All Hail the New "Journey Sirkus"!!

[EightyRock]

HA! Got your attention, didn't it? Just got home and saw that this news was FINALLY posted. I've known about this for over 2 weeks and have been dying to post it, but out of respect for the source, I didn't. For those Journey fans who liked Augeri and didn't care if he used tapes or needed help nightly and don't want JSS....GET OVER IT! If they don't promote JSS as yet another "Perry with a ----- whatever...they'll have a much smoother road ahead. Let Jeff be himself and bring something fresh to that band. Neal has chemistry with Soto that he NEVER had with Augeri. Now if they'd just call the band something else after this tour or call it Journey with Jeff Scott Soto, they'd be on the right road and could mend a hell of a lot of fences.
They still have the tape-gate issue to address, though, come clean about that if they want to regain any credibilty. So much has been going on and the fans have been holding PRAYER meetings on BT and all kinds of crazy stuff for the entire band. It is insane to let your fans go so far out on a limb for you and then pull this stuff. I hope they get their act together now, write some great new music, take chances like any new line-up should do. Quit worrying about the benjamins so damn much and play what they write at their concerts. It STILL ain't gonna be Perry, so why even bother trying to get someone to cover those hits in the same way he sang them. They won't have that original magic EVER again. That's why Augeri didn't work. Those Perry shoes can't be filled. Now they have their best chance to stretch out, write with somebody Neal respects and move FORWARD. It's all up to them if they actually have the balls to do it.

[jrnysc]

HA! Got your attention, didn't it? Just got home and saw that this news was FINALLY posted. I've known about this for over 2 weeks and have been dying to post it, but out of respect for the source, I didn't. For those Journey fans who liked Augeri and didn't care if he used tapes or needed help nightly and don't want JSS....GET OVER IT! If they don't promote JSS as yet another "Perry with a ----- whatever...they'll have a much smoother road ahead. Let Jeff be himself and bring something fresh to that band. Neal has chemistry with Soto that he NEVER had with Augeri. Now if they'd just call the band something else after this tour or call it Journey with Jeff Scott Soto, they'd be on the right road and could mend a hell of a lot of fences.
They still have the tape-gate issue to address, though, come clean about that if they want to regain any credibilty. So much has been going on and the fans have been holding PRAYER meetings on BT and all kinds of crazy stuff for the entire band. It is insane to let your fans go so far out on a limb for you and then pull this stuff. I hope they get their act together now, write some great new music, take chances like any new line-up should do. Quit worrying about the benjamins so damn much and play what they write at their concerts. It STILL ain't gonna be Perry, so why even bother trying to get someone to cover those hits in the same way he sang them. They won't have that original magic EVER again. That's why Augeri didn't work. Those Perry shoes can't be filled. Now they have their best chance to stretch out, write with somebody Neal respects and move FORWARD. It's all up to them if they actually have the balls to do it.

So this isn't an emergency situation that just crept up on them? This has been coming for a few weeks? Thanks.

[Liz22562]

Where's that dead horse when you need it?

[StyxCollector]

So this isn't an emergency situation that just crept up on them? This has been coming for a few weeks? Thanks.

You don't make a change like this overnight. It takes lawyers, contracts, and scheduling. Did you really think this was "out of the blue"?

What the crime is (and I've said it in another thread) that if this was in the works for a few weeks, why leave Augeri out to dry and make his situation worse? Put JSS in before the tour which is only a week or so old. Journey has shown contempt for their fans, and JSS is a move in the right direction, but they certainly are not respecting their fans as a band (IMHO).

To go out the way he did is shitty.

[jrnysc]

So this isn't an emergency situation that just crept up on them? This has been coming for a few weeks? Thanks.

You don't make a change like this overnight. It takes lawyers, contracts, and scheduling. Did you really think this was "out of the blue"?

What the crime is (and I've said it in another thread) that if this was in the works for a few weeks, why leave Augeri out to dry and make his situation worse? Put JSS in before the tour which is only a week or so old. Journey has shown contempt for their fans, and JSS is a move in the right direction, but they certainly are not respecting their fans as a band (IMHO).

To go out the way he did is shitty.

I realize it did not happen overnight my friend. The point you just made was the one on my mind. That was shitty.

[EightyRock]

Liz says; "Where's that dead horse when you need it?"

Why would you make a remark like that?

[StyxCollector]

I realize it did not happen overnight my friend. The point you just made was the one on my mind. That was shitty.

That's my issue with paying to support this lineup philosophically. I think musically it's interesting, but the way they treated Steve Augeri is inhuman. To basically sack him after his worst performance EVER when it should have never taken place.

Yes, Journey is a business. One that rakes in lots of cash. But at what human cost? JSS does deserve the support for sure - and I think in the end it's a move they should have made years ago. But Journey fans should squarely be placing blame where it should be laid.

[whocares]

Sirkus maybe, but they managed to make it into a real 3 ring CIRCUS.

Now they need to do right and hire some real PR people and pooper scoopers to TRY to clean up the mess they created. Bringing in JSS isn't a start. They did this to salvage the tour and that's about it, I'm sure Def's camp was all over them to do something about it. Too little too late.

[nolippin]

Talk of JSS joining Journey goes all the way back to when SS was active. SS had a forum on BT and JSS was posting over there quite a bit. SS did a couple of Journey songs and they were up on JSS' site.

This actually allows Neal to avoid the lipping charges and leaves Augeri hanging out to dry, IMO.

I think JSS will be a much better frontman than Augeri ever was. He also has a following inside and outside of the Journey fanbase.

So this isn't an emergency situation that just crept up on them? This has been coming for a few weeks? Thanks.

You don't make a change like this overnight. It takes lawyers, contracts, and scheduling. Did you really think this was "out of the blue"?

What the crime is (and I've said it in another thread) that if this was in the works for a few weeks, why leave Augeri out to dry and make his situation worse? Put JSS in before the tour which is only a week or so old. Journey has shown contempt for their fans, and JSS is a move in the right direction, but they certainly are not respecting their fans as a band (IMHO).

To go out the way he did is shitty.

[jrnysc]

I realize it did not happen overnight my friend. The point you just made was the one on my mind. That was shitty.

That's my issue with paying to support this lineup philosophically. I think musically it's interesting, but the way they treated Steve Augeri is inhuman. To basically sack him after his worst performance EVER when it should have never taken place.

Yes, Journey is a business. One that rakes in lots of cash. But at what human cost? JSS does deserve the support for sure - and I think in the end it's a move they should have made years ago. But Journey fans should squarely be placing blame where it should be laid.

I wonder a couple of things, and welcome opinions. 1. Who made the decision for him to go 2. Why the hell this thing could not have been rushed up to get JSS in and save more of Augeri's voice 3. How it must feel to know you possibly have only two freakin weeks of your career left in a band you have dreamed of fronting.

[EightyRock]

Hey, there's enough blame to go around without pinning it on one or two. Augeri isn't a child. He knew what he was getting into. He signed on to a 4 month tour for Pete's sake. Then they added more tour dates into the fall! You have to open your eyes and see the entire picture. They were CAUGHT and had to go totally LIVE. He didn't think he was going to have to sing! Do you get it now?
They thought they could sail through this tour like the LAST ONE (allegedly). We KNOW they were caught and had to let Augeri try to sing. You heard him, he couldn't!
Emergency...911 to Jeff Scott Soto. It takes time, even with someone who knows ALOT of Journey material like Soto, to jump onstage and do an entire concert of their material with no rehearsal. They had to have at least a few days to get that done.
Just be happy Augeri finally left to go get medical attention and Neal can get some much needed inspiration with somebody he can relate to. Frankly, I'm glad the drama is over. I just wish everyone would open their eyes and realize what Dean, Svante and others have been trying to say. It was the truth and sometimes the truth ain't so pretty.

[StyxCollector]

Hey, there's enough blame to go around without pinning it on one or two. Augeri isn't a child. He knew what he was getting into. He signed on to a 4 month tour for Pete's sake. Then they added more tour dates into the fall! You have to open your eyes and see the entire picture. They were CAUGHT and had to go totally LIVE. He didn't think he was going to have to sing! Do you get it now?
They thought they could sail through this tour like the LAST ONE (allegedly). We KNOW they were caught and had to let Augeri try to sing. You heard him, he couldn't!
Emergency...911 to Jeff Scott Soto. It takes time, even with someone who knows ALOT of Journey material like Soto, to jump onstage and do an entire concert of their material with no rehearsal. They had to have at least a few days to get that done.
Just be happy Augeri finally left to go get medical attention and Neal can get some much needed inspiration with somebody he can relate to. Frankly, I'm glad the drama is over. I just wish everyone would open their eyes and realize what Dean, Svante and others have been trying to say. It was the truth and sometimes the truth ain't so pretty.

Amen.

To answer the initial questions, I agree that the decision for him to go was made by management and Schon/Cain, with Augeri pleading as well. He couldn't sing. If that was your profession, would you want to get up on stage and flop every night? Having said that, I agree with Eighty. They got caught with their pants down and the plan had to be revamped quickly between Europe and the DL dates. So I would guess that this was in motion once tapegate got a bit of steam. This was in the works for at least two weeks, if not longer.

Augeri as Eighty says is not a child. He knew they signed on for more dates. He knew his voice's condition. Something had to give. He was living on life support already, and this was performing euthanasia. I truly hope he heals and he has no permanent damage, but I think he does.

[TRAGChick]

All Hail the New "Journey Sirkus"!!

...."JourKus"??

Sorry; just COULD NOT resist...

[Memorex]

All Hail the New "Journey Sirkus"!!

...."JourKus"??

Sorry; just COULD NOT resist...

Beautiful!

[TRAGChick]

All Hail the New "Journey Sirkus"!!

...."JourKus"??

Sorry; just COULD NOT resist...

Beautiful!

THANK YOU!

Happy Fun Friday, all

[conversationpc]

My question is, if Augeri is still in the band and they are monitoring his health, why doesn't he just stay with them and play rhythm guitar since he seemed to do fairly well at it on the 30th anniversary tour last year?

[cetera]

My question is, if Augeri is still in the band and they are monitoring his health, why doesn't he just stay with them and play rhythm guitar since he seemed to do fairly well at it on the 30th anniversary tour last year?

I would guess because the travelling, in and out of buses, planes, hotels etc and all the changes in atmospheric conditions that entails would not help him heal....

[NealIsGod]

My question is, if Augeri is still in the band and they are monitoring his health, why doesn't he just stay with them and play rhythm guitar since he seemed to do fairly well at it on the 30th anniversary tour last year?

b/c Deen doesn't want to sing lead all night, every night.

[conversationpc]

My question is, if Augeri is still in the band and they are monitoring his health, why doesn't he just stay with them and play rhythm guitar since he seemed to do fairly well at it on the 30th anniversary tour last year?

b/c Deen doesn't want to sing lead all night, every night.

That I already know...I'm thinking they could have kept Augeri travelling with the band so that he is still a part of the group but bring JSS on board temporarily. Who knows? Just speculation on my part.

[NealIsGod]

My question is, if Augeri is still in the band and they are monitoring his health, why doesn't he just stay with them and play rhythm guitar since he seemed to do fairly well at it on the 30th anniversary tour last year?

b/c Deen doesn't want to sing lead all night, every night.

That I already know...I'm thinking they could have kept Augeri travelling with the band so that he is still a part of the group but bring JSS on board temporarily. Who knows? Just speculation on my part.

Oh, misunderstood you. My bad. Good question. My guess is that they want to give Soto a chance to take the job without Augie looking over his shoulder. That would be too weird.

[knox]

That I already know...I'm thinking they could have kept Augeri travelling with the band so that he is still a part of the group but bring JSS on board temporarily. Who knows? Just speculation on my part.

This isn't a temporary solution. Augeri's voice is shot. Worse than Perry's was. He is toast...



.

[NealIsGod]

This isn't a temporary solution. Augeri's voice is shot. Worse than Perry's was. He is toast...

Maybe so, but he is a lot younger, and surgery may repair it.

[nolippin]

He's only 8-9 years younger than Perry. Perry was the same age as Augeri is now when he left.

This isn't a temporary solution. Augeri's voice is shot. Worse than Perry's was. He is toast...

Maybe so, but he is a lot younger, and surgery may repair it.

[Liz22562]

Knox, have you had a conversation with Steve Augeri's doctor? If so, please fill us in on what you know about Augeri's voice and his future ability to sing. Thanks!

[JrnySuxBalls]

A Press Release from management tells you the whole story right? Everytime?

[StyxCollector]

Steve Augeri is about as welcome back in Journey now as Dennis DeYoung is with Styx.

[A Fire Inside]

Steve Augeri is about as welcome back in Journey now as Dennis DeYoung is with Styx.

Maybe among THIS board, but I think others (BT) would disagree...

[conversationpc]

He's only 8-9 years younger than Perry. Perry was the same age as Augeri is now when he left.

Perry was born in '49, so that made him 37 or 38 when he left Journey the first time. If you count him exiting the band after "Trial By Fire", then he would've been 46 or so, which would put him at about the same age as Augeri, though Perry's voice had already severely declined by then.

[StyxCollector]

Steve Augeri is about as welcome back in Journey now as Dennis DeYoung is with Styx.

Maybe among THIS board, but I think others (BT) would disagree...

Well, let 'em live in their fantasy world.

[Tree]

I realize it did not happen overnight my friend. The point you just made was the one on my mind. That was shitty.

That's my issue with paying to support this lineup philosophically. I think musically it's interesting, but the way they treated Steve Augeri is inhuman. To basically sack him after his worst performance EVER when it should have never taken place.

Yes, Journey is a business. One that rakes in lots of cash. But at what human cost? JSS does deserve the support for sure - and I think in the end it's a move they should have made years ago. But Journey fans should squarely be placing blame where it should be laid.

They treated Steve Augeri much the same way they WANTED to treat Steve Perry only Perry was smart enough to exit before that was able to take place.
If I were JSS I would be very concerned about becoming the lead singer in this band.....Or if I were ANYONE who could sing I would be concerned since this band doesnt have a very good reputation for treating their lead singers as human beings! I think they treat their instruments better! At least every behind the scenes footage Ive seen the guitars are hanging!!