MR

Voyage, arguably the biggest Journey tribute act, has parted ways with AOR fixture / Perry clone Hugo Valenti (Valentine, Open Skyz, etc.). His replacement is singer Pedro Espada. Statement from the band available on their social media. Pedro seems like a more than adequate rock singer but it's unclear if he is on Hugo's level. As we all know, this is a demanding catalog. No comment from Hugo at this time.

Thanks , I thought that was his band? I wonder if singing the catalog finally caught up with his age too? Or just burnt out ?

UPDATE: Hugo is restarting his old band Valentine. The band will be comprised of current Steve Augeri band mates including SA's son, Adam. No word on Steve's plans for the future. The SA band is mostly comprised of ex-Valentine players anyway.

Hey everyone,
This is Hugo checking in. Hope everyone is doing well and this season brings the best to you!! It is true that Voyage and I parted ways. It is with much excitement that I can announce that my next step in this wonderful Journey Tribute experience is with none other than my first professional recording band VALENTINE. For the past 15 years they have been touring with Steve Augeri, former vocalist of Journey and a friend as well. The excitement for the entire band and booking agency is off the charts . Adam Holland, Gerard Zappa, Craig Pullman, Adam Augeri and Hugo present to you VALENTINE the Journey Tribute experience. Please keep checking in. As we get new information in the coming days we will be updating the page with videos, show dates, photos and when we’re coming to your town. Be well and hope to see you out there soon.— with Valentine Band Fans.

As I was reading this and read that he was restarting Valentine I thought maybe he was moving away from the Journey thing. Then I saw; VALENTINE the Journey Tribute experience

I don't see the point in this....unless Augeri is retiring and this employs his band. Otherwise, one tribute band to another tribute band...lame.

If I recall correctly, I believe that Frank Stallone's band that performed in the first 2 Rocky films was called Valentine? I wonder if there was ever any copyright issues between the two bands?

Journey/Survivor wrote:If I recall correctly, I believe that Frank Stallone's band that performed in the first 2 Rocky films was called Valentine? I wonder if there was ever any copyright issues between the two bands?

There was not.

Is there a Journey reference to "Valentine" in a song title or lyric I'm not remembering? Seems like an odd name for a Journey tribute band.

FamilyMan wrote:Is there a Journey reference to "Valentine" in a song title or lyric I'm not remembering? Seems like an odd name for a Journey tribute band.

Hugo's last name is Valenti. So, the original Valentine was a take on Hugo's last name. The only connection back then was how much he sounded and looked like Perry. They were a real band that released new songs, not a tribute band. Valentine morphed into Open Skyz...an album that I really liked back then. It hasn't aged very well for me tho.

FamilyMan wrote:Is there a Journey reference to "Valentine" in a song title or lyric I'm not remembering? Seems like an odd name for a Journey tribute band.

Some background for you:

Hugo started his career as frontman for the band Valentine. The band was orignally signed with Columbia Records and released their debut album in 1990 through Warner Bros. Records. The bands video for the song “No Way” was consistently featured on MTV. Valentine also wrote and performed songs for the movie “Don’t Tell Mom the Babysitter Is Dead” starring Christina Applegate. Valentne's ballad "Never Said it Was Gonna be Easy" was recently ranked by Classic Rock Magazine as the #1 'Greatest Power Ballad You've Never Heard'.

For the 2nd release, the band changed their name to Open Skyz and released their album through RCA/Giant Records. Produced by Ritchie Zito (Eddie Money, Cheap Trick, Heart, Cher) and Rob Jacobs. (Don Henley, The Eagles, U2), the album provided several singles, including the top 20 AOR single “Every Day Of My Life”. The band went on to tour with acts such as Mr. Big and KISS.

Why did Valentine change its name to Open Skyz?

jrnyman28 wrote:Why did Valentine change its name to Open Skyz?

This is so long ago that I'm having trouble remembering...I THINK it was because they were starting over under a different label and new sound for the band. Valentine was a more 80's rock sound heavily influence by Journey. Open Skyz did not lean so much into the Journey or rock sound. There are elements of Journey, especially with Hugo singing, but they were not such a copy cat sound....more of a Journey "influenced" sound. That's probably why I liked Open Skyz more than Valentine...one trying to copy Journey's success...the other doing more of their own thing.

"Valentine The Journey Tribute Experience" has undergone a name change. According to Hugo, they will now be called "Hugo The Ultimate Journey Tribute.” Makes sense. Hugo has become something of his own draw in the live music scene.

Hi guys, just wanted everyone to know that we will be closing this page so I want to redirect everyone to new link below. It’s called “Hugo The Ultimate Journey Tribute”. Shows will be added shortly and website will be up and running. Thank you for everything you do and I promise to see you soon - H

The_Noble_Cause wrote:"Valentine The Journey Tribute Experience" has undergone a name change. According to Hugo, they will now be called "Hugo The Ultimate Journey Tribute.” Makes sense. Hugo has become something of his own draw in the live music scene.

Hi guys, just wanted everyone to know that we will be closing this page so I want to redirect everyone to new link below. It’s called “Hugo The Ultimate Journey Tribute”. Shows will be added shortly and website will be up and running. Thank you for everything you do and I promise to see you soon - H

A much better idea than using Valentine.

Monker wrote:

The_Noble_Cause wrote:"Valentine The Journey Tribute Experience" has undergone a name change. According to Hugo, they will now be called "Hugo The Ultimate Journey Tribute.” Makes sense. Hugo has become something of his own draw in the live music scene.

Hi guys, just wanted everyone to know that we will be closing this page so I want to redirect everyone to new link below. It’s called “Hugo The Ultimate Journey Tribute”. Shows will be added shortly and website will be up and running. Thank you for everything you do and I promise to see you soon - H

A much better idea than using Valentine.

I agree! Hugo has also clarified that Augeri will still tour using his band. So I guess Hugo and SA are sharing. We'll see...