by Arkansas » Tue Mar 20, 2012 4:16 pm
Interesting. I've always thought that it was more about Schon being a non-business leader. I mean, HH always ran the show. And even when later, he let Perry take the reins...and of course, it went Perry's way. So when Schon finally gets enough of his not being a 'household name', and he takes over, it tanks. And this is not a diss toward his ownership of Journey, or his musical prowess. It's just that he's not much of a great business visionary/actionary as others. Yes, he knows how it all works, he's seen it all. But more so from the outside, if you will. He's just not gifted in the management direction, as he is in playing the guitar and creating music. Know what I mean?
For example, if HH, in his prime, had managed Soul Sirkus... Could it not have made a greater impact? Or if Herbie would have managed a Neal Schon Band, as a spinoff, couldn't they have done better?
And so, as NS has grown older in his career, he relies on Irving Azoff. But by this time, Journey is a DD nostalgia act...which is exactly how IA manages them to be.
Point is, by this time, no new album will ever sell as much, especially with NS running the show. And, no former manager or even a new manager will put any resource into today's market with a current wannabe band past their prime. Of course, and time is running out, but if there was a way to promote one last surge with their hey-day lineup, well...well, hhmm, who knows.
later~