Kevin Chalfant comments

[StoneCold]

No idea how old this is but came across this interview with Kevin. He mentions having written with Neal, Gregg and Jon. Wonder how far those tracks got and whatever happened to them.

I've linked the entire interview here but excerpted a few interesting sections.

http://www.libertynjustice.net/gettoknow_kevinc.php

Rumor has it that when Steve Perry left Journey you were close to getting the gig. What happened? Did you want to be the lead singer of Journey?

I did a live performance with Journey in 1994 in San Francisco. I was asked to join the band. I began writing with Gregg, Neal and Jonathan. Then out of a nearby phone booth, Steve Perry reappears with a new fire burning. It burned long enough to record a new CD — and then back to permanent vacation again. God has something much bigger in store for me. It is a life's goal and a destination that only He can finish in me.

Name the 3 highest points and the 3 lowest points of your musical career to date?

Three high points:

Singing at the LA Forum at the end of the 1992 Tour with Bryan Adams. The Storm was awesome, nearly bulletproof!

Singing the national anthem with The Ides of March at a Chicago Bulls game.

Performing on stage with all of the past Journey members playing all together at one time behind me singing "Separate Ways." Very cool moments in history.

Three low points:

Playing in a club in Downers Grove in the 1970s with only one person in the place. Between songs he would pick his head up from the table and yell "Kansas" or "Boston" or whatever and the sun was coming up outside of the big picture window next to the stage. That was miserable.

Touring with 707, the monitors were turned off by the headliner and I was expected to sing without monitors in front of 55,000 people. Tough stuff.

When I was in my early 20s, I used to drink liquor while singing and I got a node on my vocal cords. I had to quit singing for an entire year or get surgery. I quit singing for a year. That was rough.

If you could form your own all-star band, who would be in it? Who would be playing what?

Dream band huh? Paul McCartney on bass; Elton John on piano; Gregg Rolie on B3; Neal Schon and Anthony Gomes on guitar, next to Robert Randolph on steel guitar; on drums, Steve Smith (who else?); Joe Spivey on fiddle; and Rachael Barton on violin.

And finally, a Liberty n' Justice 4-ALL word association. We will mention a name or thing and you give us your thoughts:

Neal Schon (Journey/Soul Sirkus)
Soulful and great!

Herbie Herbert (former manager)
Just the best. I spoke to him today by phone.

Ross Valory (Journey/The Storm)
My bro!

Steve Perry (Journey)
A dynamic talent

[brandonx76]

Good stuff. Thanks for posting. Shame the Journey thing was a total tease for him. First time I heard Gregg and Jonathan in the band at the same time?? Seems like a guy who handled it all well.

[StoneCold]

Good stuff. Thanks for posting. Shame the Journey thing was a total tease for him. First time I heard Gregg and Jonathan in the band at the same time?? Seems like a guy who handled it all well.

A little keyboard competition, eh?

Jon could've put on his coat of many colors, grabbed the Keytar and been out front like on ROR.

That would've been too funny.

Rolie could've handled the B3 just fine (and can sing)!

[journeyrock]

In my opinion, Gregg can play and sing circles around Jon. In the songwriting category? Not so much.

[Voyager]

I think Journey should grab Kevin and do another tour in 2008.

[NealIsGod]

I think Journey should grab Kevin and do another tour in 2008.

I would love to see 'em dump Cain and bring back Rolie, too. That would be a cool lineup.

[ScarabGator]

I think Journey should grab Kevin and do another tour in 2008.

OH YEAH!!!!!

[StoneCold]

We hear this all the time. Today's music market won't sustain a band like Journey. Then why is DSB and AWYWI constantly being touted around? TV spots, ringtones, etc.

Sure the "young" market doesn't want a bunch of geezers as their favorite band BUT there's opportunity for a good band to flourish, ala what The Storm did in 91/92.

Example: Maroon 5. This very successful group is basically reworking 70's soul and 80's Hall & Oates pop into a "new" sound.

A breakout young singer in the Perry or Gramm style (Kelty?) with a good band (Ramos, Rolie, etc) could take up the torch and be successful. I'm surprized it hasn't crossed the minds of music execs.

[raisedonfaith]

So what was the plan for both Rolie and Cain in the band? Was Cain going to be rhythm guitar permanently or what?

[AlienC]

So what was the plan for both Rolie and Cain in the band? Was Cain going to be rhythm guitar permanently or what?

"The Plan" , insofar as I remember, was to have a FULL retrospective of "JOURNEY". Starting with the jazz-rock fusion group and progressing through the various incarnations over time, there would be a few songs where J would be able to play rhythm guitar while G played he B3.
During the rehearsals for that benefit show, there were times when they were playing "four handed" on The Whale. Quite a thrilling and inspiring sight to behold.

Too bad it all went the way of the Dodo bird.

[Abitaman]

Since Perry left the first time, I have wanted Kevin to take over lead vocals for Journey!!!!!!-ERIC

[StoneCold]

So what was the plan for both Rolie and Cain in the band? Was Cain going to be rhythm guitar permanently or what?

"The Plan" , insofar as I remember, was to have a FULL retrospective of "JOURNEY". Starting with the jazz-rock fusion group and progressing through the various incarnations over time, there would be a few songs where J would be able to play rhythm guitar while G played he B3.
During the rehearsals for that benefit show, there were times when they were playing "four handed" on The Whale. Quite a thrilling and inspiring sight to behold.

Too bad it all went the way of the Dodo bird.

Sounds like you were there!

[Aaron]

Dit-fuckin-to ....

I think Journey should grab Kevin and do another tour in 2008.

I would love to see 'em dump Cain and bring back Rolie, too. That would be a cool lineup.

[Arkansas]

So what was the plan for both Rolie and Cain in the band? Was Cain going to be rhythm guitar permanently or what?

"The Plan" , insofar as I remember, was to have a FULL retrospective of "JOURNEY". Starting with the jazz-rock fusion group and progressing through the various incarnations over time, there would be a few songs where J would be able to play rhythm guitar while G played he B3.
During the rehearsals for that benefit show, there were times when they were playing "four handed" on The Whale. Quite a thrilling and inspiring sight to behold.

Too bad it all went the way of the Dodo bird.

Sounds like you were there!

Get Chalfant. Bring back Rolie.
Make Journey a six-piece!


later~

[maverick218]

I think Journey should grab Kevin and do another tour in 2008.

I agree.