Perry, Sony, Solo vs. Jrny and the TBF Fall Out

[AR]

I think Perry was a GREAT vocalist, but not the greatest of all time. I can't stand how he is deified in circles. He's not God. Fuck him. As far as I am concerned he might as well be dead. His career certainly is.

RIP Stevie the Voice.

UNLESS YOU HAVE THE GUTS TO SING AGAIN YOU ALMOST 60 YEAR OLD BIG NOSED FUCK!

Best wishes,

AR

[Deb]

Ok John.

I believe he is the greatest vocalist of all time, but let's face it, he is a major asshole, and you know it.

You sound like you are in love with the guy.

Nah, I think he just knows a good thing when he hears it and is man enough to admit it.

..........and there ya go again with the asshole comment.

[RedWingFan]

I should add this. IF Perry walked away because he wanted to go out on top of his game, and not do something so scandalous as lip sync, then that is great, and I do applaud that.

However, Why in the Hell did he ever go through the trouble of doing the TBF record if he never had the slightest intention of touring. He lied to Neal and Jon. He lied to Ross and Smitty, asking them back..for what> A studio album that barely went platinum? That record would have fetched triple platinum had they toured.

I thought this was on record that he promised Sony one last Journey record to get out of his contract w/ them?

[Enigma869]

I think Perry was a GREAT vocalist, but not the greatest of all time. I can't stand how he is deified in circles. He's not God. Fuck him. As far as I am concerned he might as well be dead. His career certainly is.

RIP Stevie the Voice.

UNLESS YOU HAVE THE GUTS TO SING AGAIN YOU ALMOST 60 YEAR OLD BIG NOSED FUCK!

Best wishes,

AR

Shit...as rude and crude as that was, I still laughed my ass off reading it! God, I love this place! Even you pricks you hate Perry are 1000 times better than the yahoos that want to sniff Augeri's crotch!

John from Boston

[Rockindeano]

Ok John.

I believe he is the greatest vocalist of all time, but let's face it, he is a major asshole, and you know it.

You sound like you are in love with the guy.

Nah, I think he just knows a good thing when he hears it and is man enough to admit it.

..........and there ya go again with the asshole comment.

Stop trying to turn this around.

I am ON RECORD.....PERRY IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME IMO....


But I would never go to war with him...ever. Now Neal? That dude and I would kick all kinds of Eurotrash ass!

[Playitloudforme]

He completed his contract with GH+5. Against the Wall was my personal favorite of the whole thing.. wish I could have heard the rest.

There's no doubt that Sony pulled shitty things, and there's no doubt that Steve made decisions that he regrets. Perhaps Steve's stall to get his hip done was a stab to Sony, and he's stated that he'd probably make different decisions today. Can't go backwards in any case. I don't think the man's done yet tho. He is done as far as Journey goes, perhaps touring, but doubtful to recording. If he is dealing with anxiety, I relate...I've had those erupt within the last 8 years of my life, and what used to be easy and normal, no longer is. Takes a while to get ahold of how to deal with it all.

and damn Target didn't have any of the new CDs. Shit.

[Enigma869]

I should add this. IF Perry walked away because he wanted to go out on top of his game, and not do something so scandalous as lip sync, then that is great, and I do applaud that.

However, Why in the Hell did he ever go through the trouble of doing the TBF record if he never had the slightest intention of touring. He lied to Neal and Jon. He lied to Ross and Smitty, asking them back..for what> A studio album that barely went platinum? That record would have fetched triple platinum had they toured.

Deano...

If it is actually factual (and I don't know that it is) that Perry "never had the slightest intention of touring" after TBF, it's tough to argue with your point. As big of a fan I am of Perry (and no dude....I'm not in love with him), I would never suggest that intentionally screwing your bandmates is a cool thing to do! This isn't a good thing to do with people who are essentially family. Also, if this is indeed factual, why the hell would Neal go on record as saying Perry had an "open invitation" to re-join Journey? I mean...would you ask a guy back in your band who fucked you over? I surely wouldn't! Then, there is some guy over on BT who put a post up today that it was public knowledge that Neal asked Perry to re-join Journey at the WOF ceremony. I suspect this part of the story is probably bogus, but, I do believe Neal has admitted publically that Perry had an "open invitation" to re-join Journey as the frontman. I realize this has all changed with the addition of Jeff, but, it still seems odd that Neal would ever extend that olive branch, if he truly felt screwed by Perry's departure from Journey!


John from Boston

[Deb]

Ok John.

I believe he is the greatest vocalist of all time, but let's face it, he is a major asshole, and you know it.

You sound like you are in love with the guy.

Nah, I think he just knows a good thing when he hears it and is man enough to admit it.

..........and there ya go again with the asshole comment.

Stop trying to turn this around.

I am ON RECORD.....PERRY IS THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME IMO....


But I would never go to war with him...ever. Now Neal? That dude and I would kick all kinds of Eurotrash ass!

LMAO.....you and Neal? Please don't tell me you're the muscle and he's the brains! Oooooooo now that should scare them Euro's.

[r@y]

I'm just thinking out loud here..could it be maybe, just maybe, the following ALSO MAY have happened..? :

1. Post Frontiers. They were barely speaking too each other. Perry feels fire is gone. Bye-bye Journey.

2. Perry says, 'OK, maybe we'll give this another go'. ROR sessions happen. Somewhere along those sessions, Perry really
feels the fire is truly gone. For some reason/(s) SS and RV were fired. ROR tour finished halfway cos probably Perry just
got along ( or not ) so bad with HH he just abandoned ship from Achorage, Alaska.

3. Fast fwd to 94. Perry misses the road. Perry cuts album. Perry tours. Perry feels a little, just a little, nostalgic about
Journey. Big bad wolves at Sony get a whiff of this. Calls Perry. Journey re-union. Lotsa money. Promo more singles off
FTLOSM. Perry reluctantly says OK. Not for money, but more of hoping the fire was still there between all of 'em just like
Infinity - Escape glory days.

4. Perry dead wrong. To some of 'em it WAS ALL about the benjamins. Didn't wanna even finish TBF. Definitely didnt
wanna tour. Kicked himself to just film the WYLAW video and walks away. Injures himself while hiking. Probably coulda
healed and toured. But he didnt want to. NS, JC know this for sure and can't talk cos of gag order.

All of the above COULD have happened, right..? I mean, all everyone's saying in here are assumptions anyway.

I just put in mine, that's all.



Cheers


Ray

[Deb]

I'm just thinking out loud here..could it be maybe, just maybe, the following ALSO MAY have happened..? :

1. Post Frontiers. They were barely speaking too each other. Perry feels fire is gone. Bye-bye Journey.

2. Perry says, 'OK, maybe we'll give this another go'. ROR sessions happen. Somewhere along those sessions, Perry really
feels the fire is truly gone. For some reason/(s) SS and RV were fired. ROR tour finished halfway cos probably Perry just
got along ( or not ) so bad with HH he just abandoned ship from Achorage, Alaska.

3. Fast fwd to 94. Perry misses the road. Perry cuts album. Perry tours. Perry feels a little, just a little, nostalgic about
Journey. Big bad wolves at Sony get a whiff of this. Calls Perry. Journey re-union. Lotsa money. Promo more singles off
FTLOSM. Perry reluctantly says OK. Not for money, but more of hoping the fire was still there between all of 'em just like
Infinity - Escape glory days.

4. Perry dead wrong. To some of 'em it WAS ALL about the benjamins. Didn't wanna even finish TBF. Definitely didnt
wanna tour. Kicked himself to just film the WYLAW video and walks away. Injures himself while hiking. Probably coulda
healed and toured. But he didnt want to. NS, JC know this for sure and can't talk cos of gag order.

All of the above COULD have happened, right..? I mean, all everyone's saying in here are assumptions anyway.

I just put in mine, that's all.



Cheers

Ray

Hmmmmm, could be. Food for thought.

[Rockindeano]

LMAO.....you and Neal? Please don't tell me you're the muscle and he's the brains! Oooooooo now that should scare them Euro's.

Neal and I could kick any Euro ass we desire.

[A Fire Inside]

Also, if this is indeed factual, why the hell would Neal go on record as saying Perry had an "open invitation" to re-join Journey? I mean...would you ask a guy back in your band who fucked you over? I surely wouldn't!

Money is more important to Neal than liking the guy who is making it. He's made that pretty clear these last few months. I'm sure he'd be willing to tolerate Perry again for another chance at fame and fortune.

Then, there is some guy over on BT who put a post up today that it was public knowledge that Neal asked Perry to re-join Journey at the WOF ceremony. I suspect this part of the story is probably bogus, but, I do believe Neal has admitted publically that Perry had an "open invitation" to re-join Journey as the frontman.

I think you might have read that wrong... Neal didn't ask Perry to rejoin Journey in front of the crowd at the WOF. Neal was on the radio (Rockline, I think) just a few days before the WOF saying, "We'd really love to see you there" to Perry. He has also clearly invited him to join Journey onstage again and make amends.

[itsjustme]

Then, there is some guy over on BT who put a post up today that it was public knowledge that Neal asked Perry to re-join Journey at the WOF ceremony. I suspect this part of the story is probably bogus, but, I do believe Neal has admitted publically that Perry had an "open invitation" to re-join Journey as the frontman.

I think you might have read that wrong... Neal didn't ask Perry to rejoin Journey in front of the crowd at the WOF. Neal was on the radio (Rockline, I think) just a few days before the WOF saying, "We'd really love to see you there" to Perry. He has also clearly invited him to join Journey onstage again and make amends.

This was on EXTRA, and they were at the WOF But he asked Perry to JOIN them on stage that night, or any night of the 30 year retrospective tour he wanted to do. Not to rejoin them....

(though I did read an interview where Neal did intimate they'd take Perry back in a second. Augeri was asked about THIS statement quite a bit, lol)

[Granny]

Also, if this is indeed factual, why the hell would Neal go on record as saying Perry had an "open invitation" to re-join Journey? I mean...would you ask a guy back in your band who fucked you over? I surely wouldn't!

Money is more important to Neal than liking the guy who is making it. He's made that pretty clear these last few months. I'm sure he'd be willing to tolerate Perry again for another chance at fame and fortune.

Then, there is some guy over on BT who put a post up today that it was public knowledge that Neal asked Perry to re-join Journey at the WOF ceremony. I suspect this part of the story is probably bogus, but, I do believe Neal has admitted publically that Perry had an "open invitation" to re-join Journey as the frontman.

I think you might have read that wrong... Neal didn't ask Perry to rejoin Journey in front of the crowd at the WOF. Neal was on the radio (Rockline, I think) just a few days before the WOF saying, "We'd really love to see you there" to Perry. He has also clearly invited him to join Journey onstage again and make amends.

Just a question? Why would he ask him to join them if he couldn't sing? I would think that Neal would at least know that.!
And he also knows that SP made Journey what they were--famous. I don't think SP wants to be in the lime-light again. That would end his private life which he cherishes so much. However, I can still dream

[Enigma869]

I think you might have read that wrong... Neal didn't ask Perry to rejoin Journey in front of the crowd at the WOF. Neal was on the radio (Rockline, I think) just a few days before the WOF saying, "We'd really love to see you there" to Perry. He has also clearly invited him to join Journey onstage again and make amends.

Well, for the record...This is the post in its entirety. I'm well aware that Neal had extended an invitation to Perry to jam with the band that night (for old time's sake), but that's not how I interpreted this post.

John from Boston


I don't want to be rude, but where have you been for the past several years? The band has had an open invitation for quite some time now for Steve Perry to come back. Neal even asked him directly at the Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony. Steve has stated numerous times that he's not interested. What is this "constant struggle" you speak of?
------------------
Max

[ArnelRox]

for a moment in time, made Journey the biggest thing on the planet!

Sorry John but I will have to disagree w/u again today. I do believe Perry is one of the greatest vocalists of all time. But sadly, Journey is not the biggest thing on the planet & never was. I know a lot of people in Europe who are around my age, like a lot of the same music I do from that era (much of it American) but are not familar w/Journey. Some of them, when I point them to a YouTube video, say they have heard Open Arms or Faithfully on the radio. But they don't know the band name or shock shock Steve Perry. Ask them about Foreigner & they'll tell u all the hits and name Lou Gramm. I also know people here in the US unfamiliar w/Journey who were into music at that time & know Foreigner, Styx, Queen, Van Halen, etc. Shocking for us here, I know, but true.

[itsjustme]

for a moment in time, made Journey the biggest thing on the planet!

Sorry John but I will have to disagree w/u again today. I do believe Perry is one of the greatest vocalists of all time. But sadly, Journey is not the biggest thing on the planet & never was. I know a lot of people in Europe who are around my age, like a lot of the same music I do from that era (much of it American) but are not familar w/Journey. Some of them, when I point them to a YouTube video, say they have heard Open Arms or Faithfully on the radio. But they don't know the band name or shock shock Steve Perry. Ask them about Foreigner & they'll tell u all the hits and name Lou Gramm. I also know people here in the US unfamiliar w/Journey who were into music at that time & know Foreigner, Styx, Queen, Van Halen, etc. Shocking for us here, I know, but true.

Intresting! I knew they weren't as big over there, but am a little "shocked" that they didn't know who sang those songs... (or Steve Perry! The nerve! lol)

[Enigma869]

for a moment in time, made Journey the biggest thing on the planet!

Sorry John but I will have to disagree w/u again today. I do believe Perry is one of the greatest vocalists of all time. But sadly, Journey is not the biggest thing on the planet & never was. I know a lot of people in Europe who are around my age, like a lot of the same music I do from that era (much of it American) but are not familar w/Journey. Some of them, when I point them to a YouTube video, say they have heard Open Arms or Faithfully on the radio. But they don't know the band name or shock shock Steve Perry. Ask them about Foreigner & they'll tell u all the hits and name Lou Gramm. I also know people here in the US unfamiliar w/Journey who were into music at that time & know Foreigner, Styx, Queen, Van Halen, etc. Shocking for us here, I know, but true.

Well, I also disagree with your assessment! First and foremost, I never said that Journey "IS" the biggest thing. I said for a moment in time, they were! Those are two VERY different statements. In terms of Journey not being big in Europe...With all due respect to my friends on the other side of the pond...Who gives a rat's ass? They're an american band. Def Leppard is a British band and was huge in the states, while nobody in their native country ever heard of them. Music is a funny business like that.

Journey's greatest hits is in the top twenty selling albums of all time, in this country. They are also fairly close to the top 20 selling bands of all time, in this country. I would say these facts certainly indicate to me that Journey definitely was a HUGE thing in this country, back in the early 80's (Hell, I lived through it and remember it!). In terms of someone in this country saying they've never heard the song Open Arms...I would have to say that anyone in this country who has never heard this song must be completely deaf or clueless. I'm on record as saying Open Arms sucks! That said, how could you possibly live in this country and never have heard that song??? Shit...it's 2006 and I still always hear that shitty song! By the way...Journey has sold far more albums than Foreigner has, over the years! Look it up...The numbers are widely available all over the place!

John from Boston

[ArnelRox]

Well, I also disagree with your assessment! First and foremost, I never said that Journey "IS" the biggest thing. I said for a moment in time, they were! Those are two VERY different statements. In terms of Journey not being big in Europe...With all due respect to my friends on the other side of the pond...Who gives a rat's ass? They're an american band. Def Leppard is a British band and was huge in the states, while nobody in their native country ever heard of them. Music is a funny business like that.

Journey's greatest hits is in the top twenty selling albums of all time, in this country. They are also fairly close to the top 20 selling bands of all time, in this country. I would say these facts certainly indicate to me that Journey definitely was a HUGE thing in this country, back in the early 80's (Hell, I lived through it and remember it!). In terms of someone in this country saying they've never heard the song Open Arms...I would have to say that anyone in this country who has never heard this song must be completely deaf or clueless. I'm on record as saying Open Arms sucks! That said, how could you possibly live in this country and never have heard that song??? Shit...it's 2006 and I still always hear that shitty song! By the way...Journey has sold far more albums than Foreigner has, over the years! Look it up...The numbers are widely available all over the place!

John from Boston

And I said "is not" & "never was" & I stand by that, sorry. I didn't say people in this country never heard the song Open Arms. I said they didn't know who Journey was. U can have heard a song on the radio & not know who did it, u know. It's happened to me many times. BUT they knew Foreigner, Styx, Queen, Van Halen, etc. right off the bat. Let us not forget, there are people out there who HATE Journey. I know, more shock to ur system. But it's true. Sorry. I can't fathom those people either but they're out there.

BTW, U just contradicted urself saying Journey is IN the top 20 selling bands of all time while u assert they were the biggest thing on the planet for a moment in time.

[Badcotune]

why the hell would Neal go on record as saying Perry had an "open invitation" to re-join Journey? I mean...would you ask a guy back in your band who fucked you over?

This is an easy one.

#1: Neal no more knows what's in Perry's mind, or what his true motivations were for leaving/bowing out than we do. He can only speculate, and make assumptions based on information.

#2: Neal purposefully made a point of asking Perry to "come sing/sit in" ON CAMERA to underscore to fans and the music public at large that it is PERRY'S CHOICE he is not in JOURNEY, and Neal is not the bad guy who kicked him out, as some mistakenly percieve.

Neal put it on record, on camera, for posterity. Smart move. Neal said as much in interviews afterwards, and Perry percieved this also. Perry remarked in interviews or to a fan that the WOF Cermony was fun until "Band Politics" creeped in, and made him uncomfortable. Steve is smart too. He KNEW what Neal was doing.

(Addendum: Additionally, don't think for a minute Neal actually thought Perry would take him up on it. He knows better, and History has already demonstrated Perry's Journey intentions, and they don't involve live singing. You can also safely assume that Perry kept his options open in that little contract where he supposedly "signed over" the name Journey. It's come to light after that Perry is still paid as a sixth member. He helped build the name, so I doubt he really 100% signed it over. You can bet if Perry WANTED to, there is a clause that allows for his return.)

[Rockindeano]

I wouldn't be so quick to think "Steve is smart" and "Neal isn't"

Neal is just ballsy and honest. I talked to the dude...I love the fuck out of him, and the reason? He is honest. perry? He is saavy and I don't believe he thinks up his own options.

[Badcotune]

I wouldn't be so quick to think "Steve is smart" and "Neal isn't"

Neal is just ballsy and honest. I talked to the dude...I love the fuck out of him, and the reason? He is honest. perry? He is saavy and I don't believe he thinks up his own options.

Didn't say Neal wasn't, please re-read the post. To the contrary, I wrote it was a smart move for Neal to document the dynamic on camera.

[Rockindeano]

I wouldn't be so quick to think "Steve is smart" and "Neal isn't"

Neal is just ballsy and honest. I talked to the dude...I love the fuck out of him, and the reason? He is honest. perry? He is saavy and I don't believe he thinks up his own options.

Didn't say Neal wasn't, please re-read the post. To the contrary, I wrote it was a smart move for Neal to document the dynamic on camera.

Sorry. I was actually talking to a Perryloon.......O well, Neal is more calculated than many of you think, IMO....

My feeling? IF Perry quit because of vocal decline, why not just quit and say why? Why dramatize everything? Make up fake stories?

[Deb]

I wouldn't be so quick to think "Steve is smart" and "Neal isn't"

Neal is just ballsy and honest. I talked to the dude...I love the fuck out of him, and the reason? He is honest. perry? He is saavy and I don't believe he thinks up his own options.

Didn't say Neal wasn't, please re-read the post. To the contrary, I wrote it was a smart move for Neal to document the dynamic on camera.

I don't know....... the way he was hanging all over Perry in most of the WOF pics was kind of nauseating, don't ya think.

[ArnelRox]

My feeling? IF Perry quit because of vocal decline, why not just quit and say why? Why dramatize everything? Make up fake stories?

How do u know it was fake? I've heard many say he had his hip replaced.

[Carrington]

I wouldn't be so quick to think "Steve is smart" and "Neal isn't"

Neal is just ballsy and honest. I talked to the dude...I love the fuck out of him, and the reason? He is honest. perry? He is saavy and I don't believe he thinks up his own options.

Didn't say Neal wasn't, please re-read the post. To the contrary, I wrote it was a smart move for Neal to document the dynamic on camera.

Sorry. I was actually talking to a Perryloon.......O well, Neal is more calculated than many of you think, IMO....

My feeling? IF Perry quit because of vocal decline, why not just quit and say why? Why dramatize everything? Make up fake stories?

I would guess then that maybe it was'nt vocal decline........maybe he thought since I'm allready in it I'll go all the way with it, but the hip gave him a second option (being if you belive that it was a real story).......and the "drama" was a byproduct of the injury and pressure?.....

could be just a feesable as the rest of the stories.....

[AR]

Perry fucks midgets.

He might as well, he sure doesn't sing for his fans.

[fredinator]

Badcotune, do you know SPerry? If so, has he considered singing on any Journey albums in the future? If not, what you're saying about the legalities and so forth make a little bit of sense, I guess... What a mess...

[ArnelRox]

Perry fucks midgets.

He might as well, he sure doesn't sing for his fans.

Oh come on AR. Why are u trashing Perry so bad these days? He sang plenty back in the day. I bet u still listen to his music today, don't u?

I'd love to hear him again more than anything else. But u know what. He sang so many nites in a row for so many years. It was more than some people do in 20 years. I guess he just needed a break from it all (a long break). There's no need to trash him so bad tho.

[itsjustme]

I would guess then that maybe it was'nt vocal decline........maybe he thought since I'm allready in it I'll go all the way with it, but the hip gave him a second option (being if you belive that it was a real story).......and the "drama" was a byproduct of the injury and pressure?.....

could be just a feesable as the rest of the stories.....

That's the one I've always thought.
He thought it was all a great idea at the time (the reunion), things were not so great, his hip acted up, and he lept at the chance to make it all go away.

but Badcotune's idea sounds plausable too. Record companies are notorious butts, rock stars are notorious primas, ...
I doubt we will ever know the whole truth about any of Journey's soap operas. lol.