MR

As these sales count for overall album sales, it now makes sense why the Greatest Hits is doing so well on the Billboard 200. These are complete album purchases, which are getting rarer and rarer in the digital download world. Looking at that top 15 on this chart really demonstrates that this a quite a great accomplishment for such an old album as half of the other 19 albums on the chart just debuted this week and last. I was giving credit to Columbia/Sony for helping retailers keeping the album well stocked but this explains a lot of sales. There is a market out there that was sort of shut out with the exclusivity of Revelation to Wal-Mart ( their download store isn't exactly the most popular download service out there). Luckily Sony's catalog is there to fill the void.
It looks like the popularity of Classic Journey is stronger than ever and that DSB wasn't just a one off foray into the world of Digital Downloads.

Don wrote:It looks like the popularity of Classic Journey is stronger than ever and that DSB wasn't just a one off foray into the world of Digital Downloads.

It's how you get into an established band you don't know - find one song you like, come across the greatest hits, so you pick it up to see if there's anything else you like. If not, hey, the one song you like will be on there at least. If you do like it, depending on how much you like it, you start buying albums to hear more. Everyone's got to start somewhere. The question is, is the popularity of DSB translating into anything more than Greatest Hits sales? If that's the only depth new listeners are getting into, then Journey's fan base is definitely stalled and not growing.

Arianddu wrote:

Don wrote:It looks like the popularity of Classic Journey is stronger than ever and that DSB wasn't just a one off foray into the world of Digital Downloads.

It's how you get into an established band you don't know - find one song you like, come across the greatest hits, so you pick it up to see if there's anything else you like. If not, hey, the one song you like will be on there at least. If you do like it, depending on how much you like it, you start buying albums to hear more. Everyone's got to start somewhere. The question is, is the popularity of DSB translating into anything more than Greatest Hits sales? If that's the only depth new listeners are getting into, then Journey's fan base is definitely stalled and not growing.

Like what? A Perry lead Journey

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

Don wrote:It looks like the popularity of Classic Journey is stronger than ever and that DSB wasn't just a one off foray into the world of Digital Downloads.

It's how you get into an established band you don't know - find one song you like, come across the greatest hits, so you pick it up to see if there's anything else you like. If not, hey, the one song you like will be on there at least. If you do like it, depending on how much you like it, you start buying albums to hear more. Everyone's got to start somewhere. The question is, is the popularity of DSB translating into anything more than Greatest Hits sales? If that's the only depth new listeners are getting into, then Journey's fan base is definitely stalled and not growing.

Like what? A Perry lead Journey

Huh? Like what what?

Arianddu wrote:

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

Don wrote:It looks like the popularity of Classic Journey is stronger than ever and that DSB wasn't just a one off foray into the world of Digital Downloads.

It's how you get into an established band you don't know - find one song you like, come across the greatest hits, so you pick it up to see if there's anything else you like. If not, hey, the one song you like will be on there at least. If you do like it, depending on how much you like it, you start buying albums to hear more. Everyone's got to start somewhere. The question is, is the popularity of DSB translating into anything more than Greatest Hits sales? If that's the only depth new listeners are getting into, then Journey's fan base is definitely stalled and not growing.

Like what? A Perry lead Journey

Huh? Like what what?

I was saying that the people who are buying the Greatest Hits are getting a Perry lead Journey....not the current line up.

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

Don wrote:It looks like the popularity of Classic Journey is stronger than ever and that DSB wasn't just a one off foray into the world of Digital Downloads.

It's how you get into an established band you don't know - find one song you like, come across the greatest hits, so you pick it up to see if there's anything else you like. If not, hey, the one song you like will be on there at least. If you do like it, depending on how much you like it, you start buying albums to hear more. Everyone's got to start somewhere. The question is, is the popularity of DSB translating into anything more than Greatest Hits sales? If that's the only depth new listeners are getting into, then Journey's fan base is definitely stalled and not growing.

Like what? A Perry lead Journey

Huh? Like what what?

I was saying that the people who are buying the Greatest Hits are getting a Perry lead Journey....not the current line up.

I don't know, it seems that at least 1,000,000 people just bought the greatest hits with the new guy singing.

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

Don wrote:It looks like the popularity of Classic Journey is stronger than ever and that DSB wasn't just a one off foray into the world of Digital Downloads.

It's how you get into an established band you don't know - find one song you like, come across the greatest hits, so you pick it up to see if there's anything else you like. If not, hey, the one song you like will be on there at least. If you do like it, depending on how much you like it, you start buying albums to hear more. Everyone's got to start somewhere. The question is, is the popularity of DSB translating into anything more than Greatest Hits sales? If that's the only depth new listeners are getting into, then Journey's fan base is definitely stalled and not growing.

Like what? A Perry lead Journey

Huh? Like what what?

I was saying that the people who are buying the Greatest Hits are getting a Perry lead Journey....not the current line up.

Ah, true. But my point still stands - if they aren't buying the actual albums (including/especially Infinity throught to Trial By Fire) they are they really fans, or are they just people who like a couple of songs and bought the Greatest Hits? I own a stack of greatest hits albums from various artists, and I wouldn't describe myself as a fan of any of them; I like some of their music, I own a CD of their songs, I have no real desire to go out and buy their back catalogue, or jump at the chance to buy a new release.

I don't think it has anything to do with the current line up - if your interest in a band is only enough to pick up the Greatest Hits, are you even going to know the line up changed? I'd guess most non-fans still don't know, or care, that Perry hasn't been in the line-up for years.

Since 78 wrote:

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

Don wrote:It looks like the popularity of Classic Journey is stronger than ever and that DSB wasn't just a one off foray into the world of Digital Downloads.

It's how you get into an established band you don't know - find one song you like, come across the greatest hits, so you pick it up to see if there's anything else you like. If not, hey, the one song you like will be on there at least. If you do like it, depending on how much you like it, you start buying albums to hear more. Everyone's got to start somewhere. The question is, is the popularity of DSB translating into anything more than Greatest Hits sales? If that's the only depth new listeners are getting into, then Journey's fan base is definitely stalled and not growing.

Like what? A Perry lead Journey

Huh? Like what what?

I was saying that the people who are buying the Greatest Hits are getting a Perry lead Journey....not the current line up.

I don't know, it seems that at least 1,000,000 people just bought the greatest hits with the new guy singing.

I will leave this one for the MR elders to reply to

Actually If you go by the album's platinum status, 500,000 people bought the greatest hits with the new guy singing, equivalent to the same amount of people that bought that atrocious album, FTLOSM. Considering 370,000 people bought a one disc album with Arrival, the cheaper three disc package didn't completely blow Augeri's effort out of the water as much every one thinks either.

Don wrote:Actually If you go by the album's platinum status, 500,000 people bought the greatest hits with the new guy singing. Considering 370,000 people bought a one disc album with Arrival, the cheaper three disc package didn't completely blow Augeri's effort out of the water as much every one thinks.

I thought it was double now? Just not certified.

Oh 78...-1

I bought it...but not for the the Greatest Hits by the other guy....and well I think -2 as Don uses his a coaster as well.

Actually, I think the new guy sounds really good on those greatest hits but I also understand why that bugs some people.

Portland - Don't kick me in the jimmy.

Since 78 wrote:

Don wrote:Actually If you go by the album's platinum status, 500,000 people bought the greatest hits with the new guy singing. Considering 370,000 people bought a one disc album with Arrival, the cheaper three disc package didn't completely blow Augeri's effort out of the water as much every one thinks.

I thought it was double now? Just not certified.

When an album hits the numbers, it usually certified with in 21 days. Cain called it double six months ago. I guess if they wait long enough it will hit double platinum. But if if we wait long enough a lot of things would change with all their albums. If Journey was still with Sony, the record company would have already certified Escape 10 X Platinum (Diamond Status), The Greatest Hits 17 X platinum, Arrival Gold at least and a few others. I understand Sony not paying for the audits as Journey isn't under them any more, and Sony doesn't benefit from the publicity but Revelation is under Nomota so I don't see why you would delay that certification.
There has been speculation that they might announce it Double platinum right before a new album comes out, but that make a lot of business sense to me. It would make the new album look like a flop, if it doesn't immediately sell 100k it's first week like Revelation did, as a measuring stick would be right there for the critics and fans to use.
The audit only cost a few hundred dollars so I really don't know what the holdup is, unless the band isn't completely sure about the numbers and doesn't want to pay for an audit twice if doesn't reach certification status.

steveo777 wrote:Actually, I think the new guy sounds really good on those greatest hits but I also understand why that bugs some people.

Portland - Don't kick me in the jimmy.

Apparently not good enough for people to buy the Cheap three disc package over the one disc original, as evidenced by the complete disappearance of Revelation off the charts while The Greatest Hits continues on. Of course it helped when the band decided not to showcase any new songs on Oprah and went with the material that is that is easier to find on itunes (the original versions, that is).

And really when you think about it, do the hard core Arnel fans even care about the new songs? All the video links they put up are usually the dirty dozen. Looks like they are stuck in the past as much as some of us are. Unfortunately for them, only one can be the original and only one gets to do the interviews about how those songs came about and the licensing deals and it's not their guy. They should take pride in the new songs Arnel sang and stop thinking that his covers somehow make the other songs his, it doesn't. These aren't the standards like Sinatra, Como, Cole and others sang, where they could all claim their own versions as the definitive one. Rock music has never been about that. For the most part a legacy rock band creates, writes and plays their own material. New members get new songs and the ball keeps rolling. I'm sure Sammy Hagar doesn't get kudos for any of the DLR songs by VH fans and he doesn't need to. He was good enough to chart his own path with the band. This next album from Journey will let us see if Arnel is made of similar stuff. And I'm not just talking about Arnel here. I hold Kelly Hansen, Benoît David and other replacement singers to the same standard. It's only fair.

Don wrote:

steveo777 wrote:Actually, I think the new guy sounds really good on those greatest hits but I also understand why that bugs some people.

Portland - Don't kick me in the jimmy.

Apparently not good enough for people to buy the Cheap three disc package over the one disc original, as evidenced by the complete disappearance of Revelation off the charts while The Greatest Hits continues on. Of course it helped when the band decided not to showcase any new songs on Oprah and went with the material that is that is easier to find on itunes (the original versions, that is).

And really when you think about it, do the hard core Arnel fans even care about the new songs? All the video links they put up are usually the dirty dozen. Looks like they are stuck in the past as much as some of us are. Unfortunately for them, only one can be the original and only one gets to do the interviews about how those songs came about and the licensing deals and it's not their guy. They should take pride in the new songs Arnel sang and stop thinking that his covers somehow make the other songs his, it doesn't. These aren't the standards like Sinatra, Como, Cole and others sang, where they could all claim their own versions as the definitive one. Rock music has never been about that. For the most part a legacy rock band creates, writes and plays their own material. New members get new songs and the ball keeps rolling. I'm sure Sammy Hagar doesn't get kudos for any of the DLR songs by VH fans and he doesn't need to. He was good enough to chart his own path with the band. This next album from Journey will let us see if Arnel is made of similar stuff. And I'm not just talking about Arnel here. I hold Kelly Hansen, Benoît David and other replacement singers to the same standard. It's only fair.

Well said....and we will all see.


The next album will be the beginning or the end....there are no rerecords now.

Since 78 wrote:

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

portland wrote:

Arianddu wrote:

Don wrote:It looks like the popularity of Classic Journey is stronger than ever and that DSB wasn't just a one off foray into the world of Digital Downloads.

It's how you get into an established band you don't know - find one song you like, come across the greatest hits, so you pick it up to see if there's anything else you like. If not, hey, the one song you like will be on there at least. If you do like it, depending on how much you like it, you start buying albums to hear more. Everyone's got to start somewhere. The question is, is the popularity of DSB translating into anything more than Greatest Hits sales? If that's the only depth new listeners are getting into, then Journey's fan base is definitely stalled and not growing.

Like what? A Perry lead Journey

Huh? Like what what?

I was saying that the people who are buying the Greatest Hits are getting a Perry lead Journey....not the current line up.

I don't know, it seems that at least 1,000,000 people just bought the greatest hits with the new guy singing.

You still haven't sold a million, and I still don't see how you claim double platinum.

I've never known Tom Petty to be more popular than Journey so his latest release should be a good measuring stick to go up against Journey's next release. Tom just sold over 125k out the gate and that album was a big departure from anything he had done before, not to mention that his voice is terrible. I think Journey has a great opportunity to have a big debut here, even without the superficial enhancers (You-tube story, three disc package for 12 bucks, etc.). We've been hearing about what a talented songwriter Arnel is and how this album will be truly be unique (with a concept so original that Neal was worried about people stealing the idea from him). We'll see how it goes. Revelation was a patched together effort made with no vocalist really in the fold, where as this new album has everything laid out it for it and should really show us where Journey sits in today's music scene.

Arnel is a good singer but not very original. Hopefully the next album will change that, if it's ever to be. Also, not putting anybody down, but I believe the Filipino pride thing is only good for so much mileage. Lets see how people respond when they get a couple albums removed from revelation and the re-records, if there is more than one more album. To see them finally write and sing something worthy of a Grammy is a stretch, but it would be nice to see this band that has been around for so long finally achieve something like that. Finally, before they retire, R&RHoF would be nice, but doubtful it will happen. When you think about it they really have not much more they can prove or need to.

Journey along with Perry and Schon individually have been nominated for a Grammy Award in the past so there has been some sort of recognition by the industry. if their new album had come out this year, amid all the DBS hoopla, they may have got some residual votes from that and the tailing off story concerning Arnel but I think next year there will be no more free rides so they will have to earn anything they get. I think the documentary is a year too late if they think they're going to get mileage out of that. You can only hear the guy's story so many times before you get tired of it and since the film doesn't delve too deeply into Journey's history before Pineda, the interest level probably isn't going to be as high outside the Filipino community.
I think success will be sweeter for them if they can do it without all the of the non-musical stuff being a factor.

Tom Petty is much more popular than Journey!

Also, my 2nd quarter royalty check for Revelation showed that about 300 copies were sold in that time period. I think that number is pretty dwarfed by Greatest Hits. and for what it's worth, Revelation had officially sold over 700,000 units the last time I really paid attention, which was at least a year ago. It's still platinum by RIAA standards and that's really the only measuring stick.

steveo777 wrote:Actually, I think the new guy sounds really good on those greatest hits but I also understand why that bugs some people.

Portland - Don't kick me in the jimmy.

I would have to find it first!

Jeremey wrote:Tom Petty is much more popular than Journey!

Also, my 2nd quarter royalty check for Revelation showed that about 300 copies were sold in that time period. I think that number is pretty dwarfed by Greatest Hits. and for what it's worth, Revelation had officially sold over 700,000 units the last time I really paid attention, which was at least a year ago. It's still platinum by RIAA standards and that's really the only measuring stick.

Everyone is hanging their hat on what Cain said at the show in Oct about the album being double platinum. I know you have to have the right numbers for royalty purposes so do you have any idea what Jon was basing his assertion off of?

Jeremey wrote:Tom Petty is much more popular than Journey!

Also, my 2nd quarter royalty check for Revelation showed that about 300 copies were sold in that time period. I think that number is pretty dwarfed by Greatest Hits. and for what it's worth, Revelation had officially sold over 700,000 units the last time I really paid attention, which was at least a year ago. It's still platinum by RIAA standards and that's really the only measuring stick.

Can your retire now???

portland wrote:

Jeremey wrote:Tom Petty is much more popular than Journey!

Also, my 2nd quarter royalty check for Revelation showed that about 300 copies were sold in that time period. I think that number is pretty dwarfed by Greatest Hits. and for what it's worth, Revelation had officially sold over 700,000 units the last time I really paid attention, which was at least a year ago. It's still platinum by RIAA standards and that's really the only measuring stick.

Can your retire now???

Retire? Man, if that's all it takes to retire, I'll try and write one really good song!

So, unless Journey has been stiffing Jeremey, I think we can safely say that the total sales for Revelation lay somewhere between 700K and 800k.

Don wrote:So, unless Journey has been stiffing Jeremey, I think we can safely say that the total sales for Revelation lay somewhere between 700K and 800k.

Yep

Can someone call Steve Perry to verify this?

I wonder how much money these guys have enjoyed in the past year with the surge in sales of GH?

steveo777 wrote:I wonder how much money these guys have enjoyed in the past year with the surge in sales of GH?

I'm sure the money they have made off of licensing dwarfs it. Also, the DVD sales of films and TV shows featuring Journey music are over 8 million discs sold during the past 18 months (the biggest being 4.8 million sales of the Monsters vs Aliens DVD) so there are a lot of income sources outside of album sales that have helped bolster their wallets.

Don wrote:So, unless Journey has been stiffing Jeremey, I think we can safely say that the total sales for Revelation lay somewhere between 700K and 800k.

I have been hollering these numbers out for a long time. The fucking album is really only gold, but JoePa insists it's triple platinum with a bullet.