise they would have continued.

And before people chime in with "well Van Halen did it"...do you really think it would have worked if Eddie Van Halen had been replaced?

They're doing it now...some 21 years later with seemingly good initial results. Had they chosen the right singer it could have definitely worked back then. The people have spoken, Matty. From coast to coast, Europe to South America, the fans of the music have supported Augeri and now Pineda. Take them back to a much more conducive environment like 1987, give them the right front man, and they absolutely could have been successful. However, the flip side also exists. Give them the wrong fit and, yes, they would have failed. It's all about components and chemistry, not one person. I think Herbert could have found the right fit and that scared the shit out of someone. The problem I suspect was that by 1987 a certain someone had already wrestled control of the band away from Herbie.

[Just Sara]

Okay I finally had a chance to sit down and read this interview.

Are we sure that's Neal?

I didn't read a single "like" or "you know" anywhere!

[Matthew]

I honestly believe it would have been a giant flop. And Schon and Cain knew it too...otherwise they would have continued.

And before people chime in with "well Van Halen did it"...do you really think it would have worked if Eddie Van Halen had been replaced?

Future sales may not have reached Escape-like levels, but then again, the band was already on a downhill trajectory then anyway.
With Herbie's managerial machine behind them and Chalfant's soaring tenor, I have no doubt they would've made some sort of splash.

There is a reason why, after all, that Perry came running back in 1995 upon hearing the band was moving on with KC.

I agree TNC...they could have made made some sort of a splash and might have generated reasonable tour income and had a couple of hits before AOR music hit the skids in 1990 or so. But in 1987 Journey were coming off a significant collapse in album sales and I personally don't think Chalfant had enough star quality to allow Journey to reverse that trend in any meaningful way. The die-hards might have had more albums but out there in the world it would have been like Foreigner without Gramm in '91....a bit of a wet lettuce.

In an interview at the time Cain said that he felt album sales of 2 million was enough to justify the band perservering and implied that for Perry it wasn't. That shows that Cain knew that even with Perry still in the band Journey were unlikely to rise above that figure in the future. But with Chalfant instead of Perry? We'd be talking sales of 1 million by - say -'89 and by the early 90's...well, it's hard to see how they would have held on to a record deal.

As for Perry running back...do you really think it was because of the potent commercial threat of Chalfant? Even after the lukewarm reception The Storm stuff received? I reckon Perry just didn't want Schon and Cain to fuck up the band's reputation...plus maybe a hint of control-freakery...maybe.

[Saint John]

Okay I finally had a chance to sit down and read this interview.

Are we sure that's Neal?

I didn't read a single "like" or "you know" anywhere!

LOL...that is actually a great point!!!

[Michigan Girl]

The only thing I could think was "Oh my god! Hes got a girlfriend already?" "Run Lisa! RUN!!"

Why? If she's smart, she'll take advantage of his only flaw....loyalty. She'll marry him and then divorce him and get paid. Even if it's 1/2 of 1/2 of 1/2 of another 1/2. That's still a lot of money. The man is way too loyal.

It must be that LOYALTY thing that keeps him married in the first place, right?

We don't know what went on in his personal life nor do I care. However, knowing human nature, I'm sure the Mrs. wasn't always faithful during those long tours as well. He tried to have a family life, but it's difficult especially when you're on the road all the time. At least he's not like most of these hollywood types or 40% of the country that are having kids out of wedlock. Mr. Schon definitely gets a passing grade in family values.

I have no idea who was or wasn't faithful and I DON'T CARE. I'm saying muliple marriages DOES NOT indicate LOYALTY and I don't care who it is partaking in them!!

[STORY_TELLER]

I honestly believe it would have been a giant flop. And Schon and Cain knew it too...otherwise they would have continued.

And before people chime in with "well Van Halen did it"...do you really think it would have worked if Eddie Van Halen had been replaced?

Future sales may not have reached Escape-like levels, but then again, the band was already on a downhill trajectory then anyway.
With Herbie's managerial machine behind them and Chalfant's soaring tenor, I have no doubt they would've made some sort of splash.

There is a reason why, after all, that Perry came running back in 1995 upon hearing the band was moving on with KC.

No way. To think that is a false sense of hindsight. The fan base wouldn't have supported it with the band still fresh in their hearts and minds. Journey was (and still is) associated with Steve Perry. The only thing that really allowed the band to move on, such as it has, was in fact the long hiatus all those years (that coupled with their TBF reunion and yet another hiatus). At this point, some fans were willing to give another singer a shot, but the majority to this day aren't on board with that. They go see shows to hear the GH's performed, but as far as new material goes, not hardly (at least not yet). Neal and Jon were wise to start up Bad English and try something without Perry on the heels of ROR. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for them and with grunge right around the corner, it was doomed to fail eventually. Very few melodic rock acts survived the grunge era even in terms of touring. To replace Perry on the heels of ROR would have been a flat out disaster. It's only worked to this degree because of the hiatus.

Arnel has a big advantage here: he's not Perry's first replacement.

Augeri took the brunt of the Perry replacement criticism and now, the fans are more accepting of Journey with a singer who isn't Perry. Chalfant would have suffered the same fate. The time away helped them in this case. They were gone long enough to make all the people who discovered the band with purchases of the GH's during their hiatus want to go and see the songs performed live, even if it wasn't Perry at the helm (although most probably thought Perry was going to be there).

[The_Noble_Cause]

As for Perry running back...do you really think it was because of the potent commercial threat of Chalfant?

That is what people claiming to be close to Kevin have said. Could always be bullshit.
I don't think it's that far of a stretch tho - especially when you factor in KC getting raves from filling in for Perry at the Herbie roast.
Additionally, KC sounded more like Perry back then.
Still does.

Even after the lukewarm reception The Storm stuff received?

I dunno, the first album had 1 or 2 charting singles.
For that type of music, I think they fared pretty well commercially all things considered.

[Michigan Girl]

I honestly believe it would have been a giant flop. And Schon and Cain knew it too...otherwise they would have continued.

And before people chime in with "well Van Halen did it"...do you really think it would have worked if Eddie Van Halen had been replaced?

Future sales may not have reached Escape-like levels, but then again, the band was already on a downhill trajectory then anyway.
With Herbie's managerial machine behind them and Chalfant's soaring tenor, I have no doubt they would've made some sort of splash.

There is a reason why, after all, that Perry came running back in 1995 upon hearing the band was moving on with KC.

No way. To think that is a false sense of hindsight. The fan base wouldn't have supported it with the band still fresh in their heats and minds. Journey was (and still is) associated with Steve Perry. The only thing that really allowed the band to move on, such as it has, was in fact the long hiatus all those years (that coupled with their TBF reunion and yet another hiatus). At this point, some fans were willing to give another singer a shot, but the majority to this day aren't on board with that. They go see shows to hear the GH's performed, but as far as new material goes, not hardly (at least not yet). Neal and Jon were wise to start up Bad English and try something without Perry on the heels of ROR. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for them and with grunge right around the corner, it was doomed to fail eventually. Very few melodic rock acts survived the grunge era even in terms of touring. To replace Perry on the heels of ROR would have been a flat out disaster. It's only worked to this degree because of the hiatus.

Arnel has a big advantage here: he's not Perry's first replacement.

Augeri took the brunt of the Perry replacement criticism and now, the fans are more accepting of Journey with a singer who isn't Perry. Chalfant would have suffered the same fate. The time away helped them in this case. They were gone long enough to make all the people who discovered the band with purchases of the GH's during their hiatus want to go and see the songs performed live, even if it wasn't Perry at the helm (although most probably thought Perry was going to be there).

I'll be...you just gave the perfect description of a fan such as myself!!!

[The_Noble_Cause]

I honestly believe it would have been a giant flop. And Schon and Cain knew it too...otherwise they would have continued.

And before people chime in with "well Van Halen did it"...do you really think it would have worked if Eddie Van Halen had been replaced?

Future sales may not have reached Escape-like levels, but then again, the band was already on a downhill trajectory then anyway.
With Herbie's managerial machine behind them and Chalfant's soaring tenor, I have no doubt they would've made some sort of splash.

There is a reason why, after all, that Perry came running back in 1995 upon hearing the band was moving on with KC.

No way. To think that is a false sense of hindsight. The fan base wouldn't have supported it with the band still fresh in their hearts and minds. Journey was (and still is) associated with Steve Perry. The only thing that really allowed the band to move on, such as it has, was in fact the long hiatus all those years (that coupled with their TBF reunion and yet another hiatus). At this point, some fans were willing to give another singer a shot, but the majority to this day aren't on board with that. They go see shows to hear the GH's performed, but as far as new material goes, not hardly (at least not yet). Neal and Jon were wise to start up Bad English and try something without Perry on the heels of ROR. Unfortunately, it didn't work out for them and with grunge right around the corner, it was doomed to fail eventually. Very few melodic rock acts survived the grunge era even in terms of touring. To replace Perry on the heels of ROR would have been a flat out disaster. It's only worked to this degree because of the hiatus.

Arnel has a big advantage here: he's not Perry's first replacement.

Augeri took the brunt of the Perry replacement criticism and now, the fans are more accepting of Journey with a singer who isn't Perry. Chalfant would have suffered the same fate. The time away helped them in this case. They were gone long enough to make all the people who discovered the band with purchases of the GH's during their hiatus want to go and see the songs performed live, even if it wasn't Perry at the helm (although most probably thought Perry was going to be there).

If Herbie was in favor of the idea back then, then I side with his business acumen.
Chalfant could sing the shit out of the back of a box of wheaties. He would win people over with his talent.

Time has not helped Journey in this regard, only hurt them.
Let's not forget, the Perry-sung greatest hits has sold millions upon millions more in their time off.

[Tito]

I have often wondered how things would have been different if they had moved on in 1987.

I honestly believe it would have been a giant flop. And Schon and Cain knew it too...otherwise they would have continued.

And before people chime in with "well Van Halen did it"...do you really think it would have worked if Eddie Van Halen had been replaced?

I totally disagree. Exhibit A - Bad English. Multi-platinum album, several Top 40 songs, including I believe a #1 song. To me, they were Journey Lite and I mean no disrespect to them when I say that. If they could do it, Journey definitely could've done that and then some. Exhibit B - The Storm. The other members of Journey not in Bad English, if you will. They had a hit single and right in the beginning of the grudge era if my timing is correct. So, if they could have a hit single, in the eye of the storm (no pun intended), Journey certainly could've done it as well. Imagine if you could've combined the two as well. Exhibit C - The music era at the time. Remember the year(s) we are talking about, 1984 through as late as 1989. It was much more favorable to the likes of Journey with a genre they somewhat help create. A band like Boston came back to the top of their game in 86-87 after a 8 or 9 year absence. MTV still played videos, which would've help them reached their market better and even helped with the transition as it could've refined them. Along with that, mostly good but some bad, everything stuck and made it back then that the record companies put out. Journey would've suceeded. That was part of Journey's problem in 1998, unless you brought back the original, it was impossible to suceed then. It was too late and the climate for a new era did not exist. Exhibit D - Sorry, Van Halen. You're right, it wouldn't have worked if they replaced the backbone of the band, Eddie or Neal. They didn't do that, they were replacing singers. Although, I know there are some Dave haters here and some think he's a clown, but I submit to you back in 1984 - 1987, Dave was a larger than life character that was bigger than Steve Perry ever was (talent aside). I think VH was a good comparsion of what Journey could've done. It's actually erie how they compare. Broke up roughly the same time, one did replace a singer and one should have. Almost reunited at the same time in '96 (albums debuted same week VH Greatest Hits #1 and TBF #3), and both came back to life '07-'08. Exhibit E - The rest of the bands that continued and still continue to flourish like Journey could have i.e. Aerosmith and Bon Jovi. The band/legacy is bigger than one person and there is no doubt they would've been sucessful had they continue. They at least would've been big through '92, when grudge totally took over. But, that could've gave way to the big reunion in 1996.

[Saint John]

As for Perry running back...do you really think it was because of the potent commercial threat of Chalfant?

Yes. Why else would a person that just got done happily touring high school gyms under the radar have the desire to come back to a band that he snubbed his nose to less than two years prior?

Even after the lukewarm reception The Storm stuff received?

The name "Journey" would have given them marketing and promotion, and a gutiarist that is a superstar rather than just really good.

[Tito]

Arnel has a big advantage here: he's not Perry's first replacement.

Augeri took the brunt of the Perry replacement criticism and now, the fans are more accepting of Journey with a singer who isn't Perry. Chalfant would have suffered the same fate. The time away helped them in this case. They were gone long enough to make all the people who discovered the band with purchases of the GH's during their hiatus want to go and see the songs performed live, even if it wasn't Perry at the helm (although most probably thought Perry was going to be there).

This is correct and a fair assessment. However, had they continued without stopping in 84 or '87, I still think it would've worked back then. You're right, as time went by, their fate was sealed and Augeri took the brunt of replacing a legend.

[Behshad]

What Neal says in an interview may be classy but far from his true personality.
His words may show class, but in the past his actions has proven to be the exact opposite.

I fail to recall one bad thing he's done (publicly).

Unless you consider backstabbing band members as classy, then Im wrong .

[STORY_TELLER]

Guys, sorry, but your opinion is the vast minority on this one. Don't forget you are die-hards and your personal feelings don't reflect the mass majority of Journey fans out there who don't post on the internet. The 25 people that post here who are all for a Perryless Journey is simply not the majority consensus.

The majority of these same fans purchased TBF, making it a platinum album even after that long hiatus with Perry at the helm. The majority of these same fans did not purchase Arrival without him. It was all downhill from there. They didn't seek out Red13 or Generations. They went to see shows of the GH's, and, as SJ pointed out, the GH's did huge business while they were gone. This created a desire to see the band during their absence, but even those who were introduced to the band via the GH's are mostly only interested in the GH's songs.

To make a replacement move of Perry right on the heels of his involvement on the tale end of their heyday would not have worked. Neal and Jon knew this all too well.

I for one, do not think Chalfant was ever a good choice for Journey. The guy Herbie Herbert touts as writing up a favorable review of Chalfant at that one off performance, saying "not even Steve Perry's mother would know the difference" was obviously just some music reporter and not a Journey fan. There's a difference.

Furthermore: Let's not forget that you all are looking at this hypothetical situation through hiatus colored glasses. Your point of view is skewed by the fact that you missed the band and their music all this time. Can you really say you would have been interested in a Perryless Journey back in 1987? I think you all would have been just as up in arms as you were over the JSS incident.

[Tito]

What Neal says in an interview may be classy but far from his true personality.
His words may show class, but in the past his actions has proven to be the exact opposite.

I fail to recall one bad thing he's done (publicly).

Unless you consider backstabbing band members as classy, then Im wrong .

Who?

[Tito]

Guys, sorry, but your opinion is the vast minority on this one. Don't forget you are die-hards and your personal feelings don't reflect the mass majority of Journey fans out there who don't post on the internet. The 25 people that post here who are all for a Perryless Journey is simply not the majority consensus.

The majority of these same fans purchased TBF, making it a platinum album even after that long hiatus with Perry at the helm. The majority of these same fans did not purchase Arrival without him. It was all downhill from there. They didn't seek out Red13 or Generations. They went to see shows of the GH's, and, as SJ pointed out, the GH's did huge business while they were gone. This created a desire to see the band during their absence, but even those who were introduced to the band via the GH's are mostly only interested in the GH's songs.

To make a replacement move of Perry right on the heels of his involvement on the tale end of their heyday would not have worked. Neal and Jon knew this all too well.

I for one, do not think Chalfant was ever a good choice for Journey. The guy Herbie Herbert touts as writing up a favorable review of Chalfant at that one off performance, saying "not even Steve Perry's mother would know the difference" was obviously just some music reporter and not a Journey fan. There's a difference.

In 1998 and later, I agree with this. Although, I would say it hasn't their touring business that much. But, a lot of bands did this back in the day. The timing is everything. AC/DC was another one I forgot to point out. Journey would have SUCEEDED in the 80's. Bad Company is another one. The list grows as I continue to think. Journey, without question, would've been added to this list.