Will the casual Journey fan accept Arnel?

[Escape Artist]

OK, so among the hardcore fans Arnel is getting mixed reactions, mostly negative. whatever the reason, looks, stage presence or quality of voice or perhaps wanting to keep the band "All American"

I attribute my doubts about this line up to all of the above, however, will the casual fan except this line up? Will they notice or even care?

Sadly I think for the most part they wont care or even notice in some cases.

Journey will have to put out new material AND it will have to be the second coming of the escape era or captured sound, energy and QUALITY to get even a small portion of their hard core fans back.

Does journey care about their fan base? Recent actions by the band show they do not, so I will never have more than a passing interest, or should I say morbid curiosity about what they are doing.

Looking at the past one has to wonder if the lead singer carousel will stop here or just continue until Neal and Jon either reitire or find someone they deem to have the "Perry" magic.

I have a feeling Arnel will not be the last singer we will see with Journey and 99 % of the people at the concerts will leave wondering why Steve Perry looks so different...

[texafana]

You answered your own question very well, no need to reply.

[StoneCold]

The general public / casual fan is pretty forgiving about stuff like this.

Going to a concert is about having fun, diggin tunes and drinking rather than focusing in and critiquing music performances.

The main thing AP has is the important one, a singing voice. As long as he delivers the tunes in close proximity, most won't care.

Neal's pyrotechnic guitar show will make up for anything else anyway.

[texafana]

The general public / casual fan is pretty forgiving about stuff like this.
Going to a concert is about having fun, diggin tunes and drinking rather than focusing in and critiquing music performances.
The main thing AP has is the important one, a singing voice. As long as he delivers the tunes in close proximity, most won't care.
Neal's pyrotechnic guitar show will make up for anything else anyway.

Good comment, I agree. The real test for the masses would be a studio release.

[ArnelRox]

OK, so among the hardcore fans Arnel is getting mixed reactions, mostly negative. whatever the reason, looks, stage presence or quality of voice or perhaps wanting to keep the band "All American"

I attribute my doubts about this line up to all of the above, however, will the casual fan except this line up? Will they notice or even care?

The casual fan goes to a Journey concert a year, drinks some beers, sings along & either doesnt know the names of band members at all or knows the name Steve Perry but that's it. They dont really notice lineup changes unless they're blatantly obvious. Arnel has a powerful voice, he's a goodlooking guy & his stage presence will work just fine. Last yr when Jeff was up there, I had casual fans say Perry got a tan. They had no clue. This will be the same. Arnel is not blatantly ethnic looking.

[Escape Artist]

The general public / casual fan is pretty forgiving about stuff like this.
Going to a concert is about having fun, diggin tunes and drinking rather than focusing in and critiquing music performances.
The main thing AP has is the important one, a singing voice. As long as he delivers the tunes in close proximity, most won't care.
Neal's pyrotechnic guitar show will make up for anything else anyway.

Good comment, I agree. The real test for the masses would be a studio release.

I agree, without a new studio release this is nothing more than a glorified cover band. I am a hardcore fan and I would need new material to even remotely consider giving this line up a go.

[Perrydise]

Last yr when Jeff was up there, I had casual fans say Perry got a tan. They had no clue. This will be the same. Arnel is not blatantly ethnic looking.

Interesting statement, however I dont feel that is completely accurate. There are plenty of pictures of Arnel on the net that would disprove your statement.

As far as the casual fan, who knows. I know their first show will not be a judge of whats to cme. I have been to tooooo many conventions in Vegas and by the time the show comes along the majority of them will be so drunk they wont know what day it is, what state they are in or if it is Burl Ives singing with Kiss. ( I know of 3 Remax brokers/agents going to that convention).

I guess Jon and Neal should be happy for the slogan "WHAT HAPPENS IN VEGAS STAYS IN VEGAS"

[Rick]

Burl Ives singing with Kiss.

[PROPERRY]

OK, so among the hardcore fans Arnel is getting mixed reactions, mostly negative. whatever the reason, looks, stage presence or quality of voice or perhaps wanting to keep the band "All American"

I attribute my doubts about this line up to all of the above, however, will the casual fan except this line up? Will they notice or even care?

The casual fan goes to a Journey concert a year, drinks some beers, sings along & either doesnt know the names of band members at all or knows the name Steve Perry but that's it. They dont really notice lineup changes unless they're blatantly obvious. Arnel has a powerful voice, he's a goodlooking guy & his stage presence will work just fine. Last yr when Jeff was up there, I had casual fans say Perry got a tan. They had no clue. This will be the same. Arnel is not blatantly ethnic looking.

Hey ArnelRox, It just blows my mind that these casual fans DON'T notice that Steve Perry is gone from Journey!! Steve Perry is such an amazing talented singer and performer that I just don't get how they could "not" notice a line up change ,"as significant" as his talent is in my opinion.

I tend to think they notice there is a change in the singer , but just accept it because they just want to hear the classic music being played "live" again.

Oh, and just so you know, my comment above is not meant to be directed in a mean way towards Augeri, JSS , or Arnel either.

[Voyager]

Will the casual Journey fan accept Arnel?

They might be willing to pay $24.95 or less for a county fair grandstand show, but I doubt any casual fans will be buying tickets for $50.00 or more for arena shows. Without Steve Perry at the helm, these guys are has-beens.

[ArnelRox]

Interesting statement, however I dont feel that is completely accurate. There are plenty of pictures of Arnel on the net that would disprove your statement.

I'm going by the reactions of my friends all over the country. I sent a variety of links to Arnel's videos to a bunch of people, male & female. They're not people who read this board or any other. But they are the type of people who go to concerts. Some of them are now or have been involved in music. Some are just regular people working day-jobs. They live in various places, some small towns in the midwest, some in big cities. I didnt tell them where Arnel was from or any of the Journey drama that's been going on. I just said "check this out, this is Journey's new singer." In the past, when I've done that w/other Journey singers, they said "he's ok, but no Perry, no Journey" or "yeah, if they come to town & nothing else is going on, I might go." They're probably all a bit sick of me going on & on about Journey so I expected them to pay very little notice to my latest ramblings.

I was surprised at their reaction to Arnel. The men all remarked on the power of Arnel's vocals & asked when Journey were going to be touring b/c they want to go. The women were all taken aback w/Arnel's voice but also each of them commented on his looks as being "hot". Instead of just getting back remarks that he was "ok", all these people talked in specifics about his vocal stylings or technical abilities (in the case of those friends who are musicians). They all listened to several songs & told me which ones & what they liked & what they liked about them.

Not one person mentioned Arnel's ethnicity unless I brought it up. Some asked me if he was English b/c they thought his English sounded like someone from England. A couple of people told me he just wasnt a very ethnic looking Asian, but only after I told them he was Asian.

Arnel's ethnicity has been discussed ad nauseum here so we're all aware of it. But I think the casual fan won't notice.

[ebake02]

I think the casual fan will accept Arnel because the casual fan is only familiar with Steve Perry so that's who they compare the post perry singers. The most common comment I hear from casual fans is "He's good but he's not Steve Perry."

[Voyager]

I was surprised at their reaction to Arnel. The men all remarked on the power of Arnel's vocals & asked when Journey were going to be touring b/c they want to go. The women were all taken aback w/Arnel's voice but also each of them commented on his looks as being "hot". Instead of just getting back remarks that he was "ok", all these people talked in specifics about his vocal stylings or technical abilities (in the case of those friends who are musicians). They all listened to several songs & told me which ones & what they liked & what they liked about them.

Do you really expect us to believe that casual fans reacted like this? Until now I've just gone along with your subtle promotion of this guy, but this is way over the top. It sounds like an ad script that a marketing firm would create.

[ArnelRox]

It just blows my mind that these casual fans DON'T notice that Steve Perry is gone from Journey!! Steve Perry is such an amazing talented singer and performer that I just don't get how they could "not" notice a line up change ,"as significant" as his talent is in my opinion.

I guess the answer is that most people aren't as obsessed w/Perry as u & I

[ArnelRox]

Do you really expect us to believe that casual fans reacted like this? Until now I've just gone along with your subtle promotion of this guy, but this is way over the top. It sounds like an ad script that a marketing firm would create.

Really funny Voyager.

No I dont expect u to believe it. Do u have a lot of friends who would classify as "casual fans"? If so, do what I did & see what they say.

[Journey69]

Half the statements posted in here are pure hogwash! Because we are hard core fans,doesn't mean the rest of the population is stupid ! For the love of god.. Music fans notice stuff like this.. There are 2 types of people..Open minded people who are willing to give them a shot..and Closed minded people that when Perry left,their emotions left with him.. Yes,16-24 yr old girls won't know the diff..but most other people will.. Journey is a huge band,if there is a line up change especially the lead singer,they will know it.. You don't think the lead singer change won't make head lines when they "officially release a statement".. People on here are stupid ,if they don't think casual listeners won't know..People who are newer to the band might not get it,but most others will.. If they just tour,I will have no interest personally..They need to do a new album..My guess is that they tour next year to get the new guy in the grove ,then maybe cut an album..

[ArnelRox]

Journey is a huge band,if there is a line up change especially the lead singer,they will know it.. You don't think the lead singer change won't make head lines when they "officially release a statement".. People on here are stupid ,if they don't think casual listeners won't know..People who are newer to the band might not get it,but most others will.

That's a contradiction in & of itself. Why would a casual listener even come across an announcement about a line up change? It's not going to be the headline on the nightly news & it's not like Journey are topping the charts these days.

[AR]

Make no mistake, people WILL notice this and laugh. He won't be able to introduce the songs. Cain will have to do more taking. All Arnel will say is "Okeee this is Journey" like on the youtube clips. People will see this for what it is.

Some won't care, but the crowds will dwindle. Journey will need to slip down the bill on these 2 and 3 band package tours. A co-headlining tour now? Not promising.

Voice isn't everything. There are plenty who can approach Perry's vocals at least good enough for the casual fan, but someone just standing there parroting the songs who can't relate or interact with the audience is going to hurt. Journey needed a FRONTMAN, and they got a karoake box.

[Journey69]

How is that a contradiction? You don't think it will pop up on the internet somewhere..That's how I heard about Augeri..

[Voyager]

Do you really expect us to believe that casual fans reacted like this? Until now I've just gone along with your subtle promotion of this guy, but this is way over the top. It sounds like an ad script that a marketing firm would create.

Really funny Voyager.

No I dont expect u to believe it. Do u have a lot of friends who would classify as "casual fans"? If so, do what I did & see what they say.

Oh well, I respect your passion for Arnel - I just can't say that I share it at this point.

[Vladan]

Make no mistake, people WILL notice this and laugh. He won't be able to introduce the songs. Cain will have to do more taking. All Arnel will say is "Okeee this is Journey" like on the youtube clips. People will see this for what it is.

Some won't care, but the crowds will dwindle. Journey will need to slip down the bill on these 2 and 3 band package tours. A co-headlining tour now? Not promising.

Voice isn't everything. There are plenty who can approach Perry's vocals at least good enough for the casual fan, but someone just standing there parroting the songs who can't relate or interact with the audience is going to hurt. Journey needed a FRONTMAN, and they got a karoake box.

From the Youtube clips - the problem I found, was the way Arnel address the crowed, I found it hard to understand what he was saying, and the praising he has. Not an terrible singer, though most certainly not a front man of a major rock group, The presence wasn't there i'm afraid, and I can't help think that people will see this for what it is, just wait and see, and I would be interested to see if his voice actually is able to be used on a record.

But having said all that, those Youtube clips will never do anyone justice, really. Youtube is hardly an audition tool, and it will make the best singers in the world look average, so it's neither here or there. We will have to wait and see. No I am not a racist, but Arnel is about as yellow as my best mate Simon - sorry Simon, at least your not a greasy wog like myself

Though Andrew would be probably the best guy to ask around here, on his thoughts of Arnel, I am interested to see what Andrew thinks, his honest opinion ofcourse - I would respect what he says, and probably go along with his thoughts. He is Australian after all!.

[Voyager]

I honestly think Arnel sounds closer to Perry's voice than anything I have heard apart from Perry himself. That said, I think Journey will have a tough time selling him to fans, simply because this is strike #3. In addition, being able to clone someone's voice and cloning their passion, energy, and charisma are two totally different things. I've seen karaoke singers that did a good job on a Rolling Stones cover - but that doesn't mean they could be the next Mick Jagger.

[ArnelRox]

He won't be able to introduce the songs. Cain will have to do more taking. All Arnel will say is "Okeee this is Journey" like on the youtube clips.

Ur so wrong about this. But u will find out that when Arnel takes the stage.

[ArnelRox]

How is that a contradiction? You don't think it will pop up on the internet somewhere..That's how I heard about Augeri..

Sure it will but only if someone is looking for it. Chances are for the casual fan, that will occur after they've been to a concert & done some research when they got home.

[AR]

He won't be able to introduce the songs. Cain will have to do more taking. All Arnel will say is "Okeee this is Journey" like on the youtube clips.

Ur so wrong about this. But u will find out that when Arnel takes the stage.

I'm right, and YOU will find out.

I like you Suzie as a person, but I am simply going to counter this campaign. It won't work. A 4th singer with major issues isn't going to fly.

[ArnelRox]

He won't be able to introduce the songs. Cain will have to do more taking. All Arnel will say is "Okeee this is Journey" like on the youtube clips.

Ur so wrong about this. But u will find out that when Arnel takes the stage.

I'm right, and YOU will find out.

No ur really really wrong. Wanna make a bet?

[AR]

He won't be able to introduce the songs. Cain will have to do more taking. All Arnel will say is "Okeee this is Journey" like on the youtube clips.

Ur so wrong about this. But u will find out that when Arnel takes the stage.

I'm right, and YOU will find out.

No ur really really wrong. Wanna make a bet?

SURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is only one way this could survive without going down in flames. It won't be successful regardless, but there is something they could do. And damn straight I'm not going to say what it is. Those losers aren't getting any help from me.

[AR]

Hey I went over 5,000 posts!

[ArnelRox]

From the Youtube clips - the problem I found, was the way Arnel address the crowed, I found it hard to understand what he was saying, and the praising he has.

Well it depends which clip ur listening to. If he's speaking in his native tongue, I don't understand it either. But for example, do u really have trouble understanding him at the beginning of this clip:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3fgVQQnImaQ

He says: "Hang on. I forgot the first line. I gotta ask them "what's the first line". Okay take two. Shit. Shit happens, right. Shit happens."

That's about as clear as can be. Also, he's obviously embarassed by forgetting the first line but even in a moment of embarassment, he THINKS in English, not in his native tongue. When I was learning another language, I was always told if I got to the point where I thought in that language, I had a great handle on it.

Like most filipinos, he has trouble pronouncing the "th" sound there, so it comes out like "da". That wouldn't be a problem on the south side of Chicago where everyone talks like that (da Bears) That's really the only thing he has to work on.

[Panther]

I was surprised at their reaction to Arnel. The men all remarked on the power of Arnel's vocals & asked when Journey were going to be touring b/c they want to go. The women were all taken aback w/Arnel's voice but also each of them commented on his looks as being "hot". Instead of just getting back remarks that he was "ok", all these people talked in specifics about his vocal stylings or technical abilities (in the case of those friends who are musicians). They all listened to several songs & told me which ones & what they liked & what they liked about them.

Do you really expect us to believe that casual fans reacted like this? Until now I've just gone along with your subtle promotion of this guy, but this is way over the top. It sounds like an ad script that a marketing firm would create.

I was thinking the same thing. When the first talk of Arnel started here, I sent a bulk mailing out to about 100 or so in my address book. They all know I'm a Journey nut, yet all of them are passing fancy sorts when it comes to the music from those days. Most of them said that Arnel could sing. I think we all agree on that aspect. Almost every single one of them made the following statement regarding him filling the singer slot for Journey.... "Are they serious? lololololol" Not one of them stated that they would attend a concert (frankly, with anyone singing). That right there is the thinking behind a true casual fan. While showing interest in the abilities of a singer, they aren't interested enough in the band itself to attend a concert.