I'm Really Tired Of Hearing.....

[Saint John]

how JSS is replacing Steve Augeri. He isn't. He's replacing Steve Perry...well for the most part. Replacing Steve Augeri would in fact imply, that he's singing Augeri's songs. He ISN'T. He's singing Perry-era songs....therefore replacing Perry. He's just "the next" person...singer...replacing Perry. You can ONLY replace the person who's songs you're singing. With the exception of some unknown (to the masses....majority of the crowd) Generations songs, he's singing all Perry songs. Please quit comparing the two. It's Perry versus who's singing his ERA of Journey music. And I'm not trying to rip Augeri or Soto...just setting the record straight. The only arguement would be who does a better job at capturing the ORIGINAL sound.

[Andrew]

Interesting analysis. Hadn't thought of it that way...

[Perry86fan]

Thanks that is so ture....and i just wish others would see it as well.

[ohsherrie]

Thanks for putting that into words SaintJohn. I've been thinking along those lines myself.

[EightyRock]

Yes and no for me. Everybody who comes after Perry (who wrote or co-wrote) and brought them their biggest fanbase, will be just a cover singer unless they play more material that has the new singer's contributions with the band. I know when some fans used to joke and call Journey a cover band, they really weren't. It was the singer who was the cover act. That's not an Augeri slam. It would be true with anybody they hired that didn't write material with them and get it heard on some kind of regular basis. If they aren't willing to all get behind that and take their chances, then there IS no one that can fill in Perry's spot. Now that they have Jeff, who can write and they know has chemistry with the band, maybe they'll take those chances live. They need to fly it or retire it.

[finalfight]

If Steve A is coming back (and that might be a big if) then JSS is simply standing in or covering for him. If Steve decides against coming back or is not given the option then he will be replaced. That's just fact.

Playing Devil's Advocate - it could be argued that no one could ever replace Steve Perry. With that in mind perhaps Steve Augeri and JSS are merely standing in for 'the voice' on the off chance that he should return?

[Dano]

OK, I strongly disagree on this point. If there was ever a more poorly-disguised anti-Augeri post than the one that started this topic off, I haven't seen it.

JSS is replacing Augeri (if that actually happens-the verdict's still out, folks) who replaced Perry, who replaced Fleischman. I mean come on, are we to now say that Deen is replacing Aynsley Dunbar and not Steve Smith? And what of Prairie Prince, for that matter?

I'm sorry, but I can't believe the continuous discrediting of the eight years that Augeri gave this band and us fans, regardless of which side of the "Tapegate" story you sit on. At least the man didn't leave the band high and dry twice, like another lead singer.

Unbelievable.

[wildone]

Thanks for putting that into words SaintJohn. I've been thinking along those lines myself.

another great way to look at it ..it's all about the dirty dozen now anyways ...since the later stuff is pretty much put on a shelf give or take one or two songs

[wildone]

OK, I strongly disagree on this point. If there was ever a more poorly-disguised anti-Augeri post than the one that started this topic off, I haven't seen it.

JSS is replacing Augeri (if that actually happens-the verdict's still out, folks) who replaced Perry, who replaced Fleischman. I mean come on, are we to now say that Deen is replacing Aynsley Dunbar and not Steve Smith? And what of Prairie Prince, for that matter?

I'm sorry, but I can't believe the continuous discrediting of the eight years that Augeri gave this band and us fans, regardless of which side of the "Tapegate" story you sit on. At least the man didn't leave the band high and dry twice, like another lead singer.

Unbelievable.

YAAAWWWNNNN!!!lol no he'd rather try and get one over on there loyal fans ...thats so much better!!

[Dano]

Yep, and of course the rest of the band were not at fault at all, right? It is really frustrating trying to be a supporter of Augeri here. It's like the better part of the last decade didn't happen, and everyone's just trying to bury him as quickly as possible. And whenever any of us try to defend him, we're told to go over to BT (sorry Andrew-don't mean to bring it up, but it's pertinent to the discussion).

I've said that I'm a fan of all three vocalists, and am thrilled that JSS got a shot at this. My favorite vocalist of all-time and of any band is Perry. But I'm also a fan of Augeri, and I can't understand why the guilt all being put on him, like the rest of the band is blameless.

I said in a previous thread that I never realized how disliked Augeri was until JSS stepped in. If no one liked or supported this guy, who's been going to the shows for the last eight years?

Everything that's being said about the shows with JSS have been said about the shows with Augeri: Crowd had a great time, lead singer was all over the stage, they did all the hits. Now suddenly it's like no one here wants to admit that they enjoyed an Augeri show or liked any of the band's material since TBF. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but it is a little mind-boggling how so many have turned on one person when the whole band is involved.

[johnroxx]

Yep, and of course the rest of the band were not at fault at all, right? It is really frustrating trying to be a supporter of Augeri here. It's like the better part of the last decade didn't happen, and everyone's just trying to bury him as quickly as possible. And whenever any of us try to defend him, we're told to go over to BT (sorry Andrew-don't mean to bring it up, but it's pertinent to the discussion).

I've said that I'm a fan of all three vocalists, and am thrilled that JSS got a shot at this. My favorite vocalist of all-time and of any band is Perry. But I'm also a fan of Augeri, and I can't understand why the guilt all being put on him, like the rest of the band is blameless.

I said in a previous thread that I never realized how disliked Augeri was until JSS stepped in. If no one liked or supported this guy, who's been going to the shows for the last eight years?

Everything that's being said about the shows with JSS have been said about the shows with Augeri: Crowd had a great time, lead singer was all over the stage, they did all the hits. Now suddenly it's like no one here wants to admit that they enjoyed an Augeri show or liked any of the band's material since TBF. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but it is a little mind-boggling how so many have turned on one person when the whole band is involved.

The sad truth in a nutshell.

;^)

[NealIsGod]

I'm with you, Mystic. Augeri was the man for a long time. His contributions have not been appreciated enough by many.

[finalfight]

As I have stated before I rate Steve Augeri as one of my all time favourite singers. Having just got the first Tall Stories album though I was surprised at how different he occasionally sounded compared to his time in Journey.

Steve A had an amazing run in Journey but perhaps reaching for those highs in an attempt to emulate the original songs really took its toll on his voice especially over a tough touring schedule.

The shadow of Steve Perry and the weight of audience expectation looms large even now with JSS doing incredible justice by singing these marvelous songs in their original key and style. Long may he continue to do so.

Whatever happens, much respect goes to Steve Augeri for a job well done for so long. I wish him a speedy recovery and every future success. As for JSS - what can I say? What an incredible performer, I sincererly hope we have him around for a while to come.

[Dano]

As I have stated before I rate Steve Augeri as one of my all time favourite singers. Having just got the first Tall Stories album though I was surprised at how different he occasionally sounded compared to his time in Journey.

Steve A had an amazing run in Journey but perhaps reaching for those highs in an attempt to emulate the original songs really took its toll on his voice especially over a tough touring schedule.

The shadow of Steve Perry and the weight of audience expectation looms large even now with JSS doing incredible justice by singing these marvelous songs in their original key and style. Long may he continue to do so.

Whatever happens, much respect goes to Steve Augeri for a job well done for so long. I wish him a speedy recovery and every future success. As for JSS - what can I say? What an incredible performer, I sincererly hope we have him around for a while to come.

I can absolutely agree with every point you made here. I guess that's all I'm asking-to give the man some respect. Regardless of where you stand on "Tapegate", don't dismiss all the hard work that he put in and the new music we enjoyed and all the shows we got to go to. I'm not anti-JSS at all, but I refuse to pretend like there hasn't been a lead singer for the past eight years either.

And like I said previously in another thread, singing is Steve's livelihood, but more importantly, his craft and something he takes great pride in. I can't imagine for one second that he was the one who came up with the idea of using tape to augment the vocals, nor can I believe that he did it willingly, regardless of who came up with it. I guess the blind devotion that many have to this band is just as puzzling as the total allegiance that many others have to Perry. I am a huge fan of this band and always will be, but that doesn't mean I give them a free pass on this. Yes, it was Augeri's vocals that were at issue here, but it was done with the full knowledge of the rest of the band. I just cannot understand why everyone is so ready to bury Steve but letting the rest of the band off like nothing happened. The more this goes on, the worse I feel for the guy, especially knowing what a humble guy he is. This has got to be every musician's worst nightmare.

[finalfight]

Absoulutely, don't crack the stone!

[Dano]

Absoulutely, don't crack the stone!

No kidding, man! Those four words were pretty prophetic. As much as I have loved that this band has been able to continue (especially for the fact that I'd never gotten to see them live before 1998), with the recent events, I can understand and have more appreciation for what Perry was saying. Which in essence was, everyone has wonderful memories of us being this phenomenal band. Let's leave it at that and not turn it into a shadow of what it once was. If it ended after TBF, they still would've gone out essentially on top, with a top 5 platinum album, another top 40 hit and a Grammy nomination (at the height of grunge, no less)!

[bionic]

Yep, and of course the rest of the band were not at fault at all, right? It is really frustrating trying to be a supporter of Augeri here. It's like the better part of the last decade didn't happen, and everyone's just trying to bury him as quickly as possible. And whenever any of us try to defend him, we're told to go over to BT (sorry Andrew-don't mean to bring it up, but it's pertinent to the discussion).

I've said that I'm a fan of all three vocalists, and am thrilled that JSS got a shot at this. My favorite vocalist of all-time and of any band is Perry. But I'm also a fan of Augeri, and I can't understand why the guilt all being put on him, like the rest of the band is blameless.

I said in a previous thread that I never realized how disliked Augeri was until JSS stepped in. If no one liked or supported this guy, who's been going to the shows for the last eight years?

Everything that's being said about the shows with JSS have been said about the shows with Augeri: Crowd had a great time, lead singer was all over the stage, they did all the hits. Now suddenly it's like no one here wants to admit that they enjoyed an Augeri show or liked any of the band's material since TBF. Everybody is entitled to their opinion, but it is a little mind-boggling how so many have turned on one person when the whole band is involved.

Iagree, i see no reason to slag off Augeri as he was a great frontman for the years he was with Journey.Unfortunatley assuming you belive the tape-gate story this has changed opinion of him big time.If he had just sad i am leaving Journey cant do this anymore etc then i feel people would have not had this opinion of him.
Using my self for a example i met the guy backstage at the Greek last year he and the band were great to me and my girlfriend.I have always rated him as a singer and loved the job he has done with Journey.Now i belive he did use tapes,just my opinion but i dont feel so good about him or the band now after this crap.So i would not resort to calling him or the band names etc but i feel dissapointed in some guys i really admired.I put no individual blame on any one as i dont know who or why the did the tape thing,so i can understand peoples feelings regarding this issue.

[shaggy]

sorry but I DONT want JSS to be the new lead singer. Primarily he is far too good to be restricted to just doing songs by the previous singers. He is a fantastic singer/songwriter/guitar player/keyboard player etc etc in his own right to find himself so constricted and ultimately that would manifest itself and Journey will be forced to find yet another frontman. The only way for JSS to be a serious candidate for the job is if Journey change their style and lose a huge slice of their basic setlist. JSS is a very different kind of singer to the 2 previous ones. The unique energy and charisma that is a fundamental part of the Soto sound and vibe needs to be given the right vehicle for him to really cut loose, and as much as ballads etc are very much a part of the Soto make up, they are only one facet of it. Soul SirkUS only really scratched the surface of what Jeff is about. For Journey and Jeff to truely be a good combination, they would need to make some serious choices about the direction and feel of their future music. I'm not saying wipe the slate clean and start afresh, I'm saying only showcase the odd 4 or 5 songs from their past and move forward with more purpose than they ever did whilst Steve Augeri was/still is the lead singer. This I feel will alienate some of their hardcore fans but if the band is to continue it's journey it may be something they have to consider doing (just like they did when Steve Perry joined)

And secondly, we see far more of Jeff on our stages than we do of Journey over here in the UK, so to (or is that soto? ) be denied his presence would greatly diminish our enjoyment of his company this side of the pond.

However all of this speculation is nothing but just that, cos as yet no decision has been made regarding Steve Augeri. And that could be months away. So for now, enjoy Jeff and Journey doing their current tour.

[fred_journeyman]

No, the way I see it is simple: Augeri replaced Steve Perry. If Augeri had not suffered a chronic throat infection, he would still be singing, therefore JSS is "temporarily" replacing Augeri. Since the band has made no statement that Augeri is OUT and Soto is IN on a permanent basis, then technically Soto is simply stepping in for Augeri until such a time as Augeri either gets better and comes back or steps down.

If the latter happens and Augeri does NOT come back to Journey, it would be at THAT point (if Soto remained with Journey) that Soto would be replacing Perry.

[fred_journeyman]

Yep, and of course the rest of the band were not at fault at all, right? It is really frustrating trying to be a supporter of Augeri here. It's like the better part of the last decade didn't happen, and everyone's just trying to bury him as quickly as possible. And whenever any of us try to defend him, we're told to go over to BT (sorry Andrew-don't mean to bring it up, but it's pertinent to the discussion)...

What's happening with Journey is not all that strange though, in my opinion. If I could provide a look at a similar situation:

Often, when a pastor who was loved and appreciated by virtually the entire congregation leaves a church, the governing church council will put in a "temporary" pastor (the temporary part does not apply to Augeri). In time, a full-time pastor will be installed (and the process may take up to a year or more before that happens). Why? Because of everyone who loved the previous pastor will find many ways to dislike any permanent pastor that follows, so a temporary solution is found until people "get over it" and allow a new pastor in their lives.

I'm NOT saying that Augeri was hired as a temporary replacement at all. What I'm simply saying is that BECAUSE Augeri replaced Perry, emotions ran deep and those who thought only of Perry as the lead singer of Journey garnered all of their animousity and hatred and directed it toward Augeri. Now that Soto is fronting the band, the animousity is not so strong for a number of reasons:
1) Soto has not directly replaced Perry
2) Soto has his own illustrious singing career and stands on his own
3) Soto is extremely talented and it seems has little difficulty hitting the notes that Perry sang in the original key
4) Many see this as a temporary situation so that Journey could complete the tour they began with Def Lep.

[AR]

Didn't JSS perform "Faith in the Heartland" one night already? Not necessarily disagreeing with SJ's post, but I don't think Augeri era songs are out of the question - especially once JRNY goes back on the road solo.

[NYer]

I just cannot understand why everyone is so ready to bury Steve but letting the rest of the band off like nothing happened. The more this goes on, the worse I feel for the guy, especially knowing what a humble guy he is. This has got to be every musician's worst nightmare.

Is the band blameless? No.

But the rest of the band would have not had to collude w/ the farce, if Augeri were man enough to say I'm not going to fake this, get someone else.

But Augeri didn't. He wanted people/fans to think he was singing PERRY's songs live, so as to maintain the glory and bank.

There still may be untruths... Throat infection? Chronic?

Bullshit.

But you can't cheat Karma, and his is here.

[fred_journeyman]

There still may be untruths... Throat infection? Chronic?

Bullshit.

But you can't cheat Karma, and his is here.[/b][/color]

Not sure why the throat infection is hard to believe. If, as some have said, Augeri was using steroids in an inhaler during concerts, it's not hard to believe he was straining his throat muscles to reach the notes. Over time, the combination of strain and steroids will have its effect.

Augeri accepted the job that was offered to him, just as Soto has done now. I don't blame him at all for that, especially considerng the fact that Perry showed no signs of wanting the job at all.

When Deen was in the hospital because of exhaustion, no one questioned it. I think it simply boils down to a man abusing his vocal chords and throat muscles...like Perry did for years. It took its toll on both of them, but since Augeri started out later in life singing tunes made famous by Perry, it took less time to cause the damage.

[froy]

how JSS is replacing Steve Augeri. He isn't. He's replacing Steve Perry...well for the most part. Replacing Steve Augeri would in fact imply, that he's singing Augeri's songs. He ISN'T. He's singing Perry-era songs....therefore replacing Perry. He's just "the next" person...singer...replacing Perry. You can ONLY replace the person who's songs you're singing. With the exception of some unknown (to the masses....majority of the crowd) Generations songs, he's singing all Perry songs. Please quit comparing the two. It's Perry versus who's singing his ERA of Journey music. And I'm not trying to rip Augeri or Soto...just setting the record straight. The only arguement would be who does a better job at capturing the ORIGINAL sound.

You are correct and its a total shame what Journey and Styx have done.
Augeri was great and they burned the guy out
Now we get a new guy and burn him out .
Then when there all in wheel chairs we get the next guy and burn him out.
They are making a mockery of JRNY music

[Dano]

I just cannot understand why everyone is so ready to bury Steve but letting the rest of the band off like nothing happened. The more this goes on, the worse I feel for the guy, especially knowing what a humble guy he is. This has got to be every musician's worst nightmare.

Is the band blameless? No.

But the rest of the band would have not had to collude w/ the farce, if Augeri were man enough to say I'm not going to fake this, get someone else.

But Augeri didn't. He wanted people/fans to think he was singing PERRY's songs live, so as to maintain the glory and bank.

There still may be untruths... Throat infection? Chronic?

Bullshit.

But you can't cheat Karma, and his is here.

Karma? Karma for what? For being gracious to every fan who has met him, eight tours, two full-length CD's, one EP and a live DVD?

See, that's where I really draw the line, with this "He deserved it" stuff. Using that logic, what does Perry deserve for all the damage he did to the band's livelihood? Ross had to file for bankruptcy, for crying out loud!

Chronic throat infections are all too common with vocalists, especially if they are very worn down with no time to properly recover. Geez, just as an example-Tim McGraw just had to cancel a bunch of shows due to chronic pneumonia. It happens. I just don't believe for one second that the tapes were Steve's idea-no how, no way. The truth will come out at some point, and I believe it will vindicate Augeri somewhat, if not completely. And I also believe that, if the allegations are true, that this practice is more widespread than most realize. It will just have been Journey's misfortune to be the band that got caught first.

[wildone]

I just cannot understand why everyone is so ready to bury Steve but letting the rest of the band off like nothing happened. The more this goes on, the worse I feel for the guy, especially knowing what a humble guy he is. This has got to be every musician's worst nightmare.

Is the band blameless? No.

But the rest of the band would have not had to collude w/ the farce, if Augeri were man enough to say I'm not going to fake this, get someone else.

But Augeri didn't. He wanted people/fans to think he was singing PERRY's songs live, so as to maintain the glory and bank.

There still may be untruths... Throat infection? Chronic?

Bullshit.

But you can't cheat Karma, and his is here.

Karma? Karma for what? For being gracious to every fan who has met him, eight tours, two full-length CD's, one EP and a live DVD?

See, that's where I really draw the line, with this "He deserved it" stuff. Using that logic, what does Perry deserve for all the damage he did to the band's livelihood? Ross had to file for bankruptcy, for crying out loud!

Chronic throat infections are all too common with vocalists, especially if they are very worn down with no time to properly recover. Geez, just as an example-Tim McGraw just had to cancel a bunch of shows due to chronic pneumonia. It happens. I just don't believe for one second that the tapes were Steve's idea-no how, no way. The truth will come out at some point, and I believe it will vindicate Augeri somewhat, if not completely. And I also believe that, if the allegations are true, that this practice is more widespread than most realize. It will just have been Journey's misfortune to be the band that got caught first.

ross ahd to file for banckrupcy cause he screwed up simple as that don't try to smear that on steve p lol lets get real about that no one told him to blow his money and not invest wisely thats all on him.and to be honest well thats all steve a had to do was be honest and he wasn't... neither was the band.. come on if you think they didn't have a hand in this your wrong they all knew what was going on and they thought they could hide it from the fans the $$ sign was bigger then there fans and thats just wrong either way you slice it.

[conversationpc]

I just cannot understand why everyone is so ready to bury Steve but letting the rest of the band off like nothing happened. The more this goes on, the worse I feel for the guy, especially knowing what a humble guy he is. This has got to be every musician's worst nightmare.

Is the band blameless? No.

But the rest of the band would have not had to collude w/ the farce, if Augeri were man enough to say I'm not going to fake this, get someone else.

But Augeri didn't. He wanted people/fans to think he was singing PERRY's songs live, so as to maintain the glory and bank.

There still may be untruths... Throat infection? Chronic?

Bullshit.

But you can't cheat Karma, and his is here.

Z, your avatar is just a LITTLE too big there.

[Blueskies]

Absoulutely, don't crack the stone!

No kidding, man! Those four words were pretty prophetic. As much as I have loved that this band has been able to continue (especially for the fact that I'd never gotten to see them live before 1998), with the recent events, I can understand and have more appreciation for what Perry was saying. Which in essence was, everyone has wonderful memories of us being this phenomenal band. Let's leave it at that and not turn it into a shadow of what it once was. If it ended after TBF, they still would've gone out essentially on top, with a top 5 platinum album, another top 40 hit and a Grammy nomination (at the height of grunge, no less)!

My sentiments exactly!

[fred_journeyman]

No kidding, man! Those four words were pretty prophetic. As much as I have loved that this band has been able to continue (especially for the fact that I'd never gotten to see them live before 1998), with the recent events, I can understand and have more appreciation for what Perry was saying. Which in essence was, everyone has wonderful memories of us being this phenomenal band. Let's leave it at that and not turn it into a shadow of what it once was. If it ended after TBF, they still would've gone out essentially on top, with a top 5 platinum album, another top 40 hit and a Grammy nomination (at the height of grunge, no less)!

Prophetic? Steve Perry did not want the band to go on...without him. They did. Even if Perry was still in the "driver's seat" to this day, it could also be said that the band would be a shadow of what they were simply because Perry wouldn't be belting out any tunes that live among the stratosphere vocally like "Lay It Down."

Unfortunately, Perry is the one who truly would be the shadow of himself and I think he knew that all too well and opted out. The band itself plays better today than yesterday in many respects. For those who see Perry as the only frontman, of course anything "less" than that is simply a shadow. For those who see Journey's music as continuing to evolve, it's hardly a shadow of itself. It's all a matter of perspective, not scientific fact.

[fred_journeyman]

You can ONLY replace the person who's songs you're singing.

Says who? You? Did you just make that rule up and because you capitalized the word "only," we're supposed to accept it as fact? The FACT remains that Jeff is REPLACING (temporarily, until further notice) Steve Augeri. He did NOT replace Steve Perry. Augeri did that.