Now I found this....am I getting warm? While I know this is just one person's blog I thought I'd post it just the same.
http://blogs.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuse ... =240562839
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Journey's "Tape Gate" A Hoax
Current mood: optimistic
Many Journey fans Worldwide are familiar with the controversial "Tape Gate" Conspiracy that spread over the internet throughout last year's 2006 Tour with Def Leppard. The allegation that Journey was using backing tracks, while vocalist Steve Augeri was singing into a dead microphone, originated on the popular Melodicrock.com's Journey Forums and eventually spread throughout the online Journey Fan Community and even were picked up by a few mainstream media outlets. When Journey's longtime vocalist, Steve Augeri, eventually had to step down due to a chronic throat ailment, the allegations took on an air of truth, seeming to support the assertions of the attention-crazed Conspiracy Theorist.
The allegations spread like wildfire throughout the Tour and the few that didn't ascribe to the so-called facts that were being ceremoniously shoved down their throats by this self-absorbed individual, were ganged up on and shut down by a cult-like group of cyber-bullies at the above named Forums, that continue to follow the originator of these claims as if he were the Messiah. Things came to a crescendo when it was finally announced, in December of 2006, that Jeff Scott Soto was replacing Steve Augeri as Journey's Lead Singer.
Throughout the Tour and into the first few months of 2007, the band and Management have said little to nothing to quell these rumors and up till now, many believe "Tape Gate" to be a reality. Journey founding member and Lead Guitarist Neal Schon touched on the issue during a recent online interview, but didn't definatively address it in a way that would shutdown the controversy. However, fellow founding member and longtime Journey bass player Ross Valory was more direct in denouncing the allegations and the individual that made them, by making the following comments during an interview with getreadytorock.com.
http://www.getreadytorock.com/rock_stars/journey.htm
(There were reports in the press and on the internet that Journey used backing tapes on the Leppard tour?
This is another urban myth! It just didn't happen. The rumour got prominence because we were changing singers - Steve Augieri's voice did give out. It's a very difficult setlist. Not even Steve Perry could hold up very long, I believe, because these songs are very demanding of any singer.
Right now there's another rumour circulating that the drummer with Soul SirkUS, Virgil Donati, is rehearsing for a tour with a major artist - yet to be announced. The fans think he's going to replace Deen Castronovo.
Another rumour: Ross Valory is going to retire! It's very interesting that no-one told me. But this is how the story goes?
It turns out the person who stirred up the tape issue is not a journalist and didn't have the correct information. It appears to me some people have too much time on their hands, sometimes fans can be over-obsessed with the band of their dreams and they can get to be too imaginative or creative in order to provoke a response. It's like they're clutching at straws, and even inventing those straws! I don't, of course, wish to disparage the bulk of our fans.)
My Commentary
Now, I have no doubt I will be attacked unmercifully by the originator of these claims and his followers and that some will always believe a good Conspiracy Theory, but the fact is that unlike the Milli Vanilli lip-synching incident of the 90's, Journey's "Tape Gate" is nothing but a fictional tale made up by an individual that is looking for and getting attention and approval from his peers. It is a hoax and deserves to be buried alongside other similar legendary hoaxes that have been perpetrated on the masses.
I just want to say that although I disagree with the fact that Melodicrock.com allowed itself to be used in such a way by this pseudo-journalist and Jim Jones wannabe, I do not blame it's owner for the allegations. The only one's responsible are the originator of the claims and those that were and are so willing to be followers. They were duped by an over the top, angry, self-serving and loathesome individual that preys on such people in an attempt to somehow validate an otherwise dull and unexciting existence.
Some may think my commentary on this individual is harsh, however I disagree. This person had no problem in attacking the character and careers of the individuals he made these baseless and in my opinion, defamatory allegations against, as well as the many good people that disagreed with his assertions.
All of the above was to feed this person's overblown ego, so that he could, in his own mind, take down a man that had done nothing to him personally, but rather in his own mind, didn't belong fronting the band Journey. This individual now goes around claiming that he personally brought down the career of Steve Augeri...that somehow his little smear campaign forced the band's hand and now Journey is the band he wants it to be. Sad when you really think about it.
