Open letter to Steve Augeri

[Jeremey fan forever]

This isn't mine, but hopefully Andrew will permit it. Its a bit sentimental, but you know what? I think it makes some good points, and deserves to be heard. "Journified," if you come here, and if you don't want to be quoted, just say so and I'll pull it down. I'm not sure if this breaks any rules or not. I wonder how Augeri will answer to his fans now?

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Dear Steve Augeri,

If only you knew how much I have supported you and stood by you and loved you over the years. I welcomed you into my favorite band, and the life time of memories they mean to me, with open arms. I bought everything you recorded even before Journey, and went to every show within a hundred miles. I believed in you, and stood by you through it all.When you left the tour with voice problems I defended you and prayed for you, and eagerly hoped and waited for your triumphant return. I resisted and refused to believe all the rumors, and never gave up hope or lost faith in you. But now after almost five months of not hearing even a single word from you, my faithful heart feels badly broken and my perfect Journey feels worn and tarnished. Why have you never come here and let us know how you are feeling? Don't you know how much we loved you and how much we worried about you? Couldn't you have even once told us that you are thankful for our support and prayers? Do we after 10 years, mean so little to you? Do these 10 years count as nothing to you that you don't feel any bond or loyalty to us? Steve Augeri you have broken my heart. Maybe forever.

[Andrew]

I don't mind it being re-printed, hopefully the author feels likewise.

As for the thread as a whole - no wise cracks please. I'd like to keep the topic on course.

[dcvader]

I'm sure there will be no response from SA or very little from anyone else. They will announce at some point "Thank's for the 8 great years, peace out".

[donnaplease]

I'm sorry you're disappointed in your guy. Let's just all try to remember that's there's always 3 sides to every story. And as with Steve Perry, we'll never know exactly what the truth is... but it is time to move on.

[Sandman67]

I'm sorry you're disappointed in your guy. Let's just all try to remember that's there's always 3 sides to every story. And as with Steve Perry, we'll never know exactly what the truth is... but it is time to move on.

Very true....SP is bitter, with the attitude of not wanting anything to do with Journey ever again and it will be funny to see how all this plays out "officially" with SA as well. Anyone who thinks SA has kept quiet on his own without legal ramifications really is "out there" with no clue.

Let's see...here you have 2 guys both seemingly getting the shaft and.......what's the one constant in both situations....oh yea....Journey and their piss poor management of issues

[dcvader]

And as with Steve Perry, we'll never know exactly what the truth is... but it is time to move on.

DP, you are right on the money. Remember when SP said he never really felt like he was part of the band!! WTF was that. I'm sure will end up with another head scratcher this time as well.

[Michael Leigh]

This isn't mine, but hopefully Andrew will permit it. Its a bit sentimental, but you know what? I think it makes some good points, and deserves to be heard. "Journified," if you come here, and if you don't want to be quoted, just say so and I'll pull it down. I'm not sure if this breaks any rules or not. I wonder how Augeri will answer to his fans now?

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Dear Steve Augeri,

If only you knew how much I have supported you and stood by you and loved you over the years. I welcomed you into my favorite band, and the life time of memories they mean to me, with open arms. I bought everything you recorded even before Journey, and went to every show within a hundred miles. I believed in you, and stood by you through it all.When you left the tour with voice problems I defended you and prayed for you, and eagerly hoped and waited for your triumphant return. I resisted and refused to believe all the rumors, and never gave up hope or lost faith in you. But now after almost five months of not hearing even a single word from you, my faithful heart feels badly broken and my perfect Journey feels worn and tarnished. Why have you never come here and let us know how you are feeling? Don't you know how much we loved you and how much we worried about you? Couldn't you have even once told us that you are thankful for our support and prayers? Do we after 10 years, mean so little to you? Do these 10 years count as nothing to you that you don't feel any bond or loyalty to us? Steve Augeri you have broken my heart. Maybe forever.

I have a feeling that he probably is under a legal order not to say anything.

[ArnelRox]

I have a feeling that he probably is under a legal order not to say anything.

Andrew has already told us that there is no gag order on Mr. Augeri.

Perhaps at one point his lawyers thought it would be "leverage" to bring about a rapid settlement if he withheld any comments, thereby alienating some of his fans. However, even that time has long since passed.

A simple thank u from him would have been sufficient. As it stands I feel sorry for his fans. He has abruptly deserted them.

Does he know Uncle Joe?

[low d]

And as with Steve Perry, we'll never know exactly what the truth is... but it is time to move on.

DP, you are right on the money. Remember when SP said he never really felt like he was part of the band!! WTF was that. I'm sure will end up with another head scratcher this time as well.

I am not Steve P, I do not know what the inside of his shoes feel like. What I DO know, is that could be a very valid statement. I have witnessed some situations while touring (I am an engineer), where managers assembled talent. While a few key players made things happen for the group, the social bonding, the brotherhood if I may, was not there. There was temporary tolerance. This dried the pools of creativity, and no longer became fun and effortless for the band as a whole. I have seen it in the corporate world as well with new, successful new-hire-hot-shots. They are always on the out, even though they are on the inside.

[ArnelRox]

I have witnessed some situations while touring (I am an engineer), where managers assembled talent. While a few key players made things happen for the group, the social bonding, the brotherhood if I may, was not there. There was temporary tolerance. This dried the pools of creativity, and no longer became fun and effortless for the band as a whole. I have seen it in the corporate world as well with new, successful new-hire-hot-shots. They are always on the out, even though they are on the inside.

Well said. I've been involved in "entertainment" biz myself & have seen exactly what u describe. Often while the public sees a "brother/sisterhood" type of bonding, that is not what is occurring behind the scenes. Sometimes touring non-stop w/personalities can be a drag & cause members of any group to become irritated w/each other. However, the show must go on!

[SteveForever]

I have a feeling that he probably is under a legal order not to say anything.

Andrew has already told us that there is no gag order on Mr. Augeri.

Perhaps at one point his lawyers thought it would be "leverage" to bring about a rapid settlement if he withheld any comments, thereby alienating some of his fans. However, even that time has long since passed.

A simple thank u from him would have been sufficient. As it stands I feel sorry for his fans. He has abruptly deserted them.

Does he know Uncle Joe?

Maybe, just maybe its all gone exactly as they wanted it to go. The more spin and controversy they can get, the more we talk about them and hold out for NEWS and announcements. If they had announced it all months ago, we would be bored and ready for the next big thing. They probably know exactly what they are doing here....its called PR and even bad publicity helps keeps their name in the ring. Augeri is probably just fine and could care less about JOURNEY fans at this point, he thinks his real fans will be there when he gets going again......

[ArnelRox]

Augeri is probably just fine and could care less about JOURNEY fans at this point, he thinks his real fans will be there when he gets going again......[/b]

I don't know about the rest of ur post but this line got me. Hey, us Perry fans are still here waiting 10 yrs later & if he performed today, we'd be lining up for tickets & albums fast as we could. Of course, Perry was a MUCH bigger phenomenon than Augeri. But still, Augeri's fans have been incredibly loyal to him thus far.

[Citygirl]

I sometimes wonder if he's really that bothered about it. I mean we all assume he is, but could it be that he wanted out anyway... just not like this?

Either way and whatever's gone on, he's better off out of it. All they do is piss about. I'd say there are probably faults on both sides.

[ArnelRox]

I sometimes wonder if he's really that bothered about it. I mean we all assume he is, but could it be that he wanted out anyway... just not like this?

U may be right. He may not care at all. But this complete lack of contact w/his fans, no thank u for gifts/cards/prayers is out of character w/the type of person he was described as for the last 8 yrs. Maybe he keeps in contact quietly w/his fans in Augeriville, just not on BT?

[Citygirl]

The message board on Augeriville is not on the go just now and hasn't been for a while. Not sure if it has anything to do with this or not (maybe someone else on here knows that?).

But it could be that he doesn't really care... there is life beyond Journey, even for some of the guys in it.

[perryfaithful]

The message board on Augeriville is not on the go just now and hasn't been for a while. Not sure if it has anything to do with this or not (maybe someone else on here knows that?).

But it could be that he doesn't really care... there is life beyond Journey, even for some of the guys in it.

I did not know there was a place called augeriville. Did Steve chat with fans there?

[Citygirl]

I don't know much about it but I think both him and his wife used to post on the message boards there... that's what I heard anyway. Like I said, don't know very much about the site.

[lights1961]

This isn't mine, but hopefully Andrew will permit it. Its a bit sentimental, but you know what? I think it makes some good points, and deserves to be heard. "Journified," if you come here, and if you don't want to be quoted, just say so and I'll pull it down. I'm not sure if this breaks any rules or not. I wonder how Augeri will answer to his fans now?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Steve Augeri,

If only you knew how much I have supported you and stood by you and loved you over the years. I welcomed you into my favorite band, and the life time of memories they mean to me, with open arms. I bought everything you recorded even before Journey, and went to every show within a hundred miles. I believed in you, and stood by you through it all.When you left the tour with voice problems I defended you and prayed for you, and eagerly hoped and waited for your triumphant return. I resisted and refused to believe all the rumors, and never gave up hope or lost faith in you. But now after almost five months of not hearing even a single word from you, my faithful heart feels badly broken and my perfect Journey feels worn and tarnished. Why have you never come here and let us know how you are feeling? Don't you know how much we loved you and how much we worried about you? Couldn't you have even once told us that you are thankful for our support and prayers? Do we after 10 years, mean so little to you? Do these 10 years count as nothing to you that you don't feel any bond or loyalty to us? Steve Augeri you have broken my heart. Maybe forever.

sometimes its just better to be quiet, you know......

[SteveForever]

This isn't mine, but hopefully Andrew will permit it. Its a bit sentimental, but you know what? I think it makes some good points, and deserves to be heard. "Journified," if you come here, and if you don't want to be quoted, just say so and I'll pull it down. I'm not sure if this breaks any rules or not. I wonder how Augeri will answer to his fans now?

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Dear Steve Augeri,

If only you knew how much I have supported you and stood by you and loved you over the years. I welcomed you into my favorite band, and the life time of memories they mean to me, with open arms. I bought everything you recorded even before Journey, and went to every show within a hundred miles. I believed in you, and stood by you through it all.When you left the tour with voice problems I defended you and prayed for you, and eagerly hoped and waited for your triumphant return. I resisted and refused to believe all the rumors, and never gave up hope or lost faith in you. But now after almost five months of not hearing even a single word from you, my faithful heart feels badly broken and my perfect Journey feels worn and tarnished. Why have you never come here and let us know how you are feeling? Don't you know how much we loved you and how much we worried about you? Couldn't you have even once told us that you are thankful for our support and prayers? Do we after 10 years, mean so little to you? Do these 10 years count as nothing to you that you don't feel any bond or loyalty to us? Steve Augeri you have broken my heart. Maybe forever.

sometimes its just better to be quiet, you know......

Exactly, til all hell blows over or whatever is in the mix, he's not dumb. Journey hasn't bumbled their way to get this far, they are unbelievable business men to have a corporate band that expands over decades. Some of the "experts" on here act like they just got hatched, they know what they are doing and they like it that way.

[Citygirl]

In some ways it's probably better that he says nothing.

I mean, if it came to it and he said something that totally went against all the stuff that's been said on here, would you believe it? And if it came to the bit where he actually said things about other band members that you didn't like, would you believe that or would you just say he was being a tit cos he got booted out?

Being quiet might be the best way...

[ArnelRox]

In some ways it's probably better that he says nothing.

I mean, if it came to it and he said something that totally went against all the stuff that's been said on here, would you believe it? And if it came to the bit where he actually said things about other band members that you didn't like, would you believe that or would you just say he was being a tit cos he got booted out?

Being quiet might be the best way...

Merely saying "thank u" would solve all of the above.

[LucyFurr]

I have witnessed some situations while touring (I am an engineer), where managers assembled talent. While a few key players made things happen for the group, the social bonding, the brotherhood if I may, was not there. There was temporary tolerance. This dried the pools of creativity, and no longer became fun and effortless for the band as a whole. I have seen it in the corporate world as well with new, successful new-hire-hot-shots. They are always on the out, even though they are on the inside.

Well said. I've been involved in "entertainment" biz myself & have seen exactly what u describe. Often while the public sees a "brother/sisterhood" type of bonding, that is not what is occurring behind the scenes. Sometimes touring non-stop w/personalities can be a drag & cause members of any group to become irritated w/each other. However, the show must go on!

Honestly, as much as SA was a good singer, he was never really part of the band. In concerts, he didn't seem to gell well with the guys. Perry seemed to, but I think JSS has hit the nail on the head. There seems to be a mutual respect between JSS and the other guys. I feel bad for Augeri. I love Perry, but know that that is the past. Whatever Journey decides to do with SA and JSS is their business, but as a fan of the group as a whole, I'd ask the guys to treat both SA and JSS with a little more dignity and respect this time around if there should be a "switch".

[fred_journeyman]

...While a few key players made things happen for the group, the social bonding, the brotherhood if I may, was not there. There was temporary tolerance. This dried the pools of creativity, and no longer became fun and effortless for the band as a whole. I have seen it in the corporate world as well with new, successful new-hire-hot-shots. They are always on the out, even though they are on the inside.

I think this is the norm for most groups. Steve Smith said it in a drum clinic and it's obvious to see the turmoil that many groups go through. Metallica has a movie/documentary about struggling with their own inner demons. Half the time, it appears as though James and Lars can't stand each other.

I think once you "get there," it's very difficult to want to let go of it. Name the group - any group - and you can just about be guaranteed that there were/are problems.

[fred_journeyman]

Honestly, as much as SA was a good singer, he was never really part of the band. In concerts, he didn't seem to gell well with the guys. Perry seemed to, but I think JSS has hit the nail on the head. There seems to be a mutual respect between JSS and the other guys. I feel bad for Augeri. I love Perry, but know that that is the past. Whatever Journey decides to do with SA and JSS is their business, but as a fan of the group as a whole, I'd ask the guys to treat both SA and JSS with a little more dignity and respect this time around if there should be a "switch".

I tend to agree. Not one person on this forum (well, maybe one), has had the type of success that fronting for a band like Journey can bring. SA was the "also ran" by most standards (hated by many from day one), and I'm sure if anyone never felt like he was truly part of the band, it was Augeri.

He is probably dealing with an extreme amount of embarrassment and wishes to just hide. The way some on this forum talk leaves the obvious impression that they suffer from a very large superiority complex, as if they themselves would never stoop to the supposed level that Augeri stooped to. I personally, have never walked in the man's shoes and cannot even begin to imagine what the daily pressure was like. Of course he could have said "You know what? My voice is giving out. Can you get someone to take over for me until it heals?" or "I need to bow out gracefully and transition things over to a new guy." He didn't and either the guys, or management or both helped with the lie. They're all culpable and they ALL should apologize to the fans, not just Augeri (with the exception of JSS).

But, Journey needs a scapegoat now so that they can continue touring and making money. It's easier to point all fingers at Augeri (and he <u>was</u> wrong), rather than assume or accept at least some of the blame.

<b>Steve: thanks for bringing Journey back from the dead and I wish you well in all your future endeavors. Not all of us are ready to run you out of town on a rail. You're human, unlike some here who apparently think they're not only above the law, but above the spectrum of frailty that exists in each of us. What you did was wrong (and I'm sure you know that), but there for the grace of God, go I. Steve, the only way I want to see you apologize is standing alongside the other members of Journey who helped perpetrate the lie. If they're not willing to do so, then neither should you.</b>

[Liz22562]

Better yet, "Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged"...

Seems to be more appropriate ~

[Matthew]

He didn't and either the guys, or management or both helped with the lie. They're all culpable and they ALL should apologize to the fans, not just Augeri (with the exception of JSS).

So true...

[fred_journeyman]

Better yet, "Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged"...

Seems to be more appropriate ~

Or those without sin can cast the first stone. Lotta stone throwers on this forum.

[NealIsGod]

Better yet, "Judge Not, Lest Ye Be Judged"...

Seems to be more appropriate ~

Or those without sin can cast the first stone. Lotta stone throwers on this forum.

Uh, yeah. There are.

[ArnelRox]

He didn't and either the guys, or management or both helped with the lie. They're all culpable and they ALL should apologize to the fans, not just Augeri (with the exception of JSS).

So true...

Why should the band apologize? Everyone who went to one of the lipped shows reports about what a wonderful time they had. They got what they paid for: a nite of entertainment.

[joybringer1]

Why should the band apologize? Everyone who went to one of the lipped shows reports about what a wonderful time they had. They got what they paid for: a nite of entertainment.

As someone who spent a load of cash on air tickets, hotels and concert tickets and thought she'd had a wonderful time at her first-ever Journey concerts, I do hope you're being sarcastic here, JR. I was gutted for weeks when I discovered I'd been conned and remarks like this really put my back up.