It's time for Journey to move on....

[Todd H]

There was a Journey before Perry and there should be one after him.

Look, I love the Perry-era Journey as much as anyone else. But Journey is, was, and always will be Neal's band. I think it's time to find a vocalist much like JSS that sounds nothing like Perry (no more soundalikes!!!) and forge ahead. Create something new and stop living in the past. I know it has to get old playing the same "Greatest Hits" setlist night after night. I did the cover band thing back in the late 80's-early 90's. Playing the same songs over and over again will make you want to shoot someone.

Would they lose fans? Most certainly. But the loyal ones that think Journey is more than the "Greatest Hits" cd will stick around. And with some hopefully harder rocking material, they just may make a few new fans along the way. They could still play a few of their greatest hits, especially if Deen continues to play drums for them. But the new setlist should showcase whoever the new vocalist is.

Of course, this is all just my humble opinion.

[FormerJrnyFan]

There was a Journey before Perry and there should be one after him.

Look, I love the Perry-era Journey as much as anyone else. But Journey is, was, and always will be Neal's band. I think it's time to find a vocalist much like JSS that sounds nothing like Perry (no more soundalikes!!!) and forge ahead. Create something new and stop living in the past. I know it has to get old playing the same "Greatest Hits" setlist night after night. I did the cover band thing back in the late 80's-early 90's. Playing the same songs over and over again will make you want to shoot someone.

Would they lose fans? Most certainly. But the loyal ones that think Journey is more than the "Greatest Hits" cd will stick around. And with some hopefully harder rocking material, they just may make a few new fans along the way. They could still play a few of their greatest hits, especially if Deen continues to play drums for them. But the new setlist should showcase whoever the new vocalist is.

Of course, this is all just my humble opinion.

Why would they have to find a vocalist much like JSS???

[whocares]

Why would they have to find a vocalist much like JSS???

Because Jeff doesn't sound enough like him?

[Todd H]

Journeygal, I think Soto could easily be the voice of a new Journey. In fact, he would be my pick.

[EightyRock]

Todd, I've been screaming that from the rooftops for two weeks and all I'm hearing from a few diehards is "it doesn't sound like Journey". They are playing the same songs and Neal, Jon, and Ross are still in the band. Let's do the math....why doesn't it sound like Journey? Is it because Augeri isn't standing up there playing a tape? That would sound more "like Journey" than Soto? Why not just have Soto stand up there and play a Perry tape, if that's all some people want is a sound-alike. Why let all these vocalists trash their voices in an attempt to "be Journey"????

[WalrusOct9]

It's certainly doable...you take a band like Marillion, who carved out their own path and who's music in 2006 has evolved considerably from what it was in 1982. They rarely play any of their really old songs, and it's been years since they've played "Kayleigh." So they're not filling arenas anymore but they retain a rabid, hardcore following that supports them and their new music.

Journey, in theory, could do the same thing, but it wouldn't be the cash cow that the dirty dozen is. They'd have to tour smaller theaters extensively to support their new music and new singer, and while I bet they'd impress a lot of people in the process, they'd lose all of the people in the audience who come to hear "Don't Stop Believin," which unfortunately is a majority of concert attendees.

[FormerJrnyFan]

Why would they have to find a vocalist much like JSS???

Because Jeff doesn't sound enough like him?

[FormerJrnyFan]

Journeygal, I think Soto could easily be the voice of a new Journey. In fact, he would be my pick.

I agree

[Marabelle]

I think it will be a different Journey with JSS as the lead. I think he is coming from an entirely different perspective than the traditional AOR music.

[whocares]

would lopve to hear his thoughts on it... "HINT HINT"...

[Todd H]

I think they could still do DSB. In fact, you could probably trim the dirty dozen down to around four or five songs. The rest would be harder rocking material more in the range of JSS.

[whocares]

unfortunately (depending on if you see it that way) The O.C. and a few MTV shows, that featured DSB in the last two years, has made the younger crowd aware of Journey, and might see them or listen to more of their songs, just because of that one song.

[froy]

There was a Journey before Perry and there should be one after him.

Look, I love the Perry-era Journey as much as anyone else. But Journey is, was, and always will be Neal's band. I think it's time to find a vocalist much like JSS that sounds nothing like Perry (no more soundalikes!!!) and forge ahead.

Never ever going to happen
JRNY sucked before Perry and pretty much after Perry
Why do they want to suck more

Its time for Steve Perry to return

No other story will do .

[Rockindeano]

I think they could still do DSB. In fact, you could probably trim the dirty dozen down to around four or five songs. The rest would be harder rocking material more in the range of JSS.

I don't think that will work. Look, we are diehards. We know the "harder side" of the band. Most people have pop fluff association with the band, and they're basically right. Because all the tunes you hear, are the pop fluff. DSB, OA, SHML, Lights, etc.

The are so embedded in the majority of people's minds, that they have to play the Perry dozen. People aren't going to all of a sudden go buy EOTB, Dead or Alive, CR, and stuff like that, to hear the "harder Journey. I was thinking, they could put out a cd, of all the harder stuff, but let's face it, there aren't that many good hard rockers. EOTB, SIL, KOR, are nice, but you need about ten or so identifiable, good harder rock songs, to lure the metal head, or VH-ite, over to the Journey camp. And IF you do that, then you lose all the women who want OA, WCN and Faithfully.

They have no choice but to keep the Perry Dozen, but they could mix up the dozen....take out AWYWI and LTS, and throw in SHML and TPO for instance. The same exact setlist every night flatout sucks.

[ohsherrie]

unfortunately (depending on if you see it that way) The O.C. and a few MTV shows, that featured DSB in the last two years, has made the younger crowd aware of Journey, and might see them or listen to more of their songs, just because of that one song.

That's very true whocares but how many concerts tickets are they going to buy and for how long? They can still buy the catalog CDs with the Perry version on them.

I know you're supportive of the change so the following isn't entirely in response to your post.

If Jeff can help Journey get back on the radio and give them some credibility and dignity again with a more current sound then those people might just go to the concerts. They can still hear DSB, it just won't sound exactly like the CD version, but then it hasn't for 8 yrs anyway.

It may be technically Neal's band, but it's the frontman's to lead because they were recognized and became successful for the Perry vocals. That's why I'm saying give Jeff a chance to lead them in a new direction. I still think revising the name a little to distinquish the change in direction would be a good idea.

[*Laura]

There was a Journey before Perry and there should be one after him.

Look, I love the Perry-era Journey as much as anyone else. But Journey is, was, and always will be Neal's band. I think it's time to find a vocalist much like JSS that sounds nothing like Perry (no more soundalikes!!!) and forge ahead. Create something new and stop living in the past. I know it has to get old playing the same "Greatest Hits" setlist night after night. I did the cover band thing back in the late 80's-early 90's. Playing the same songs over and over again will make you want to shoot someone.

Would they lose fans? Most certainly. But the loyal ones that think Journey is more than the "Greatest Hits" cd will stick around. And with some hopefully harder rocking material, they just may make a few new fans along the way. They could still play a few of their greatest hits, especially if Deen continues to play drums for them. But the new setlist should showcase whoever the new vocalist is.

Of course, this is all just my humble opinion.

Before Perry? It was a band who was trying hard to make it.Herbie was the one who smelled success when he hired Perry.Neal only wanted to play the guitar.I would say that Journey was Herbie's band.

Then came the 80s,the fame and the fans - that will be an era never to be replicated again,not only for Journey,but for rock music in general.
It was an era when the world really cared about Rock'n'Roll.
Now we are all living different times and rock bands have to get used to the new circumstances.
Sadly enough,is more about the money and less about the music.

I compare Perry's departure with a painful divorce after a long succesful marriage...Journey took the house,and Perry took the kids (read: songs).
Just as you can't get rid of the kids from a former marriage,Journey can't get rid of the "dirty dozen". That's their most recognizable mark and they need that familiar sound in order to be identified as "Journey".

The current situation is pretty tricky...If they leave the classic songs behind,they risk to jeopardize their identity.
If they keep the oldies but goldies,they risk to be accused of being obsolete and lacking inspiration.

My opinion is that they will need to find the middle path...Have the best of both worlds.
Maybe JSS is the answer.
I said it before - he is an extremely talented singer and a terrific front man,but only time will tell if JSS and Journey will be a winning match up.

I guess this tour will answer all the questions,so maybe patience is all we need.

[ohsherrie]

unfortunately (depending on if you see it that way) The O.C. and a few MTV shows, that featured DSB in the last two years, has made the younger crowd aware of Journey, and might see them or listen to more of their songs, just because of that one song.

That's very true whocares but how many concerts tickets are they going to buy and for how long? They can still buy the catalog CDs with the Perry version on them.

I know you're supportive of the change so the following isn't entirely in response to your post.

If Jeff can help Journey get back on the radio and give them some credibility and dignity again with a more current sound then those people might just go to the concerts. They can still hear DSB, it just won't sound exactly like the CD version, but then it hasn't for 8 yrs anyway.

It may be technically Neal's band, but it's the frontman's to lead because they were recognized and became successful for the Perry vocals. That's why I'm saying give Jeff a chance to lead them in a new direction. I still think revising the name a little to distinquish the change in direction would be a good idea.

[conversationpc]

We know the "harder side" of the band. Most people have pop fluff association with the band, and they're basically right. Because all the tunes you hear, are the pop fluff. DSB, OA, SHML, Lights, etc.

I wouldn't call "Don't Stop Believin'" pop fluff. That's a rock tune.

[Rockindeano]

We know the "harder side" of the band. Most people have pop fluff association with the band, and they're basically right. Because all the tunes you hear, are the pop fluff. DSB, OA, SHML, Lights, etc.

I wouldn't call "Don't Stop Believin'" pop fluff. That's a rock tune.

Uh no. Good song, but hardly rock.

[conversationpc]

We know the "harder side" of the band. Most people have pop fluff association with the band, and they're basically right. Because all the tunes you hear, are the pop fluff. DSB, OA, SHML, Lights, etc.

I wouldn't call "Don't Stop Believin'" pop fluff. That's a rock tune.

Uh no. Good song, but hardly rock.

Other than the opening to the track, until Neal kicks chimes in with the harmonics and the squealing guitar, and a little piano shortly after, the rest is a rock tune. Not hard rock, but rock nonetheless. It's certainly not pop/schlock like "Ask the Lonely".

[Rockindeano]

We know the "harder side" of the band. Most people have pop fluff association with the band, and they're basically right. Because all the tunes you hear, are the pop fluff. DSB, OA, SHML, Lights, etc.

I wouldn't call "Don't Stop Believin'" pop fluff. That's a rock tune.

Uh no. Good song, but hardly rock.

Other than the opening to the track, until Neal kicks chimes in with the harmonics and the squealing guitar, and a little piano shortly after, the rest is a rock tune. Not hard rock, but rock nonetheless. It's certainly not pop/schlock like "Ask the Lonely".

I respectfully disagree.

Ask the Lonely has a smooth melodic piano driven theme, keeping it semi light, but DSB is all pop. Just my opinion.

[whocares]

unfortunately (depending on if you see it that way) The O.C. and a few MTV shows, that featured DSB in the last two years, has made the younger crowd aware of Journey, and might see them or listen to more of their songs, just because of that one song.

That's very true whocares but how many concerts tickets are they going to buy and for how long? They can still buy the catalog CDs with the Perry version on them.

I know you're supportive of the change so the following isn't entirely in response to your post.

If Jeff can help Journey get back on the radio and give them some credibility and dignity again with a more current sound then those people might just go to the concerts. They can still hear DSB, it just won't sound exactly like the CD version, but then it hasn't for 8 yrs anyway.

It may be technically Neal's band, but it's the frontman's to lead because they were recognized and became successful for the Perry vocals. That's why I'm saying give Jeff a chance to lead them in a new direction. I still think revising the name a little to distinquish the change in direction would be a good idea.

Absolutely, I support them with Jeff, in that I hope they do well. If they'd have had Jeff when tickets went on sale here' I'd have gone this Friday. but tickets sold out in just days, so I have to rely on other people's opinions of what they heard. And as you know I'd also like them to do something in the studio with Jeff, with his writing and range, it could get very interesting, will it happen? I'm not sure, but I hope for it. It would at least get me to one more concert of the bands.

Unfortunately I doubt the name will ever change, just for the reasons we all know already.

How long the youngsters would but tickets is unknown, but if they gain a few thousand fans even once, it helps them out.

[wildone]

unfortunately (depending on if you see it that way) The O.C. and a few MTV shows, that featured DSB in the last two years, has made the younger crowd aware of Journey, and might see them or listen to more of their songs, just because of that one song.

That's very true whocares but how many concerts tickets are they going to buy and for how long? They can still buy the catalog CDs with the Perry version on them.

I know you're supportive of the change so the following isn't entirely in response to your post.

If Jeff can help Journey get back on the radio and give them some credibility and dignity again with a more current sound then those people might just go to the concerts. They can still hear DSB, it just won't sound exactly like the CD version, but then it hasn't for 8 yrs anyway.

It may be technically Neal's band, but it's the frontman's to lead because they were recognized and became successful for the Perry vocals. That's why I'm saying give Jeff a chance to lead them in a new direction. I still think revising the name a little to distinquish the change in direction would be a good idea.

Absolutely, I support them with Jeff, in that I hope they do well. If they'd have had Jeff when tickets went on sale here' I'd have gone this Friday. but tickets sold out in just days, so I have to rely on other people's opinions of what they heard. And as you know I'd also like them to do something in the studio with Jeff, with his writing and range, it could get very interesting, will it happen? I'm not sure, but I hope for it. It would at least get me to one more concert of the bands.

Unfortunately I doubt the name will ever change, just for the reasons we all know already.

How long the youngsters would but tickets is unknown, but if they gain a few thousand fans even once, it helps them out.

true but if they stay with a sound that isn't up to the hardcore fans ...they might loose way more then that!!