Journey Reunion 1994 w/Rollie, Chalfant

[george_g]

This exciting Jrny myth has surfaced again after Chalfant releasing a song from those sessions in his new Two Fires album.
Anybody have more info on that story? Or are there any leaks from the sessions?

[kgdjpubs]

This exciting Jrny myth has surfaced again after Chalfant releasing a song from those sessions in his new Two Fires album.
Anybody have more info on that story? Or are there any leaks from the sessions?

that one song is the only thing from those sessions that has been released to this point. Per interviews, there are more than that one song.

What is known is that fairly soon after The Storm's Eye of the Storm cd was recorded and was put on hold, The Storm disbanded, and the Herbie Herbert benefit concert was performed by Journey with Chalfant on lead vocals. I'm guessing the impetus of this was the Time3 box set, and the new tracks that Perry did not put vocals to. Either way, writing sessions happened for the proposed Chalfant/Schon/Rolie/Cain/Valory/Smith lineup, and Journey was back together in at least an unofficial form. At some point, maybe at the urging of Sony who saw much more potential with the classic lineup, Perry was brought into the fold, and exit stage right Chalfant, Rolie, and Herbie Herbert. The rest, as they say, is history.

[Monker]

This exciting Jrny myth has surfaced again after Chalfant releasing a song from those sessions in his new Two Fires album.
Anybody have more info on that story? Or are there any leaks from the sessions?

that one song is the only thing from those sessions that has been released to this point. Per interviews, there are more than that one song.

What is known is that fairly soon after The Storm's Eye of the Storm cd was recorded and was put on hold, The Storm disbanded, and the Herbie Herbert benefit concert was performed by Journey with Chalfant on lead vocals. I'm guessing the impetus of this was the Time3 box set, and the new tracks that Perry did not put vocals to. Either way, writing sessions happened for the proposed Chalfant/Schon/Rolie/Cain/Valory/Smith lineup, and Journey was back together in at least an unofficial form. At some point, maybe at the urging of Sony who saw much more potential with the classic lineup, Perry was brought into the fold, and exit stage right Chalfant, Rolie, and Herbie Herbert. The rest, as they say, is history.

The Herbie roast included EVERY past member of Journey, except Steve Perry. Aynsley, Steve Smith, Gregg, Jonathan, Neal, Ross were all there and performed songs from every era of Journey. The Storm also performed at that event since Herbie was involved with their management. Therefore, Kevin was there and was able to 'fill in' for Perry. Perry was working on his FTLOSM album and said he could not attend. I think this was really the start of the Journey reunion.

Remember Neal was also asked to be a member of the Storm but declined...and actually referred Josh Ramos. And, Neal and Jonathan were in Bad English together. After BE and Hardline, Neal joined Gregg for Abraxas Pool. There was a lot of time spent back then with all of these guys working together in various ways...except for Perry. So, doing the songs for the box set probably wasn't that big of a deal. I mean, it's not like they had spent the time from 1986 not talking to each other...well, again, except for Perry.

I think the reunion with Chalfant/Gregg just made sense because of timing. Bad English had broke up. Hardline never really took off. The Storm was successful with their debut but was stalled with Introscope going Grundge. They were all available at that time. So, testing out the new lineup at the Herbie roast made sense...and I'm sure Herbie was in the middle of putting it all together, too.

Yes, Perry became involved because of Sony's $ interests. He was on the tour for FTLOSM when Journey was together and courting Sony to record an album. Journey held a band meeting on one of the FTLOSM canceled Florida dates. The results were that Perry was in and Herbie, Gregg, and Chalfant were out. IMO, Sony probably offered a big $ contract for the album with Perry...so that's what they went with.

There were also some stories that Sony made a deal with Perry that they would push FTLOSM singles a bit more if he agreed to a Journey reunion album. There were some tales from Perry's touring band that Perry told them that he was going to record another solo album after he did the Journey reunion. In other words, Perry was in it for a one album deal and was going back solo right after.

As for other songs, yes, Chalfant has said in interviews that he has more songs written with Neal, Jonathan, and Gregg that he may record later. He's talked about them being stored away for years now. IMO, he should just get them on a solo album so at least they are recorded and released out there for people to hear.

[george_g]

Having heard the tune "somethings are better left unsaid" i don't get any strong journey vibe, it sounds more chalfant/storm/two fires than old journey...

But i think it makes sense that sony pushed perry to be in the reunion and chalfant to be out...i think perry has always wanted to succeed as a solo act after Street Talk, but record company would force him to continue with the band somehow. So a deal of 'ok you're doing the solo but then you have to go back to journey' seems logical. I just don't get why would Rollie be left out...it would be amazing to see him together with Cain...

[annie89509]

Herbie's retirement party was brought up in a JourneyForce interview with SP (I remember reading the archived newsletter), and Steve said he couldn't attend because he was in New York working on the mixing of FTLOSM...that he had sent a telegram (something funny) to HH.

[Eric]

Remember Neal was also asked to be a member of the Storm but declined...and actually referred Josh Ramos.

Do you recall if Schon ever gave a reason why he declined?