Would SP liked having Deen's backing vocals in the band?

[G.I.Jim]

I've wondered about this for a while. Do you think Steve would have liked having Deen in the band if they reformed? I know he loved Smith's laid-back "in the pocket" style, but would he have given that up to have Deen's vocals up there? Or, do you think he would have felt threatened having a singer with a slightly higher vocal range on the stage that sounds so good? I'd like to hear your thoughts.

[cinkidd]

I think he would have loved to play with Deen. He would have loved being able to do some of the harmonies that they created in the studio, but were never able to accomplish live, be it solo or Journey ROR or TBF. He likened the sound of his layer vocals as "like butter."

Rich the Harmonies Guy

[froy]

I've wondered about this for a while. Do you think Steve would have liked having Deen in the band if they reformed?

As you heard from Steve Smith Perry doesn't like anyone. He doesn't talk to any band members anymore,
That would be the first start before any reforming..

[ebake02]

I think he would have loved to play with Deen. He would have loved being able to do some of the harmonies that they created in the studio, but were never able to accomplish live, be it solo or Journey ROR or TBF. He likened the sound of his layer vocals as "like butter."

Rich the Harmonies Guy

I agree but I also think there would have been some jealousy on the part of Steve because Deen can hit the high notes just as well as he can I get the impression that Steve liked to be the center of attention. If they reformed right now there would no chance of Deen sticking around, not when Deen can sing Perry era songs better than Perry probably could himself at this point. It wouldn't look good when the drummer can sing your own songs better you can.

[Majestic]

Good question! I think he would have liked having Deen in the BG vocals mix because Perry was a perfectionist, and Deen would have added a lot to the sound. On the other hand, Perry canned Smith because he was apparently not happy with his drumming ablility for the more pop R&B oriented stuff Perry wanted to do. I love Deen, but I don't think he is as versatile as Smith. In that regard, maybe Perry wouldn't go for it. On the other hand, I wasn't too impressed with the studio drummer they had on the ROR album or tour, so who can understand Perry's thinking anway.

[Arkansas]

Some say that when Perry rejoins for the reunion gig, they'll go with DC, not SS, simply because of this.
Put Perry out front doing what he can, and keep Deen in the back covering the high end.


later~

[ebake02]

Some say that when Perry rejoins for the reunion gig, they'll go with DC, not SS, simply because of this.
Put Perry out front doing what he can, and keep Deen in the back covering the high end.


later~

"When"? Don't you mean "if"?

[G.I.Jim]

Some say that when Perry rejoins for the reunion gig, they'll go with DC, not SS, simply because of this.
Put Perry out front doing what he can, and keep Deen in the back covering the high end.


later~

Damn, a little optimistic aren't we?

[Saint John]

Steve Perry just wants to be able to sing at a decent level again, and then I think he'd start thinking about shit like this. Till then, though, I doubt the thought would even cross his mind. But, to answer the question, I think Perry and Castronovo would make an awesome pair. And keep Arnel on the tour to hit the difficult notes.

[G.I.Jim]

Steve Perry just wants to be able to sing at a decent level again, and then I think he'd start thinking about shit like this. Till then, though, I doubt the thought would even cross his mind. But, to answer the question, I think Perry and Castronovo would make an awesome pair. And keep Arnel on the tour to hit the difficult notes.

What notes can Arnel hit that Deen can't? I do agree though, that I think it would be an awesome combination. I also think it would be cool to have Deen sing lead on some of the older stuff, and have Steve sing the newer stuff. Just basically having both of them on leads AND backing vocals would sound amazing together.

[Saint John]

Steve Perry just wants to be able to sing at a decent level again, and then I think he'd start thinking about shit like this. Till then, though, I doubt the thought would even cross his mind. But, to answer the question, I think Perry and Castronovo would make an awesome pair. And keep Arnel on the tour to hit the difficult notes.

What notes can Arnel hit that Deen can't?

With enough power for the audience to actually feel like it's a lead vocal? Virtually all of them.

[G.I.Jim]

Steve Perry just wants to be able to sing at a decent level again, and then I think he'd start thinking about shit like this. Till then, though, I doubt the thought would even cross his mind. But, to answer the question, I think Perry and Castronovo would make an awesome pair. And keep Arnel on the tour to hit the difficult notes.

What notes can Arnel hit that Deen can't?

With enough power for the audience to actually feel like it's a lead vocal? Virtually all of them.

[JourneyHard]

I don't know if Journey could make a lot of money doing this, but they could have "Journey: One Night With Steve Perry" concert and show it in local theaters across the country at the same time the concert is happening. This would be just one-shot deal. I wonder if they would pack theaters across the county and how much they could get. And if they wanted to, they could add Gregg Rolie to the line-up for that one show, too. They might have to make it a three-hour concert!

[Saint John]

If Perry could sing worth a shit, I'd say pick up Richie Sambora, Steve Smith, Randy Jackson and Gregg Rolie, and do one show. That would be huge.

[Don]

I think you are over estimating how big Journey is NOW. They did this before but it was for free on MTV, where the concert was also simulcast on radio stations across America. To think people would pay to see something like that at a theater is one long stretch. Free is still the way to do that stuff now days, like U2 having their RoseBowl show on Youtube or Bon Jovi streaming all their concert DVDs for free on FaceBook.

[donnaplease]

Coulda been a really cool "JBJ/Richie Sambora" kinda thing, but I don't think SP would've gone for it. I'd be MORE than willing to be proven wrong, though.

[cinkidd]

I think you are over estimating how big Journey is NOW. They did this before but it was for free on MTV, where the concert was also simulcast on radio stations across America. To think people would pay to see something like that at a theater is one long stretch. Free is still the way to do that stuff now days, like U2 having their RoseBowl show on Youtube or Bon Jovi streaming all their concert DVDs for free on FaceBook.

I honestly believe that this would be pretty big and maybe onw of their (movie theaters simulcast events) biggest to date. Considering that they just rebroadcast a Greatful Dead concert from 15-20yrs ago, I'm pretty sure that Journey w/ Steve Perry for ONE NIGHT ONLY would be a huge draw. Let's not mention the DVD/BLU-Ray sales.

Rich the Sales Guy