MR

That last paragraph...ouch...

Thanks for sharing. Rolie sounds like Herbie here. Rolie has no reason to lie. Also sounds like 'Journey Through Time' is dead.

Interviewer: Did you talk to Steve Perry that night [at hall of fame]?

Rolie: No. Nobody talked to him! He does everything behind closed doors and I don’t get it. I don’t understand it and I don’t care. I wouldn’t do it that way. Here I am talking to you. And aren’t I pretty simple to talk to? It’s me. All that nonsense that he goes through, sneaking in the back door … Come on, man! Are you going to do this your whole life? Are you kidding? [Laughs.]

Interviewer: I spent time with him about a year ago when he put his album out. He seemed pretty normal and open to me.

Rolie: I’ll tell you what: He always appears to be that. My point is that after knowing this guy for years, he only appears to be that. What I’m telling you, you can print any day you want, any time you want. Everything is absolute gospel. Sure I fucked up here, they fucked up here and blah, blah, blah. Steve is very protective of who he is and his vocal prowess. It’s fucking nonsense. Sooner or later, everyone is going to go, “He’s kind of a dick, huh?” I know I’m right. That is what is going to happen. The real people will show up, and the ones that aren’t, they will show up too. I’ve been living my life like that.

My guess Rolie hasnt spoken a word to Perry since 1980. 39 years ago or so.
He also seemed to roll his eyes every time Perry spoke at the HoF.

Not quite sure Rolie should be considered an expert on Perry.

[quote="The_Noble_Cause"]Thanks for sharing. Rolie sounds like Herbie here. Rolie has no reason to lie. Also sounds like 'Journey Through Time' is dead

This is very sad just like the other Schon projects that never/seldom got toured.

Its easy to see what the power is behind Journey management machine.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:Thanks for sharing. Rolie sounds like Herbie here. Rolie has no reason to lie. Also sounds like 'Journey Through Time' is dead.

Interviewer: Did you talk to Steve Perry that night [at hall of fame]?

Rolie: No. Nobody talked to him! He does everything behind closed doors and I don’t get it. I don’t understand it and I don’t care. I wouldn’t do it that way. Here I am talking to you. And aren’t I pretty simple to talk to? It’s me. All that nonsense that he goes through, sneaking in the back door … Come on, man! Are you going to do this your whole life? Are you kidding? [Laughs.]

Interviewer: I spent time with him about a year ago when he put his album out. He seemed pretty normal and open to me.

Rolie: I’ll tell you what: He always appears to be that. My point is that after knowing this guy for years, he only appears to be that. What I’m telling you, you can print any day you want, any time you want. Everything is absolute gospel. Sure I fucked up here, they fucked up here and blah, blah, blah. Steve is very protective of who he is and his vocal prowess. It’s fucking nonsense. Sooner or later, everyone is going to go, “He’s kind of a dick, huh?” I know I’m right. That is what is going to happen. The real people will show up, and the ones that aren’t, they will show up too. I’ve been living my life like that.

PROBLEM...Rolie sounds way TOO MUCH like HERBIE...always did...

Reason to lie or something to hide? Nobody talked to him? Hmmm...I guess the photo ops with Neal, Ross AND Jon meant nothing...Neal saying that HE TALKED TO PERRY...for awhile meant nothing...it was some sort of conspiracy? It really didn't happen?

Rolie doesn't speak to Perry and all of a sudden just because he's asked, Rolie is a, as a poster below says, a Perry expert? As the commentator reflected below, Rolie hasn't seen Perry since 1980. That's 39 years...I don't know...if I never spoke to any of my former friends for 5 years, does that make me knowledgeable on what they are all about NOW and what they think of me NOW? Perry thanked Gregg for writing with him and helping him by letting Steve stay at his house...but Perry is now a liar because he doesn't do it Gregg's way? Wow........what happened to freedom of the individual?

Nah...Rolie has an axe to grind and a wound to dig into. And by the way...if we are going to believe Rolie's story about the road was not what he wanted anymore....what happened to what Herbie said that Rolie was pushed out by Steve? Did you know that Neal actually said privately that Herbie at that time was pissed and not much of that was true? Ha, ha, ha. Yeah....ok. Rolie...that wine sure has soured. Vinegar tastes...HORRIBLE.

You know who could be considered so-called Perry experts? His REAL friends: Lora Beard, Cyndy Poon, Tim McQuaid, John 5, Randy Goodrum, the late Larry Londin (who didn't take guff from anyone!), Patty Jenkins, Jeff Wack and more. Not even Neal. Definitely not Rolie. you learn a lot about a person by the friends he KEEPS, not the friends he had. Oh plueeze.

Bitter, party of one....your table is ready.

Ohh, I don't know about casting stones on people you have known and who you know is loved by countless others unless there is something irresistibly driving you to make disparaging comments. It does get attention when maybe what you have said was not enough to cause a reaction or mild interest. So, throw in comments which are sharp and disparaging and see if people bite. I think most people would be puzzled by this behavior you describe. It might seem odd. I thought wearing the roach killing cowboy boots was odd but that’s my perspective and I am an onlooker; not a participant. There’s a history you share. Maybe there was something you missed that explains his “dick” ness that the public won’t ever see. Maybe he’s always been a dick but does his loving adoring fans need to know it? Obviously you wanted to dampen his image, it really won’t damage it. We’re all complicated and authentic and unique. None of us are what people see. Life happens and we either bend and re shape or we break. I believe that friends or acquaintances I come in contact with or have been in contact with that I leave them better than I found them. Maybe celebrity brings out the worse in some people. Maybe that’s why people leave it. Maybe that’s why you stayed.

While it may not be the most professional way to talk about a former band mate, I do think the belief about Perry just being a dick is more universal around the people in and around Journey. And given how he's acted for all of these years, why not?

It doesn't take that much effort to be a decent human being. And the way Perry goes about his business just reeks of prima donna behavior. Speaking only through lawyers, no returned calls, and acting as if the band somehow ruined your life, while you are a multi-millionaire with millions of fans that worship you, rings pretty hallow. And the whole sneaking in and out of the back door as if you are some type of Elvis character is eventually going to wear on people over time. You can get away with that when you are selling out stadiums and putting out hit after hit. But at some point, you grow up and realize that relationships are the basis of how you are judged. And if you treat those relationships like garbage, you shouldn't be surprised when you get some of it back.

So i have no issue whatsoever with Rollie speaking his mind.

I guess people focus on what they want to, but he had a lot of complimentary stuff about Perry and his time in Journey as well, a good bit more than that one part at the end.

It seems to me that Steve Perry simply does not want to have anything to do with Journey. They moved on without him, and he's moved on without them. I don't see why he would want to have much contact with them under those circumstances. What he said at the HOF should have been enough for everybody to just let it all go.

Gregg is happy living his life the way he is. I think that's great. It is awesome that he has so many opportunities with so many people. Yeah, he is a very down to Earth and approachable person who would probably talk to anybody. When I saw him with his band years ago, that is exactly how he acted. He was there early to the stage, talked to some people front row center, who he obviously knew, and a few people he didn't. The last song he invited everybody to leave their seats and come as close to the stage as they safely could. And, he hung around a bit after. That truly is who Gregg is....and he is obviously happy being that way.

But, it takes all types. If Steve Perry is happy not wanting to deal with all of that fandom and people, if he would rather sneak in and sneak out to avoid it all, if he would rather not deal with the band and just perform and leave or give his speech and leave, if he is happy being that way, so what...that's who he is and is happy being that way. Maybe that makes people think he's a bit of a dick. And, maybe, if he is really happy, he doesn't care what people think of it.

I can see both sides. I have a huge appreciation for Perry's approach to the fans and his protection of the work. He protects it and his legacy, I appreciate that.

I can also see how a founding member feels when the dude won't even talk to you after working together for years. It's common professional curtsy to recognize positive accomplishments of your peers (even if you don't care for the person). If the dude won't even talk to you, I can Rolie's view.

Cindy and company can chime in and help with real data. Based on seeing what has been public, I can see the dick view. I don't agree with it yet, but I can see that view from Gregg.

People are complicated. I don't find it hard to believe Perry has an asshole side and a really warm and caring side. I guess Gregg didn't experience what he felt was a true caring side during his relationship with him or any after-dealings with him, if any.

I wonder why Carlos didn't want do a full tour for Santana. Does anyone know the reason that Gregg was alluding to?

I enjoyed the interview.

What is irritating at least to me that they once belonged together in a band and sang side by side for a few years. I would imagine there had to be some sort of relationship if just to talk and look over the lyrics. And now after all this time to throw more wood on that already simmering fire doesn’t make any sense. We don’t want to see behind the facade. Fans really don’t consider what they can’t see. He could be a fire breathing ass hole...but before the camera, on the screen...that’s the Perry fans adore.

I don't know any of these people so I am just guessing, but I think Steve Perry is very shy while Gregg and Neal are very outgoing. Perry's idea of a good time is eating a big ass thing of chocolate ice cream while Gregg and Neal's idea of a good time is drinking beer (or at least used to in the olden days.) So, the conflict is between styles. An outgoing person cannot understand why a shy person is so reserved and aloof. The shy person cannot understand why the outgoing person is so noisy and loud all the time. This is just a conflict of human nature.

Shy would not be the word at all.

Perry sure doesn't have a problem taking photos with fans at baseball games or other places if asked. We've seen plenty of them. And we've seen pics of him walking openly to movie premiers etc...so, I don't know about all of the sneaking in...

Perry acknowledged all of the band members individually at the HOF. He gave Rolie and all members a hug on stage. The HOF was his way of officially closing the Journey chapter of his life, publicly and humbly. The band members, both past and present, will never escape Perry's shadow. I don't believe that has anything to do with Perry personally, it's the aura that he created and set in stone when he was a member of the band. Unfortunately there will always be sour grapes on their part for being overshadowed by someone who wants nothing to do with them or the band any longer.

Art Vandelay wrote:Perry acknowledged all of the band members individually at the HOF. He gave Rolie and all members a hug on stage. The HOF was his way of officially closing the Journey chapter of his life, publicly and humbly. The band members, both past and present, will never escape Perry's shadow. I don't believe that has anything to do with Perry personally, it's the aura that he created and set in stone when he was a member of the band. Unfortunately there will always be sour grapes on their part for being overshadowed by someone who wants nothing to do with them or the band any longer.

^ Bingo

He's wrong about "nobody talked to Perry", too because Arnel went to Perry's dressing room and talked to him, so did Neal and his wife.
They might not have gotten into an in-depth convo, but it's not like they only saw each other on stage.

Pacfanweb wrote:He's wrong about "nobody talked to Perry", too because Arnel went to Perry's dressing room and talked to him, so did Neal and his wife.
They might not have gotten into an in-depth convo, but it's not like they only saw each other on stage.

There was also a photo or two of Perry with Ross and Jonathan with their wives.

But in Gregg's defense, his Rolling Stone interview was hijacked with a Perry-related question, even after 39 years of not being in a band with him. Not so much hijacked by Perry himself, but by the Perry legacy. Sour grapes, nonetheless.

Smith handled the situation very diplomatically when interviewed not long after the HOF. He was asked about Perry, said it was nice to see him there, and that he always liked Steve. He gave him credit for acknowledging Arnel the way that he did. He said didn't speak with him personally, although he did say that some of the other members did meet with him in the dressing room. No mystery, no scandalous thoughts or feelings, and it's hardly ever addressed with him any longer.

Everyone just needs to move on.

This reminds me of Don't Stop Believn' on the Greatest Hits Album or somewhere. Neal's guitar loses all its power of the original Escape release. Now, I am trying to be fair to everybody, but if Perry was behind this reduction of power of Neal's guitar in DSB, then Perry is a dick.

That’s forgivable, I am sure there were some other moments when he was a flame throwing dick; but as I am almost positive many people knew Neal was playing at a place in the stratosphere where Mr Perry didn’t want to always go. It seemed intentionally or unintentionally that Neal was trying to send him higher and higher and maybe that time it was ...nope; not tonight.

Did he need to? My view would be yes based on what I've read over the years.