Message for Neal Schon - "Get This!"

[Melody Rock]

I've just read a Soul Sirkus interview where Neal Schon makes repeated references to the subject of people "getting it", in relation to the new S.S. album. Apparently we have to "get" something before we can appreciate it. In the same magazine, Glenn Hughes also talks about his new album, and again whether people will "get it". Furthermore, last week I read an interview with Mitch Malloy re his acoustic strumming, where he talks about the people who will "get it".

What is all this "get it" nonsense???!!!

The hard rock/a.o.r. community knows what it likes and what it doesn't. If they should think something is crap, then there is not any secret knowledge (which only a privileged few are are privvy too) which is going to change their minds upon enlightenment and make them go "Aaaah. So it's not crap after all!" How insulting to suggest that there is.

I have been in seventh heaven today playing the new Shy CD. The 10th and 11th tracks especially take my breath away, far more than ANY track on the last three Journey releases did. I didn't have to "get" anything first, to enjoy them. I just did!

On a different note, Neal Schon mentions in the same interview about touring Europe and how he might only earn 100 dollars a show, blah blah. Errmm...... there is no rule which says a band cannot come over unless they makes "x" thousand profit, you know! He has led a privileged and affluent lifestyle (which I don't begrudge because of his talent) for many years, thanks to Journey fans, and if he had to go back to minimal profits for a week or two, it would not be the end of the world. He would survive! However, that is his choice. All the same, it does make one question how much use the much-publicised petition will be, compared to the lure of money!

I shall be in Bradford in May to watch ALL the bands. Personally, I doubt Mister Schon will be there (for me to "get it"), but you never know, stranger things have happened at sea....

[jrnyman28]

I've just read a Soul Sirkus interview where Neal Schon makes repeated references to the subject of people "getting it", in relation to the new S.S. album. Apparently we have to "get" something before we can appreciate it.

I fail to see how the term "getting it" is derogatory? All I think it means is that there seem to be a lot of people liking the CD. And a lot of these people may not have realized that this style of music is still around, still thriving and still good! Those are the people who are "getting it"...the ones who may have dismissed this style of music. After all, in this day and age, melodic hard rock is not very popular. But the scene seems to be making a small resurgence. Thanks to those people whoare suddenly "getting it".

On a different note, Neal Schon mentions in the same interview about touring Europe and how he might only earn 100 dollars a show, blah blah. Errmm...... there is no rule which says a band cannot come over unless they makes "x" thousand profit, you know!

Of course not. But this is a business. This is his job. Would YOU take a huge pay cut to do what you do somewhere else? Sorry, but I think it is fair to realize that Neal is earning his living making music. Touring is the biggest part of those earnings. Does it make fiscal sense to go through all the brain damage of planning a tour somewhere when there is little return? I am sure there is a lot of stress in putting a tour together....there should be a paycheck.

All the same, it does make one question how much use the much-publicised petition will be, compared to the lure of money!

The entire purpose of the petition is to show promoters that there is VALUE in bringing Journey over. The petition is to convince promoters that it is WORTH paying for Journey. So really, it is still about the lure of money. It always has been. The entire reason Journey does not play Europe is because promoters do not think it is a viable expense. For some reason, the promoters do not think there are enough fans who will pay to see Journey. This petition will hopefully show them otherwise.

I shall be in Bradford in May to watch ALL the bands. Personally, I doubt Mister Schon will be there (for me to "get it"), but you never know, stranger things have happened at sea....

Why wouldn't Neal be there? He is a part of Soul SirkUS. Soul SirkUS is playing Fire Fest. Soul SirkUS is touring Europe. They have confirmed dates! How silly....your entire post is about Neal going to Europe. Your entire post is basically made out to say that Neal is greedy. Yet Neal IS playing Europe. If he is really only making a couple hundred dollars per show than he is saying exactly what YOU want...that he will survive, and he IS willing to bring the music to you. But it certainly would be different for Journey, an established band with a 30 year career. Compared to Soul SirkUS, a brand new band.

[LAWoman]

So you "get" Shy. I didn't read the Neal interview you are talking about, but I don't see the mystery in the phrase. I don't think any of those guys are talking about an intellectual process. You're in the same groove--you "get" what they're doing. You're not freaked that they are doing something new--you "get" what they're up to. I don't see the insult there. But then I've been "getting" Neal for years now.

I'm also not sure why you seem offended by his comments about not making cash in Europe. Don't you suppose the point of that was to say that he is going to Europe for the love of the music and his excitement at this whole SS thing and not because he is looking to make some cash? I mean music is the way he makes a living and normally people get paid for that. Would you do your job for free or at a significant cut in salary?

BTW--do you have a link to the article you are talking about so we can read it first-hand?

[NealIsGod]

I have been in seventh heaven today playing the new Shy CD. The 10th and 11th tracks especially take my breath away, far more than ANY track on the last three Journey releases did. I didn't have to "get" anything first, to enjoy them. I just did!

Can't say I relate to your "getting it" comments, but I am glad to hear another Journey fan has discovered Shy! Sunset & Vine, to me, was like getting a new Journey CD from the ESC4P3 and Frontiers era Journey. "Don't Jump the Gun" (track #6) is so Journeyish its scary.

[yak]

I'm also not sure why you seem offended by his comments about not making cash in Europe. Don't you suppose the point of that was to say that he is going to Europe for the love of the music and his excitement at this whole SS thing and not because he is looking to make some cash? I mean music is the way he makes a living and normally people get paid for that. Would you do your job for free or at a significant cut in salary?

Neal lives to play. Because of his love of music, he won't be motivated by the almighty dollar. Sure, every one of us needs money on which to live, however, Neal is not solely movitated by making money above all else. First and foremost, it's the love of music that gets him out of bed each day. And that's good for all of us.

Some people just can't "get that." It's their loss.

[JourneyTroll]

"Get this" You're short Neal. "Get this" concentrate on making a Journey album and ditch boring Soulless Sirkus.

Journeytroll

[low d]

Neal lives to play. Because of his love of music, he won't be motivated by the almighty dollar.

What a crock of crap. Three divorces, a rock star life style, having to pay Perry for eternity, etc, etc.....He needs some money.

[LAWoman]

Neal lives to play. Because of his love of music, he won't be motivated by the almighty dollar.

What a crock of crap. Three divorces, a rock star life style, having to pay Perry for eternity, etc, etc.....He needs some money.

First of all, that's not my quote, but more importantly I really doubt you are privy to Neal's financial portfolio to make that statement. Everybody "needs" money, but if money were his highest goal, he would not be involved in half the projects he has been. I think one of the points of the original quotes was that he is not involved in SS for the money. Anybody who has heard him play knows he is not playing for the money.

Your examples also make no sense, but I'll leave that to someone else.

[jrnyman28]

Well put LA. I was trying to think of a way to word it but you did it for me!

[yak]

Anybody who has heard him play knows he is not playing for the money.

AMEN, LA!

AHHH......If only some here could learn to copy and paste correctly......after all...It's NOT rocket science.

Neal has always LOVED playing...and that shows consistently in his work.

What does your "crock of crap" have to do with anything, anyway, "low d"? Besides more of the same sour grapes?