MR

Why is Journey increasingly using the "Star Spangled Banner" as their set list opener?
I don't get it.
Is that supposed to instantaneously raise the crowd to its feet?
How about using one of their many trademark feel-good classics instead (DSB, OTY, AWYWI, etc)?

If the band opens my show with the SSB, I just know I will involuntarily double check my ticket stub -
just to re-assure myself I haven't accidentally stumbled into an RNC presidential convention or worse yet, a Ted Nugent concert.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Why is Journey increasingly using the "Star Spangled Banner" as their set list opener?
I don't get it.
Is that supposed to instantaneously raise the crowd to its feet?
How about using one of their many trademark feel-good classics instead (DSB, OTY, AWYWI, etc)?

If the band opens my show with the SSB, I just know I will involuntarily double check my ticket stub - to re-assure myself I haven't accidentally stumbled into an RNC presidential convention or worse yet, a Ted Nugent concert.

......................
Neal just has to have his vicarious thrill.

Thanks for stealing my idea TNC and running with it....

I agree. The SSB? WTF is it STILL doing in the set. Might as well have Friga do one of his Yanni solos to open up the gig...same difference.

Hell, seriously, Bring back Majestic...that was a killer opener

Rockn'deano wrote:Thanks for stealing my idea TNC and running with it....

Dude, I didn't steal shit from you.
In fact I initially posted this two days ago and then deleted it.
If you want to take this over to the Toto board and duke it out I am more than game.

They need a ROCKER to open up and get people excited. Not an imitation of Jimi Hendrix. I thought he died 30 some-odd years ago.

I'm not against Neal playing the SSB per se (though it is getting real old fast), I'm just against it as a concert opener.
Doesn't make any sense.

Deano wrote:Hell, seriously, Bring back Majestic...that was a killer opener

Ressurecting something along the lines of the Majestic is a GREAT idea.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

Rockn'deano wrote:Thanks for stealing my idea TNC and running with it....

Dude, I didn't steal shit from you.
In fact I initially posted this two days ago and then deleted it.
If you want to take this over to the Toto board and duke it out I am more than game.

I will be waiting.. Lets go destroy the Toto Forum, no one there anyway..

I dunno. It's Neal's band. He can do whatever he wants, right?

Barb wrote:I dunno. It's Neal's band. He can do whatever he wants, right?

I don't think he is nearly such a high strung control freak.
I bet the majority of the down time on this tour is spent doing shots and smoking bud with JSS.

In an interview Jon made a comment that he and neil still indulge in the wacky weed. I could'nt believe he was saying so on the radio though.

thevoicelover wrote:In an interview Jon made a comment that he and neil still indulge in the wacky weed. I could'nt believe he was saying so on the radio though.

You don't think he is doing Amber during the time off? Hell, I would.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Why is Journey increasingly using the "Star Spangled Banner" as their set list opener?
I don't get it.
Is that supposed to instantaneously raise the crowd to its feet?
How about using one of their many trademark feel-good classics instead (DSB, OTY, AWYWI, etc)?

Because they're dumb and can't find their way out of the paper bag they're in. When was the last time they made a decision that made sense? Don't say JSS, because everyone apparently thinks he sucks now.

What is so wrong with Neal to the anthem? I think it makes people feel good and he's damn good at it.

A Fire Inside wrote:Because they're dumb and can't find their way out of the paper bag they're in. When was the last time they made a decision that made sense? Don't say JSS, because everyone apparently thinks he sucks now.

Nope, not everyone

journeygal wrote:

A Fire Inside wrote:Because they're dumb and can't find their way out of the paper bag they're in. When was the last time they made a decision that made sense? Don't say JSS, because everyone apparently thinks he sucks now.

Nope, not everyone

I was generalizing. I have no opinion on his latest performances.

A Fire Inside wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Why is Journey increasingly using the "Star Spangled Banner" as their set list opener?
I don't get it.
Is that supposed to instantaneously raise the crowd to its feet?
How about using one of their many trademark feel-good classics instead (DSB, OTY, AWYWI, etc)?

Because they're dumb and can't find their way out of the paper bag they're in. When was the last time they made a decision that made sense? Don't say JSS, because everyone apparently thinks he sucks now.

I never said he sucked. I said in that range, I'm worried about him blowing out his voice. Hope I'm wrong, 'cause again, He's one HELL of a singer.

A Fire Inside wrote:

journeygal wrote:

A Fire Inside wrote:Because they're dumb and can't find their way out of the paper bag they're in. When was the last time they made a decision that made sense? Don't say JSS, because everyone apparently thinks he sucks now.

Nope, not everyone

I was generalizing. I have no opinion on his latest performances.

Barb wrote:What is so wrong with Neal to the anthem? I think it makes people feel good and he's damn good at it.

I've clarified this already.
I'm not against Neal playing the SSB per se (though it is getting real old fast), I'm just against it as a concert opener.

Barb wrote:I dunno. It's Neal's band. He can do whatever he wants, right?

Right.

SSB gets the crowd going...its a great opener!

It IS okay to be patriotic ya know!

It's alright to be patriotic; but not so obviousy patriotic as if you can only gather the troops for patriotic songs for the troops and America. Kind of like God Save the Queen! Whose going to be angry about that and be a Journey fan! It's a great move and gets everyone on their feet and clapping.

Marabelle wrote:It's alright to be patriotic; but not so obviousy patriotic as if you can only gather the troops for patriotic songs for the troops and America. Kind of like God Save the Queen! Whose going to be angry about that and be a Journey fan! It's a great move and gets everyone on their feet and clapping.

I agree. In another thread, I likened it to Boston opening with the same kind of thing on their 2004 summer tour. I love it as long as it's done respectfully, not like the Hendrix version (sorry, I simply hate it...).

Ya, the crowd ALWAYS loves it. I think it's awesome.

Eric wrote:SSB gets the crowd going...its a great opener!

It IS okay to be patriotic ya know!

Majestic was an amazing opener, but barely anyone would recognize it now. Journey has almost liked to have some sort of instrumental opener, the SSB is just an extension of it. Plus, it let's everyone know they better get to their seat without "wasting" a Journey song to do so. I like the idea of opening with the SSB. Besides, don't major (sports) events begin with the national anthem? They don't wait until the end of the 1st period to play it.

That being said, I would like to hear something a little different. He has been playing the SSB since the Under The Radar Tour...

Go back to the Red13: Intro.

Hell, let it lead into State Of Grace. Guarantee JSS can cover that no probs.

jrnyman28 wrote:Majestic was an amazing opener, but barely anyone would recognize it now.

Did they ever play that live or was it always a taped intro? All the ones I've heard were all played from tape as the band was apparently taking the stage.

conversationpc wrote:

jrnyman28 wrote:Majestic was an amazing opener, but barely anyone would recognize it now.

Did they ever play that live or was it always a taped intro? All the ones I've heard were all played from tape as the band was apparently taking the stage.

Pretty sure it was the tape right off Evlolution holy shit, the more things change....

On the bootleg Northern Journey, wasn't that a Canada show? They played it there. Why?
I actually posted right after the topic was opened, but it vanished, now it's back...
It was cool when Jimi did it originally. Now it's Neal doing Jimi Hendrix... Well, not really, but
it comes across as that.

I'm an American and I'm pretty tired of us going around the world with our "Jingoistic Hokum".
I totally agree with the sentiments of the post. If you're playing a 4th of July gig, great, but
at every show, open with something that kicks butt. Doesn't mean I'm not patriotic, but you
know what, Americans need to get over themselves. We're not the end all be all of everything,
especially (IN MY OPINION) with the present administration.

I think they should open with this:

http://www.funfreepages.com/flash/america_fuck_yeah.php

(Warning: Explicit lyrics and images but awesome nonetheless)

ahahahaha. Okay, that's cool!