New Gregg Rolie Interview

[Andrew]

http://houseofrockinterviews.blogspot.c ... -with.html

[SP Fan in Oregon]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

[Esc]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

i didnt see it on that context.
i saw him as being honest.

there's a comment down the interview which shows his respect to perry's singing ability and work ethics.

"Perry, technically wise, you can find very little fault in what he did. He sang background and lead vocals for the four years that I was there, six to eight months out of the year, and did not falter. That's incredible. Because that singing is at the top of anybody's range. That's pretty good."

[Maui Tom]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

because YOU know otherwise?

[Andrew]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

I don't see it as sour grapes at all. What has he to be sour about? Any of the guys for that matter....

[MarcelJordan]

He put a good word about Arnel. I think AP would be pretty pleased.

[steveo777]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

I don't see it as sour grapes at all. What has he to be sour about? Any of the guys for that matter....

Because he didn't put the "God Stamp" on SP, it's sour grapes? Typical around here, just typical.............

[Panther]

Why on earth did everyone jump at the Steve portion when Rolie the man left this bomb at the end?

>>>NHOR : Hendrix was a big fan of the original Santana band. Did you ever meet Jimi?

GR : I have a great story about Hendrix. I never really met him, but when we went to go play Woodstock, I was in our truck, and I went swimming every day at this waterhole. I was coming back from it, in our truck, and I got behind somebody in a Corvette doing about 15 miles per hour. I couldn't believe it, and it was on a winding road in Upstate New York. I was honking my horn, and I was really angry. I went by, and looked over, and it was Hendrix. I'm honking and flipping him off, and I went, "Oh my God!" I just kept on going. I'll never forget that. I was like, "Man, he can't drive". (Laughs)<<<

Sheesh people, get a grip. That's some funny stuff!

[fredinator]

I thought that was a great story, too! He is a heck of a guy--what a musician; smart and fun--I miss that hammond organ sound in music these days. I'm really looking forward to getting this DVD...

I feel like a real DOPE--Gregg Rolie lives in Austin?!? I had no idea. I feel like an idiot. He probably plays here fairly regularly, I guess? My husband and I rarely go to the clubs here in Austin--we have been in a rut too long, lol. Going to have to roust the old man out more . We did go see Buckwheat Zydeco a few times--so much fun! Sorry, am rambling and posting too much...

[Jana]

Wow, great interview. I love hearing about the music scene back then and what it was like for the musicians. He's just a great guy.

[Jeremey]

Nice interview....

[tammy]

Really enjoyed reading this interview - fun to hear the musical history..."met Carlos in a tomato patch" lol. Funny, as soon as I started to read the article a Visa commercial came on the t.v. with a Santana song (Oy Como Va, I think).
Also, didn't sense any negative feeling from GR about SP - even SP admits he wasn't easy - and, understandably so with that pressure to be vocally perfect every single performance.

[RocknRoll]

Great Interview! Thanks for posting this Andrew. Now I've gotta see the Gregg Rolie band again soon.

[Glenn]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

Who exactly has the sour grapes?

You?

[portland]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

i didnt see it on that context.
i saw him as being honest.

there's a comment down the interview which shows his respect to perry's singing ability and work ethics.

"Perry, technically wise, you can find very little fault in what he did. He sang background and lead vocals for the four years that I was there, six to eight months out of the year, and did not falter. That's incredible. Because that singing is at the top of anybody's range. That's pretty good."

Perry has always said that he was difficult to work with....he has never been less than honest about that....he has said worse about himself in many interviews.

[bluejeangirl76]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

Who exactly has the sour grapes?

You?

No kidding.

Paste it out of context like that and of course it looks like "wow, Gregg is a jerk, look what he said about Stevie-weevie!"

Let's look at the WHOLE answer, shall we?

He said he was burnt out and that his head-butting with Perry was one of the things that made it easier to leave... and what's the big deal about the guy telling his story? It is only sour grapes if he randomly walks around telling people this - but he was asked a specific question about it. In fact, he even said he doesn't want to be pinpointed as having left because of Steve and explains why he did leave.


NHOR : After the release of 'Departure' in 1980 and attendant tour, you left the band. Was it a case of being burnt out at the time? Herbie Herbert has put forth that there was tension between you and Steve Perry which contributed to your departure. Is there any truth to that?

Gregg Rolie : He added to it. The point was, though, I was fried. I'd had enough. I'd built two bands, been on the road for 14 years, wanted to start a family. That was my own personal decision. I really just didn't want to do that anymore. I didn't want to travel anymore. I disliked it. Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself. It was just time. I made that choice, and started a family. I'm glad I made that choice. I have a great family. And now my family is kicking me out of the house and making me get out on the road again because they want to have parties and stuff. (Laughs)

[Blueskies]

http://houseofrockinterviews.blogspot.com/2009/07/of-lifetime-exclusive-interview-with.html

Thats the best read thats been on here in quite some time. Good interview. Thanks for linking it.

[SP Fan in Oregon]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

Who exactly has the sour grapes?

You?

No kidding.

Paste it out of context like that and of course it looks like "wow, Gregg is a jerk, look what he said about Stevie-weevie!"

Let's look at the WHOLE answer, shall we?

He said he was burnt out and that his head-butting with Perry was one of the things that made it easier to leave... and what's the big deal about the guy telling his story? It is only sour grapes if he randomly walks around telling people this - but he was asked a specific question about it. In fact, he even said he doesn't want to be pinpointed as having left because of Steve and explains why he did leave.


NHOR : After the release of 'Departure' in 1980 and attendant tour, you left the band. Was it a case of being burnt out at the time? Herbie Herbert has put forth that there was tension between you and Steve Perry which contributed to your departure. Is there any truth to that?

Gregg Rolie : He added to it. The point was, though, I was fried. I'd had enough. I'd built two bands, been on the road for 14 years, wanted to start a family. That was my own personal decision. I really just didn't want to do that anymore. I didn't want to travel anymore. I disliked it. Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself. It was just time. I made that choice, and started a family. I'm glad I made that choice. I have a great family. And now my family is kicking me out of the house and making me get out on the road again because they want to have parties and stuff. (Laughs)

O.K. O.K. everybody. It was 11:00 p.m. after a long day when I posted that. It just seemed that it was unnecessary to say, and struck me as
saying something that didn't need to be said, when the rest of the interview was so awesome. I did enjoy the interview and all the things Rolie said, except that part.

[Rockindeano]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

[perryswoman]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[portland]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Well 2012 is comming....and then there is always a new CD release from SP... or there is always Neal finding a reason to throw AP under the lead singer bus of doom...there are all kinds of reasons this place will implode!!!

[Suzanne]

Why on earth did everyone jump at the Steve portion when Rolie the man left this bomb at the end?

>>>NHOR : Hendrix was a big fan of the original Santana band. Did you ever meet Jimi?

GR : I have a great story about Hendrix. I never really met him, but when we went to go play Woodstock, I was in our truck, and I went swimming every day at this waterhole. I was coming back from it, in our truck, and I got behind somebody in a Corvette doing about 15 miles per hour. I couldn't believe it, and it was on a winding road in Upstate New York. I was honking my horn, and I was really angry. I went by, and looked over, and it was Hendrix. I'm honking and flipping him off, and I went, "Oh my God!" I just kept on going. I'll never forget that. I was like, "Man, he can't drive". (Laughs)<<<

Sheesh people, get a grip. That's some funny stuff!

+1 Can you imagine?

[portland]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me too and the fact that he himself has always said that he was no "day at the beach" to deal with means he knows that he can be an ass....at least he owns up to it...it seems others in the band have no problem passing the blame all on to Steve Perry and then say he can fuck off...now that makes me have so much respect for the band of brothers

[Rick]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I agree. He has apologized, on more than one occasion. I'm sure the other guys have some things they need to apologize for as well. But it's a long way down the road, and I would hope that nobody is counting anymore. If Rolie would refuse to work with Journey because of SP's behavior back in the 70's, then I would consider that pretty shallow. I wouldn't think that is the issue, or an issue at all anymore. Gregg has his own band where he can do pretty much what he wants.

[perryswoman]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Me too and the fact that he himself has always said that he was no "day at the beach" to deal with means he knows that he can be an ass....at least he owns up to it...it seems others in the band have no problem passing the blame all on to Steve Perry and then say he can fuck off...now that makes me have so much respect for the band of brothers

And I don't think Neal was no picnic back in those days of drunken stupor either but I still think he plays great on guitar. Working in a rock band just ain't like working with a bunch of choir boys!! lol

[SP Fan in Oregon]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I wasn't there and I don't know about the interaction between the other band members and SP, but I do know that SP said "I never felt like part of the band." I'm speculating that feeling came from joining a band as the "new" guy after the others had long been together. Plus, SP, as he got the wind under his wings, began to fly and try to take the music into a new direction from what it was before. Wouldn't that rub the other band members a little, that the new guy is taking some control? I think they let him take more and more control because his ideas were working, but that doesn't mean they liked it or were comfortable with it. I don't think Perry needs to apologize for what he did for the band, but perhaps what he means in saying he was difficult, was more on the way he went about getting what he wanted for the band. SP seems so passionate and particular about his work that to get the definitive song just right in his eyes might have been a whole lot more than what was good enough for the rest of the band, perhaps another source of conflict. I don't think any of what the band did was easy, but through it all they were "good together." They accomplished some amazing things together, and what they accomplished lives on in the hearts of all of their fans. Perry had everything to do with that! He has taken the responsibility for his part in the chaos, and mistakes he made along the way. Again, Rolie could have left his words, "no one got along too well with Steve..." out of this interview. It wasn't necessary to say IMO. Granted Rolie said nice things about his voice, but saying no one could get along with him was not nice to say after what Perry brought to the band overall, especially after all these years.

[Rockindeano]

"I never felt like part of the band" is a sentence I think Steve would love to take back and never hear again.

[stevew2]

"I never felt like part of the band" is a sentence I think Steve would love to take back and never hear again.

Yea, and that "Perry with a perm" blooper from Deen wasnt to bright either

[Onestepper]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I wasn't there and I don't know about the interaction between the other band members and SP, but I do know that SP said "I never felt like part of the band." I'm speculating that feeling came from joining a band as the "new" guy after the others had long been together. Plus, SP, as he got the wind under his wings, began to fly and try to take the music into a new direction from what it was before. Wouldn't that rub the other band members a little, that the new guy is taking some control? I think they let him take more and more control because his ideas were working, but that doesn't mean they liked it or were comfortable with it. I don't think Perry needs to apologize for what he did for the band, but perhaps what he means in saying he was difficult, was more on the way he went about getting what he wanted for the band. SP seems so passionate and particular about his work that to get the definitive song just right in his eyes might have been a whole lot more than what was good enough for the rest of the band, perhaps another source of conflict. I don't think any of what the band did was easy, but through it all they were "good together." They accomplished some amazing things together, and what they accomplished lives on in the hearts of all of their fans. Perry had everything to do with that! He has taken the responsibility for his part in the chaos, and mistakes he made along the way. Again, Rolie could have left his words, "no one got along too well with Steve..." out of this interview. It wasn't necessary to say IMO. Granted Rolie said nice things about his voice, but saying no one could get along with him was not nice to say after what Perry brought to the band overall, especially after all these years.

I disagree. You can't ask for candid interview, and then have someone pick and choose his words to fit a fan base of a guy that could probably give two shits. You think Rolie and Perry care what the other thinks of each other at this point? It's been almost 30 years. Who cares. I certainly respect someone for speaking their mind a hell of a lot more than someone that is always worried about people liking him. That's high school crap.

[SP Fan in Oregon]

I was sorry that he said this,

"Steve... no one got along too well with Steve. (Laughs) I don't like to be pinpointed quite that way. But yeah, he made it an easier choice, that's for sure. It was time to go. For both our sakes, for the band and myself."

Sour grapes after all these years.

No offense, but SP was hard to get along with. I mean, they all can't be wrong can they? The guitar player, bassist, piano player, manager, etc. Doesn't make SP a bad guy, but one thing you and all the other LOONS need to know is SP was and is no angel.

And Steveo77, you again asshole? "Typical around here?" What's typical is you fuckin dead brained cocksucking Pineda lovers who flood this place with Praise for the Pinoy.

This place is headed for Armageddon, and that's fine with me.

Yes I don't think Perry made it easy either but you have to wonder how big your head would swell being young and that talented and loved my millions. It would be very hard to stay grounded and I do think now after many years he realizes what an ass he was and apoplgizes and has grown up into a much better person. I STILL THINK HE ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Well, I wasn't there and I don't know about the interaction between the other band members and SP, but I do know that SP said "I never felt like part of the band." I'm speculating that feeling came from joining a band as the "new" guy after the others had long been together. Plus, SP, as he got the wind under his wings, began to fly and try to take the music into a new direction from what it was before. Wouldn't that rub the other band members a little, that the new guy is taking some control? I think they let him take more and more control because his ideas were working, but that doesn't mean they liked it or were comfortable with it. I don't think Perry needs to apologize for what he did for the band, but perhaps what he means in saying he was difficult, was more on the way he went about getting what he wanted for the band. SP seems so passionate and particular about his work that to get the definitive song just right in his eyes might have been a whole lot more than what was good enough for the rest of the band, perhaps another source of conflict. I don't think any of what the band did was easy, but through it all they were "good together." They accomplished some amazing things together, and what they accomplished lives on in the hearts of all of their fans. Perry had everything to do with that! He has taken the responsibility for his part in the chaos, and mistakes he made along the way. Again, Rolie could have left his words, "no one got along too well with Steve..." out of this interview. It wasn't necessary to say IMO. Granted Rolie said nice things about his voice, but saying no one could get along with him was not nice to say after what Perry brought to the band overall, especially after all these years.

I disagree. You can't ask for candid interview, and then have someone pick and choose his words to fit a fan base of a guy that could probably give two shits. You think Rolie and Perry care what the other thinks of each other at this point? It's been almost 30 years. Who cares. I certainly respect someone for speaking their mind a hell of a lot more than someone that is always worried about people liking him. That's high school crap.

Many people can give "candid interviews" without saying things that hurt other people. Steve Perry has given candid interviews and I don't think I've heard him say anything to disparage his band mates, when he certainly had the opportunity and probably could have said plenty.