MR

Soto Welcomed with Open Arms

Mon, Dec 25 2006

The members of Journey have given former Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist Jeff Scott Soto the thumbs up as permanent lead singer.
Soto has been handling the job since former frontman Steve Augeri, who stepped in to replace Steve Perry, was sidelined by illness shortly after the band's tour with Def Leppard began in June. His performances during the tour garnered rave reviews from fans and critics alike.

In a press release the band thanked Augeri for his time spent in Journey and wished him well, but said they had decided that Soto was now the man for the job.

"Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family,"the band said in a joint statement. "We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring."

Augeri, who is currently readying a solo album for summer release, thanked fans for their support and graciously wished the band and Soto success in the future.


source:Pollstar

Well, I'm happy for Jeff but I hope his pipes are really good. TWO singers have already been ruined by these songs.

amaron wrote:Well, I'm happy for Jeff but I hope his pipes are really good. TWO singers have already been ruined by these songs.

His pipes arent good! Theyre great! Most people who wonder if Jeff can 'survive' this, dont know that Jeff isnt someone that just started singing a year or 2 years ago! He has been around for more than 20 years , singing so many different songs,styles,notes,pitches, in so many different bands, projects and tributes. Sure he needed the time to get used to the Journey songs, but I think Jeff's voice will just get better and better with these songs going forward.
With all due respect to both Steve's, I think both of them would have some problems doing some of the songs Jeff has sang the past two decades , the way he sang them, both in studio and live.
So I'm very confident when I say Jeff won't have any problems 'surviving' the Journey songs.

I'm with Behshad, Jeff just sounded better & better as the tour went on IMO.

Melissa wrote:I'm with Behshad, Jeff just sounded better & better as the tour went on IMO.

All I'm going to say is that from the boots I have of 1998, Augeri sounded great as well.

I'd just hate to have this same conversation again years down the road.

amaron wrote:

Melissa wrote:I'm with Behshad, Jeff just sounded better & better as the tour went on IMO.

All I'm going to say is that from the boots I have of 1998, Augeri sounded great as well.

I'd just hate to have this same conversation again years down the road.

I saw Journey with Augeri in 98 and he did indeed sound great with the band.I also have to note that after 2002 or so I think his voice was really starting to give him problems on the road and it showed in the performances.
I also saw 2 shows this year with Soto on board (Charlotte and Columbia) and have to say that he really impressed me.I will also note that the second of the 2 shows(Columbia) was a better show in song selection and in sound quality for Jeff.He did indeed seem to be getting more comfortable with the material and it showed.
I also hope that we are not having this same conversation a few years down the road....I think Jeffs voice is capable of handling these songs on the road but you never know....

JSS has been singing for years, and singing his ass off. But he's never had to sing anything as demanding as Journey day-in and day-out, as far as I know. Vocally, they really do have the most challenging back catalog in classic rock, along with maybe Boston.

WalrusOct9 wrote:JSS has been singing for years, and singing his ass off. But he's never had to sing anything as demanding as Journey day-in and day-out, as far as I know. Vocally, they really do have the most challenging back catalog in classic rock, along with maybe Boston.

I must chime in...I did a tenure with a cover band from '96-'01, 5 years straight, 3-4 nights a week, 3 45 minute sets a night with 2 weeks off a year. That's like being on tour for 5 years straight with a month & a half off the whole time! Mind you, during this time is when I developed nodes in the cords, but that would happen to anyone given this schedule.

I know Journey wouldn't have half that demanding of a schedule, but at least, just so you, I condition myself according to the situation & as I am not saying I am bionic, I feel I can keep myself in shape for our future endeavors.

JSS wrote:

WalrusOct9 wrote:JSS has been singing for years, and singing his ass off. But he's never had to sing anything as demanding as Journey day-in and day-out, as far as I know. Vocally, they really do have the most challenging back catalog in classic rock, along with maybe Boston.

I must chime in...I did a tenure with a cover band from '96-'01, 5 years straight, 3-4 nights a week, 3 45 minute sets a night with 2 weeks off a year. That's like being on tour for 5 years straight with a month & a half off the whole time! Mind you, during this time is when I developed nodes in the cords, but that would happen to anyone given this schedule.

I know Journey wouldn't have half that demanding of a schedule, but at least, just so you, I condition myself according to the situation & as I am not saying I am bionic, I feel I can keep myself in shape for our future endeavors.

Well, that's good to hear. I hope that the third time is the charm.

It is the charm! Jeff is one great singer and we all can't wait for the new album..

JSS wrote:I must chime in...I did a tenure with a cover band from '96-'01, 5 years straight, 3-4 nights a week, 3 45 minute sets a night with 2 weeks off a year. That's like being on tour for 5 years straight with a month & a half off the whole time! Mind you, during this time is when I developed nodes in the cords, but that would happen to anyone given this schedule.

I know Journey wouldn't have half that demanding of a schedule, but at least, just so you, I condition myself according to the situation & as I am not saying I am bionic, I feel I can keep myself in shape for our future endeavors.

Glad you spoke up...There is too much speculation on how a singer's voice works in a touring situation and usually,people don't have the insight of the voice owner,so to speak.
I am more than convinced that you know exactly what you are doing - your concert experience and your trained vocals gives you enough power to adapt to the Journey catalogue.
Plus,I'm sure that the new material will be even easier to sing 'cause it's going to be perfectly shaped on your range.

JSS wrote:

WalrusOct9 wrote:JSS has been singing for years, and singing his ass off. But he's never had to sing anything as demanding as Journey day-in and day-out, as far as I know. Vocally, they really do have the most challenging back catalog in classic rock, along with maybe Boston.

I must chime in...I did a tenure with a cover band from '96-'01, 5 years straight, 3-4 nights a week, 3 45 minute sets a night with 2 weeks off a year. That's like being on tour for 5 years straight with a month & a half off the whole time! Mind you, during this time is when I developed nodes in the cords, but that would happen to anyone given this schedule.

I know Journey wouldn't have half that demanding of a schedule, but at least, just so you, I condition myself according to the situation & as I am not saying I am bionic, I feel I can keep myself in shape for our future endeavors.

Thats what I'm Talking about !!!
He can adjust his voice,schedule and life to whatever life throws at him!

With respect to the Steves, I'd like to see Perry or Augeri try "I'll See the Light Tonite". Soto's got the pipes!

Rock on JSS!!!!!!!

Can't wait for the next Journey!!!!

Hippie wrote:With respect to the Steves, I'd like to see Perry or Augeri try "I'll See the Light Tonite".

Now, or in their primes?

amaron wrote:

Hippie wrote:With respect to the Steves, I'd like to see Perry or Augeri try "I'll See the Light Tonite".

Now, or in their primes?

Perry in his prime could've done it but it wouldn't have sounded right. He didn't have the husky quality to his voice like JSS had at the time.

conversationpc wrote:

amaron wrote:

Hippie wrote:With respect to the Steves, I'd like to see Perry or Augeri try "I'll See the Light Tonite".

Now, or in their primes?

Perry in his prime could've done it but it wouldn't have sounded right. He didn't have the husky quality to his voice like JSS had at the time.

I've never heard the song, but it's hard for me to imagine Perry in his prime having much trouble with anything. I don't think I've ever heard Augeri in his prime but from what I've heard of his voice I can't imagine him singing anything with the power that Jeff puts into his vocals.

ohsherrie wrote:

conversationpc wrote:

amaron wrote:

Hippie wrote:With respect to the Steves, I'd like to see Perry or Augeri try "I'll See the Light Tonite".

Now, or in their primes?

Perry in his prime could've done it but it wouldn't have sounded right. He didn't have the husky quality to his voice like JSS had at the time.

I've never heard the song, but it's hard for me to imagine Perry in his prime having much trouble with anything. I don't think I've ever heard Augeri in his prime but from what I've heard of his voice I can't imagine him singing anything with the power that Jeff puts into his vocals.

Trust me there are few JSS songs that PerryInHisPrime would have some problems with, including "I'll See The Light Tonight",,,, "Somebody to love" from Eye's 1st cd , "Doin time with my baby" Talisman-Humanimal and "Since youve been gone".[/img]

Behshad wrote:

ohsherrie wrote:

conversationpc wrote:

amaron wrote:

Hippie wrote:With respect to the Steves, I'd like to see Perry or Augeri try "I'll See the Light Tonite".

Now, or in their primes?

Perry in his prime could've done it but it wouldn't have sounded right. He didn't have the husky quality to his voice like JSS had at the time.

I've never heard the song, but it's hard for me to imagine Perry in his prime having much trouble with anything. I don't think I've ever heard Augeri in his prime but from what I've heard of his voice I can't imagine him singing anything with the power that Jeff puts into his vocals.

Trust me there are few JSS songs that PerryInHisPrime would have some problems with, including "I'll See The Light Tonight",,,, "Somebody to love" from Eye's 1st cd , "Doin time with my baby" Talisman-Humanimal and "Since youve been gone".[/img]

I'll take your word for it, but if Perry would have problems with them Augeri wouldn't have a chance.