MR

http://www.greenvillenews.com/apps/pbcs ... 40310/1056

Still believin'
Journey's music, hopeful message endures

Posted Friday, November 4, 2005 - 6:00 am



By Donna Isbell Walker
ENTERTAINMENT WRITER
dwalker@greenvillenews.com


Eighties rock and Journey - it's hard to imagine one without the other.

Songs like "Who's Crying Now" and "Open Arms" dominated the radio airwaves and high school proms for the better part of the decade. With 41 million albums sold, the band was a musical force, helping define the arena-rock sound of the era.

The albums still sell, and the World Series champs Chicago White Sox even adopted "Don't Stop Believin'" as their anthem this year.

Keyboard player Jonathan Cain thinks the band has endured because of the musical craftsmanship and the message.

"It was the respect for melody and groove," Cain said recently, over the phone from his home in California. "We were one of the more soulful of the '80s bands. There's a sweetness to the music that keeps it young. It was about hope and faith and good stuff; we were never on the dark side."

Journey started out in the early 1970s as a jazz-influenced prog-rock band, although the sound evolved to a more mainstream rock vibe when vocalist Steve Perry came aboard in 1977. His soaring tenor soon became the band's signature. Cain joined the band in 1981, just in time to help write songs for the album "Escape," the album that catapulted the band into the stratosphere.

The band broke up in 1986 when Perry left because of health problems. When the members wanted to regroup in 1998, Perry wasn't interested in coming back, so the remaining musicians recruited sound-alike singer Steve Augeri.

There have been rumors of bad blood between Perry and his ex-bandmates over the years, but Cain dismisses most of it. Had Perry been so inclined, he could have sued the other members over using the name, but "he was classy enough" not to do that, Cain said.

Cain has nothing but praise for the music the '80s-era Journey produced and performed.

"I'm very proud of everything we did together, and I'm very mindful of our

partnership. There's no one like him, and I was so fortunate to have a

voice like that to write for. ... I know that if we got together tomorrow,

we'd write something cool."

People are often surprised to learn that the current lineup with Augeri on

vocals, together since 1998, is the longest-standing Journey incarnation,

Cain said. "They still call Steve (Augeri) the new guy. And if you think

about it, Steve Perry hasn't sung with the band in almost 20 years," Cain

said.

Journey's new album, "Generations," is both a return to form and a

departure for the band. The return to form comes with the help of producer

Kevin Elson, who worked on such classic Journey albums as "Escape" and

"Frontiers."

The difference is that this time, every member of Journey gets a turn at

lead vocals. In the old days, when Perry was on the microphone, there was

room for only one front man on stage, and the music became a little more

pop than some members wanted, Cain said.

Now, "it's less of a one-man deal. It's more of a rock band; we have more

of an edge. ... I think we're edgier than we ever were," he said.

Fans will get a chance to check out that edge for themselves next week. The

Bi-Lo Center concert will feature a mix of old and new Journey, greatest

hits as well as a few less-familiar nuggets from the early albums, Cain

said.

And Cain said he's looking forward to visiting Greenville again. He

recalled eating dinner at a downtown restaurant and touring the BMW plant

the last time Journey played here, two years ago on a bill with Styx and

REO Speedwagon.

"There's a good heart in Greenville," Cain said. "The people are authentic.

A lot of places you go, you feel this disjointed karma, but not there."

Thank you for posting that Sadie! Nice read on what Jon thinks of Perry. There was definitely something great with their writing collaborations.

jrnyman28 wrote:

The difference is that this time, every member of Journey gets a turn at

lead vocals. In the old days, when Perry was on the microphone, there was

room for only one front man on stage, and the music became a little more

pop than some members wanted, Cain said.

Now, "it's less of a one-man deal. It's more of a rock band; we have more

of an edge. ... I think we're edgier than we ever were," he said.

Sums it all up, doesn't it Dave? I love that Journey has gone back to being a rock band.

I wonder, if NOT suing over the name, "Journey," there was the trade off, of Perry receiving 1/6th of the cut?

Ok, I won't sue you, but in return, I get 1/6th of every goddamned thing you make.

What ya think?

You could look at it either way: Journey offered 1/6th to Perry so Journey could go on; or Perry demanded 1/6th to not sue Journey.

I don't think it matters either way anymore. They made the deal, they live with it.

I wonder, if NOT suing over the name, "Journey," there was the trade off, of Perry receiving 1/6th of the cut?
What ya think?

I think this could be a likely scenario. Perry likely swore them to secrecy, lest his fan base hear how he held Journey hostage for a price. That would be bad PR and would make Perry out to be some kind of curmudgeon.

I disagree, however, that it makes no difference, because this decision is the basis for everything that followed...both good and bad. Likely reason why some can soak their keesters in the Italian sun. You don't neccessarily have to be bright. All you have to do is have enough money to surround yourself with brilliant attorneys.

curmudgeon...last time i called someone a curmudgeon the person almost popped his cork cause i had hit the nail on the proverbial head. but i say if the shoe fits...hey ya gotta wear it...but that was then and this is now. it's not that you want to be classified as a curmudgeon but some people seem to go out of their way proving that they are. i forgive them; they are just they way that they are.

and thanks Yak for your kind words. you as well are a very gracious and kind man!

Marabelle wrote:curmudgeon...last time i called someone a curmudgeon the person almost popped his cork cause i had hit the nail on the proverbial head. but i say if the shoe fits...hey ya gotta wear it...but that was then and this is now. it's not that you want to be classified as a curmudgeon but some people seem to go out of their way proving that they are. i forgive them; they are just they way that they are.

I always could appreciate a good sense of humor.

Marabelle wrote:and thanks Yak for your kind words. you as well are a very gracious and kind man!

You're quite welcome, Marabelle. I call 'em as I see 'em.