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Neal Schon Promises Tour Behind ‘Santana IV,’ Doesn’t Expect a New Journey Record Soon

by Jeff Giles April 20, 2015

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/neal-sch ... er_4572276

Neal Schon hasn’t even finished work on the upcoming Santana record that reunites the band’s original lineup, but he’s already eager to get the group out on the road.

Schon shared his enthusiasm for the project in a new Facebook post, wishing a “great week” to all of his followers and announcing, “We are wrapping up Santana IV this week. Sounds amazing!”

He also hinted at some potential future plans for the band in the comments section, saying, “This record is going to take over the world. I just hope management gets it together for us to tour together as I WILL Tour with Carlos either way. It’s way too happening to not. World domination once again.”

Schon’s excitement is understandable, given that, as Santana told Ultimate Classic Rock in an exclusive interview last year, “Neal is the one that brought the band back together. He stayed on me like a laser beam for about a year, chasing me everywhere, man — restaurants and shopping malls — and he would be there and say, ‘Man, Carlos, man, we gotta do a thing together, you and I, man.’”

Given Schon’s continued commitment to Journey, fitting new Santana dates into his already crowded concert calendar will be no easy task — and Schon also has his new Vortex solo album scheduled to arrive in May. At the moment, it looks like Journey are the only one of Schon’s many projects that won’t be putting out a new record anytime soon; as he told a commenter who asked him to try and convince keyboardist Jonathan Cain to get back in the studio with the band, “It’s like pulling teeth.”

Sounds to me like after the Santana thing, it may be time for someone to replace Cain and I can see that getting really ugly.

SF-Dano wrote:Sounds to me like after the Santana thing, it may be time for someone to replace Cain and I can see that getting really ugly.

Yeah. I'm a huge fan of Jonathan Cain. But if he's holding Journey back from recording a new album, then he needs to be replaced. Journey is probably going to come to an end in a couple of years from now, and they can't be wasting those years because Cain is holding them back.

quote"Journey/Survivor"]

SF-Dano wrote:Sounds to me like after the Santana thing, it may be time for someone to replace Cain and I can see that getting really ugly.

Yeah. I'm a huge fan of Jonathan Cain. But if he's holding Journey back from recording a new album, then he needs to be replaced. Journey is probably going to come to an end in a couple of years from now, and they can't be wasting those years because Cain is holding them back.

Neal will have to find a good songwriter, as Jonathan is the only one they have.

I wonder if Jonathan knows that Neal has called him out publicly like this. And his thoughts on it?

perryfan61 wrote:quote"Journey/Survivor"]

SF-Dano wrote:Sounds to me like after the Santana thing, it may be time for someone to replace Cain and I can see that getting really ugly.

Yeah. I'm a huge fan of Jonathan Cain. But if he's holding Journey back from recording a new album, then he needs to be replaced. Journey is probably going to come to an end in a couple of years from now, and they can't be wasting those years because Cain is holding them back.

Neal will have to find a good songwriter, as Jonathan is the only one they have.

Agreed.

Neal would need to bring in an outside writer like Jack Blades or Jim Peterik.

Also, if Gregg Rolie were to be the keyboardist again, he could contribute some writing. Although, I know that he's not as good of a lyricist as Cain is.

In a new FB post, when the topic of a new Journey record came up, Neal says "don't tell me, tell JC." Jonathan clearly looks bored on stage and has for quite a few years. If his heart isn't in it, he should bow out. His constant bashing of Eclipse was also low class.

Neal posted on his FB...


Nasir - Are Are you still planning to have some solo shows for Vortex?

Neal Schon - Yes I am the first being June 9th in Times Square NY



Bart - Neal is there an in store booked at Guitar Center in LA ? Or Anywhere in LA ?

Neal Schon - June in NY will give A specific date soon which show to follow on June 9

David Castagna could be Cain's replacement. He's still passionate about this music. Also loves reworking Journey songs. YouTube him.

I love Jonathan, but if his journey has come to an end, then I think they should bring someone in. Maybe Journey could still use him as a song writer if he is writing any Journey-like material. As a replacement, Blades won't work because he doesn't play keys. However, I think that Journey could rob Shaw from Styx, or ex Styxman DeYoung. Both can write, sing, and play keys.

Jim Peterik could also fill in in-place of Cain. He writes great songs, plays keyboards, plays guitar, sings well and is a good producer. The only problem is that I don't think that he'd want to tour as much as Journey do?

Maybe Arnel could reach out to his old keyboard player from The Zoo.

You are all on crack. There is no way Jonathan Cain is going to be replaced. After the disappointment of Eclipse, it's no surprise the studio is the last place these band members want to be. And it won't be a deciding factor in whether or not the band stays in tact. It's all about the road now. And has been for some time.

Journey/Survivor wrote:

SF-Dano wrote:Sounds to me like after the Santana thing, it may be time for someone to replace Cain and I can see that getting really ugly.

Yeah. I'm a huge fan of Jonathan Cain. But if he's holding Journey back from recording a new album, then he needs to be replaced. Journey is probably going to come to an end in a couple of years from now, and they can't be wasting those years because Cain is holding them back.

What? What was that? Did I just hear the sound of another stone cracking??

FamilyMan wrote:After the disappointment of Eclipse, it's no surprise the studio is the last place these band members want to be.

Fact is, only ONE member is openly bad mouthing Eclipse and the prospect of new Journey music. Neal is in the studio currently with Santana and Deen C just released Rev Saints.

Eclipse had 3-4 very radio friendly songs but they chose to release the very boring "city of hope".
Resonate is their best rocker since Sep Ways. (Then they had to put Neal and his Wife in the Video )

I can't imagine a Journey w/o Cain or Schon. If either one does not to be in it it's time to call it quits before Journey becomes Menudo (or the current Foreigner)

FamilyMan wrote:You are all on crack. There is no way Jonathan Cain is going to be replaced. After the disappointment of Eclipse, it's no surprise the studio is the last place these band members want to be. And it won't be a deciding factor in whether or not the band stays in tact. It's all about the road now. And has been for some time.

It appears to only be Cain that is opposed to recording a new album.

Unfortunately, Cain seems to share Frankie Sullivan's (Survivor's guitarist) opinion that you only record a new album if you can make shit-loads of money from album sales, and that you should only tour, because that's where the money is now.

Not that it is going to happen, but if replacing Friga becomes a reality, of course the position should first be offered to Rolie. If that doesn't pan out, I think Alan Fitzgerald would possibly work. Long time Bay Area musician (Night Ranger, Gamma, Montrose, Hagar..) who has ran in the same circles as the Journey guys for a long time. Another old school name that the guys are probably familiar with is Tim Gorman.

Or maybe, Journey just is finally over.

Benny Rietveld on his FB

Santana IV - the 2nd session - April 2015

Some random shots from the past week or so writing and recording Santana IV with Carlos Santana, Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, Michael Shrieve, Michael Carabello and Karl Perazzo. Not too many pics or vids - it was a crazy, sometimes chaotic, nonstop, and amazing flow of creativity.

https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set ... 685&type=1


Gregg's new Hammond B3 portable, with a rarely touched Yamaha Motif on top.




Carlos..

SF-Dano wrote:Not that it is going to happen, but if replacing Friga becomes a reality, of course the position should first be offered to Rolie. If that doesn't pan out, I think Alan Fitzgerald would possibly work. Long time Bay Area musician (Night Ranger, Gamma, Montrose, Hagar..) who has ran in the same circles as the Journey guys for a long time. Another old school name that the guys are probably familiar with is Tim Gorman.

Or maybe, Journey just is finally over.

I thought that too, but then I was thinking that Rolie probably can't play Journey music from Cain era. I don't think he is that skilled as a pianist. Could be wrong though.

Majestic wrote:

SF-Dano wrote:Not that it is going to happen, but if replacing Friga becomes a reality, of course the position should first be offered to Rolie. If that doesn't pan out, I think Alan Fitzgerald would possibly work. Long time Bay Area musician (Night Ranger, Gamma, Montrose, Hagar..) who has ran in the same circles as the Journey guys for a long time. Another old school name that the guys are probably familiar with is Tim Gorman.

Or maybe, Journey just is finally over.

I thought that too, but then I was thinking that Rolie probably can't play Journey music from Cain era. I don't think he is that skilled as a pianist. Could be wrong though.

I'm pretty sure Rolie can play the parts.. he'd just have to learn them...

Journey/Survivor wrote:

FamilyMan wrote:You are all on crack. There is no way Jonathan Cain is going to be replaced. After the disappointment of Eclipse, it's no surprise the studio is the last place these band members want to be. And it won't be a deciding factor in whether or not the band stays in tact. It's all about the road now. And has been for some time.

It appears to only be Cain that is opposed to recording a new album.

Unfortunately, Cain seems to share Frankie Sullivan's (Survivor's guitarist) opinion that you only record a new album if you can make shit-loads of money from album sales, and that you should only tour, because that's where the money is now.

But he is spot on, album sales are in the toilet. How else could you explain the fact that classic rock acts who haven't had a hit album in decades are still selling 10,000+ a show.

ebake02 wrote:

Journey/Survivor wrote:

FamilyMan wrote:You are all on crack. There is no way Jonathan Cain is going to be replaced. After the disappointment of Eclipse, it's no surprise the studio is the last place these band members want to be. And it won't be a deciding factor in whether or not the band stays in tact. It's all about the road now. And has been for some time.

It appears to only be Cain that is opposed to recording a new album.

Unfortunately, Cain seems to share Frankie Sullivan's (Survivor's guitarist) opinion that you only record a new album if you can make shit-loads of money from album sales, and that you should only tour, because that's where the money is now.

But he is spot on, album sales are in the toilet. How else could you explain the fact that classic rock acts who haven't had a hit album in decades are still selling 10,000+ a show.

I'm not denying that. I'm just saying that it sucks that Sullivan or Cain or any other great musician is only focused on money. Especially seeing as Sullivan and Cain have made millions and millions of dollars already.

If a "hit" is what they care about then they need to write bro country or something for Cyrus or Gaga. Of course that comes with a price: self-respect and artistic integrity.

Journey/Survivor wrote:I'm not denying that. I'm just saying that it sucks that Sullivan or Cain or any other great musician is only focused on money. Especially seeing as Sullivan and Cain have made millions and millions of dollars already.

Cain has never been a fan of Eclipse so I'm thinking that this is a tantrum on his part. He's digging in his heals until Schon caves and agrees to a new record his way.

ebake02 wrote:

Journey/Survivor wrote:I'm not denying that. I'm just saying that it sucks that Sullivan or Cain or any other great musician is only focused on money. Especially seeing as Sullivan and Cain have made millions and millions of dollars already.

Cain has never been a fan of Eclipse so I'm thinking that this is a tantrum on his part. He's digging in his heals until Schon caves and agrees to a new record his way.

In no way at this stage of the game should Schon cave on anything. Compromise a little, collaborate yes, cave no. If the two can't meet half way and compromise on tunes, well then just let it be over. Jon can go on to write Country/Christian ballads and Neal can continue on being the rocker he always has been and wants to still be. What you will get from a completely Friga controlled musical direction is TBF and Arrival minus the few rockers on those albums. IMO, Jon simply no longer knows how or has a desire to rock anymore. His idea of a rockin tune is probably something like "Every Generation" from Generations.

ebake02 wrote:

Journey/Survivor wrote:I'm not denying that. I'm just saying that it sucks that Sullivan or Cain or any other great musician is only focused on money. Especially seeing as Sullivan and Cain have made millions and millions of dollars already.

Cain has never been a fan of Eclipse so I'm thinking that this is a tantrum on his part. He's digging in his heals until Schon caves and agrees to a new record his way.

I think that that is definitely part of it, too.

Journey/Survivor wrote:

ebake02 wrote:

Journey/Survivor wrote:I'm not denying that. I'm just saying that it sucks that Sullivan or Cain or any other great musician is only focused on money. Especially seeing as Sullivan and Cain have made millions and millions of dollars already.

Cain has never been a fan of Eclipse so I'm thinking that this is a tantrum on his part. He's digging in his heals until Schon caves and agrees to a new record his way.

I think that that is definitely part of it, too.

He needs to be careful though, if he drags this out long enough he may find himself unemployed.

Is it really appropriate to bag on a songwriter (Cain) if they feel like they legitimately don't have anything interesting to say musically?

I get the feeling that Cain simply believes if he doesn't have anything worthwhile to add to the existing legacy, there are better ways to spend his time at this stage in his career. As opposed to Schon, who has given the impression that he's at a creative zenith in his songwriting – arguably mistaking quantity for quality at this point.

It doesn't necessarily have to do with "money" – Cain has always been a champion of the "legacy," as much as Perry, whereas Neal Schon has been vocal in the past about Journey being a constantly evolving musical energy. The problem is "evolving" implies "improving," and Cain may be at a point where he just doesn't feel that he has anything to contribute to improve upon the past.

Plus he's obviously been through some pretty immense changes in his personal life over the past 3 years, through his divorce and new love interest and now new wife and future. It could be that he just needs some time to digest all this artistically before he sits down to write about it. These are the kinds of things that can spark timeless material but only if it's approached in due time.

Jeremey wrote:Is it really appropriate to bag on a songwriter (Cain) if they feel like they legitimately don't have anything interesting to say musically?

I get the feeling that Cain simply believes if he doesn't have anything worthwhile to add to the existing legacy, there are better ways to spend his time at this stage in his career. As opposed to Schon, who has given the impression that he's at a creative zenith in his songwriting – arguably mistaking quantity for quality at this point.

It doesn't necessarily have to do with "money" – Cain has always been a champion of the "legacy," as much as Perry, whereas Neal Schon has been vocal in the past about Journey being a constantly evolving musical energy. The problem is "evolving" implies "improving," and Cain may be at a point where he just doesn't feel that he has anything to contribute to improve upon the past.

Plus he's obviously been through some pretty immense changes in his personal life over the past 3 years, through his divorce and new love interest and now new wife and future. It could be that he just needs some time to digest all this artistically before he sits down to write about it. These are the kinds of things that can spark timeless material but only if it's approached in due time.

As usual, Jeremey, you put a fair and objective perspective on the subject at hand. I think that Jonathan needs time to settle into his new life, and then get together with someone who can help him in his creative side, like Steve used to do. I'm sure he has lots of music left in him.....I just hope he saves it for Journey.