JDK stamp of approval - What does it all mean?

[The_Noble_Cause]

The almighty music industry guru, John Kalodner, recently gave Jeff Soto his personal stamp of approval while meeting with the band backstage (per Andrew's post over on the Noticeboard).

Would a mere temporary "fill-in" singer really warrant a music honcho's precious time and energy?

Remember, JDK also initially had to give the band the A-ok before they could begin to tour with Augeri in 1998.
Is history repeating itself? - has a new permanent Journey singer been annointed yet again?
Or perhaps I am reading far too much into all this.....

Discuss.

[Big J]

I dunno why they'd care what Kalodner thinks at this point. After all, he pretty much did nothing to help Arrival back in '98.

Say what you want about Augeri, you can't tell me there's no hit single on that album.

[MindFreak]

IF Kalodner liked JSS so much, he should have signed Soul Sirkus?

Doesn't really matter what Kalodner thinks anyway, they are done with useless Sony.

[The_Noble_Cause]

I dunno why they'd care what Kalodner thinks at this point. After all, he pretty much did nothing to help Arrival back in '98.

Kaloder is responsible for many things.
Not the least of which is the very existence of a post-TBF Journey.

As mentioned, it was with Kalodner's blessing that the band ultimately picked Augeri.
Augeri also makes sure to thank him in Arrival's liner notes.

Here's Jon Cain adulating Kalodner & discussing how his powerful influence was in part responsible for bringing about the current limeup.

"I have to say though that John, mostly for us, has been a tremendous ally in the face of putting this band back together and has been a terrific friend of this new version of Journey. It’s safe to say that Arrival would have never happened without him. He stood up for us. He got us going with “Remember Me” on the Armageddon soundtrack. That was his doing. Of course, I was working hard and with Neal to write some new music and John called after our hard work and it all came to fruition.

When Steve Augeri stepped in, we were recording as a band again, which was beyond my wildest dreams, for it to happen so quickly. Thanks to John for sticking his neck out for us and getting us that slot on Armageddon. We needed a base hit, basically and John got us on base. That was like Yo! That was a big thing for me just to get that. It's almost like we passed the audition as a new band.

We spent most of the summer of ’98 talking about to Journey or not to Journey without Steve Perry. He was very concerned as to how to play this. It wasn’t just a rash, quick decision that we all made. Certainly he was a big part of my feelings and my decision to go forward. I didn’t want to go into this without his blessing. We didn’t make this decision overnight. We spent a whole summer talking about every other week. Finally, he said 'Yeah. Let’s try. Let’s go for it,' which was a big step for Neal and I and our dream, to bring Journey back. Neal and I just didn’t want to go quietly. What was that Don Henley song? 'I will not go quietly. I will not lay down?' That’s how we felt. That was kind of like my war cry. Thanks to John, he pulled a rabbit out of a hat for us. We ended up on Armageddon, then doing the tour. He brought the Sony people out and I think single-handedly is responsible for what we’re doing today. Certainly we did a lot of the work but without John standing up in his corporate headquarters for us and sticking his neck out saying, I need this. I don’t think it would’ve happened"

[*Laura]

I don't think you are reading too much into this,TNC.For me this sounds kinda like a confirmation of the fact that Jeff is not a simple hired help in Journey.
I am sure JDK had a long talk with the band about the current situation and maybe what was said (the truth,for sure) lead to his decision to "bless" JSS.

However,I thought JDK officially retired recently...

[The_Noble_Cause]

However,I thought JDK officially retired recently...

Doesn't mean the man can't be an avid concertgoer, Shania!
Reports circulated in 2003 that JDK was spotted at a Main Event concert and was seen shaking his head during Journey's set and leaving prematurely.
I didn't buy the story, but hey, who knows!

[A Fire Inside]

Remember, JDK also initially had to give the band the A-ok before they could begin to tour with Augeri in 1998.

Why was that? I didn't know about this, please fill me in.

But otherwise... woohoo, JDK likes JSS! So what? He's not doing anything for them.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Why was that? I didn't know about this, please fill me in.

Journey was still tied to Sony at that point.
Like any record company, Sony was footing the bill of some of Journey's expenses (recording Arrival, promotions etc.)
Since they had a vested interest in the band, they naturally had a say over who got picked.

[*Laura]

However,I thought JDK officially retired recently...

Doesn't mean the man can't be an avid concertgoer, Shania!
Reports circulated in 2003 that JDK was spotted at a Main Event concert and was seen shaking his head during Journey's set and leaving prematurely.
I didn't buy the story, but hey, who knows!

I am pretty sure JDK enjoys a good show and yes,I have read that he IS a zealous concertgoer.

I was questioning that approval stamp "ceremony"...If he is retired,can he still do that and be official about it?(sure,he can do whatever he wants,but you know what I mean...)

[Just Mindy]

Well, JSS has my stamp of approval as well

Good for JDK, I think he's got good judgement.

[jrnyjetster]

Despite what Kalodner has said, he has NEVER supported or promoted anything other than a PERRY fronted Journey. ARRIVAL's commercial failure proves this and his name doesn't deserve to be on the credits for it, in my opinion.

[Rockindeano]

All he is saying is welcome, new PERMANENT Journey lead singer.

So long Augeri.

I don't understand why people think Augeri has a remote chance to return, and face it, JSS is the new singer, period. Get used to it.

[Liam]

A LITTLE premature, but, I see a LOT more Hard rockin' material on the next album. Can't wait.

[The Fly]

All he is saying is welcome, new PERMANENT Journey lead singer.

So long Augeri.

I don't understand why people think Augeri has a remote chance to return, and face it, JSS is the new singer, period. Get used to it.

It won't last. But I don't think Augeri will be back either.

[conversationpc]

Despite what Kalodner has said, he has NEVER supported or promoted anything other than a PERRY fronted Journey. ARRIVAL's commercial failure proves this and his name doesn't deserve to be on the credits for it, in my opinion.

So Kalodner is lying to himself?

[jrnyjetster]

So Kalodner is lying to himself?

Dave, you've been following the band since '98...how can you dispute this? It's so fucking obvious!