Journey Deny Tapegate "rumours"

[joybringer1]

Just found this in Dave Ling's online diary and had to share it with you all. Dave works for the UK's Classic Rock magazine. Just for info, Dean was in touch with Dave during Tapegate and he (Dave) publicly said he believed they were guilty.


Saturday 13th January
After more than a quarter-century of interviews, they rarely make me nervous anymore. But I admit, my stomach was knotted for most of last night in advance of a phoner with Journey. Classic Rock had been trying to speak to someone - anyone? - from the band since the whole lip-synching controversy erupted back in the summer. Requests for statements regarding the accusations were repeatedly ignored. When the dust had settled a little, interviews were confirmed and then mysteriously blown out on multiple occasions. Then came the unexpected message: Friday night, call Ross Valory at 10pm UK time, Neal Schon half an hour later. To be honest, my initial fear was that it would all go pear-shaped. Valory answered the phone but was "busy" and requested to talk after Schon, who was in a fairly noisy restaurant (in San Francisco, I assume) when we hooked up. Then Ross failed to pick up five times afterwards and I had to call the band's management office to find out what was going on before we finally connected.
Both conversations were revealing. Obviously, I can't pass on the exact details of what was said (we'd quite like you to buy the darned magazine!), but the pair did address the Augeri rumours with reasonable calm and good grace - one denying them more emphatically than the other. That's all I'm really at liberty to impart until the story is printed in the issue after next. But I will say this.... both Neal and Ross seemed hugely fired up by the arrival of new singer Jeff Scott Soto, which augers well for the already largely sold-out UK tour that begins on March 1.

[SteveForever]

Gee Ross, answer the damn phone!!!

[*Laura]

Just found this in Dave Ling's online diary and had to share it with you all. Dave works for the UK's Classic Rock magazine. Just for info, Dean was in touch with Dave during Tapegate and he (Dave) publicly said he believed they were guilty.


Saturday 13th January
After more than a quarter-century of interviews, they rarely make me nervous anymore. But I admit, my stomach was knotted for most of last night in advance of a phoner with Journey. Classic Rock had been trying to speak to someone - anyone? - from the band since the whole lip-synching controversy erupted back in the summer. Requests for statements regarding the accusations were repeatedly ignored. When the dust had settled a little, interviews were confirmed and then mysteriously blown out on multiple occasions. Then came the unexpected message: Friday night, call Ross Valory at 10pm UK time, Neal Schon half an hour later. To be honest, my initial fear was that it would all go pear-shaped. Valory answered the phone but was "busy" and requested to talk after Schon, who was in a fairly noisy restaurant (in San Francisco, I assume) when we hooked up. Then Ross failed to pick up five times afterwards and I had to call the band's management office to find out what was going on before we finally connected.
Both conversations were revealing. Obviously, I can't pass on the exact details of what was said (we'd quite like you to buy the darned magazine!), but the pair did address the Augeri rumours with reasonable calm and good grace - one denying them more emphatically than the other. That's all I'm really at liberty to impart until the story is printed in the issue after next. But I will say this.... both Neal and Ross seemed hugely fired up by the arrival of new singer Jeff Scott Soto, which augers well for the already largely sold-out UK tour that begins on March 1.

Hmm.I'm not surprised they deny it.The psychologist in me is accepting the denial because it's a instinctive defense mechanism used by people to avoid anxiety by denying facts that are painful.The Journey guys are human after all.

But the fan in me just shakes her head...We all know it was true.

[brywool]

Like they would admit it anyway...

[fightingilliniJRNY]

Interesting...what issue will all of this be printed in? I know it says "issue after next", but is this a monthy magazine? So would it be printed in the March issue?

[Rockindeano]

This may piss some people off, but I don't give a shit. Since when have I ever given a shit if I pissed someone off?


I hope they never acknowledge it. Screw it. It's over with and done. I am pro fucking Journey and will always be, as long as they are Journey and not some joke therof. Stay live, stay vibrant, and kick my ass with new tunes and everything is good.

Dave Ling pissed me off during the entire thing. He said he had facts and stuff, but he wasn't at all accurate. He thieved all his info from me and the Blog.

Fuck you Dave.

[Rick]

Jeeez, I still say, who gives a crap! I don't know what everyone wanted them to do. Do you cancel the tour? These guys have bills to pay. I'm sure everyone thinks they are sitting on a pile of cash, but history refutes that. I think Ross has filed bankruptcy more than once. So you've got pressure on both sides of the coin here. Do we take a loss and hurt the members financially, some that can't take that sting, or do we figure out a way to continue the tour? It had to be a tough decision. They've got more than the fans to think about sometimes. The folks at that concert were entertained, I don't see why it is so bad.

[joybringer1]

Interesting...what issue will all of this be printed in? I know it says "issue after next", but is this a monthy magazine? So would it be printed in the March issue?

Yes, monthly and I assume March. But I'm sure I or someone else will be posting full details when it comes out. I know they were never going to admit it but somehow it's still quite shocking to hear that they've vehemently denied it as this is the first time they've made any kind of public comment about it.

[Rockindeano]

Jeeez, I still say, who gives a crap! I don't know what everyone wanted them to do. Do you cancel the tour? These guys have bills to pay. I'm sure everyone thinks they are sitting on a pile of cash, but history refutes that. I think Ross has filed bankruptcy more than once. So you've got pressure on both sides of the coin here. Do we take a loss and hurt the members financially, some that can't take that sting, or do we figure out a way to continue the tour? It had to be a tough decision. They've got more than the fans to think about sometimes. The folks at that concert were entertained, I don't see why it is so bad.

The thing is, they should have never booked the DL tour. Had they during the 30th tour, what we all knew then, they probably wouldn't have gone out with lippard. People are shocked because Journey is a quintet of five musical genius'. They aren't some bar act.

[joybringer1]

This may piss some people off, but I don't give a shit. Since when have I ever given a shit if I pissed someone off?


I hope they never acknowledge it. Screw it. It's over with and done. I am pro fucking Journey and will always be, as long as they are Journey and not some joke therof. Stay live, stay vibrant, and kick my ass with new tunes and everything is good.

Dave Ling pissed me off during the entire thing. He said he had facts and stuff, but he wasn't at all accurate. He thieved all his info from me and the Blog.

Fuck you Dave.

I read his diary every day and I read your blog every day so I can safely say you're mistaken, Dean. He didn't steal any information from you or your blog. Although he did give you some publicity which, at the time, you wanted.

Your "fuck you Dave" is misplaced. I expect you're annoyed because he's brought the subject up again and you've moved on and want to forget it. Guy's just doing his job.

[Rockindeano]

This may piss some people off, but I don't give a shit. Since when have I ever given a shit if I pissed someone off?


I hope they never acknowledge it. Screw it. It's over with and done. I am pro fucking Journey and will always be, as long as they are Journey and not some joke therof. Stay live, stay vibrant, and kick my ass with new tunes and everything is good.

Dave Ling pissed me off during the entire thing. He said he had facts and stuff, but he wasn't at all accurate. He thieved all his info from me and the Blog.

Fuck you Dave.

I read his diary every day and I read your blog every day so I can safely say you're mistaken, Dean. He didn't steal any information from you or your blog. Although he did give you some publicity which, at the time, you wanted.

Your "fuck you Dave" is misplaced. I expect you're annoyed because he's brought the subject up again and you've moved on and want to forget it. Guy's just doing his job.

You have no idea.

He had NO info that he didn't get from me. You are right, I want this to be buried and go away forever. Why is he just over 6 months late running with this? You call that doing your job? Fuck me. I did my job. I had daily info. He simply sat back, browsed MR, and E2T, and took that info. I had email correspondence with him. He had something written a while back(or so he said), but I couldn't read it. I will look at this article and believe me, it had better be accurate, or I will tear him to shreds.

[Rick]

Jeeez, I still say, who gives a crap! I don't know what everyone wanted them to do. Do you cancel the tour? These guys have bills to pay. I'm sure everyone thinks they are sitting on a pile of cash, but history refutes that. I think Ross has filed bankruptcy more than once. So you've got pressure on both sides of the coin here. Do we take a loss and hurt the members financially, some that can't take that sting, or do we figure out a way to continue the tour? It had to be a tough decision. They've got more than the fans to think about sometimes. The folks at that concert were entertained, I don't see why it is so bad.

The thing is, they should have never booked the DL tour. Had they during the 30th tour, what we all knew then, they probably wouldn't have gone out with lippard. People are shocked because Journey is a quintet of five musical genius'. They aren't some bar act.

I know brother, but they probably went over that stuff. I'm sure as hell they all got together and decided the bands health as a whole was good to go. (Sounds kinda like NASA) But SA (no blame intended either way) probably said, yea, I can do it, let's go make some money. I don't know Deano. I'm not going to crucify them for it.

[AlienC]

Hmm.I'm not surprised they deny it.The psychologist in me is accepting the denial because it's a instinctive defense mechanism used by people to avoid anxiety by denying facts that are painful.The Journey guys are human after all.

But the fan in me just shakes her head...We all know it was true.

Oh snap...... There's enough dysFUNction in that lot for their own chapter in The DSM.

at least that's what my shrink said....... [/url]

[*Laura]

Hmm.I'm not surprised they deny it.The psychologist in me is accepting the denial because it's a instinctive defense mechanism used by people to avoid anxiety by denying facts that are painful.The Journey guys are human after all.

But the fan in me just shakes her head...We all know it was true.

Oh snap...... There's enough dysFUNction in that lot for their own chapter in The DSM.

at least that's what my shrink said....... [/url]

Should be a chapter for the Fans too.

[Rick]

Hmm.I'm not surprised they deny it.The psychologist in me is accepting the denial because it's a instinctive defense mechanism used by people to avoid anxiety by denying facts that are painful.The Journey guys are human after all.

But the fan in me just shakes her head...We all know it was true.

Oh snap...... There's enough dysFUNction in that lot for their own chapter in The DSM.

at least that's what my shrink said....... [/url]

LMFAO!

[Barb]

It's stupid for them to deny it. Eventually, someone with first hand knowledge is going to spill this story with all of the dirty details. The correct response would be something along the lines of "we were starting to rely on backing voclas a little too much and Steve's voice just wasn't cutting it....so we had to make a change."

[Rockindeano]

It's stupid for them to deny it. Eventually, someone with first hand knowledge is going to spill this story with all of the dirty details. The correct response would be something along the lines of "we were starting to rely on backing voclas a little too much and Steve's voice just wasn't cutting it....so we had to make a change."

Barb, they will never or cannot ever be sued.

The key ingredient is SOUNDBOARD tapes/discs. They will never be made public. Probably already destroyed. I can tell you NO amount of money will sway me to tell a story. NO amount.

[Rick]

I got a C note right here.

[EightyRock]

So they are denying it. Not avoiding it or moving on, but actually DENYING it? Hard to believe those are 3 of the same people from the Escape era line-up that got my loyalty...and cash. Sorry, it ain't cool to outright lie to the fans. Way to go, guys. Stellar decision. They may come up with some good music next year or so, but as people, they need some serious sessions of a different kind..........IMO. There were other ways this could have been handled rather than outright denial. Glad I'm not the one that has to try to sleep at night, after perpetuating another tale.

[Rockindeano]

So they are denying it. Not avoiding it or moving on, but actually DENYING it? Hard to believe those are 3 of the same people from the Escape era line-up that got my loyalty...and cash. Sorry, it ain't cool to outright lie to the fans. Way to go, guys. Stellar decision. They may come up with some good music next year or so, but as people, they need some serious sessions of a different kind..........IMO. There were other ways this could have been handled rather than outright denial. Glad I'm not the one that has to try to sleep at night, after perpetuating another tale.

Yeah, your criticsm is deserved on the three remaining guys, however, I know you are a Perry fan. He has his share of fucking people over too, trust me, he is anything but innocent.

[AlienC]

So they are denying it. Not avoiding it or moving on, but actually DENYING it? Hard to believe those are 3 of the same people from the Escape era line-up that got my loyalty...and cash. Sorry, it ain't cool to outright lie to the fans. Way to go, guys. Stellar decision. They may come up with some good music next year or so, but as people, they need some serious sessions of a different kind..........IMO. There were other ways this could have been handled rather than outright denial. Glad I'm not the one that has to try to sleep at night, after perpetuating another tale.

That presumes a level of integrity that, by it's very existence, would preclude the very actions they deny.

[EightyRock]

Deano said "Yeah, your criticsm is deserved on the three remaining guys, however, I know you are a Perry fan. He has his share of fucking people over too, trust me, he is anything but innocent."

Hell yeah, it's deserved and yes I'm a Perry fan as well as a Journey fan. Aren't you? How could most of us have gotten to this point with Journey without being fans of Perry at some point. It's not like they are playing tunes from Next in concert. Yeah, I know Perry had his share of mistakes, but nothing like pulling tape-gate on alot of veteran fans (along with newer ones). I'm just pissed off that they are compounding what they did with another lie. I mean, damn.....why perpetuate the lie? I guess they are still afraid it will go even more mainstream than it did if they make a statement otherwise? Why not just say they (and Augeri) reached an agreement during his "departure" and it can't be discussed. Why come out with an outright lie?
They've got a new singer now that can sing, so they should concentrate on showing the fans some integrity, not continuing with the same old shit.

[EightyRock]

AlienC said: "That presumes a level of integrity that, by it's very existence, would preclude the very actions they deny."

You would know that firsthand, better than I, for sure. All the rest of us can do is observe their actions from the sidelines and it ain't lookin' good, integrity wise, as you've pointed out. If a change for them is in the wind, is this how it starts, post tape-gate? They take one bad decision and make it monumental because it just snowballs from their big mouths.

[Rick]

Deano said "Yeah, your criticsm is deserved on the three remaining guys, however, I know you are a Perry fan. He has his share of fucking people over too, trust me, he is anything but innocent."

Hell yeah, it's deserved and yes I'm a Perry fan as well as a Journey fan. Aren't you? How could most of us have gotten to this point with Journey without being fans of Perry at some point. It's not like they are playing tunes from Next in concert. Yeah, I know Perry had his share of mistakes, but nothing like pulling tape-gate on alot of veteran fans (along with newer ones). I'm just pissed off that they are compounding what they did with another lie. I mean, damn.....why perpetuate the lie? I guess they are still afraid it will go even more mainstream than it did if they make a statement otherwise? Why not just say they (and Augeri) reached an agreement during his "departure" and it can't be discussed. Why come out with an outright lie?
They've got a new singer now that can sing, so they should concentrate on showing the fans some integrity, not continuing with the same old shit.

What the hell? Journey did Augeri a freaking favor here. They should have dumped his ass the second he was no longer able to sing the catalog. They kept him on though, and I am presuming, that he said he could continue. So they started the 06 tour with him, and his voice couldn't handle the detail. So, the band took a HUGE freaking chance at providing vocals to front the busted out voice he had. I can't get over the attitude that people have toward the band over this. They did it to help Steve, not hurt you.

[EightyRock]

Shoot-em-up said: "What the hell? Journey did Augeri a freaking favor here. They should have dumped his ass the second he was no longer able to sing the catalog. They kept him on though, and I am presuming, that he said he could continue. So they started the 06 tour with him, and his voice couldn't handle the detail. So, the band took a HUGE freaking chance at providing vocals to front the busted out voice he had. I can't get over the attitude that people have toward the band over this. They did it to help Steve, not hurt you.

Agreed. Journey should have dumped his wiggly ass when he could no longer perform his job. Did that give them the right to decide they'd CONTINUE "helping him out" show, after show, after show.......while people were paying HUGE ticket prices thinking it was great live performances? He was having vocal problems long before they started that tour. They started it anyway because they didn't want to miss the pairing with DL, the potential exposure and $$$$, with those ridiculous ticket prices. It should have been handled differently than it was, and they shouldn't be lying about what happened now.
If you don't have a problem with them doing what they did and lying about it now, It's OK with me. It's your choice...but it's not mine. I wanted them to address this in an intelligent way and MOVE FORWARD...not deceive people again.

Funny how they wouldn't lie to Drew when he interviewed them. They wouldn't discuss it, at least on record.

[Rick]

Shoot-em-up said: "What the hell? Journey did Augeri a freaking favor here. They should have dumped his ass the second he was no longer able to sing the catalog. They kept him on though, and I am presuming, that he said he could continue. So they started the 06 tour with him, and his voice couldn't handle the detail. So, the band took a HUGE freaking chance at providing vocals to front the busted out voice he had. I can't get over the attitude that people have toward the band over this. They did it to help Steve, not hurt you.

Agreed. Journey should have dumped his wiggly ass when he could no longer perform his job. Did that give them the right to decide they'd CONTINUE "helping him out" show, after show, after show.......while people were paying HUGE ticket prices thinking it was great live performances? He was having vocal problems long before they started that tour. They started it anyway because they didn't want to miss the pairing with DL, the potential exposure and $$$$, with those ridiculous ticket prices. It should have been handled differently than it was, and they shouldn't be lying about what happened now.
If you don't have a problem with them doing what they did and lying about it now, It's OK with me. It's your choice...but it's not mine. I wanted them to address this in an intelligent way and MOVE FORWARD...not deceive people again.

Funny how they wouldn't lie to Drew when he interviewed them. They wouldn't discuss it, at least on record.

I agree with you quite a bit here, but you can't honestly think that they ventured into the tour with DL without SA saying he could do the job. That would be nuts. Honestly would you do that? I wouldn't. I don't think Journey did that. I think they went into that gig thinking SA was ok. That's my opinion. I just don't think it would make a good business decision to do that. These guys have been around a long time and I just can't imagine them making a business decision like that. I think they helped him out with the so called 'TapeGate' thing. I am sure as hell they didn't do it to deceive anyone.

[ohsherrie]

I'll wait until I read the article(if someone is kind enough to post it here) to decide how I feel about it, but if they truly are lying about it I have problems with that. We all know it happened. That doesn't mean I'll stop being a fan, but I'll be a fan who's almost as disappointed in the lie as I was with the tapes.

[Liz22562]

And it is entirely POSSIBLE that tapes were not used to the extent that was being alleged.

This will never go away...and that was predictable since the day it started.

[Rick]

I'll wait until I read the article(if someone is kind enough to post it here) to decide how I feel about it, but if they truly are lying about it I have problems with that. We all know it happened. That doesn't mean I'll stop being a fan, but I'll be a fan who's almost as disappointed in the lie as I was with the tapes.

Oh, not you too. It was just a temporary fix for something that was wrong. I don't think Journey did anything that wrong. It wasn't right, but what the heck else could they do in the middle of a tour? Who would be more diappointed? All the fans that payed to see them that got a great show, or the few that did find out?

[tammy]

well, what are they expected to say on the matter to a UK based journalist on the eve of a tour there? Why am I remembering Bill Clinton's public denial now? lol. Anyway, what's done is done & they fixed it now... In the grand scheme of things it isn't the worst thing a person could do...just makes ya scatch your head and wonder why, 'tho.