MR

I know that I'm probably gonna get pounded on for this post..but I honestly have nothing against JSS..saw him perform w/Journey just as he joined the tour last summer and thought he was a good replacement. I've been a lifelong Journey fan that has been mystified with all of this continuous drama surrounding the band for the last 10+ years. Having said that..something I haven't seen on this board is the idea that maybe there was something going on w/JSS that caused Journey to drop him? I DO NOT agree with the method that they chose, and I know this is a PRO JSS forum..that is cool. But I'm wondering if there was something going on from the JSS side that made it impossible for these guys to work with him? I understand there are 'insiders' on here that have 'information'..but I never really put much stock in those that claim to have info..but never reveal it.

Again, not trying to start a s-storm..just wondering if there is more to the story than what is being discussed.

...

I am no insider by any means, but I can read between the lines. They boot him while out of the country, and then don't have the common courtesy to return his calls. That tells me just about all I need to know. Spineless and worthless. They say they want to change directions, which is exactly the chance they had with Jeff. If they hire another Perry soundalike, how is that changing direction?

I think this pretty much squashes that theory....found this on the Noticeboard, I guess this person has a little more insight as this was going down:

"I’ve known Jeff Scott Soto for almost 7 years and in that time have followed him through thick and thin (and there was a lot of thin), helping out where I can becoming a family friend and trusted supporter. He is an honourable man who loves music and he had a number of bands that became his heroes –with Queen, Prince and Sam Cooke all vying for top slot and Journey right up there with them.

When he got the call and called me it was like he had been given the keys to the candy shop and the opportunity to sing before the President, the Queen, the Emperor all rolled into one. He relished the opportunity and for the past 11 months had been singing the band’s praises wherever he can – doing what he could to ensure that the audiences of long-time, committed Journey fans continue to love the band he loves. And, in early 2007, he was announced as the new, PERMANENT, singer for Journey, permanence (like many English words) has a different meaning here.

But since the Virginia gig he felt increasingly isolated but threw himself into the organisation of the closing pages of one of the chapters that helped to make Jeff what he is today – the Talisman Farewell Tour. And alongside that he put most of his career on hold.

Imagine, then, seeing the rumours of his demise beginning on chat-boards and meeting a music industry acquaintance in a far-flung land to be told “Hi Jeff, sorry to here you’re not in Journey anymore!” and then at a hotel to be assured by a member of ‘management’ that “nothing was going on” not once but on numerous occassions.

I was woken last Monday night at around 11:30pm by a distraught Jeff with the simple phrase “I’m out…” Quite simply I couldn’t believe it – perhaps it was a bad-dream.

Does loyalty count for nothing?

Was the great gig at Hammersmith’s Apollo a figment of my imagination, the Paradiso in Amsterdam something that never happened, were the packed out UK tour and the houses right across the US and Europe works of fiction?

So, what now? ‘Rock Star’ anybody!

in my opinion, i really think it was more of schon/cain's decision for him to be fired. as much as i got excited with the thought of a 30th anniversary tour, i no longer see that happening.

augeri, while maybe not the most popular choice, was the best replacement for perry. once his vocals were fried, it was pretty much over. soto was an excellent singer who would sing the hell out of some journey, but to me it just didn't fit. i saw them last year on one of his first dates and saw it as the end of journey.

besides, if they decide to head the "rockstar:journey" route, i'll probably never forgive them...even though that's looking like a probable event.

Onestepper wrote:I know that I'm probably gonna get pounded on for this post..but I honestly have nothing against JSS..saw him perform w/Journey just as he joined the tour last summer and thought he was a good replacement. I've been a lifelong Journey fan that has been mystified with all of this continuous drama surrounding the band for the last 10+ years. Having said that..something I haven't seen on this board is the idea that maybe there was something going on w/JSS that caused Journey to drop him? I DO NOT agree with the method that they chose, and I know this is a PRO JSS forum..that is cool. But I'm wondering if there was something going on from the JSS side that made it impossible for these guys to work with him? I understand there are 'insiders' on here that have 'information'..but I never really put much stock in those that claim to have info..but never reveal it.

Again, not trying to start a s-storm..just wondering if there is more to the story than what is being discussed.

Well gee, considering an interesting PM I got today and
then reading your first post I would say that
you are trying to start a shit-storm and have an idea of what
"problem with Jeff" you are trying to bring to light...

It's BullShit of the highest degree and, if you HAVE in fact followed
all the Journey drama over the years, then you should be able
to see this as nothing more than another way for Neal and Jon to deflect blame for
their totally assinine decisions.

God, I love how all these people are crawling out of
the wood-work to stir up shit here while BT is on
hiatus! For The Love Of All Things Sacred, CJ!!!!
PLEASE OPEN BT BACK UP SOON

Carlitto H@kk wrote:

Onestepper wrote:I know that I'm probably gonna get pounded on for this post..but I honestly have nothing against JSS..saw him perform w/Journey just as he joined the tour last summer and thought he was a good replacement. I've been a lifelong Journey fan that has been mystified with all of this continuous drama surrounding the band for the last 10+ years. Having said that..something I haven't seen on this board is the idea that maybe there was something going on w/JSS that caused Journey to drop him? I DO NOT agree with the method that they chose, and I know this is a PRO JSS forum..that is cool. But I'm wondering if there was something going on from the JSS side that made it impossible for these guys to work with him? I understand there are 'insiders' on here that have 'information'..but I never really put much stock in those that claim to have info..but never reveal it.

Again, not trying to start a s-storm..just wondering if there is more to the story than what is being discussed.

Well gee, considering an interesting PM I got today and
then reading your first post I would say that
you are trying to start a shit-storm and have an idea of what
"problem with Jeff" you are trying to bring to light...

It's BullShit of the highest degree and, if you HAVE in fact followed
all the Journey drama over the years, then you should be able
to see this as nothing more than another way for Neal and Jon to deflect blame for
their totally assinine decisions.

God, I love how all these people are crawling out of
the wood-work to stir up shit here while BT is on
hiatus! For The Love Of All Things Sacred, CJ!!!!
PLEASE OPEN BT BACK UP SOON

Settle down! This guy has a legit theory. He didn't attack anyone, he just asked a question. Until Jeff chimes in, NONE of us know what happened. The Journey guys sure as hell aren't going to say anything. I'm a 100% supporter of Jeff and his work, but he needs to make his statement as well. Don't go jumping on someone for asking a question or having a theory. God knows that this board is FULL of them in the last 24 hours

T-Bone wrote:Settle down! This guy has a legit theory. He didn't attack anyone, he just asked a question. Until Jeff chimes in, NONE of us know what happened. The Journey guys sure as hell aren't going to say anything. I'm a 100% supporter of Jeff and his work, but he needs to make his statement as well. Don't go jumping on someone for asking a question or having a theory. God knows that this board is FULL of them in the last 24 hours

Understood, T...
But you got my PM and see why i got alittle heated

Thanks for keeping this open...
I'm sure others have thoughts on this topic too.

T-bone...I think Carls original instinct is correct about this topic starter. its not about valid questions , but rather stirrin up some shit and try to put some false and ridicolous accusations on Jeff. we have to keep our zero tolerence policy open for these trolls.

Nunnayerbiz Ness wrote:I think this pretty much squashes that theory....found this on the Noticeboard, I guess this person has a little more insight as this was going down:

"I’ve known Jeff Scott Soto for almost 7 years and in that time have followed him through thick and thin (and there was a lot of thin), helping out where I can becoming a family friend and trusted supporter. He is an honourable man who loves music and he had a number of bands that became his heroes –with Queen, Prince and Sam Cooke all vying for top slot and Journey right up there with them.


Was the great gig at Hammersmith’s Apollo a figment of my imagination, the Paradiso in Amsterdam something that never happened, were the packed out UK tour and the houses right across the US and Europe works of fiction?

So, what now? ‘Rock Star’ anybody!

That quote was from me - I've been Jeff's solo TM for around 5/6 years, not for the money, fame or fortune but because I genuinely like the guy and all he stood for.

I can tell you that we had NO IDEA that this was happening. We'd seen rumours floating around - hell there was even on that Neal was in rehab - but like all rumours you tend to dismiss them. Then you get a 'feeling', call it misgivings, call it 'second sight' but we felt that the old sore about 'smoke and fire' might be true.

As for being an 'insider' all I can tell you is the awesome feeling of having been crapped upon from a great height doesn't go away quickly. But what the heck - manure is a great fertilizer and Jeff is strong enough in character to rise above this crap. I'd hate to be in the Journey camp right now - the level of mistrust from their fans (and I only became a fan of the music because of JSS) is beyond anything I've ever experienced before - even when Queen chose to go out on tour with Paul Rodgers.

Jeff doesn't have to respond because you guys have done it all for him. Like the terminator 'He WILL be BACK!"

TTFN
Uncle H

T-Bone wrote:

Carlitto H@kk wrote:

Onestepper wrote:I know that I'm probably gonna get pounded on for this post..but I honestly have nothing against JSS..saw him perform w/Journey just as he joined the tour last summer and thought he was a good replacement. I've been a lifelong Journey fan that has been mystified with all of this continuous drama surrounding the band for the last 10+ years. Having said that..something I haven't seen on this board is the idea that maybe there was something going on w/JSS that caused Journey to drop him? I DO NOT agree with the method that they chose, and I know this is a PRO JSS forum..that is cool. But I'm wondering if there was something going on from the JSS side that made it impossible for these guys to work with him? I understand there are 'insiders' on here that have 'information'..but I never really put much stock in those that claim to have info..but never reveal it.

Again, not trying to start a s-storm..just wondering if there is more to the story than what is being discussed.

Well gee, considering an interesting PM I got today and
then reading your first post I would say that
you are trying to start a shit-storm and have an idea of what
"problem with Jeff" you are trying to bring to light...

It's BullShit of the highest degree and, if you HAVE in fact followed
all the Journey drama over the years, then you should be able
to see this as nothing more than another way for Neal and Jon to deflect blame for
their totally assinine decisions.

God, I love how all these people are crawling out of
the wood-work to stir up shit here while BT is on
hiatus! For The Love Of All Things Sacred, CJ!!!!
PLEASE OPEN BT BACK UP SOON

Settle down! This guy has a legit theory. He didn't attack anyone, he just asked a question. Until Jeff chimes in, NONE of us know what happened. The Journey guys sure as hell aren't going to say anything. I'm a 100% supporter of Jeff and his work, but he needs to make his statement as well. Don't go jumping on someone for asking a question or having a theory. God knows that this board is FULL of them in the last 24 hours

Correct...no axe to bury in anyones back, and I have ZERO info on Jeff or anyone else in Journey..it was just a question based on the issue that I had not seen it discussed. NO ONE is more disgusted with the way the band has behaved since the days of when Perry was still lead singer. They have continually crapped on their fans and have no sense of accountability. EVERYTHING I've seen says that JSS is a solid individual. I do know though there is always two sides to EVERY story. I only brought up the issue because of my own sense of confusion around bringing in a guy and making him a permanent replacement, then 4-5 months later dumping him. Even if JSS had issues or was difficult to be around for the band..I still cannot see any logical explanation for their actions. I don't just buy the notion that JC and NS are that big of assholes that they would jeopardize the band yet again over something trivial. Again, just thoughts....

Behshad wrote:T-bone...I think Carls original instinct is correct about this topic starter. its not about valid questions , but rather stirrin up some shit and try to put some false and ridicolous accusations on Jeff. we have to keep our zero tolerence policy open for these trolls.

Do you know for a fact either way? No... so this guy has a legit question until Jeff chimes in. Maybe he and the band didn't get along... Maybe there was a 5 man brawl... no one knows. Everyone here seems to be jumping to their own conclusions and yet jumping on someone else for theirs. I'm not insinuating anything about Jeff an I'm not siding with the band either... I'm waiting until both sides of the story come out.

Did you ever stop to think that maybe Journey couldn't do what Jeff wanted to do right now? Maybe they could not promise him an album, more tours, whatever and because that is what he wanted and needed they decided to let him go. Maybe they were doing him a favor? Maybe the management can't find a record deal right now or more money to make this thing happen and they didn't want to tie up JSS' career in the meantime?

Maybe Jeff doesn't understand it or maybe he's confused right now, but maybe he doesn't hate these guys. Its not just about them anyway, they answer to other people and maybe it wasn't their choice. Maybe they are burned out, maybe they need some rehab. in different areas of their lives, maybe they need ot think about what direction they want to go... JSS may have had huge favor bestowed upon him.

jrnysc wrote: They say they want to change directions, which is exactly the chance they had with Jeff. If they hire another Perry soundalike, how is that changing direction?

They have just changed direction by the way they have gone about this.
The direction they have taken is DOWN. By going down in everyone's estimation.
Way down.

Carlitto H@kk wrote: Well gee, considering an interesting PM I got today

I got a similar PM I think. This all seems to stem from whatever happened in the UK when Jeff was sent back (as covered in the Talisman tour diary). If it was drugs as is being insinuated he would have been arrested not sent back.

JourneyFuxSingers wrote:

Carlitto H@kk wrote: Well gee, considering an interesting PM I got today

I got a similar PM I think. This all seems to stem from whatever happened in the UK when Jeff was sent back (as covered in the Talisman tour diary). If it was drugs as is being insinuated he would have been arrested not sent back.

Interesting, what were the details of the UK trip? Does anyone have an excerpt from the 'diaries'?

OK, I just recieved a phone call about this & I am breaking my silence for this one & ONLY topic. I don't do drugs, never have, never will!! I don't even smoke weed, my vice is throwing back a few shots or bevs, that is IT!

Regarding the UK shows being pulled, my visa wasn't cleared, simple as that....having shows in the UK require a visa & with that there was a problem, I was sent back to deal with it & we moved on. It couldn't be more simpler than that....I don't need rumors about fucking drugs or being hooked on substances, it aint me & you'll never link me with that world, end of story....ok, back to the soapbox, I got a career to resurrect!

JSS

There... JSS has responded and this subject is now put to rest.

Jeff, Sorry that this entire situation has come up and I wish you the best in whatever you do and I'll always be a fan. Thanks for responding to this and getting it out of the way. As for your career, there's nothing to resurrect, as it never died. Remember that please!

Onestepper wrote:I know that I'm probably gonna get pounded on for this post..but I honestly have nothing against JSS..saw him perform w/Journey just as he joined the tour last summer and thought he was a good replacement. I've been a lifelong Journey fan that has been mystified with all of this continuous drama surrounding the band for the last 10+ years. Having said that..something I haven't seen on this board is the idea that maybe there was something going on w/JSS that caused Journey to drop him? I DO NOT agree with the method that they chose, and I know this is a PRO JSS forum..that is cool. But I'm wondering if there was something going on from the JSS side that made it impossible for these guys to work with him? I understand there are 'insiders' on here that have 'information'..but I never really put much stock in those that claim to have info..but never reveal it.

Again, not trying to start a s-storm..just wondering if there is more to the story than what is being discussed.

Utter shite.