"Play everything with conviction AND INTEGRITY"

[perryfaithful]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?news ... 7983&rfi=6

Theyve sold more than 140 million albums during careers that have spanned four decades, and theyve been responsible for some of the biggest concerts in this history of rock n roll.

But perhaps the most amazing statistic about Journey and Def Leppard is that theyve never played a note together before this summer.

Not one single lick, said Journeys Jonathan Cain during a recent phone call. Weve been talking about it for the past six years. This is the right time to do it.

When the show visits Montage Mountain this Friday, Journey and Def Leppard will each perform 80-minute sets, with Journey playing first. Ticket sales were so strong that an entire leg was added to the tour after the summer season had been announced.

Though the bands have never performed together not even in a festival atmosphere the players are no strangers to each others work.

I know Phil Collen pretty well, Cain said. And we were at the same Diamond Awards ceremony where you get the glass pyramid for the 10-million seller and we partied there over a cup of coffee.

That was a weird day, man. We had Def Leppard, AC/DC, Kenny Rogers, Metallica, Boston, and Boyz II Men all drinking coffee talking about the business. The only thing that was missing was Simon Cowell.

The Cowell reference, though in jest, was a fitting one coming from Cain. Journey has enjoyed a surprise resurgence during recent years thanks in part to former bassist Randy Jacksons involvement with American Idol.

Idol showed video clips of Jacksons performances with the group during the 80s, and Clay Aiken won over voters with his rendition of Open Arms.

Journey again grabbed a national audience when the Chicago White Sox adopted Dont Stop Believin as its battle cry as it marched to a World Series title in 2005. The team flew former Journey singer Steve Perry to the games, and he led the team and the crowd in an a capella version of the tune during the Sox celebration in Chicago.

In effect, the song became one of the top 10 downloaded songs last summer, and given the recent crickets that came along with Journeys last few studio efforts, Cain said the band is more than happy new fans are embracing its timeless tunes. Were a special case, because we have lots of product out there thats platinum, so to knock on a door and ask a radio station to play a new Journey cut when they can play Dont Stop Believin is redundant, Cain said. Even with Def Leppard, you already have all these songs out there. A label has a tough road to market new music from bands like ours.

Cain indeed owns an iPod, and hes versed in modern rock. He listed Switchfoot, Crossfade, and Seether as bands making good music.

Theyre writing good songs again, he said. I like songs that have some spiritual hope to them. I think its great when bands have a conscience. I dont like whiny songs. We get screwed over every day. I dont need to listen to it. I see it everywhere. Dont whine at me.

Twenty years after the height of Journeys heyday, Cain finds himself catching up on modern rock through his 10-year-old son. Cain is the DJ during his sons Little League games, where he plays more than his recommended daily allotment of Green Day.

Theyre always yelling for it, he said. But Green Day made a good record. Im a little burnt out on it, but its strong.

The current trend with some legendary rock acts seems to be filling summer tours with sets written by other artists, or simply showing up to play the new album and leave. With Journey, the opposite is true. Cain said Journey respects its fans and tours simply to give it back to them.

This band has legacy, he said. Youre a knight at the round table. You have a responsibility to uphold the legacy. When I step my foot on stage as a member of Journey, I have my sword ready and Im going for it.

No matter what the set list is, Im going to play everything with conviction and integrity.

And, he said the fans dont seem to mind that Steve Perry isnt part of the group, which also includes founding member and co-writer Neal Schon.

Journey was Journey before Steve Perry. He didnt write it all. Neal and I wrote it, too. We share two-thirds of the creation of Journey. Its more than just one guy. The sound of the band has remained intact and I would never compare the two, because theyre two different animals.

[perryfaithful]

"You have a responsibility to uphold the legacy"

Jon Cain

[NealIsGod]

And, he said the fans dont seem to mind that Steve Perry isnt part of the group, which also includes founding member and co-writer Neal Schon.

[conversationpc]

Were a special case, because we have lots of product out there thats platinum, so to knock on a door and ask a radio station to play a new Journey cut when they can play Dont Stop Believin is redundant, Cain said.

If this is the attitude they've had recently, there's no wonder they were giving "Generations" away at their shows and that radio hasn't been playing anything new of theirs over the last few years.

[PROPERRY]

And, he said the fans dont seem to mind that Steve Perry isnt part of the group, which also includes founding member and co-writer Neal Schon.

Well Cain "doesn't speak" for ME, "I do mind" that Perry is not in Journey anymore, however I respect that Perry has stated (in Fan Asylum) that he does not want to perform with them anymore, so I accept that & would LOVE for him to do his OWN thing musically!!!

I just want him to be happy in whatever he does!!

Lori

[i]

Journey was Journey before Steve Perry. He didnt write it all. Neal and I wrote it, too. We share two-thirds of the creation of Journey. Its more than just one guy.

still sounds a little bitter, to me...
I'm sure the sp questions must get old, but still...


and helLO
I think it was Gregg, Neal and Herbie who were the three who were the "creation of Journey"

Now, Steve put them on the map and Jon helped make that map a "little" bigger...

I know I'm picking, but hey...

[Memorex]

http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16859389&BRD=2228&PAG=461&dept_id=447983&rfi=6

Journey was Journey before Steve Perry. He didnt write it all. Neal and I wrote it, too. We share two-thirds of the creation of Journey. Its more than just one guy. The sound of the band has remained intact and I would never compare the two, because theyre two different animals.

Wonder how the other guys feel about the 2/3 comment. Guess Rolie, Valory, Smitty, etc were never a part of that.

[PROPERRY]

Journey was Journey before Steve Perry. He didnt write it all. Neal and I wrote it, too. We share two-thirds of the creation of Journey. Its more than just one guy.

still sounds a little bitter, to me...
I'm sure the sp questions must get old, but still...

And the FANS have NEVER implied or stated that "Perry wrote it all". That is unfortunately just Jon's poor perception of what HE THINKS the fans are thinking, & his own resentments coming through the interview.

BTW still 'no direct comment' on Augeri's lipp synching??? They ARE playing their instruments with conviction & integrity, but the question is the SINGER "really singing" with convictions & integrity???

Lori

[ohsherrie]

The Cowell reference, though in jest, was a fitting one coming from Cain. Journey has enjoyed a surprise resurgence during recent years thanks in part to former bassist Randy Jacksons involvement with American Idol.

Idol showed video clips of Jacksons performances with the group during the 80s, and Clay Aiken won over voters with his rendition of Open Arms.

If Randy and Idol have anything to do with a resurgence it's a resurgence in sales of the catalog, not ticket sales for the current band.

I think it was Steve's involvement in Monster and the subsequent PR appearances and interviews that had more to do with a resurgence than Randy and Idol did.

Journey again grabbed a national audience when the Chicago White Sox adopted Dont Stop Believin as its battle cry as it marched to a World Series title in 2005. The team flew former Journey singer Steve Perry to the games, and he led the team and the crowd in an a capella version of the tune during the Sox celebration in Chicago.

Yeah, they called for Steve Perry, not the current band or any member of it.

Were a special case, because we have lots of product out there thats platinum, so to knock on a door and ask a radio station to play a new Journey cut when they can play Dont Stop Believin is redundant, Cain said.

That didn't seem to be the case with TBF. This sounds like sour grapes to me. Like he's saying "Well, we didn't expect to get on the radio or have a new hit anyway."

And, he said the fans dont seem to mind that Steve Perry isnt part of the group, which also includes founding member and co-writer Neal Schon.

Oh yeah, those two or three thousand that show up in the casinos and at the county fairs don't mind at all.

Journey was Journey before Steve Perry. He didnt write it all. Neal and I wrote it, too. We share two-thirds of the creation of Journey. Its more than just one guy.

This sounds like a typical egotistical Cain remark to me. In one place he's saying there was a Journey before Perry, and now he's saying he, Neal and Steve created Journey.

The sound of the band has remained intact and I would never compare the two, because theyre two different animals.

If they're two different animals why in the above remarks is he trying to make is sound as if they're still the same band and carrying on the legacy?


As for the conviction and integrity remarks, they're just too absurd to be taken seriously.

[jrnyman28]

And the FANS have NEVER implied or stated that "Perry wrote it all". That is unfortunately just Jon's poor perception of what HE THINKS the fans are thinking, & his own resentments coming through the interview.

Lori

Yes they have. Year after year there have been thousands of posts that directly relate all of Journey's success to Perry.

[PROPERRY]

The Cowell reference, though in jest, was a fitting one coming from Cain. Journey has enjoyed a surprise resurgence during recent years thanks in part to former bassist Randy Jacksons involvement with American Idol.

Idol showed video clips of Jacksons performances with the group during the 80s, and Clay Aiken won over voters with his rendition of Open Arms.

If Randy and Idol have anything to do with a resurgence it's a resurgence in sales of the catalog, not ticket sales for the current band.

I think it was Steve's involvement in Monster and the subsequent PR appearances and interviews that had more to do with a resurgence than Randy and Idol did.

Journey again grabbed a national audience when the Chicago White Sox adopted Dont Stop Believin as its battle cry as it marched to a World Series title in 2005. The team flew former Journey singer Steve Perry to the games, and he led the team and the crowd in an a capella version of the tune during the Sox celebration in Chicago.

Yeah, they called for Steve Perry, not the current band or any member of it.

Were a special case, because we have lots of product out there thats platinum, so to knock on a door and ask a radio station to play a new Journey cut when they can play Dont Stop Believin is redundant, Cain said.

That didn't seem to be the case with TBF. This sounds like sour grapes to me. Like he's saying "Well, we didn't expect to get on the radio or have a new hit anyway."

And, he said the fans dont seem to mind that Steve Perry isnt part of the group, which also includes founding member and co-writer Neal Schon.

Oh yeah, those two or three thousand that show up in the casinos and at the county fairs don't mind at all.

Journey was Journey before Steve Perry. He didnt write it all. Neal and I wrote it, too. We share two-thirds of the creation of Journey. Its more than just one guy.

This sounds like a typical egotistical Cain remark to me. In one place he's saying there was a Journey before Perry, and now he's saying he, Neal and Steve created Journey.

The sound of the band has remained intact and I would never compare the two, because theyre two different animals.

If they're two different animals why in the above remarks is he trying to make is sound as if they're still the same band and carrying on the legacy?


As for the conviction and integrity remarks, they're just too absurd to be taken seriously.

And now cain says 'they're two different animals", I've ALWAYS felt that Augeri was NOT even close to sounding like Perry, but then, WHY did THEY PROMOTE Augeri as a "sound alike to Perry", from the very beginning , if he really feels they are two different animals??? That makes no sense to me.

Lori

[heardonthestreet]

"GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS, CAIN."


Sorry, I just had to vent after reading that excrement.

[jrnyman28]

Journey again grabbed a national audience when the Chicago White Sox adopted Dont Stop Believin as its battle cry as it marched to a World Series title in 2005. The team flew former Journey singer Steve Perry to the games, and he led the team and the crowd in an a capella version of the tune during the Sox celebration in Chicago.

Yeah, they called for Steve Perry, not the current band or any member of it.

But it is still a Journey song so it helped Journey. That was the point of this part of the article: the resurgence of Journey. The White Sox certainly did help Joureny garner some more attention.

Were a special case, because we have lots of product out there thats platinum, so to knock on a door and ask a radio station to play a new Journey cut when they can play Dont Stop Believin is redundant, Cain said.

That didn't seem to be the case with TBF. This sounds like sour grapes to me. Like he's saying "Well, we didn't expect to get on the radio or have a new hit anyway."

Actually, WYLAW did fair for radio but it did not last that long. MOL did next to nothing and whatever that 3rd single was (I can never remember) did nothing at all). TBF had a LOT of push and it was helping. But as soon as that "push" ended, so did the CD. Since Journey has had NO push SINCE TBF, you cannot expect a different result...

And, he said the fans dont seem to mind that Steve Perry isnt part of the group, which also includes founding member and co-writer Neal Schon.

Oh yeah, those two or three thousand that show up in the casinos and at the county fairs don't mind at all.

You know it is more than that. And if you add up all the ticket sales Journey has had in the past 4 years (I won't include the 1st 4 since there were a lot of people struggling with it) it is fair to say the fans have accepted Journey playing Journey songs without Perry.

[knox]

And the FANS have NEVER implied or stated that "Perry wrote it all". That is unfortunately just Jon's poor perception of what HE THINKS the fans are thinking, & his own resentments coming through the interview.

Lori

Yes they have. Year after year there have been thousands of posts that directly relate all of Journey's success to Perry.

What Journey song has had success that Perry was not a part of? Who's voice do you hear on the radio when there is a rock block of Journey? How often do you hear Journey's first 3, or last 3 albums on the radio as opposed to Infinity - Trial By Fire (well, really ROR)? Ask the average joe on the street who the lead singer for Journey is and 9.999999 times out of 10 you will get Steve Perry.

Perry is DIRECTLY related to Journey's success - along with all the past members. He sang fantastic songs written by great musicians. I am sorry, but the current line-up is making it on songs sung by Perry!

It wasn't ALL Perry by any means. But to say he wasn't responsible for the success is blind stupidity.

Neal said it himself - Perry's voice is what people heard on the radio. He was the reason for their explosion. Go argue with Neal about it - that came out of his mouth (did you see Behind The Music?????).

[A Fire Inside]

What Journey song has had success that Perry was not a part of?

Ooh! Pick me! I know!

Wheel In The Sky

Well, he didn't write it...

[jrnyman28]

What Journey song has had success that Perry was not a part of? Who's voice do you hear on the radio when there is a rock block of Journey? How often do you hear Journey's first 3, or last 3 albums on the radio as opposed to Infinity - Trial By Fire (well, really ROR)? Ask the average joe on the street who the lead singer for Journey is and 9.999999 times out of 10 you will get Steve Perry.

Perry is DIRECTLY related to Journey's success - along with all the past members. He sang fantastic songs written by great musicians. I am sorry, but the current line-up is making it on songs sung by Perry!

It wasn't ALL Perry by any means. But to say he wasn't responsible for the success is blind stupidity.

Neal said it himself - Perry's voice is what people heard on the radio. He was the reason for their explosion. Go argue with Neal about it - that came out of his mouth (did you see Behind The Music?????).

I am certainly not arguing that Perry is a very strong part of Journey's successes. But I actually feel Jon was more integral to Journey's commercial success than Perry was. However, a major reason Jon was so successful with Journey is because he had a strong chemistry writing with Perry. So still Perry is a big part. Perry got Journey on the radio. But Journey was very tight as a band due to their earlier touring together. So Perry came into a proven road act. And the road is truly what made Journey. (Argue with HH if you disagree). Journey was already changing it's style before Perry's entrance. Look at Infinity which was already half done before Perry joined. But Perry's voice sold it! No question. It is very fair for Jon to say he and Neal are 2/3 of the writing success of Journey. Sure Gregg was there in the beginning, but the songwriting really took off with the addition of Jon. And Journey did not reach superstardom until after Jon. He was the final part of the puzzle...that is when it all clicked: Neal's guitar, Perry's voice (and leadership), Jon's writing...POW! (Or should I say BAM! for the Emeril fans?;))

[Moon Beam]

"GET YOUR HEAD OUT OF YOUR ASS, CAIN."


Sorry, I just had to vent after reading that excrement.

Had to laugh at that one HOTS.
This also tickled my funny bone....

This band has legacy, he said. Youre a knight at the round table. You have a responsibility to uphold the legacy. When I step my foot on stage as a member of Journey, I have my sword ready and Im going for it.

What a colourful way to describe playing a concert!

[JrnySuxBalls]

Cain should cry alot more in interviews.

[PROPERRY]

And the FANS have NEVER implied or stated that "Perry wrote it all". That is unfortunately just Jon's poor perception of what HE THINKS the fans are thinking, & his own resentments coming through the interview.

Lori

Yes they have. Year after year there have been thousands of posts that directly relate all of Journey's success to Perry.

That is NOT true dave, and you know it too! The fans NEVER stated that "Perry wrote all the music', and if you remember in BTM, NEAL is the one who stated that Perry brought the success to the band.

Everytime I have spoken of the writings of the song, I 've stated that Perry was a cowriter of those songs, & I've given credit for ALL their part in Journey.

Lori

[Moon Beam]

Oh ya and what of Mr.Ross Valory?
He was at that round table way before
Knight Cain was.
Think Smitty was to

[knox]

Actually, we will never know how well Journey would have done had Rollie stayed. No doubt, though, that Jon gave the band a boost. I just wish Perry would have stayed his ego so Rollie didn't have to leave the crap.

I also know that Herbie pushed and pushed and pushed Journey to record stores and radio stations. He was a publicity DYNAMO. Without him, heck - who knows if even Perry would have put them on the map?

Perry was headed to success with Alien Project as well. If You Need Me could have been on Infinity or Evolution, it was so good. And I feel it would have fit with the rest of the songs as well - more Evolution for me (get rid of Lady Luck!).


I always wondered about the perfect scenario...

Schonn, Perry, Rollie, Vallory, and Smith (wasn't much of a Dunbar fan) stick together in harmony, and release Escape, Frontiers, and Freedom together - with the scarab staying on the cover art.

Might not have been the hits that were DSB, SIL, and Open Arms, but the albums would have been spectacular.

Hmmmm, where is that Alternate Universe button I had a minute ago...

[ohsherrie]

But Dave, what I meant by that not being the case with TBF is that they had no problem getting it on the radio even after a 10 yr hiatus and all the old hits that are played now were around then too.

As far as the fans not minding, where are all those humdreds of thousands of fans that eagerly awaited and went out and bought TBF, but didn't stick around for the new Arrival? They must have minded. The only ones who don't mind are the comparatively few who attend the concerts that don't feature another band or two with this one.

[whocares]

and here I thought that Herbie Herberts recent interview was full of bitterness. Though I'll say that he's so full of himself...

Cain is dellusional. So are you J28. Saying Perry brought them success is not saying that he wrote the music by himself. It wouldn't have been as popular of Jon Cain was the lead singer and thank God he's not. Cain is saying he was there before Perry? or does it just read that way? If he said that, then I've really lost what little bit of respect I had left for him.

Fact is, that Perry is the most proactive cheerleader for Journey, because he's the one making sure "re-issues" come out. That equals sales, and that equals royalties for the rest of the boys. However small they might be. If they think the record companies drop the ball on new releases, then they should take a look in the mirror, when they won't even play the newer material over the old. Their in a position to have the fans over the proverbial barrell. Once the tickets are sold, they can play Mary had a little lamb of Michael row your boat ashore, while still copllecting the money each night. Though sadly something tells me that the BLIND fans would eat that up too.


One last thing, (about Def Leppard) though I meant to write a lot more. Obviously the person who wrote the article doesnt' do much research, because they would have known that Def's new CD is indeed a cover album.

[i]

But I actually feel Jon was more integral to Journey's commercial success than Perry was.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion, but I think that’s nuts. Even you say: “Perry got Journey on the radio.”

Without that, there would be no commercial success.

Jon definitely added to that mysterious mix that made Journey bigger than the sum of its parts, whatever that is that happens to bands. But the writing is by no means brilliant.

I love Journey’s songs, but it’s Perry’s voice that makes them stand out, not the writing.

And I love Augeri’s voice, but it just does not stand out like Perry’s.

imo

[PROPERRY]

And how about the times NEAL has stated in interview that whenever they played "their new music" at the concerts, "the fans just didn't get it'', so they stick to playing the "greatest hits" cuz, that's is what the audience WANTS to hear???

Lori

[whocares]

the few times I saw this incarnation, more than with Perry I might add, I knew I'd hear the hits, but i was there more to hear stuff they didn't play often or the new material. Last years 30th anniversary concert was my last for the band, because I know it's just gonna be a nostalgia act even more now. I was very disappointed that they don't play the newer stuff. it's like slapping Augeri in the face and saying the music was worthless to even record. They'd still be in the same place they are now financially, if they had just toured without new music.

[jrnyman28]

Cain should cry alot more in interviews.

Why, he hasn't yet. That BTM moment looked like a farce...not a single tear!

[StyxCollector]

This is the type of interview and article that has nasty ways of coming back and biting people later on.

[Eric]

ohsherrie,

You were doing so well recently and then you had to go and eat a Perry sandwich:

1. Journey's ticket sales have to do with the band's stellar live performances and fantastic catalog. DSB exploded well before the word series last year...it seems to pop up in every show, movie, live event etc. It is simply a timeless classic.

2. Actually, they did ask Journey to attend the series and they were on tour or just ending (according to Cain)

3. TBF songs are no more popular than Arrival, Red13 or Generation songs. Radio did not play much off TBF. The average concert goer MIGHT know "When You Love a Woman", but not anything else. You should have seen the dazed look on the fan's faces when Journey opened with Message of Love for the Arrival tour in 2001. Perry would help, but Journey is a slave to their greatest hits no matter the front man.

4. Your reference to the 2 or 3 thousand that show up at Casino's or County Fairs was really dumb..sorry but it was. They average more than twice that, and have rarely if ever played the COUNTY level. Casino's are actually high-end gigs these days too boot. I DO, however, have a problem with even the State Fair circuit.

[jrnyman28]

And the FANS have NEVER implied or stated that "Perry wrote it all". That is unfortunately just Jon's poor perception of what HE THINKS the fans are thinking, & his own resentments coming through the interview.

Lori

Yes they have. Year after year there have been thousands of posts that directly relate all of Journey's success to Perry.

That is NOT true dave, and you know it too! The fans NEVER stated that "Perry wrote all the music', and if you remember in BTM, NEAL is the one who stated that Perry brought the success to the band.

Lori

Please read my post Lori. I said "there have been thousands of posts that directly relate all of Journey's success to Perry." You cannot deny that.

And of course I remember BTM. Sure Neal said Perry brought them success. He got them heard, on radio. But it was a building block. And they kept building by adding Smitty and later Jon. And I am pretty sure Neal would say THAT as well. One statement by one person does not equal the whole truth.