re: Souls SirkUS/$300,000

[jrnyman28]

[Well Perry was the singer, so it is understandable that he had to make sure to stay healthy, so he could continue to give those kind of outstanding performances at the shows.

Plus he may have not attended all the greet & meets so he could give his voice a rest (by not talking) as well. I think I read that somewhere about him, don't know where to find it though.

Lori

Why do you say "plus"? Those were the same point.

[ohsherrie]

Perry could not behave like that because he never stuck around after the show...

I never got to see Steve live, but I've talked to a lot of people who did get the opportunity to meet him after shows, so he must have stuck around for some of them.

I've heard(or read)negative comments by Neal about Steve not liking the Meet&Greets, now he's admitting he doesn't like them either.

I wonder how many established artists that have toured extensively really do like them. I'm sure they're beneficial when you're trying to build a fanbase(which, like someone said, is technically what Neal is doing now), but they have to get to be a pain after so many years.

[yak]

Well Perry was the singer, so it is understandable that he had to make sure to stay healthy, so he could continue to give those kind of outstanding performances at the shows.

Plus he may have not attended all the greet & meets so he could give his voice a rest (by not talking) as well. I think I read that somewhere about him, don't know where to find it though.

Lori

Well, since it was Perry's SOLO tour at the time, he should have been there. Doesn't he usually fire people if they make him "do" something he finds distasteful? As in nobody makes the guy do anything he doesn't want to do, as evidenced by the last decade and a half.

I read my information in a SPIN newsletter. As for the "resting his voice" comment, after the last ROR concert in Anchorage, Alaska, he didn't show up after the show. He left it up to Neal and Jon. They sat and signed autographs alone. I believe there was supposed to be another leg of the tour, but Perry bailed.

It's well known that band members have to take incredibly good care of themselves while on the road. There are so many ways to do that if you want to take the time. Other singers don't go out on tour and then hide under a rock. Does Perry think he has no germs? That works both ways, and for Perry to say that to the fans shows his arrogant and holier than thou attitude.

I guess the point is, that if it was a current member of Journey doing what the angelic one did, you would be all over it with your ridiculous theories as to why the band was ditching their fans.

[mnmsjrny]

I think always being honest & truthful can be harmful to Neal's image & ultimately hurt the band's image as well. Neal saying he doesn't like to do those meet & greets is like telling the fans he isn't interested in talking to them.

The fans are the people who go to his concerts & buy his music. Correct me if I'm wrong , but wasn't it the fans or the Journey's fan club that pushed & helped get the star at Hollywood Walk of Fame & the star in SF too?

I just think Neal should keep certain feelings to himself, especially those feeling that deal directly with the fans. That my opinion on it anyway.

Lori

Yes, Lori, it was a group of fans (not the fan club per se) that got the star in Hollywood and plaque in SF. Having met Neal numerous times in the course of these projects, I know Neal is going to say what he thinks and to hell with the consequences. It's come around to bite him in the ass more than once, and it will again. it's just Neal being Neal and at this point in time, he's not going to change that. Fortunately, while working on the HWOF & Bammies WOF we never had a difficult time with Neal and he's always been very pleasant towards us.

As for the meet & greets, I think what Neal finds tedious is people fawning over him. If people treat him like a regular guy, he's ok, but the "omigawd you're the greatest person alive and and and and" babble gets tedious. And, having had the opportunity to attend a few meet & greets, sometimes the guys are just plain tired and would rather be in bed than talking to people. (I'm sure we call all relate to that -- I sure know there are days when I get off work that the absolute LAST thing I want to do is be sociable!)

[jrnyman28]

As for the meet & greets, I think what Neal finds tedious is people fawning over him. If people treat him like a regular guy, he's ok, but the "omigawd you're the greatest person alive and and and and" babble gets tedious.

Sadly, if Neal gets in that mood then he perpetuates it. My buddy really wanted to talk to Neal about something specific. But Neal barely looked his direction when he went through the line...

[cudaclan]

Correct me if I’m wrong, was it not Neal who snubbed Sammy for “dropping the ball” on Planet Us? He did make a comment regarding this (choice words too). In circles and in other chat groups/blogs, there was concern that Steve Augeri could be replaced by JSS (Journey). Neal made a statement (speculation) that the only reason Steve Perry reunited (TBF) was to show “credibility” (to Sony) and popularity for a solo recording contract. The industry is ruthless and I prefer not to know. Case in point, Vh1’s airing…

[Marabelle]

I agree with this last guy/woman said. I think most people don't realize these musicians and singers are just regular people with some great talent. They are people you might not really want to know or talk to because of there personalities outside of the music arena. What looks good on stage isn't necessary what you get off the st age. Some of these people are not the nicest warm fuzzy people you might think or not think.

[usedtobadnews61]

I think Neal came to the realization that no way was SS going to replace Journey financially for him. And at $300,000, it was a very expensive hobby. I wonder why he didn't include SS CD's with the ticket prices when SS toured. If they had, they would have moved a few more CD's and got the word out on the band. With no radio play, good PR and word of mouth is the only way SS could have broken big.

On another note. In my opinion, there is no one that has such a varied career as Neal's. And what is Neal looking for as far a name recognition? Does he want to be known as a Santana or Van Halen type figure? At this point, in his 50's, I doubt Neal could add anything to his resume', that would have people who don't know him, stand up and take notice.....

I don't any guitar player whose career has been so varied.

Santana

Journey Pre-Perry

Journey- Perry

HSAS

Schon-Hammer

Bad English

Hardline

Abraxas Pool

Journey- Perry redux

Journey-Augeri

Planet US

Soul Sirkus


Plus, his solo releases........

He has had an amazing career, even if he never released another thing and we all know Neal will never rest on his laurels.




Jim

[usedtobadnews61]

And how did a thread about SS, turn into one about Perry anyways?

[fred_journeyman]

What doesn't make sense to me is that if it WAS someone in the band that "sabatoged" things as JSS put it, then why would Neal have gone after Sammy to see about restarting Planet US?

If not for SS and their false start, they might be on a bit of a roll now.

For some reason, music is thoroughly in Neal's blood and it's almost like he is not happy unless he is totally immersed in it.

I also cannot imagine Steve Augeri talking to Neal about spreading himself too thin. Jon and Ross maybe, but not Augeri. If anyone in the band said anything, it most likely would have been Ross. Of course Deen was also in at the start of SS, but then we all know how sick he got because of his overworked condition.

- Fred

I don't think he means Neal. If anything, maybe someone like Jon or Steve feel Neal is spreading himself too thin. I know I do. Maybe Jon and/or Steve want Neal to focus on Journey. I know I do. But that is just a guess. Really, I don't think it IS someone in the band, but I can understand management. They were 'sabotaging' SS when management wasthe same, maybe once SS changed management they found another way to interfere. But I am surprised HH is quiet. You would think that if HH was willing to come out of retirement, that he must feel some passion for the project.

[fred_journeyman]

The meet and greets are certainly fun for the fans, but they're probably grueling for most artists. Are we forgetting that at one point, Perry avoided the meet and greets?

Why should any artist who plays three hours on stage as Journey has done this past summer be expected to meet fans after they have expended all that energy? I can't imagine there would be much energy left to deal with truckloads of fans.

Playing your instrument on stage before thousands of adoring fans is one thing, but having to deal with small talk and people who want to shake your hands and probably get a bit too close to you is another altogether.

- Fred

Yes, Lori, it was a group of fans (not the fan club per se) that got the star in Hollywood and plaque in SF. Having met Neal numerous times in the course of these projects, I know Neal is going to say what he thinks and to hell with the consequences. It's come around to bite him in the ass more than once, and it will again. it's just Neal being Neal and at this point in time, he's not going to change that. Fortunately, while working on the HWOF & Bammies WOF we never had a difficult time with Neal and he's always been very pleasant towards us.

As for the meet & greets, I think what Neal finds tedious is people fawning over him. If people treat him like a regular guy, he's ok, but the "omigawd you're the greatest person alive and and and and" babble gets tedious. And, having had the opportunity to attend a few meet & greets, sometimes the guys are just plain tired and would rather be in bed than talking to people. (I'm sure we call all relate to that -- I sure know there are days when I get off work that the absolute LAST thing I want to do is be sociable!)

[Monker]

I also cannot imagine Steve Augeri talking to Neal about spreading himself too thin. Jon and Ross maybe, but not Augeri. If anyone in the band said anything, it most likely would have been Ross. Of course Deen was also in at the start of SS, but then we all know how sick he got because of his overworked condition.

I don't know what Neal expected SS to do. I said from the beginning that it wouldn't go anywhere. There is just nobody in the band that would have gained attention like Sammy would have. I don't see a NEW band made up of 'old school' musicians making it in rock today.

It wouldn't suprise me at all if Herbie backed out and told Neal to cut his losses and spend time where he knew he would make money. SS was going nowhere and now we know it was generating DEBT, not profit...Herbie is smart enough, and old enough, to know that isn't the best investment. It would be interesting to hear what he would say about this.

How is Journey or Journey's management going to mess with SS? It doesn't make sense to me.

[fred_journeyman]

...Well, since it was Perry's SOLO tour at the time, he should have been there...

Aw c'mon, he might have been willing to send Lincoln out for him...and Lincoln might have gone in his place.

It's well known that band members have to take incredibly good care of themselves while on the road...

I saw Chicago years ago and the concert was short and there was no encore. Why? Danny Seraphine the drummer had a bad case of the flu. He played anyway, but just couldn't push on. I'm not sure how he did it, but he was probably counting the minutes until it was over.

I guess the point is, that if it was a current member of Journey doing what the angelic one did, you would be all over it with your ridiculous theories as to why the band was ditching their fans.

That's certainly true enough. I've already read some of the comments in this thread that move toward that. It's easy for some to say that "we're talking about Neal" therefore Perry doesn't enter into it, yet it's some of these same people who have absolutely NO problem ragging on Neal specifically even if the thread has nothing to do with him specifically.

It's never a two-way street for some. Neal is always wrong and Steve P. is always right. I prefer it this way...Neal is an imperfect human being, not god as some tend to think Perry is. It reminds me of recently when Perry sang "Don't Stop Believin'" after the world series and he sounded none too good. Part of that - as I explained - was due to the crappy mic and sound system. The other part was due to the fact that Perry can't sing like he used to sing. Yet for some, it was "He sounded great!" Sure, whatever. I wish him well in his retirement.

As far as Neal goes, no one should be surprised at his imperfection and the same people who shouldn't be surprised at it should prove it by not pointing it out to everyone else as if that fact alone somehow makes Perry perfect. They're both different individuals, and while it's easier for some to like one more than another, the truth is that NEITHER is perfect.

- Fred

[The_Noble_Cause]

It wouldn't suprise me at all if Herbie backed out and told Neal to cut his losses and spend time where he knew he would make money. SS was going nowhere and now we know it was generating DEBT, not profit...Herbie is smart enough, and old enough, to know that isn't the best investment. It would be interesting to hear what he would say about this.

I wish someone would interview Herbie. We haven't had an in-depth interview since the Castles Burning one. Andrew, are you listening?

[JohnH]

I know what you mean about Self Defense being a cover tune....but alot of people don't have the album it came from...I only know that song lies from that band. So for me Self Defense is new....and that is a totally ass kicking version of the song. It fits right in on the album so I am very glad it's on there. It's so cool also that Neal's singing voice is just the way he talks.

John

[jrnyman28]

What doesn't make sense to me is that if it WAS someone in the band that "sabatoged" things as JSS put it, then why would Neal have gone after Sammy to see about restarting Planet US?

I am not sure the two are mutually exclusive. I think it is possible that NEal started talking to Smamy A) because his name would really help "sell" the band; or B) just to work with him again. I am not sure Neal talking to Sammy had to have anything to do with what is going on with SS.

I also cannot imagine Steve Augeri talking to Neal about spreading himself too thin. Jon and Ross maybe, but not Augeri. If anyone in the band said anything, it most likely would have been Ross. Of course Deen was also in at the start of SS, but then we all know how sick he got because of his overworked condition.

- Fred

I don't think it would be Ross because Ross has been talking up how he has learned so much from watching Neal and Jon with their side/solo projects. And that was a reason why he has gotten involved with re-releasing his old catalog and releasing new material.

The reason I can see Steve being involved a little, comes from the fact that Steve was writing for a solo record which sparked Journey to make "Generations". It seems as if Steve was getting tired of waiting for Journey to make a new record so he started on his own. A major reason why Journey was not making any new music was because Neal was bust with SS.

[jrnyman28]

The meet and greets are certainly fun for the fans, but they're probably grueling for most artists. Are we forgetting that at one point, Perry avoided the meet and greets?

And that, for the person who asked, is how this thread began talking about Perry!

Why should any artist who plays three hours on stage as Journey has done this past summer be expected to meet fans after they have expended all that energy? I can't imagine there would be much energy left to deal with truckloads of fans.

The funny thing is, at the beginning of the tour, it was announced that there would be no Meet&Greets this year because of the length of the show. So why do you think that changed?

I can understand the effects of the Meet&Greets on the artist, and I would even understand if Neal and Jon were to bow out of them from time to time. But it is still a very good thing to do for the relationship the band has with it's fans and I think it was in poor form to say anything about them. We fans are always trying to let them know what they mean to us, and now it feels like Neal has let us know how little we mean to him...

[A Fire Inside]

We fans are always trying to let them know what they mean to us, and now it feels like Neal has let us know how little we mean to him...

Is that very surprising? Neal has never been eager to appreciate his fans. Then he wonders why he has such bad karma...

[JohnH]

We fans are always trying to let them know what they mean to us, and now it feels like Neal has let us know how little we mean to him...

Is that very surprising? Neal has never been eager to appreciate his fans. Then he wonders why he has such bad karma...

Agreed. I've never met him....but had a chance to when we stood on the side of the stage watching Journey at Molson Park. I was working for another act...and in retrospect it seems a blessing we all split for a strip club, even though I wanted to watch Journey. If I met Neal and he was an ass it would really ruin it for me. Recently a bass player told me that Neal was a total prick at a Namm show awhile back.

John

[NealIsGod]

Who gives a shit? All I care about is that he is an incredible guitarist and songwriter. As long as he keeps making music, I am happy. I don't need him to be able to make small talk at a meet and greet. There are many celebrities whose work we all enjoy, but do we hold them all to such a high standard? Do all the actors and actresses, musicians and entertainers have to be completely interactive with their fans? I met Neal when he was with Bad English, and he and the whole band came out to the bar area and hung out with fans and signed autographs for at least an hour. And I know of others on this board who have had great experiences with Neal. So, like any other musician, I am sure there are good and bad stories about him floating around.

[Red13JoePa]

There are good and bad stories about Neal and I've bumped up against more than a few here who said he's plenty accomodating....at the end of the day I could care less. But I look at it like a guy I know who hates Mike Schmidt b/c he didn't give an autograph one time though he freely admits that Schmidt signed about 100 before drawing the line and leaving. They can't be everything to everyone, and Schon particularly refuses to front himself. He wears his 'tude and mood on his sleeve. He probably sleeps well at night, too. Just don;t expect to see his name on a ballot for public office anytime soon because he ain't getting any ulcers over PR.

[NealIsGod]

I'll give you an example of an asshole: When I was a little kid, we lived down the street from an active NFL player (Redskin). I had a cast on my arm, and he was outside cutting his grass. I asked him to sign my cast and he refused.

THAT is an asshole...

[Red13JoePa]

Here's a good Philly-flavored one, like yours but WORSE. Lenny Dykstra in a cab in Atlanta. Cab driver asks him to sign a bat for his son, Dykstra writes "eat me" on the bat, guy doesn't pick up on it until Nails is out of the cab what a piece of shit, but I love Lenny anyway. He was with a sports writer who witnessed the whole thing.

[NealIsGod]

Here's a good Philly-flavored one, like yours but WORSE. Lenny Dykstra in a cab in Atlanta. Cab driver asks him to sign a bat for his son, Dykstra writes "eat me" on the bat, guy doesn't pick up on it until Nails is out of the cab what a piece of shit, but I love Lenny anyway. He was with a sports writer who witnessed the whole thing.

[yandtguy]

It's simple. No US record deal, no band. Neal made the investment, and it didn't pay off. Why should he beat a dead horse? SS was a side project, and Neal has been involved in several projects over the years (HSAS, Abraxas Pool, Michael Bolton, Bad English, Schon/Hammer, his solo albums). This is not the first time that a project has only produced one album. HSAS and Abaraxas Pool both managed one album. There were only two Schon/Hammer and Bad English albums.

Greg

[NealIsGod]

It's simple. No US record deal, no band. Neal made the investment, and it didn't pay off. Why should he beat a dead horse? SS was a side project, and Neal has been involved in several projects over the years (HSAS, Abraxas Pool, Michael Bolton, Bad English, Schon/Hammer, his solo albums). This is not the first time that a project has only produced one album. HSAS and Abaraxas Pool both managed one album. There were only two Schon/Hammer and Bad English albums.

Greg

Nice post. Great points.

[NoMoreTails]

Good points from NIG and Joe. On the occasions I've spoken to Neal he's always been very cool to talk to, was extremely happy to see people at the aftershow thing for SS in particular. P-heads are quick to criticize Neal at any opportunity but the fact is that Neal and Jon were there to greet fans when Perry would not. I realize it's different for singers as far as health concerns and the need to avoid unnecessary use of the voice, these are concerns for Steve Augeri too but he always meets with fans. I might add that Journey has never cancelled a show because of his health or voice issues, as Perry had a history of, at least ROR/FTLOSM tours.

[Red13JoePa]

Augeri is a damn warrior. He goes out there and belts out the toughest catalog in rock, sore voice or not.

[Rockindeano]

Eric,

Have you ever met Steve Perry in person?

While I don't think Perry is a "perfect person" & I'm sure at times he may not have always been in the mood to deal with fans & sign autographs, but I certainly don't think Perry would ever react the way you described above about him toward the fans.

Lori

Oh lady, you need to wake up. I saw, didn't meet, but saw/observed Steve perry in the Burbank Airport in 1984.. He cussed a blue ox brown and screamed at fans to "leave me the Hell alone."

I saw it....Firsthand.

[Marabelle]

Oh lady, you need to wake up. I saw, didn't meet, but saw/observed Steve perry in the Burbank Airport in 1984.. He cussed a blue ox brown and screamed at fans to "leave me the Hell alone."

I saw it....Firsthand.

LOL! I've never been blinded by the fact that he has a hellapollza temper!
I think he is a marvelous singer; his personality is uniquely his own.