Time for Neal to hire Hugo??

[jclrascal]

With the recent revelation of backing tapes for Augeri's vocals as well as the undisputed use of Dean singing about 1/3 of the set, has the time now come for Schon to bring on Hugo as the new lead vocalist? As many of you know, he has been performing in his NYC-based Journey tribute band, Evolution, for about 3 years now and it has been a smashing success. No one can simulate Perry's vocals, stage presence and even physical appearance like Hugo can. I also believe he would "go for it" if approached by the band...

I understand why Neal and the boys hesitated to bring on Hugo or even Kevin Chalfant back in '97 or '98 so as to get a "fresh start" and avoid all of the direct Perry comparisons. Sometimes, you just want something a bit different, like Iron Maiden bringing on Blaze, Styx bringing on Lawrence Gowan, Foreigner bringing on Kelly Hansen and Motley Crue bringing on John Corabi. Still, the longtime fans(which are dwindling on almost all classic rock bands) can only be so patient for so long. They clamor for an authentic replacement so as to re-create the "good old days" with their live experience. And they have proven that they hesitate to buy the new studio releases as witnessed by GENERATIONS, Styx' CYCLORAMA and recent tribute album, Boston's CORPORATE AMERICA, etc.

Judas Priest brought on Tim "Ripper" Owens back in 1997 after about a year of unsuccessfully looking for a suitable alternative to Rob Halford. It was the right call as their live shows suffered very little, if any, backlash. Ripper was a deadringer for Halford and the concert experience was authentic even without the quintessential "Metal God". This bought the necessary time for the band until 2004 when Halford finally returned to the Priest fold...

Journey is basically dying at this point, both as a creative force in the studio as well as in the live concert setting. I don't think they can continue with Augeri, although he is a fine vocalist with a good resume. He has served his time, so to speak, but now is the time to get someone more "authentic". Plus, Hugo is much younger and will be available for a number of more years to continue if Neal so desires.

What do you guys think--would Neal kick his ego aside long enough to admit that Augeri is done and go to a "wannabe" like Hugo to continue the band's legacy? Or is Neal committed to Augeri so strongly and to the anti-Perry backlash that he would not even consider a change?

Respectfully,


Jack the Rascal

[cetera]

With the recent revelation of backing tapes for Augeri's vocals as well as the undisputed use of Dean singing about 1/3 of the set, has the time now come for Schon to bring on Hugo as the new lead vocalist? As many of you know, he has been performing in his NYC-based Journey tribute band, Evolution, for about 3 years now and it has been a smashing success. No one can simulate Perry's vocals, stage presence and even physical appearance like Hugo can. I also believe he would "go for it" if approached by the band...

No, Hugo doesn't want it, is TOO similar looking to Perry and isn't much younger than Augeri....

Journey is basically dying at this point, both as a creative force in the studio as well as in the live concert setting.

News to me and many others.... 'Generations is a 'fine' album.... not the BEST but certainly excellent....

[RossValoryRocks]

Actually they gave Hugo an audition when they were looking for a new singer after they decided to move forward without Perry. Everyone considered it "too weird" because Hugo sounds and moves so much like Perry.

The also had Geoff Tate audition as well, I would LOVE to have heard that audition.

[jrnyman28]

Actually they gave Hugo an audition when they were looking for a new singer after they decided to move forward without Perry. Everyone considered it "too weird" because Hugo sounds and moves so much like Perry.

The also had Geoff Tate audition as well, I would LOVE to have heard that audition.

Stuart, I believe Hugo was discussed but never actually auditioned.

[bionic]

With the recent revelation of backing tapes for Augeri's vocals as well as the undisputed use of Dean singing about 1/3 of the set, has the time now come for Schon to bring on Hugo as the new lead vocalist? As many of you know, he has been performing in his NYC-based Journey tribute band, Evolution, for about 3 years now and it has been a smashing success. No one can simulate Perry's vocals, stage presence and even physical appearance like Hugo can. I also believe he would "go for it" if approached by the band...

I understand why Neal and the boys hesitated to bring on Hugo or even Kevin Chalfant back in '97 or '98 so as to get a "fresh start" and avoid all of the direct Perry comparisons. Sometimes, you just want something a bit different, like Iron Maiden bringing on Blaze, Styx bringing on Lawrence Gowan, Foreigner bringing on Kelly Hansen and Motley Crue bringing on John Corabi. Still, the longtime fans(which are dwindling on almost all classic rock bands) can only be so patient for so long. They clamor for an authentic replacement so as to re-create the "good old days" with their live experience. And they have proven that they hesitate to buy the new studio releases as witnessed by GENERATIONS, Styx' CYCLORAMA and recent tribute album, Boston's CORPORATE AMERICA, etc.

Judas Priest brought on Tim "Ripper" Owens back in 1997 after about a year of unsuccessfully looking for a suitable alternative to Rob Halford. It was the right call as their live shows suffered very little, if any, backlash. Ripper was a deadringer for Halford and the concert experience was authentic even without the quintessential "Metal God". This bought the necessary time for the band until 2004 when Halford finally returned to the Priest fold...

Journey is basically dying at this point, both as a creative force in the studio as well as in the live concert setting. I don't think they can continue with Augeri, although he is a fine vocalist with a good resume. He has served his time, so to speak, but now is the time to get someone more "authentic". Plus, Hugo is much younger and will be available for a number of more years to continue if Neal so desires.

What do you guys think--would Neal kick his ego aside long enough to admit that Augeri is done and go to a "wannabe" like Hugo to continue the band's legacy? Or is Neal committed to Augeri so strongly and to the anti-Perry backlash that he would not even consider a change?

Respectfully,


Jack the Rascal

Not sure if Hogo would be good enough,to much of a Perry clone i feel,they are in a difficult situation at the moment.Perry cannot return and their current vocalist is having problems.Yet to move forward with a new singer would lise a lot of the Augeri fans,and they need all the fans they can get for the shows.
Regarding Generations which did good in Europe i think,they gave them away anyway.
I feel the end could be at hand for this great band,i also feel they took on Augeri to late at 38 i think he was.Most singers voices change around this time.They needed someone young with more miledge and a pretty face as well

[conversationpc]

Ripper was a deadringer for Halford and the concert experience was authentic even without the quintessential "Metal God". This bought the necessary time for the band until 2004 when Halford finally returned to the Priest fold...

As a big Priest fan myself, I see very little resemblance in Ripper's vocals to that of Rob Halford. The only resemblance being the high-pitched screams every once in a while. Other than that, Ripper always sounded totally different to me and more like a death metal vocalist than what Rob ever sounded like in Priest. That being said, most of the music Priest did with Ripper wasn't very good.

The also had Geoff Tate audition as well, I would LOVE to have heard that audition.

As much as I love Geoff Tate in Queensryche, I simply cannot imagine him singing anything by Journey.

[RossValoryRocks]

Actually they gave Hugo an audition when they were looking for a new singer after they decided to move forward without Perry. Everyone considered it "too weird" because Hugo sounds and moves so much like Perry.

The also had Geoff Tate audition as well, I would LOVE to have heard that audition.

Stuart, I believe Hugo was discussed but never actually auditioned.

Jon told me the auditioned Hugo. ::shrug:: Maybe he said talked about it, it was a long time ago when we talked about it.

[Citygirl]

If the guy's a clone then they were right not to take him. Nothing personal against the guy, I'm sure he's a nice enough person and a good singer. But if a singer leaves and they replace them with someone too similar, it can make people think they're like the same person... they needed someone different.

Just my opinion.

[ohsherrie]

No, it's time for Journey to retire. Hugo's doing more to honor the legacy of Journey with Evolution than Neal is with his band now.

[AR]

Maybe Jeff Scott Soto?

[jrnyman28]

Hugo would have been too similar and would have leant creedance to the theory that Joureny was trying to fool their audience into believing Perry was still in the band. I am not sure it would matter much now, but I would suggest Hugo drop the mannerisms and maybe even the look in favor of JUST singing like him, if this were the case.

I think Journey's options are pretty clear:

1) (As I said before) Limp through the tour and then take most/all of next year off from touring to write/rehearse/record a new CD. Of course this depends on IF Augeri can recover.

2) Drop Steve (if he cannot recover) and try a reunion/farewell concert with Perry. I believe Perry has been vocally working out, I think if they drop some of the keys and minimize the number of shows that Journey can pull it off. And I think it would be very successful.

3) If Steve cannot recover, and Perry will not return, then retire.

I do not see Journey being able to go through another lead vocal change.

[A Fire Inside]

Hugo would have been too similar and would have leant creedance to the theory that Joureny was trying to fool their audience into believing Perry was still in the band. I am not sure it would matter much now, but I would suggest Hugo drop the mannerisms and maybe even the look in favor of JUST singing like him, if this were the case.

The media would still claim Hugo is a clone, I bet. They're still going on about how Augeri is a "lookalike".

[jrnyman28]

They're still going on about how Augeri is a "lookalike".

Crazy ain't it! I actually saw one review say Steve was a look-a-like but NOT a sound-a-like. I don't think of Steve as a sound-a-like either, but it would be closer to the truth than saying he looks like pErry.

[NoMoreTails]

Hugo would have been too similar and would have leant creedance to the theory that Joureny was trying to fool their audience into believing Perry was still in the band. I am not sure it would matter much now, but I would suggest Hugo drop the mannerisms and maybe even the look in favor of JUST singing like him, if this were the case.

I think Journey's options are pretty clear:

1) (As I said before) Limp through the tour and then take most/all of next year off from touring to write/rehearse/record a new CD. Of course this depends on IF Augeri can recover.

2) Drop Steve (if he cannot recover) and try a reunion/farewell concert with Perry. I believe Perry has been vocally working out, I think if they drop some of the keys and minimize the number of shows that Journey can pull it off. And I think it would be very successful.

3) If Steve cannot recover, and Perry will not return, then retire.

I do not see Journey being able to go through another lead vocal change.

4) Schon and Valory return with Gregg and Dunbar for an album and tour.

[conversationpc]

4) Schon and Valory return with Gregg and Dunbar for an album and tour.

Maybe they could get George Tickner back in the band, too, and just go back to being a progressive/fusion band? Something tells me that wouldn't exactly go over too well with the fans, either.

[ohsherrie]

They're still going on about how Augeri is a "lookalike".

Crazy ain't it! I actually saw one review say Steve was a look-a-like but NOT a sound-a-like. I don't think of Steve as a sound-a-like either, but it would be closer to the truth than saying he looks like pErry.

He's never looked or sounded like Perry. When journalists say that it just says to me that they don't know enough about Journey to be making a comparison.

[conversationpc]

He's never looked or sounded like Perry. When journalists say that it just says to me that they don't know enough about Journey to be making a comparison.

What I really think is funny is when these Perryheads say that Augeri sounds just like Perry and, in the same breath, say that his voice is nowhere near Perry's. You heard that all over the place when Augeri first joined the band.

[NoMoreTails]

4) Schon and Valory return with Gregg and Dunbar for an album and tour.

Maybe they could get George Tickner back in the band, too, and just go back to being a progressive/fusion band? Something tells me that wouldn't exactly go over too well with the fans, either.

I'm mostly joking of course, though I wouldn't mind a show or recording from that lineup, I know the masses wouldn't accept it. But there's certainly nothing wrong with being "just" a progressive/fusion band, musically speaking...

[ohsherrie]

He's never looked or sounded like Perry. When journalists say that it just says to me that they don't know enough about Journey to be making a comparison.

What I really think is funny is when these Perryheads say that Augeri sounds just like Perry and, in the same breath, say that his voice is nowhere near Perry's. You heard that all over the place when Augeri first joined the band.

"THESE PERRYHEADS?" We're not a unibrain you know. You may have heard some Perry fan say he sounds like Perry, but not me.

[whocares]

Cain & Schon were the ones that told us the new guy was a look alike and sound alike. Whether it was weird or not, they are the ones that apparently picked him to be in the band. They knew what they were doing, what with practially no info REALLY being told to the casual fans, they sold lots of concert tickets to unsuspecting people who were duped into thinking it was Perry up there. Heck, I remember even seing Augeri trying to do Steve's "dance moves" early on. He didn't do them well either.

Hugo is a great singer, witness the open skyz album/tape/cd form the 90's, where he REALLY sounded like Perry and looked the part as well. He would be doing himself a great injustice to be in the band. I like him just fine without Journey.

This isn't a perryhead issue, this is a fan issue.

[Eric]

Is there is a reason he is in a COVER band? I mean come on here....doing more than Schon is for the name Journey?

If possible it would be great if Castronovo could handle the lead vocal duties, as his voice is beautiful, but other than that, I agree with 28...either reunite with Mr. P or retire. At any rate, they need (and needed) time off so give it a year no matter what.

[whocares]

Open Skyz ins't a Journey cover band CD, you should listen to it. I don't care if he's in a cover band now. Frankly I think he is a pretty damned good singer, no matter what he is doing.

By saying Perry was doing more, I'm talking about selling records, not touring. True neal is doing more when it comes to touring, he's running the Journey name into the ground and making people sick of the fact that they tour every year. For the fans that follow them around like they are the greatful dead, that's great. For the fans that have a life though... not so great. As the saying goes - "How can you miss them if they never go away?"

[bionic]

4) Schon and Valory return with Gregg and Dunbar for an album and tour.

Maybe they could get George Tickner back in the band, too, and just go back to being a progressive/fusion band? Something tells me that wouldn't exactly go over too well with the fans, either.

I'm mostly joking of course, though I wouldn't mind a show or recording from that lineup, I know the masses wouldn't accept it. But there's certainly nothing wrong with being "just" a progressive/fusion band, musically speaking...

I think if Neal could have the early fusion band back and make money he would do it,he could really let rip as a player then.Cant see all the people on BT liking it though.Still they could have a fusion love fest

[Big J]

No, it's time for Journey to retire. Hugo's doing more to honor the legacy of Journey with Evolution than Neal is with his band now.

Oh for christ's sake you're outta your mind.

[NoMoreTails]

4) Schon and Valory return with Gregg and Dunbar for an album and tour.

Maybe they could get George Tickner back in the band, too, and just go back to being a progressive/fusion band? Something tells me that wouldn't exactly go over too well with the fans, either.

I'm mostly joking of course, though I wouldn't mind a show or recording from that lineup, I know the masses wouldn't accept it. But there's certainly nothing wrong with being "just" a progressive/fusion band, musically speaking...

I think if Neal could have the early fusion band back and make money he would do it,he could really let rip as a player then.Cant see all the people on BT liking it though.Still they could have a fusion love fest

Yeah, it would be cool to see a theater tour with the original band. Govt Mule, a cool rock/blues jam band makes it this way (the guitarist/singer is part of the Allman Bros too). But regarless of how it were advertised, people would still end up expecting to hear greatest hits...

[whocares]

Let me ask this, or maybe it should be it's own thread...

Why do you (anyone) suppose that NOT ONE of the former members who were told they could join Journey at anytime during last years tour for any concert, (not counting the House of Blues HWOF show), didn't take them up on their offer?

I'm being serious, I'd like to know what people think.

[ohsherrie]

No, it's time for Journey to retire. Hugo's doing more to honor the legacy of Journey with Evolution than Neal is with his band now.

Oh for christ's sake you're outta your mind.

No I'm not. Do you mean you think faking the lead vocals is honoring Journey, or is it that you just don't believe it?

[Abitaman]

Maybe Jeff Scott Soto?

I would never listen to Journey again.

We are forgetting something, Augeri is still in the band, and needs to stay. what ever vocal problem he is having, he needs a year off, then back with a new studio cd and tour. We are counting Augeri out, and I believe he is still in the game-ERIC

[anonymousse]

[quote="ohsherrie"][quote="conversationpc"][quote="ohsherrie"]He's never looked or sounded like Perry. When journalists say that it just says to me that they don't know enough about Journey to be making a comparison.[/quote]

What I really think is funny is when these Perryheads say that Augeri sounds just like Perry and, in the same breath, say that his voice is nowhere near Perry's. You heard that all over the place when Augeri first joined the band.[/quote]

"[b][i]THESE PERRYHEADS?[/i][/b]" We're not a unibrain you know. You may have heard some Perry fan say he sounds like Perry, but not me.[/quote]

I dont hear it either. Sammy Hagar maybe?

[Andrew]

Actually they gave Hugo an audition when they were looking for a new singer after they decided to move forward without Perry. Everyone considered it "too weird" because Hugo sounds and moves so much like Perry.

The also had Geoff Tate audition as well, I would LOVE to have heard that audition.

Geoff was looked at, Hugo wasn't. He never auditioned. Only Geoff and Steve A did.