MR

I know there has been a whole lot of speculation about JSS being announced as the new lead singer of Journey, once this existing tour ends. Nowhere have I ever seen it even hinted at, that perhaps Jeff has no desire to replace Augeri. Is that possible? I must confess that my only real exposure to JSS before him taking over on this tour were his recordings of "Send Her My Love". Because I'm a huge Journey fan, it was a must purchase. From everything I've read, Jeff seems to be the hardest working musician on the planet, with endless projects going on...and with more than one band. It just seems to me that it is at least a possibility that perhaps he could be more focused on his other projects. From everything I've read about most of the music Jeff records, it's not even close to the music that Journey became famous for. I guess if this were 1985 and JSS was asked to become the frontman of Journey, it would probably be VERY difficult to turn that offer down. But, this is 2006, and Journey has become more of a nostalgia act. It just seems to me that it's not necessarily a slam dunk that Jeff wants to become the permanent lead singer of Journey.

John from Boston

Enigma869 wrote:I know there has been a whole lot of speculation about JSS being announced as the new lead singer of Journey, once this existing tour ends. Nowhere have I ever seen it even hinted at, that perhaps Jeff has no desire to replace Augeri. Is that possible? I must confess that my only real exposure to JSS before him taking over on this tour were his recordings of "Send Her My Love". Because I'm a huge Journey fan, it was a must purchase. From everything I've read, Jeff seems to be the hardest working musician on the planet, with endless projects going on...and with more than one band. It just seems to me that it is at least a possibility that perhaps he could be more focused on his other projects. From everything I've read about most of the music Jeff records, it's not even close to the music that Journey became famous for. I guess if this were 1985 and JSS was asked to become the frontman of Journey, it would probably be VERY difficult to turn that offer down. But, this is 2006, and Journey has become more of a nostalgia act. It just seems to me that it's not necessarily a slam dunk that Jeff wants to become the permanent lead singer of Journey.

John from Boston

If he didn't want to be there he would've turned the offer down.
I think that Jeff is not only eccstatic to be there, but intends to shake things up, as well.

Enigma869 wrote:I know there has been a whole lot of speculation about JSS being announced as the new lead singer of Journey, once this existing tour ends. Nowhere have I ever seen it even hinted at, that perhaps Jeff has no desire to replace Augeri. Is that possible? I must confess that my only real exposure to JSS before him taking over on this tour were his recordings of "Send Her My Love". Because I'm a huge Journey fan, it was a must purchase. From everything I've read, Jeff seems to be the hardest working musician on the planet, with endless projects going on...and with more than one band. It just seems to me that it is at least a possibility that perhaps he could be more focused on his other projects. From everything I've read about most of the music Jeff records, it's not even close to the music that Journey became famous for. I guess if this were 1985 and JSS was asked to become the frontman of Journey, it would probably be VERY difficult to turn that offer down. But, this is 2006, and Journey has become more of a nostalgia act. It just seems to me that it's not necessarily a slam dunk that Jeff wants to become the permanent lead singer of Journey.

John from Boston

I think Jeff has a very similar work ethic to Neal. For whatever reason they both seem to want to keep working. Jeff always has many projects on the go, and Neal's side projects and solo work are evidence that he cannot stick with just one thing and relax like anybody else when Journey are in downtime. Even with long summer/fall tours there is time to work on other projects throughout the rest of the year, so I wouldn't see that as a problem for a workaholic like Jeff.

Marty

Enigma869 wrote:I know there has been a whole lot of speculation about JSS being announced as the new lead singer of Journey, once this existing tour ends. Nowhere have I ever seen it even hinted at, that perhaps Jeff has no desire to replace Augeri. Is that possible? I must confess that my only real exposure to JSS before him taking over on this tour were his recordings of "Send Her My Love". Because I'm a huge Journey fan, it was a must purchase. From everything I've read, Jeff seems to be the hardest working musician on the planet, with endless projects going on...and with more than one band. It just seems to me that it is at least a possibility that perhaps he could be more focused on his other projects. From everything I've read about most of the music Jeff records, it's not even close to the music that Journey became famous for. I guess if this were 1985 and JSS was asked to become the frontman of Journey, it would probably be VERY difficult to turn that offer down. But, this is 2006, and Journey has become more of a nostalgia act. It just seems to me that it's not necessarily a slam dunk that Jeff wants to become the permanent lead singer of Journey.

John from Boston

good question. I think it all depends on how set Journey is on staying a "nostalgia act." I kind of doubt he'll stick around for that. If he could shake things up, as TNC says, then that could be fun. (and it's what I'm hoping for) I guess we'll see.

itsjustme wrote:good question. I think it all depends on how set Journey is on staying a "nostalgia act." I kind of doubt he's stick around for that. If he could shake things up, as TNC says, then that could be fun. (and it's what I'm hoping for) I guess we'll see.

Also, don't forget, there's more to Journey than just Neal...It should be taken into account what Jonathan, Ross, and Deen may want for the next several years. Keep in mind, a change of direction for a band means nothing unless they are willing to stick it out for at least another 2-3 years to get anything out of it. I can see where the band may want to continue moving forward as well, but I'd bet there's still some decision making to be made about the future of the band, whether with SA or JSS.

I think that Soto with Journey will get him more stateside attention for this tour. He couldn't pay for more publicity. I think that one or the other will have to alter their image tho, for it to be a permanent arrangement, that is to say, a successful one. Any new material would be a must and I'm trying to imagine a Cain, Soto, Schon collaboration for a new album. Someone or something would have to give.

What comes to mind for me is that if Journey tries to "change" now, will there be huge dropoff in attendance at concerts down the road say...in 2 or 3 years. A lot of people are forgetting one very important thing here....Journey is touring with DL right now, and half that crowd or more is made up of DL fans who we have to assume like a harder sound since they are lep fans to begin with. So I can see them embrassing JSS and his sound. But I really don't think you are getting a fair assement of JSS fronting Journey from this crowd -think about it. Now at a 3 hour evening with Journey show like last year...well then we'd be hearing from 100% Journey fans. I'd be curious if Journey got the same "feel" from the crowd....

Of course if eveyone is full of shit and Augeri is actually just healing from a throat infection and is coming back regardless of tapegate, then this is all worthless speculation anyways

Sandman67 wrote:What comes to mind for me is that if Journey tries to "change" now, will there be huge dropoff in attendance at concerts down the road say...in 2 or 3 years.

I believe people come for the catalog.
Believe it or not, many nights Augeri didn't sound all that Perry-esque and on some nights he was kept so low in the mix that you could barely hear him.
So the vocals are really not that big of an issue (in my judgement).

I believe people come for the catalog.
Believe it or not, many nights Augeri didn't sound all that Perry-esque and on some nights he was kept so low in the mix that you could barely hear him.
So the vocals are really not that big of an issue (in my judgement).

I won't argue with you there. A few of the shows I caught 2 years ago SA was drowned out by the instruments big time. At first I thought it was just the venue but as I saw more shows, I realized it wasn't.
Last year he was much clearer in the mix. Sounded great.

That said, I think it is exactly what you said "people come for the catalog" that they may be in trouble. Even a drowned out SA sounds more like Journey than JSS does crystal clear. Now notice I did not say SA sounds like SP. I said he has that "Journey" sound. Lets face it, they have a sound they are known for. just like Chicago does. I am honestly afraid of what they will encounter in front of a crowd that is not there to also see Def Leppard. That's not a knock on JSS, who I think can sing the paint off the walls! Hell even as we speak I am trying to get some of his cd's online. This is strictly about the Journey sound which is important to me as one of their fans-I realize to each his own

The_Noble_Cause wrote:So the vocals are really not that big of an issue (in my judgement).

Can't say that I agree with your judgement there, TNC. Journey was a band built more around vocals than any band I can remember in my lifetime. I would never suggest Journey's catalog of music doesn't matter, because it surely does. Their songs are so identifiable with an enormous fan base. That said, the person singing these songs needs to sing them well...not just go through the motions up there.

John from Boston

Enigma869 wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:So the vocals are really not that big of an issue (in my judgement).

Can't say that I agree with your judgement there, TNC. Journey was a band built more around vocals than any band I can remember in my lifetime. I would never suggest Journey's catalog of music doesn't matter, because it surely does. Their songs are so identifiable with an enormous fan base. That said, the person singing these songs needs to sing them well...not just go through the motions up there.

John from Boston

........................
..........and Soto appears to be doing more than simply going through the motions. I'm wondering if Journey will re-invent itself as it should have some years back. Only the success of new material will tell. That's assuming that Soto is here to stay.