Journey’s Neal Schon on performing at ASU, and possible Stev
Posted: Sun Sep 29, 2013 4:09 amJourney’s Neal Schon on performing at ASU, and possible Steve Perry reunion
September 28, 2013 by Dan Bickley
http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/danbi ... y-reunion/
There was a time when Journey ruled the world. Or at least it felt that way.
Those who remember will be in for a treat Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium.
Founding member Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain will perform the national anthem before Arizona State’s pivotal game against USC. I caught up with one of rock’s most underrated guitarists to discuss the event, the importance of Journey and a possible reunion with former vocalist Steve Perry.
Q: The national anthem can be tricky for guitar players. The song requires respect and decorum. Those who play it on electric guitar don’t always get the best reception.
A: “I have to do a somewhat edited version. I usually go five minutes, and they want me to keep it about three minutes. I’ve seen other people do it instrumentally, and they play it very safe. They just play the melody, and that’s not what I’ve been doing. I’ve been playing it for about a year now, and I dedicate it to everybody that works for our nation, the war veterans and everyone that keeps us clear from harm. I’m going to play from my heart, man.
“I thought about it: I can play it safe, and just play the melody. It’s not like anyone is singing along with me note-for-note or watching the bouncing ball. But this going to be a classical blues interpretation. I’m going to improvise. Some people might balk at it, but some are going to love it.”
Q: One of Journey’s hits – “Don’t Stop Believin” – became a staple for sports teams in recent years. Jonathan told me during a radio interview once that the song comes from a time when he was broke and living in Los Angeles. He called home, and his father told him, “Don’t stop believin’, Johnny.” It was pretty good advice. So what Journey song best represents you?
A: ”There are a few. I co-wrote “Wheel in the Sky.” ”Stone in Love,” I brought that little gem in. But I’d have to say, “Lights.” It’s a song that we were all sitting downstairs in (former singer) Gregg Rolie’s music room on a couple of bean bag chairs. He had this melody. He started singing. I started playing chords to the melody, wrote a bridge and slapped a solo on it. And it was done. The solo is very bluesy, and it shows that I have a lot R&B roots. I don’t get to play that stuff much in the band. And to this day, when that song comes on, the crowd reacts. But they don’t hold up lighters anymore. They hold up cell phones.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP8_Dbvpi-A
Q: Journey achieved a level of success most bands only dream about. What set you guys apart?
A: ”You know what? I think we were a very melodic rock band with some feel-good songs. We never really got political. We weren’t pissed off at the world. We made great music. And that’s what has kept the band around. Our stuff is really etched in stone. We’re by ourselves in our own little place. And I have to give credit to all the band members. We really wrote a lot of this stuff just sitting together in a room.
“We just finished off our tour in Atlanta, Georgia, playing to 50,000 people. It was a great way to finish. But there was a time when we were on the Pay-Your-Dues tour. I remember the first three years cramming into a couple of station wagons, driving from gig to gig, and barely getting there in time. We were no different than anyone else in that respect.”
Q: America loves nostalgia tours and reunions. Will we ever see Steve Perry singing for Journey again?
A: ”I’ve been sending e-mails with Perry recently, and the book is never closed. When things went down, a lot of people didn’t understand that he needed to get out. And he did what he needed to do. I’m glad to see in a recent interview that he actually talked about that.
“When we left off, we were all induced on something, whether it was alcohol or something else. We weren’t thinking clear. But a lot of people portrayed me as Lucifer, the guy that kicked him out. I didn’t do anything. He chose not to be there anymore. That’s what he chose to do.
“Looking back, I’m just enjoying the legacy, and what we accomplished together. But he recently had a (skin) cancer scare, and he lost his girlfriend to cancer. I can empathize with that because I lost my father to cancer. And so I dropped him a note, and I think he appreciated that. Hopefully, we’re going to become really good friends again. We’ll see.”
September 28, 2013 by Dan Bickley
http://www.azcentral.com/insiders/danbi ... y-reunion/
There was a time when Journey ruled the world. Or at least it felt that way.
Those who remember will be in for a treat Saturday at Sun Devil Stadium.
Founding member Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain will perform the national anthem before Arizona State’s pivotal game against USC. I caught up with one of rock’s most underrated guitarists to discuss the event, the importance of Journey and a possible reunion with former vocalist Steve Perry.
Q: The national anthem can be tricky for guitar players. The song requires respect and decorum. Those who play it on electric guitar don’t always get the best reception.
A: “I have to do a somewhat edited version. I usually go five minutes, and they want me to keep it about three minutes. I’ve seen other people do it instrumentally, and they play it very safe. They just play the melody, and that’s not what I’ve been doing. I’ve been playing it for about a year now, and I dedicate it to everybody that works for our nation, the war veterans and everyone that keeps us clear from harm. I’m going to play from my heart, man.
“I thought about it: I can play it safe, and just play the melody. It’s not like anyone is singing along with me note-for-note or watching the bouncing ball. But this going to be a classical blues interpretation. I’m going to improvise. Some people might balk at it, but some are going to love it.”
Q: One of Journey’s hits – “Don’t Stop Believin” – became a staple for sports teams in recent years. Jonathan told me during a radio interview once that the song comes from a time when he was broke and living in Los Angeles. He called home, and his father told him, “Don’t stop believin’, Johnny.” It was pretty good advice. So what Journey song best represents you?
A: ”There are a few. I co-wrote “Wheel in the Sky.” ”Stone in Love,” I brought that little gem in. But I’d have to say, “Lights.” It’s a song that we were all sitting downstairs in (former singer) Gregg Rolie’s music room on a couple of bean bag chairs. He had this melody. He started singing. I started playing chords to the melody, wrote a bridge and slapped a solo on it. And it was done. The solo is very bluesy, and it shows that I have a lot R&B roots. I don’t get to play that stuff much in the band. And to this day, when that song comes on, the crowd reacts. But they don’t hold up lighters anymore. They hold up cell phones.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iP8_Dbvpi-A
Q: Journey achieved a level of success most bands only dream about. What set you guys apart?
A: ”You know what? I think we were a very melodic rock band with some feel-good songs. We never really got political. We weren’t pissed off at the world. We made great music. And that’s what has kept the band around. Our stuff is really etched in stone. We’re by ourselves in our own little place. And I have to give credit to all the band members. We really wrote a lot of this stuff just sitting together in a room.
“We just finished off our tour in Atlanta, Georgia, playing to 50,000 people. It was a great way to finish. But there was a time when we were on the Pay-Your-Dues tour. I remember the first three years cramming into a couple of station wagons, driving from gig to gig, and barely getting there in time. We were no different than anyone else in that respect.”
Q: America loves nostalgia tours and reunions. Will we ever see Steve Perry singing for Journey again?
A: ”I’ve been sending e-mails with Perry recently, and the book is never closed. When things went down, a lot of people didn’t understand that he needed to get out. And he did what he needed to do. I’m glad to see in a recent interview that he actually talked about that.
“When we left off, we were all induced on something, whether it was alcohol or something else. We weren’t thinking clear. But a lot of people portrayed me as Lucifer, the guy that kicked him out. I didn’t do anything. He chose not to be there anymore. That’s what he chose to do.
“Looking back, I’m just enjoying the legacy, and what we accomplished together. But he recently had a (skin) cancer scare, and he lost his girlfriend to cancer. I can empathize with that because I lost my father to cancer. And so I dropped him a note, and I think he appreciated that. Hopefully, we’re going to become really good friends again. We’ll see.”
