New Kevin Shirley Interview

[kidlatham]

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/producer-kevin-shirley-on-joe-bonamassa-iron-maiden-led-zeppelin-316822/3

[Jana]

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/producer-kevin-shirley-on-joe-bonamassa-iron-maiden-led-zeppelin-316822/3

Second time he's alluded to the tensions. It sounds like Jon and Neal were butting heads on where this album was going.

[Escape Artist]

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/producer-kevin-shirley-on-joe-bonamassa-iron-maiden-led-zeppelin-316822/3

Second time he's alluded to the tensions. It sounds like Jon and Neal were butting heads on where this album was going.

Yup...He said almost the exact same thing during the Revelation recordings. I guess they can butt heads and still co-exist, kinda flies in the face of what is said about Neal and Jon quite frequently around here.

[SF-Dano]

From this interview.

Q: Did you have the feeling that Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith were going to quit again? Which, of course, they did.


A: "No, I didn't. But you know, Steve Perry developed, and he reached the point where he…you know, people's voices change. You look at a guy like Robert Plant, who's doing his Alison Krauss thing now. In 1969 he was doing the Whole Lotta Love Thing, and he just doesn't do that anymore. Same thing with Steve Perry, who probably struggles to do Open Arms now. He was probably scared to go out there and have trouble doing what people wanted."


Q: There was a rumor going around recently that Steve Perry wanted back in.

A: "Well, that's just that - a rumor. But I can tell you he's still a key component of the decision-making part of the band. Nothing gets played or released without Steve Perry signing off on it. I'm not privy to the details of their arrangement, but I can tell you this: if Steve Perry wanted to be back singing with Journey, everybody would find a way to make that happen."

[S2M]

From this interview.

Q: Did you have the feeling that Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith were going to quit again? Which, of course, they did.


A: "No, I didn't. But you know, Steve Perry developed, and he reached the point where he…you know, people's voices change. You look at a guy like Robert Plant, who's doing his Alison Krauss thing now. In 1969 he was doing the Whole Lotta Love Thing, and he just doesn't do that anymore. Same thing with Steve Perry, who probably struggles to do Open Arms now. He was probably scared to go out there and have trouble doing what people wanted."

Case in point why I have the utmost respect for Perry....Who wants to see an aging singer with depleting talents trying to struggle through his songs night after night....people want to hear 'Album'. Perry used to be able to reproduce near studio quality songs in concert. Perry went out as close to 'on top' as you can. He was Barry Sanders, not Favre....

[Michigan Girl]

From this interview.

Q: Did you have the feeling that Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith were going to quit again? Which, of course, they did.


A: "No, I didn't. But you know, Steve Perry developed, and he reached the point where he…you know, people's voices change. You look at a guy like Robert Plant, who's doing his Alison Krauss thing now. In 1969 he was doing the Whole Lotta Love Thing, and he just doesn't do that anymore. Same thing with Steve Perry, who probably struggles to do Open Arms now. He was probably scared to go out there and have trouble doing what people wanted."

"Probably", indicates that he does not know for sure ...now!!
If he/SP was scared to go out there and afraid of disappointing his fans/people, it just
makes me respect him that much more!! He allegedly, made a choice that so many of you wished
the following incarnation would have made ...hmmmmmm!!

[Jana]

From this interview.

Q: Did you have the feeling that Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith were going to quit again? Which, of course, they did.


A: "No, I didn't. But you know, Steve Perry developed, and he reached the point where he…you know, people's voices change. You look at a guy like Robert Plant, who's doing his Alison Krauss thing now. In 1969 he was doing the Whole Lotta Love Thing, and he just doesn't do that anymore. Same thing with Steve Perry, who probably struggles to do Open Arms now. He was probably scared to go out there and have trouble doing what people wanted."

Case in point why I have the utmost respect for Perry....Who wants to see an aging singer with depleting talents trying to struggle through his songs night after night....people want to hear 'Album'. Perry used to be able to reproduce near studio quality songs in concert. Perry went out as close to 'on top' as you can. He was Barry Sanders, not Favre....

It sounds like the deterioration in his voice must have been noticeable while he was producing TBF for Journey for him to make that statement.

[Michigan Girl]

From this interview.

Q: Did you have the feeling that Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith were going to quit again? Which, of course, they did.


A: "No, I didn't. But you know, Steve Perry developed, and he reached the point where he…you know, people's voices change. You look at a guy like Robert Plant, who's doing his Alison Krauss thing now. In 1969 he was doing the Whole Lotta Love Thing, and he just doesn't do that anymore. Same thing with Steve Perry, who probably struggles to do Open Arms now. He was probably scared to go out there and have trouble doing what people wanted."

Case in point why I have the utmost respect for Perry....Who wants to see an aging singer with depleting talents trying to struggle through his songs night after night....people want to hear 'Album'. Perry used to be able to reproduce near studio quality songs in concert. Perry went out as close to 'on top' as you can. He was Barry Sanders, not Favre....

That's right!! And the main story here is
the current incarnation's inability to see eye to eye ...you know, same as when Perry was in the band!!

[Don]

"...But I can tell you he's still a key component of the decision-making part of the band. Nothing gets played or released without Steve Perry signing off on it. I'm not privy to the details of their arrangement, but I can tell you this: if Steve Perry wanted to be back singing with Journey, everybody would find a way to make that happen."

More verification that the band and Perry are married for life. If Perry were broke and needed back in, it would happen, you can bank on it. Fortunately for Pineda, Perry not only understands his own vocal limitations at this point but he seems to have a solid concept on how to manage his money also.
The band is his annuity and he in turn gives them a valuable asset in marketing. Every interview the guy does now just helps the band from a PR standpoint, which in turn helps Perry too, from a finacial standpoint. It all works out in its own way.

[S2M]

"...But I can tell you he's still a key component of the decision-making part of the band. Nothing gets played or released without Steve Perry signing off on it. I'm not privy to the details of their arrangement, but I can tell you this: if Steve Perry wanted to be back singing with Journey, everybody would find a way to make that happen."

More verification that the band and Perry are married for life. If Perry were broke and needed back in, it would happen, you can bank on it. Fortunately for Pineda, Perry not only understands his own vocal limitations at this point but he seems to have a solid concept on how to manage his money also.
The band is his annuity and he in turn gives them a valuable asset in marketing. Every interview the guy does now just helps the band from a PR standpoint, which in turn helps Perry too, from a finacial standpoint. It all works out in its own way.

I still say that there WILL be an occasion for at least a one-off in the near future, for the fans....and, of course, the Left Coast benefits - as always....

[kidlatham]

Does anyone know if they are done recording the new album?

[Don]

Does anyone know if they are done recording the new album?

From all accounts, they are. Just need to find a distributor I guess. Cain said "probably Wal-mart" but he wasn't definate about it.

[kgdjpubs]

http://www.musicradar.com/news/guitars/producer-kevin-shirley-on-joe-bonamassa-iron-maiden-led-zeppelin-316822/3

Second time he's alluded to the tensions. It sounds like Jon and Neal were butting heads on where this album was going.

Yup...He said almost the exact same thing during the Revelation recordings. I guess they can butt heads and still co-exist, kinda flies in the face of what is said about Neal and Jon quite frequently around here.

no real surprise---and the big reason why Journey NEEDS an outside producer. Push it too far one way or the other, and you lose the sound of the band. Some things never change either, which is probably a good thing. That's what makes the chemistry work.

[steveo777]

So it sounds like Jon and Neal had a battle over ballads or rock. I'll bet there are at least 4 ballads on the new album. I noticed Kevin didn't allude to his opinion of the new album, so I also wonder what that means? You'd think he'd have been giving it props if it is any good. Maybe Schon and Pineda wanted it to rock harder and JC wanted sap.

[SF-Dano]

So it sounds like Jon and Neal had a battle over ballads or rock. I'll bet there are at least 4 ballads on the new album. I noticed Kevin didn't allude to his opinion of the new album, so I also wonder what that means? You'd think he'd have been giving it props if it is any good. Maybe Schon and Pineda wanted it to rock harder and JC wanted sap.

Doesn't the Frig always want sap? And for the record, I don't mind a couple ballads on a record.

Jon has had his ballad filled releases already. It is time for this band to rock out a bit harder. I guess we will see what the outcome is.

[Don]

I am surprised he was so liberal in a few of his opinions. Obviously Kevin isn't privy to everything but he certainly didn't filter himself as much as he has in the past regarding the band's inner turmoils. Of course Journey isn't his sole bread and butter and if they ever decide to make a change in the relationship, it won't make or break him.

[Eric]

Tension is good.

[Don]

Tension is good.

That is what Perry alluded to in that last interview he did with Classic Rock.

[Jana]

So it sounds like Jon and Neal had a battle over ballads or rock. I'll bet there are at least 4 ballads on the new album. I noticed Kevin didn't allude to his opinion of the new album, so I also wonder what that means? You'd think he'd have been giving it props if it is any good. Maybe Schon and Pineda wanted it to rock harder and JC wanted sap.

Didn't he give it props before? It was, essentially, finished in the spring.

[Saint John]

From this interview.

Q: Did you have the feeling that Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith were going to quit again? Which, of course, they did.


A: "No, I didn't. But you know, Steve Perry developed, and he reached the point where he…you know, people's voices change. You look at a guy like Robert Plant, who's doing his Alison Krauss thing now. In 1969 he was doing the Whole Lotta Love Thing, and he just doesn't do that anymore. Same thing with Steve Perry, who probably struggles to do Open Arms now. He was probably scared to go out there and have trouble doing what people wanted."

Case in point why I have the utmost respect for Perry....Who wants to see an aging singer with depleting talents trying to struggle through his songs night after night....people want to hear 'Album'. Perry used to be able to reproduce near studio quality songs in concert. Perry went out as close to 'on top' as you can. He was Barry Sanders, not Favre....

I could totally agree with what you're saying, but why not just let the band move on without him? A "passing of the torch" would have been classy. You know, like Rolie did.

[Don]

So it sounds like Jon and Neal had a battle over ballads or rock. I'll bet there are at least 4 ballads on the new album. I noticed Kevin didn't allude to his opinion of the new album, so I also wonder what that means? You'd think he'd have been giving it props if it is any good. Maybe Schon and Pineda wanted it to rock harder and JC wanted sap.

Didn't he give it props before? It was, essentially, finished in the spring.

That was before everything was mixed, vocals with instruments and so forth. He certainly hasn't hyped it up as much as his other projects with Mr. Big, Iron Maiden, etc. but he may not be sure what the band is going for either with this NEW change of direction.

[Don]

From this interview.

Q: Did you have the feeling that Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith were going to quit again? Which, of course, they did.


A: "No, I didn't. But you know, Steve Perry developed, and he reached the point where he…you know, people's voices change. You look at a guy like Robert Plant, who's doing his Alison Krauss thing now. In 1969 he was doing the Whole Lotta Love Thing, and he just doesn't do that anymore. Same thing with Steve Perry, who probably struggles to do Open Arms now. He was probably scared to go out there and have trouble doing what people wanted."

Case in point why I have the utmost respect for Perry....Who wants to see an aging singer with depleting talents trying to struggle through his songs night after night....people want to hear 'Album'. Perry used to be able to reproduce near studio quality songs in concert. Perry went out as close to 'on top' as you can. He was Barry Sanders, not Favre....

I could totally agree with what you're saying, but why not just let the band move on without him? A "passing of the torch" would have been classy. You know, like Rolie did.

He can't. Without Journey, Perry is nothing. Cain may have said that Neal got his band back but in reality Perry will never, truly let it completely go.

Pinning his severance notice to the wall? Means nothing, just more double speak.

[Saint John]

From this interview.

Q: Did you have the feeling that Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith were going to quit again? Which, of course, they did.


A: "No, I didn't. But you know, Steve Perry developed, and he reached the point where he…you know, people's voices change. You look at a guy like Robert Plant, who's doing his Alison Krauss thing now. In 1969 he was doing the Whole Lotta Love Thing, and he just doesn't do that anymore. Same thing with Steve Perry, who probably struggles to do Open Arms now. He was probably scared to go out there and have trouble doing what people wanted."

Case in point why I have the utmost respect for Perry....Who wants to see an aging singer with depleting talents trying to struggle through his songs night after night....people want to hear 'Album'. Perry used to be able to reproduce near studio quality songs in concert. Perry went out as close to 'on top' as you can. He was Barry Sanders, not Favre....

I could totally agree with what you're saying, but why not just let the band move on without him? A "passing of the torch" would have been classy. You know, like Rolie did.

He can't. Without Journey, Perry is nothing. Cain may have said that Neal got his band back but in reality Perry will never, truly let it completely go.

Pinning his severance notice to the wall? Means nothing, just more double speak.

The worst thing you can ever be is ... forgotten. Sounds like he is terrified of that. But I thought he just wants a private life?

[Don]

From this interview.

Q: Did you have the feeling that Steve Perry and drummer Steve Smith were going to quit again? Which, of course, they did.


A: "No, I didn't. But you know, Steve Perry developed, and he reached the point where he…you know, people's voices change. You look at a guy like Robert Plant, who's doing his Alison Krauss thing now. In 1969 he was doing the Whole Lotta Love Thing, and he just doesn't do that anymore. Same thing with Steve Perry, who probably struggles to do Open Arms now. He was probably scared to go out there and have trouble doing what people wanted."

Case in point why I have the utmost respect for Perry....Who wants to see an aging singer with depleting talents trying to struggle through his songs night after night....people want to hear 'Album'. Perry used to be able to reproduce near studio quality songs in concert. Perry went out as close to 'on top' as you can. He was Barry Sanders, not Favre....

I could totally agree with what you're saying, but why not just let the band move on without him? A "passing of the torch" would have been classy. You know, like Rolie did.

He can't. Without Journey, Perry is nothing. Cain may have said that Neal got his band back but in reality Perry will never, truly let it completely go.

Pinning his severance notice to the wall? Means nothing, just more double speak.

The worst thing you can ever be is ... forgotten. Sounds like he is terrified of that. But I thought he just wants a private life?

His parents gone, no siblings; His career in Journey is all that he can pin his star to. As long as he remains known as the voice of Journey, he will enjoy his solitude. When there is tangible threat to that perception, he obviously will come forth from his den to set things to right (as far as his own definition of what that should be).

[Don]

I'm not a psychiatrist, I just play one on the internet.

[slucero]

So it sounds like Jon and Neal had a battle over ballads or rock. I'll bet there are at least 4 ballads on the new album. I noticed Kevin didn't allude to his opinion of the new album, so I also wonder what that means? You'd think he'd have been giving it props if it is any good. Maybe Schon and Pineda wanted it to rock harder and JC wanted sap.

Didn't he give it props before? It was, essentially, finished in the spring.

Could be he's thinking this is their last one..

[Jana]

So it sounds like Jon and Neal had a battle over ballads or rock. I'll bet there are at least 4 ballads on the new album. I noticed Kevin didn't allude to his opinion of the new album, so I also wonder what that means? You'd think he'd have been giving it props if it is any good. Maybe Schon and Pineda wanted it to rock harder and JC wanted sap.

Didn't he give it props before? It was, essentially, finished in the spring.

Could be he's thinking this is their last one..

Maybe. I think Neal was pushing harder this time for more rocking. So probably definitely creative differences. Jon's last blurb on his site seemed excited about the album, so I'm sure it all worked out in the end.

[Don]

Nothing gets played or released without Steve Perry signing off on it.

Well, that seems to answer a few questions I had.

[steveo777]

Nothing gets played or released without Steve Perry signing off on it.

Well, that seems to answer a few questions I had.

Strange....what would Perry have to do with releases of new material?
Maybe he has attachment to the Journey name for life, no matter what they do.
If so, now that's what I call a ball and chain.

[Don]

Nothing gets played or released without Steve Perry signing off on it.

Well, that seems to answer a few questions I had.

Strange....what would Perry have to do with releases of new material?
Maybe he has attachment to the Journey name for life, no matter what they do.
If so, now that's what I call a ball and chain.

No, I think this is more to do with Songs like DSB used in a promotional way, even being performed live. Like singing it at the Superbowl (an unpaid performance that is NOT for charity). I think he has clout with high exposures endeavors like that and could make himself a factor in whether or not they happen.
It's really difficult for the band to do any kind of special appearance without performing at least on song that has Perry's name on the credits. I'm sure he holds their feet to the fire sometimes when those requests come up. It probably depends on how significant the gig is.

Of course this all speculation for my part. I'm just using what limited knowledge I have in the music industry to leverage my opinions.