An Open Letter To All MR Journey Fans

[Red13JoePa]

Go watch the Beacon NY show. Watch him show all his emotion, patting his chest, gripping his heart..It is sickening. He is looking right at Schon. Schon had no idea how much syncing was actually happening.

That is the most disturbing part of it all. IMO

That's because only a few words of lyrics were piped in alongside the vox that night.

We're seeing a typical live show on the dvd.

[Red13JoePa]

[quote="



-I find it disturbing that so many people have turned on Steve Augeri. The guy did an admirable job filling some shoes that were damn near impossible to fill. Whatever happened in the past few months...happened. Personally, I have no doubt that whatever DID happen is not just Augeri's fault. It had to be ALL of them in on it...which is

.

I totally agree..If you're going to assign blame, It has to be with everyone. Kind of like blaming the accounts for the mess while the CEO says, "I didn't know what was going on" Bullshit, you can't have it both ways.

i agree! plus... it's neal's band right? so...

[/quote]

No, no, Monks....get this straight. It's only "Neal's band" SOMETIMES (read: "when it's convenient for narrative purposes."). Take for example this very thread where the main character here said the only thing Neal can be blamed for is "hiring Augeri."
Yet when it's time to explain how Neal was not quite the C--ksucker he was thought to be when he had the audacity to ignore the allegations, then Neal "did not have quite the power some of us think."

In fact, he hated Augeri and wanted him out since 2004 but was utterly shackled and had no power to can him.

[Matthew]

Go watch the Beacon NY show. Watch him show all his emotion, patting his chest, gripping his heart..It is sickening. He is looking right at Schon. Schon had no idea how much syncing was actually happening.

I find Augeri's bogus displays of emotion as irritating as anyone....and I was totally convinced by all the evidence on Deano's blog.

But...I really am puzzled by this theory that "Schon had no idea how much syncing was actually happening." Can it be true that Augeri took an executive descision to take the lip-syncing to the next level? That there was a secret collaboration between Augeri and Kevin Elson?

My impression of Augeri was that he had very little say in the band's affairs. That he was a hired hand who did what he was told. Am I wrong about this?

[*Laura]

But...I really am puzzled by this theory that "Schon had no idea how much syncing was actually happening."

In this whole Tapegate debate,that is still the most absurd supposition of all.
I hope no one in his right mind believes it.
They all knew,but at the end of the story only one head fell.

[A Fire Inside]

My impression of Augeri was that he had very little say in the band's affairs. That he was a hired hand who did what he was told. Am I wrong about this?

I had thought so too, but Deen's sister has posted that those two are equal partners, and I've heard it confirmed by other sources as well.

Still, I doubt Steve Augeri would be able to mastermind a scheme like that without everyone else in the band noticing or (the most obvious indicator they knew) reacting with outrage at the allegations.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

The only Journey I don't consider Journey is that whole Raised On Radio thing. WTF was that all about?

The awesome genius of Steve Perry. That's what it was about.

LOL...is that you Greg Rolie? Is that you Steve Smith? Is that you Ross?

On ROR...it definitely wasn't 'awesome', I think alot of us went "WTF". Especially with that sax solo "positive touch"

Anyway...good source post

Perry's vocals on ROR are undeniably awesome. In fact, it's possibly the greatest vocal performance ever...by any artist.

I'm sure many Journey fans did go "WTF". And what's wrong with that? The band took a risk...the sound of the band had evolved...they didn't want to churn out the same old album. Let's hope Journey try to emulate some of that adventurous spirit now that JSS is in the band...a spirit that has been almost entirely absent for twenty years.

By the way...that sax solo on "Positive Touch" is a timeless classic.

I had to do a double take. Is that really you, Matthew? You want JOURNEY to have an adventurous spirit BUT you don't want them to explore Latin rhythms DESPITE the fact that they even said they wanted to? You'd prefer that they'd venture more into heavy/melodic rock...? Where's the spirit of adventure in THAT?

Are you listening to yourself?

Regarding your ROR comments: I agree 100%! ROR was SHOCK AND AWE! It WORKED.

[Matthew]

The only Journey I don't consider Journey is that whole Raised On Radio thing. WTF was that all about?

The awesome genius of Steve Perry. That's what it was about.

LOL...is that you Greg Rolie? Is that you Steve Smith? Is that you Ross?

On ROR...it definitely wasn't 'awesome', I think alot of us went "WTF". Especially with that sax solo "positive touch"

Anyway...good source post

Perry's vocals on ROR are undeniably awesome. In fact, it's possibly the greatest vocal performance ever...by any artist.

I'm sure many Journey fans did go "WTF". And what's wrong with that? The band took a risk...the sound of the band had evolved...they didn't want to churn out the same old album. Let's hope Journey try to emulate some of that adventurous spirit now that JSS is in the band...a spirit that has been almost entirely absent for twenty years.

By the way...that sax solo on "Positive Touch" is a timeless classic.

I had to do a double take. Is that really you, Matthew? You want JOURNEY to have an adventurous spirit BUT you don't want them to explore Latin rhythms DESPITE the fact that they even said they wanted to? You'd prefer that they'd venture more into heavy/melodic rock...? Where's the spirit of adventure in THAT?

Are you listening to yourself?

Regarding your ROR comments: I agree 100%! ROR was SHOCK AND AWE! It WORKED.

Fyre - you're on top nutty form today!

Yes - I want Journey to be adventurous but Latin music isn't the ONLY OPTION available to them if they want to break away from the Perry era.

Plus - and call me selfish, if you like - I DON"T LIKE LATIN MUSIC!

HOWEVER...when it comes to the Raised On Radio album you are a man of taste and discernment.

[Matthew]

My impression of Augeri was that he had very little say in the band's affairs. That he was a hired hand who did what he was told. Am I wrong about this?

I had thought so too, but Deen's sister has posted that those two are equal partners, and I've heard it confirmed by other sources as well.

Still, I doubt Steve Augeri would be able to mastermind a scheme like that without everyone else in the band noticing or (the most obvious indicator they knew) reacting with outrage at the allegations.

Augeri was an equal partner with Schon? Really?

I wonder how they split the tour revenue. I would have said that Cain and Schon look the lions share because they co-wrote the hits....but what do I know?

[CatEyes]

[quote="



-I find it disturbing that so many people have turned on Steve Augeri. The guy did an admirable job filling some shoes that were damn near impossible to fill. Whatever happened in the past few months...happened. Personally, I have no doubt that whatever DID happen is not just Augeri's fault. It had to be ALL of them in on it...which is

.

I totally agree..If you're going to assign blame, It has to be with everyone. Kind of like blaming the accounts for the mess while the CEO says, "I didn't know what was going on" Bullshit, you can't have it both ways.

I agree !!!

However, lets take this scenerio one step further - I am just stating my opinion of another possible way this could have come down. No bashing of anyone on this board is intended.

WHATIF............


i agree! plus... it's neal's band right? so...

No, no, Monks....get this straight. It's only "Neal's band" SOMETIMES (read: "when it's convenient for narrative purposes."). Take for example this very thread where the main character here said the only thing Neal can be blamed for is "hiring Augeri."
Yet when it's time to explain how Neal was not quite the C--ksucker he was thought to be when he had the audacity to ignore the allegations, then Neal "did not have quite the power some of us think."

In fact, he hated Augeri and wanted him out since 2004 but was utterly shackled and had no power to can him.[/quote]

I agree!!!!

However, let's take this one step further - pls remember that I am just stating my opinion of another possible scenerio here - no bashing of anyone on this board is intended.

WHAT IF:

Augeri was having problems. But Journey needed to continue touring -nothing was selling and they needed to stay viable.

Neal asked Kevin Elson to help put together the tapes.

Augie could not get out of his contract. And walking out on an Azhoff contract no one would do.

Tapes were used intermittenly at first - however the more they toured - the more the tapes were needed.

Neal could not can Augeri because of the same contract mentioned above/

Neal needed the tapes to be "outed" but in a way that did not indict anyone but SA - the other band members would be seen as innocent bystanders. this way neal could bring in a new vocalist and the Journey could continue.

Neal needed someone outside of Journey's inner circle to break the news - someone with the brains, mouthm and balls enough to stand the heat. It could not be a Perry fan - Neal had already chastized Perry fans for being too stupid to tell the difference between Perry/Augeri voices. No. It had to be someone who was very vocal about hating Steve Perry- and in a very public place.

Just something to ponder.

Cat

[Matthew]

Neal had already chastized Perry fans for being too stupid to tell the difference between Perry/Augeri voices.

When did Schon come out with that ridiculous comment? Or was that part of your 'What If' scenario?

[A Fire Inside]

Neal needed someone outside of Journey's inner circle to break the news - someone with the brains, mouthm and balls enough to stand the heat. It could not be a Perry fan - Neal had already chastized Perry fans for being too stupid to tell the difference between Perry/Augeri voices. No. It had to be someone who was very vocal about hating Steve Perry- and in a very public place.

Now you're sounding like Les.

When did Schon come out with that ridiculous comment? Or was that part of your 'What If' scenario?

A few years ago he blew up at some Perryheads who were giving him a hard time on Back Talk... that's why he no longer posts. I assume this is what she's referring to...

[Wheels Of Fyre]

The only Journey I don't consider Journey is that whole Raised On Radio thing. WTF was that all about?

The awesome genius of Steve Perry. That's what it was about.

LOL...is that you Greg Rolie? Is that you Steve Smith? Is that you Ross?

On ROR...it definitely wasn't 'awesome', I think alot of us went "WTF". Especially with that sax solo "positive touch"

Anyway...good source post

Perry's vocals on ROR are undeniably awesome. In fact, it's possibly the greatest vocal performance ever...by any artist.

I'm sure many Journey fans did go "WTF". And what's wrong with that? The band took a risk...the sound of the band had evolved...they didn't want to churn out the same old album. Let's hope Journey try to emulate some of that adventurous spirit now that JSS is in the band...a spirit that has been almost entirely absent for twenty years.

By the way...that sax solo on "Positive Touch" is a timeless classic.

I had to do a double take. Is that really you, Matthew? You want JOURNEY to have an adventurous spirit BUT you don't want them to explore Latin rhythms DESPITE the fact that they even said they wanted to? You'd prefer that they'd venture more into heavy/melodic rock...? Where's the spirit of adventure in THAT?

Are you listening to yourself?

Regarding your ROR comments: I agree 100%! ROR was SHOCK AND AWE! It WORKED.

Fyre - you're on top nutty form today!

Yes - I want Journey to be adventurous but Latin music isn't the ONLY OPTION available to them if they want to break away from the Perry era.

Plus - and call me selfish, if you like - I DON"T LIKE LATIN MUSIC!

HOWEVER...when it comes to the Raised On Radio album you are a man of taste and discernment.

Of course, I am! Nutty AND a man of taste and discernment. That's why I KNOW the LR thing will be the next best thing since sliced bread!

You dodged it, though! What's so adventurous about exploring something that they've done ad nauseum? Do you REALLY want them to record ANOTHER heavy/melodic rock album only for it to sell a handful of copies and be followed by another *YAWN* greatest hits tour? THAT's what will happen. And then JOURNEY will begin sliding that slippery slope to touring the corn festival venues like Styx just as Monker has cautioned will happen! Do you REALLY want to see Monker's prophecy be fulfilled?

Do you REALLY?!

[Matthew]

When did Schon come out with that ridiculous comment? Or was that part of your 'What If' scenario?

A few years ago he blew up at some Perryheads who were giving him a hard time on Back Talk... that's why he no longer posts. I assume this is what she's referring to...

Christ...that guy has got such a chip on his shoulder. Must come from knowing that he has virtually no commercial success whenever he releases anything without Perry's voice on it.

[Matthew]

!

You dodged it, though! What's so adventurous about exploring something that they've done ad nauseum? Do you REALLY want them to record ANOTHER heavy/melodic rock album only for it to sell a handful of copies

Fyre - I responded to this already in the Latin Rhythms Poll thread - but you dodged my reply.

[A Fire Inside]

I think it's also one of the reasons BT has become so bland and inoffensive.

Thanks, Perryheads.

[lights1961]

like this thread... GOD please make it stop! its BORISH already..

Rick

[Matthew]

I think it's also one of the reasons BT has become so bland and inoffensive.

Thanks, Perryheads.

BT is so bland because Neal threw a strop and has been sulking ever since? That's actually a plausible theory....

[fred_journeyman]

I wonder how they split the tour revenue. I would have said that Cain and Schon look the lions share because they co-wrote the hits....but what do I know?

I don't think that's how it works. The rights to the song royalties are different than what is earned through touring. The guys probably got an equal share of the tour revenue. If they truly are/were all equal partners (on paper), then that would the way it would HAVE to be done, unless Augeri was simply a "hired musician," which he wasn't.

The revenue from the songs comes from a different source altogether...at least that's the way I understand it.

[Matthew]

I wonder how they split the tour revenue. I would have said that Cain and Schon look the lions share because they co-wrote the hits....but what do I know?

I don't think that's how it works. The rights to the song royalties are different than what is earned through touring. The guys probably got an equal share of the tour revenue. If they truly are/were all equal partners (on paper), then that would the way it would HAVE to be done, unless Augeri was simply a "hired musician," which he wasn't.

The revenue from the songs comes from a different source altogether...at least that's the way I understand it.

Yes, that's true Fred - but doesn't Perry get a share of the tour revenue? So it must be connected to authorship of songs to some extent...

[CatEyes]

Neal had already chastized Perry fans for being too stupid to tell the difference between Perry/Augeri voices.

When did Schon come out with that ridiculous comment? Or was that part of your 'What If' scenario?

He did it in several interviews - one I believe is here on MR - another was the "rockline" interview

Cat

[Matthew]

Neal had already chastized Perry fans for being too stupid to tell the difference between Perry/Augeri voices.

When did Schon come out with that ridiculous comment? Or was that part of your 'What If' scenario?

He did it in several interviews - one I believe is here on MR - another was the "rockline" interview

Cat

Well, he's seriously deluded in that case....

[CatEyes]

Neal needed someone outside of Journey's inner circle to break the news - someone with the brains, mouthm and balls enough to stand the heat. It could not be a Perry fan - Neal had already chastized Perry fans for being too stupid to tell the difference between Perry/Augeri voices. No. It had to be someone who was very vocal about hating Steve Perry- and in a very public place.

Now you're sounding like Les.

When did Schon come out with that ridiculous comment? Or was that part of your 'What If' scenario?

A few years ago he blew up at some Perryheads who were giving him a hard time on Back Talk... that's why he no longer posts. I assume this is what she's referring to...

No that is not what I am referring to.

It was in interviews he did I think for the main event tour

[Abitaman]

Neal needed someone outside of Journey's inner circle to break the news - someone with the brains, mouthm and balls enough to stand the heat. It could not

well the brains part would leave Deano out, so your theroy is shot there
he has the mouth for sure, but I don't buyt this theroy of Neal using someone to do this. It wasn't Deano who first "discovered" this, but another person on this site. And he didn't want it public (at least from my understanding). Because I was even asked by this person, my thoughts on it. Which were, I believe Augeri was getting vocal help, on some parts of the show, not what Deano said.-ERIC

[Granny]

whoa--I missed something. Did Neal say we Perry fans can't tell the difference between Perry and Augeri?
Augeri doesn't sound anything or even remotely resemble Perry and he can't sing. I am a raving Perry fan and always will be. He is the Best of everything. Just miss him bunches. If Neal did say that then he is crazy nuts and needs some help. Perry made them famous and they should be grateful to him.
Granny

[Matthew]

Neal needed someone outside of Journey's inner circle to break the news - someone with the brains, mouthm and balls enough to stand the heat. It could not

well the brains part would leave Deano out, so your theroy is shot there
he has the mouth for sure, but I don't buyt this theroy of Neal using someone to do this. It wasn't Deano who first "discovered" this, but another person on this site. And he didn't want it public (at least from my understanding). Because I was even asked by this person, my thoughts on it. Which were, I believe Augeri was getting vocal help, on some parts of the show, not what Deano said.-ERIC

Eric - what exactly does "vocal help" mean in your view?

Are you disagreeing with Deano on the number of songs which were mimed? Or that Augeri mimed at all?

[Jeremey]

Christ...that guy has got such a chip on his shoulder. Must come from knowing that he has virtually no commercial success whenever he releases anything without Perry's voice on it.

He may not have great commercial success without Journey's name at the helm, but why should he care, Journey's been touring and bringing in commercial cash for the past 8 years...

Now as far as just success in general - One of my favorite albums of the nineties....I think Neal kind of looked down at the whole Higher Octave thing, but man, what a record Beyond the Thunder was. Really turned me on to guys like Marc Antoine and that whole smooth jazz scene.

I guess my point is, with a career with as much range as Neal has had, I don't think he's carrying much of a chip on his shoulder.

Did someone post this on MR earlier??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRIsq8B5CF0

[Abitaman]

Neal needed someone outside of Journey's inner circle to break the news - someone with the brains, mouthm and balls enough to stand the heat. It could not

well the brains part would leave Deano out, so your theory is shot there
he has the mouth for sure, but I don't buy this theory of Neal using someone to do this. It wasn't Deano who first "discovered" this, but another person on this site. And he didn't want it public (at least from my understanding). Because I was even asked by this person, my thoughts on it. Which were, I believe Augeri was getting vocal help, on some parts of the show, not what Deano said.-ERIC

Eric - what exactly does "vocal help" mean in your view?

Are you disagreeing with Deano on the number of songs which were mimed? Or that Augeri mimed at all?

Just kinda answered this a minute ago, really a minute ago. The number of shows, yes is a big disagreement on my part with Deano. He says all shows, but doesn't have proof, just that he has heard all the shows. Would that hold up in court, if this was an accident, a murder, or someone lipping a show? If deano has proof, lay it all on the table. He say he doesn't want to embarrass Journey with this, he has already if it is all true, so GO AHEAD DEANO< LAY YOU CARDS ON THE TABLE. PUT IT ALL UP ON YO SEND OR MEGAUPLAOD or what ever. To show no tickering is done, one concert per upload. just put in in a folder each show and upload it.

I think we all need to hear!!! No I fully expect forget, to be cussed, be belittled, spelling made fun of, anything to throw it off topic.

I think Augeri had Deen back him up a lot, and had vocal enchantments, and back ground vocal and maybe even prerecorded vocals on some high parts on some shows, but not every show, most of the time.

hope this helps show where I stand. And YES I think Augeri should be given a chance to try again. They were suppose to take this time off, but they didn't, so yes he did not get the rest he needed.
I do not have anything against JSS, think he could do the job, and be a great frontman. Would have liked to have seen Kevin Chalfant in the group, but oh well.

Again Dean......... Show your proof, ALL OF IT-ERIC

[Vladan]

Did someone post this on MR earlier??

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KRIsq8B5CF0

Not that I know of, thanks. Hey is that you're wife in the avatar Jeremey.

[Matthew]

I think Augeri had Deen back him up a lot, and had vocal enchantments, and back ground vocal and maybe even prerecorded vocals on some high parts on some shows, but not every show, most of the time.

Well, this would be in keeping with what I heard at the recent show in Edinburgh. Augeri was awful on some songs ...whereas on others he was in full voice. It was a highly inconsistent performance - and yes - I doubted that pre-recorded lead vocals were used for the entire show that night. Why pre-record his strained attempt to reach the high notes?

But Eric...you are using a lot of euphemisms in your defence of Augeri. You talk of "vocal enhancements" and "pre-recorded vocals on some high parts" (even though Deen covers the high parts).

Can you bring yourself to admit that yes...Augeri MIMED...that a pre-recorded lead vocal track was replacing the feed from the microphone? No - he might not have done this on every song...but he still deceived his audience at least part of the time.

And how do you explain Augeri's sudden departure after Journey were forced to abandon the use of "vocal enhancements" when news Deon's blog and Svante Peterson's account of the Swedish show spread throughout the online Journey community and was picked up by Rolling Stone, Boston Globe, etc?

[A Fire Inside]

It was in interviews he did I think for the main event tour

Then please find the quote because I would like to know how exactly he said "Perry fans are too dumb to know the difference".