Monker wrote:Well, what I think Perry means by that is the 'business' of music. For ROR, he bit off way more than he could handle...essentially taking ownership of the entire project. Then he goes and records "Against The Wall" and Sony refuses it. Then he takes his time to do FTLOSM but Sony wants him in Journey and they broker a deal to release two more FTLOSM singles (which Sony did't really promote), and Perry has to cancel his tour. In addition, he has this general attitude that he has an idea of how he wants his music to be, and that is that...and he pushes and argues for it incessantly...he has talked about his in other interviews the "boy, I wanted it and I just had to have it that way." But, when other people are involved, he runs them over to get his way. So, there is all this political stuff with the label, the band, even being solo he has to deal with the constant question of if he will rejoin Journey - especially back in the early 90's. Then there are fans demanding a certain amount of attention. All of that combined is the business of music, and that is what I think he was burned out of.
That is much different then going to the studio on his own time, on his own budget, with his own ideas, to record things that may, or may not, get released. To me, he treats music almost like a hobby now...not a job or a business...just something fun to do in his spare time that he enjoys in his 70's. That's not a bad thing.
I think the people who are still critiquing Perry just don't get that. It's not about being the best singer ever, writing and singing the best songs ever. It's just putting it out there for anybody who DOES care and saying, "this is where I'm at now." In that case, the critics really don't matter.
WOW! That makes sense. I was thinking Perry is flakey and like he said he moves with his emotions or whatever. So, I think Perry could wake up any day and say, "I want to be back in Journey." And then he would call Jon and say, "I want back into Journey, but you have to bring back Steve Smith and Ross Vallory."
Jon would say, "Let me talk to Neal." And then Jon would say, "Neal, Perry called and said he wants back in, but he wants to bring back the guys who tried to take over the band. We aren't going to do that; are we?"
Neal would yell, "Yes! Tell him we will do it!"
And then they would scrap the double album they recorded and make a new album of mostly ballads with Perry. But of course, you cannot ask Perry if he will ever return to Journey because he doesn't know. It depends how he feels on a particular day in the future.
Of course, the idea of Perry treating music like a hobby makes sense. So, Journey doesn't hold any thrill for him because he doesn't want to work that hard and tour and everything. What you said makes sense!