MR

In a review received today, this line jumped out at me:

At this point, the band is straddling
the line between success and greatness.

Really.

In you very learned opinions, what is the difference between success and greatness. Where does the band stand right now?



Cat

Success would be measured in revenue/sales and current popularity. Demand for a service or product. A musical act or a new fashion fad could be successful, but it's usually short-term. i.e. Britney Spears, UGG boots.

Greatness is what makes the history books. It's long-term, whether it's still profitable or not. Legends. The things that never go out of style, that people know and talk about 10, 20, 30 years later. i.e. Johnny Cash, blue jeans.

Jabberwocky wrote:Success would be measured in revenue/sales and current popularity. Demand for a service or product. A musical act or a new fashion fad could be successful, but it's usually short-term. i.e. Britney Spears, UGG boots.

Greatness is what makes the history books. It's long-term, whether it's still profitable or not. Legends. The things that never go out of style, that people know and talk about 10, 20, 30 years later. i.e. Johnny Cash, blue jeans.

I was struggling how to word my thoughts on this - you hit the nail on the head. I think they can also be a two way street, they are not necessarily mutually exclusive.

The band is a success. They tour regularly to near sold out and sold ouot crowds. They are making money and reaching their fans.

The band could be great if....
Of course there are a lot of "if's" but if that statement was pointed to Journey then I imagine the author has outlined what the one big "if" might be. Maybe he is saying with JSS Joureny can be great. That would imply that the band has found a solid vocalist and frontman with a proven track record who could be the missing part of the puzzle.

Speculation on my part of course...

jrnyman28 wrote:The band is a success. They tour regularly to near sold out and sold ouot crowds. They are making money and reaching their fans.

The band could be great if....
Of course there are a lot of "if's" but if that statement was pointed to Journey then I imagine the author has outlined what the one big "if" might be. Maybe he is saying with JSS Joureny can be great. That would imply that the band has found a solid vocalist and frontman with a proven track record who could be the missing part of the puzzle.

Speculation on my part of course...

Great comments from everyone - thanks.

Actually, JM28, JSS was not mentioned http://www.eastbayexpress.com/search/locations.php?template=music&oid=oid:256139&locationSearch=1 and there did not seem to be any agenda.

Cat

I'd say...no greatness...and partial success...Journey are currently at Number 11 in the US tour box office charts...but they have no record deal (etc)...

Matthew and anyone else - what do you think about overall? During the history of the band, were they/are they/have they been successful and/or great? I think they have been both. A lot of people make cheesy 80s jokes about Journey, but they still singalong and buy records (I am thinking specifically of Greatest Hits).

Ms_M wrote:Matthew and anyone else - what do you think about overall? During the history of the band, were they/are they/have they been successful and/or great? I think they have been both. A lot of people make cheesy 80s jokes about Journey, but they still singalong and buy records (I am thinking specifically of Greatest Hits).

Okay...I reckon they were successful between 1978-1980...achieved total and utter greatness between 1981-1986....and went back to being successful in 1996.

Yes, I've met so many people who try sound cool by making out Journey are a joke band...but yes...the moment a Journey record comes on it's so obvious they love it really.

There was a special on E! earlier about the 101 Guiltiest Guilty Pleasures - for a lot of people that would be Journey. They like it, but don't want anyone to know. I, however, do NOT have that problem. I put it right out there that I'm a Journey fan!!!

Ms_M wrote:There was a special on E! earlier about the 101 Guiltiest Guilty Pleasures - for a lot of people that would be Journey. They like it, but don't want anyone to know. I, however, do NOT have that problem. I put it right out there that I'm a Journey fan!!!

Me too! I have no shame...

But that's not to say that there isn't something a little bit comic about Journey at times. The Wikipedia entry talks about the "half-ironic, half-reverent" references to the band in the Family Guy, Simpsons, etc - and I guess I have a similar attitude to the band.

I love and respect Journey...but...well, it's hard to watch the "Separate Ways" video with a straight face...or Perry's red blouse...or his moustache...or Randy Jackson's polka dot bass...or the ridiculous lyrics about the "lovin' touch"...or earnest, mullet-head fans holding lighters aloft...

Those videos were something else. I saw a lot of cheesy videos in the 80s. My motto is (even about the infamous mullet) "It was the style!!" At the time, it was cool, right? I have to laugh when I look at pics of that time. The "feathered" hair, the parachute pants, OY! In retrospect, WYLAW was definitely the most beautiful one they did.

Ms_M wrote:Those videos were something else. I saw a lot of cheesy videos in the 80s. My motto is (even about the infamous mullet) "It was the style!!" At the time, it was cool, right? I have to laugh when I look at pics of that time. The "feathered" hair, the parachute pants, OY! In retrospect, WYLAW was definitely the most beautiful one they did.

Oh...absolutely...I was most proud of my mullet back then.

Success is a measure of the financial side of things...Journey will never be as successful as they were...but they are still a financially successful band at least on the touring side.

Greatness is a measure of the quality of the music being made.

Journey achived greatness a LONG LONG LONG time ago.

RossValoryRocks wrote:Success is a measure of the financial side of things...Journey will never be as successful as they were...but they are still a financially successful band at least on the touring side.

Greatness is a measure of the quality of the music being made.

Journey achived greatness a LONG LONG LONG time ago.

You are now a defining source?

Who says "success" is measured in dollars?

Rockn'deano wrote:

RossValoryRocks wrote:Success is a measure of the financial side of things...Journey will never be as successful as they were...but they are still a financially successful band at least on the touring side.

Greatness is a measure of the quality of the music being made.

Journey achived greatness a LONG LONG LONG time ago.

You are now a defining source?

Who says "success" is measured in dollars?

If you can be a difining source I can be too!

I say it is a measure of what most people look at these days for bands. If they make money they are successful.

Musical greatness and monetary success don't always go hand in hand. I know people who are incredible musicians and write unbelievable music, but don't do so well financially, on the flip side are N'Sync, Boyz2Men and the like that make a ton of money but are the musical equivelent of raw sewage.

Success is when a band gets into the preferences of the masses.
Greatness is when a band gets into the history of the music.

Obviously,Journey has achieved both.

Being GREAT and having SUCCESS are two cool things to have. Journey has been there done that 30 times over!! Every year they are successfull... and every year they are great!!

Rick

Actually, Ross Valory Rocks is pretty smart.

Success is defined as accomplishment, achievement, attainment, fulfillment, triumph, prosperity, affluence, wealth, fame, eminence.

Greatness is largeness, bigness, grandeur, impressiveness, boundlessness, distinction, renown, nobility, magnificence.

To say someone is straddling the line between success and greatness means that they have accomplished or achieved something (which at times is measured by financial success, sometimes not) but have not attained that level of impressiveness that invokes reverance and awe in ourselves and our audience.

We all struggle with this everyday in our work and personal lives.