New SP Q&A on Fan Asylum

[PROPERRY]

As a diehard Steve Perry Fan, I NEVER said the subject of "letting him know that we want to hear new music from him would be considered "old and tired". From my stand point, it is MORE about FANS complaining & getting angry because he is NOT doing what THEY want him to do for them. That is where I was coming from on my point of view.

As for me though, I accept whatever "he wants" to offer the fans!

Lori

I think there's been some misinterpretation or misunderstanding of what some of us have said. I didn't see any posts that suggested that anyone was going to be angry if he didn't say anything about a new recording. I know I, and I think Matt never meant to suggest that we didn't want to hear anything from Steve if he wasn't doing something new. We're just hoping he will do something and a lot of talk has been around lately suggesting that might be the case.

Well, I took these comments below as Matthew and you too, as COMPLAINING...least that's the way it came off to me.

Matthew said to HOTS, "It depends on my mood HOTS...at the moment I'm getting pretty bored of telling myself, it's better than nothing." "As Sherrie said.... the crumbs from the table are not enough anymore....and that goes for both Perry and Journey".

And for the record, *I* DON'T consider the OPPORTUNITY to get to ask Perry questions, or him doing an interview for the fans "as crumbs from him". It ALWAYS A GREAT pleasure to hear from Perry, no matter HOW we hear from him!!!

Lori

[Carlitto H@kk]

It is ALWAYS A GREAT pleasure to hear from Perry, no matter how we hear from him!!!

Lori

I don't know...
I'd be pretty bothered if we were hearing from him
via his cell phone while
he was backstage at Beastiality Convention
taking notes on different 'animal training' techniques.
Never say 'ALWAYS'!

[Matthew]

Well, I took these comments below as Matthew and you too, as COMPLAINING...least that's the way it came off to me.

Matthew said to HOTS, "It depends on my mood HOTS...at the moment I'm getting pretty bored of telling myself, it's better than nothing." "As Sherrie said.... the crumbs from the table are not enough anymore....and that goes for both Perry and Journey".

Yes - I can get frustrated about the lack of new music....by the fact that Perry isn't using his SPECTACULAR talent...that his enigmatic answers leave me none the wiser...

Sure the guy can do what he wants - and does so - and he owes me nothing - and he has given us so much already - and so on. I agree with all that - and on the whole I admire the fact that Perry has retained his dignity and does such a great job with the Journey legacy.

But not all his fans can be totally submissive and accept whatever happens ALL THE TIME with NO EMOTIONS AT ALL - like some spaced out cult member.

Being a fan is about having passion - and sometimes that clouds rational or mature thinking. Go to any sports ground and witness the sheer abuse heaped on the players at times by the fans...yet these fans stay loyal and show up again and again no matter what.

The Voice gets off lightly in comparison, I reckon.

[heardonthestreet]

It is ALWAYS A GREAT pleasure to hear from Perry, no matter how we hear from him!!!

Lori

I don't know...
I'd be pretty bothered if we were hearing from him
via his cell phone while
he was backstage at Beastiality Convention
taking notes on different 'animal training' techniques.
Never say 'ALWAYS'!

........................................
Is this what you learned in Iraq so far? Or did you teach?

[McNeil]

this "picking and choosing" of only the question he feels like responding too is so much bull isnt it?

Hell..no cutting to the chase is there? so who the hell is interested in the same old clap-trap??

The guy is a bona fide "prima donna" of the highest order... he needs to take a reality check.... and "get on down" with the fans who still hold him dearly in their hearts , despite the questionable worthiness of such an honour!!

Get Real Mr Perry, for Gods sake !!!

how about a "real" live internet chat???

[Matthew]

this "picking and choosing" of only the question he feels like responding too is so much bull isnt it?

Hell..no cutting to the chase is there? so who the hell is interested in the same old clap-trap??

The guy is a bona fide "prima donna" of the highest order... he needs to take a reality check.... and "get on down" with the fans who still hold him dearly in their hearts , despite the questionable worthiness of such an honour!!

Get Real Mr Perry, for Gods sake !!!

how about a "real" live internet chat???

Steady on, McNeil....

[Carlitto H@kk]

It is ALWAYS A GREAT pleasure to hear from Perry, no matter how we hear from him!!!

Lori

I don't know...
I'd be pretty bothered if we were hearing from him
via his cell phone while
he was backstage at Beastiality Convention
taking notes on different 'animal training' techniques.
Never say 'ALWAYS'!

........................................
Is this what you learned in Irag so far? Or did you teach?

No, when I was in Iraq 'with a Q not a G' I learned that someone as out
of shape as me can run pretty damn fast when mortars and rockets are
coming at you from all directions.

What's a matter, HOTS, now we can't have some
fun at Perry's expense?
Does the meer 'humorous' image of Perry considering fucking a goat offend
you that much???

[PROPERRY]

Well, I took these comments below as Matthew and you too, as COMPLAINING...least that's the way it came off to me.

Matthew said to HOTS, "It depends on my mood HOTS...at the moment I'm getting pretty bored of telling myself, it's better than nothing." "As Sherrie said.... the crumbs from the table are not enough anymore....and that goes for both Perry and Journey".

Yes - I can get frustrated about the lack of new music....by the fact that Perry isn't using his SPECTACULAR talent...that his enigmatic answers leave me none the wiser...

Sure the guy can do what he wants - and does so - and he owes me nothing - and he has given us so much already - and so on. I agree with all that - and on the whole I admire the fact that Perry has retained his dignity and does such a great job with the Journey legacy.

But not all his fans can be totally submissive and accept whatever happens ALL THE TIME with NO EMOTIONS AT ALL - like some spaced out cult member.

Being a fan is about having passion - and sometimes that clouds rational or mature thinking. Go to any sports ground and witness the sheer abuse heaped on the players at times by the fans...yet these fans stay loyal and show up again and again no matter what.

The Voice gets off lightly in comparison, I reckon.

OH MY, I certainly DO HAVE PASSION & EMOTION.... when it comes to Steve Perry I just don't see that "heaping the abuse" on him is the way to PROVE my" support & loyalty" as a fan for him. Perry has had my love & support for many years, & that will continue, no matter what he does!

Lori

[ohsherrie]

Ok Lori. Whatever. You be the kind of fan you think you should be and I'll do the same. It's all cool.

[Matthew]

Well, I took these comments below as Matthew and you too, as COMPLAINING...least that's the way it came off to me.

Matthew said to HOTS, "It depends on my mood HOTS...at the moment I'm getting pretty bored of telling myself, it's better than nothing." "As Sherrie said.... the crumbs from the table are not enough anymore....and that goes for both Perry and Journey".

Yes - I can get frustrated about the lack of new music....by the fact that Perry isn't using his SPECTACULAR talent...that his enigmatic answers leave me none the wiser...

Sure the guy can do what he wants - and does so - and he owes me nothing - and he has given us so much already - and so on. I agree with all that - and on the whole I admire the fact that Perry has retained his dignity and does such a great job with the Journey legacy.

But not all his fans can be totally submissive and accept whatever happens ALL THE TIME with NO EMOTIONS AT ALL - like some spaced out cult member.

Being a fan is about having passion - and sometimes that clouds rational or mature thinking. Go to any sports ground and witness the sheer abuse heaped on the players at times by the fans...yet these fans stay loyal and show up again and again no matter what.

The Voice gets off lightly in comparison, I reckon.

OH MY, I certainly DO HAVE PASSION & EMOTION.... when it comes to Steve Perry I just don't see that "heaping the abuse" on him is the way to PROVE my" support & loyalty" as a fan for him. Perry has had my love & support for many years, & that will continue, no matter what he does!

Lori

Lori - I wasn't actually advocating "heaping abuse" on him - but equally it's hardly a big to deal express a little frustration now and again on a messageboard he probably doesn't even read.

[NealIsGod]

Lori - I wasn't actually advocating "heaping abuse" on him - but equally it's hardly a big to deal express a little frustration now and again on a messageboard he probably doesn't even read.

Don't be so sure.

[fred_journeyman]

Lori - I wasn't actually advocating "heaping abuse" on him - but equally it's hardly a big to deal express a little frustration now and again on a messageboard he probably doesn't even read.

I would think if Perry DID read this board and this thread, that he would - hopefully - take your frustration as a compliment.

People get frustrated with Journey on this board all the time and if the guys in Journey care - which I'm thinking they do to at least some degree hopefully - then they'll be willing to see the frustration and understand why it's there and what it could prompt them to do. The ball is still in their court...or Perry's.

I completely understand if Perry never wants to release anything new again. That's totally his prerogative. As a fan, it's all right for me to feel as though there is unfinished business. I'm not going to do anything with that other than feel that way and there is nothing in that sentiment that should not be taken by him as a compliment.

[tammy]

Ya know it is much easier being the fan than the performer...we can sit here on our butts and type, lie in bed or sit at a concert & listen to the music. Whereas the performer has to get all those creative juices flowing, write, re-write, find the right fit with other musicians, rehearse, make deals, pull the emotion & energy to get out on the stages, tour, give up their personal lives...etc., etc.
This fan is not without rational thought...that is why I can accept whatever SP does. He is not deaf to what his fans want..."to hear him sing again", but he is the ONE who has to do all the WORK not us. I've never heard of an artist actually announcing their retirement, it's not like they work for the sanitation dept. or something.
I also, understand the fans frustrations in wanting to hear/see their favorite artists, esp. if they feel that gift is being wasted in inactivity, but we just are not privy to what really goes on & they aren't required to tell us either.

[TRAGChick]

Ya know it is much easier being the fan than the performer

...we can sit here on our butts and type, lie in bed or sit at a concert & listen to the music. Whereas the performer has to get all those creative juices flowing, write, re-write, find the right fit with other musicians, rehearse, make deals, pull the emotion & energy to get out on the stages, tour, give up their personal lives...etc., etc.

This fan is not without rational thought...that is why I can accept whatever SP does. He is not deaf to what his fans want..."to hear him sing again", but he is the ONE who has to do all the WORK not us. I've never heard of an artist actually announcing their retirement, it's not like they work for the sanitation dept. or something.

On behalf of all working Musicians, may I say..... THANK YOU ~ for "getting it"! LOL

[ArnelRox]

this "picking and choosing" of only the question he feels like responding too is so much bull isnt it?

Hell..no cutting to the chase is there? so who the hell is interested in the same old clap-trap??

The guy is a bona fide "prima donna" of the highest order... he needs to take a reality check.... and "get on down" with the fans who still hold him dearly in their hearts , despite the questionable worthiness of such an honour!!

Get Real Mr Perry, for Gods sake !!!

how about a "real" live internet chat???

U know macca even u make a good point every once in a while.

I love Perry. I love everything he's ever done. If he never sings again, he's given me a ton already. I'm grateful for the bonus tracks. It's nice to hear from him no matter which way he does it & know that he's still "thinking" of doing more music. At least he hasn't said so far he will never sing again.

But some days I get frustrated. I mean he still keeps in contact so he still stays relevant in our minds. He doesn't let us forget him. But why the selective nature of his communications? Why does he have to do this pick & choose thing? How about a real interview w/Andrew? (I know he's doing Uncle Joe, but we all know he's "safe" there.) Or, as u said, a live chat? What is he hiding? Why is he so afraid to just let it all hang out? He always interviewed well. I've been listening to some old interviews (of course my favorite was the "panties down" one) lately & thinking how well he always came across. Why can't he do that again?

Damn I miss him.

[Matthew]

Ya know it is much easier being the fan than the performer...we can sit here on our butts and type, lie in bed or sit at a concert & listen to the music. Whereas the performer has to get all those creative juices flowing, write, re-write, find the right fit with other musicians, rehearse, make deals, pull the emotion & energy to get out on the stages, tour, give up their personal lives...etc., etc.
This fan is not without rational thought...that is why I can accept whatever SP does. He is not deaf to what his fans want..."to hear him sing again", but he is the ONE who has to do all the WORK not us. I've never heard of an artist actually announcing their retirement, it's not like they work for the sanitation dept. or something.
I also, understand the fans frustrations in wanting to hear/see their favorite artists, esp. if they feel that gift is being wasted in inactivity, but we just are not privy to what really goes on & they aren't required to tell us either.

I agree with all your points here, Silverblue.

But fans also give performers wealth, fame, affirmation, respect and so on and so forth. The fans have given Perry a lot over the years - so if there's occasional criticism and frustration....well, that just goes with the territory.

Let's not forget that successful performers have to be almost insanely obsessive about courting attention and adoration and sales....and although it seems that Perry is no longer driven by this obsession I bet it still matters to him hugely that we continue to buy the reissues and the DVDs and send in questions for him every year and talk about him on the messageboards.

Sure, we might all be a bunch of slobs compared to Perry - but the performer and fan is a 'relationship'....one can't exist without the other...and sometimes...just sometimes...I don't want to grovel in the dirt and praise his every move.

As Fred said...it is a COMPLIMENT to Perry that some us get frustrated about the fact that he has released only two albums in twenty years. And I bet it's every performer's worst nightmare to wake up one morning and discover that no-one gives a shit anymore.

No, Perry isn't "required" to tell us anything...but equally he is inviting questions...and I'm just hoping that he'll be a little more forthcoming in his answers than he has been in the past.

[Deb]

Lori - I wasn't actually advocating "heaping abuse" on him - but equally it's hardly a big to deal express a little frustration now and again on a messageboard he probably doesn't even read.

Don't be so sure.

Really? In that case, there is something I forgot to do. j/k

[tammy]

Oh, I'm sure it is important to SP & other artists to continue to have a fan base, Matthew...that would be depressing for them to be forgotten or when they do make a comeback, only a handful of people show up in the audience. SP will never have that problem. It is remarkable that he & Journey can attract new & younger fans all the time after all these years. I watched the VH1 100 greatest songs of the 80s and "Don't Stop Believin" came in at #11 - quite ahead of The Rolling Stones! Journey & SP are constantly being mentioned in popular culture here - look at the White Sox thing.

As for fame & fortune...I guess it is much more different for SP because he is still so popular & gets hounded for autographs where ever he goes...even with all the fame & money he had to give up that anonymity & freedom. Can you imagine people at restaurants watching you or coming up for an autograph while having a romantic dinner? I don't even want to think about using public bathrooms!!
Of course, when we are all in the old folks home drolling & gumming our wheelchairs, he will have probably have a harem assisting him. Maybe, it all balances out. Makes me think of Midas & the golden touch, 'tho.

Anyway, you never know what will happen. Cat Stevens left the music world in his prime for personal reasons & just came back with new music after 30 years!

But, anyway, I do think it is special that SP chooses to connect with his fans when he doesn't have to...to me it is a huge gift & I won't take it for granted. I think I get more of a thrill from these Q&As because it is more of a direct connection than passively listening to the music & talking about it on forums.
(dang, it is hard to continue a thought when I have to take kiddies to the potty every 5 min.)
tammy

[Clasicrockldy]

how about a "real" live internet chat???

It won't work, Mac, just because there would be so much mayhem in people asking questions that the room would go so fast, he couldn't really answer them. I know this because I was in a real live internet chatroom for Justin Hayward about three years ago, and it is bedlam. Even if they moderated it, which was done for that particular chat, the mods would not be listened to. It just isn't a good idea.

[fred_journeyman]

It won't work, Mac, just because there would be so much mayhem in people asking questions that the room would go so fast, he couldn't really answer them. I know this because I was in a real live internet chatroom for Justin Hayward about three years ago, and it is bedlam. Even if they moderated it, which was done for that particular chat, the mods would not be listened to. It just isn't a good idea.

It would work actually. The live chats that I've been involved with like this are done simply: each person logs on and submits questions to the moderator. The moderator then sifts through things and he/she and the guest answer the questions live, right there. It's a live chat, but moderated and controlled. The only disappointments of course are when not all questions have a chance to be answered.

In fact, my wife has been involved in live, real-time "chats" with educators on the 'Net (she's the current past-president of an educational group in CA). They were moderated and people would submit questions to the moderator and then the mod would forward them to my wife. She would respond to the questions vocally and people would hear it through their computer link. Her responses were also typed by the moderator so that everyone could either see or hear her answers.

[ohsherrie]

It won't work, Mac, just because there would be so much mayhem in people asking questions that the room would go so fast, he couldn't really answer them. I know this because I was in a real live internet chatroom for Justin Hayward about three years ago, and it is bedlam. Even if they moderated it, which was done for that particular chat, the mods would not be listened to. It just isn't a good idea.

It would work actually. The live chats that I've been involved with like this are done simply: each person logs on and submits questions to the moderator. The moderator then sifts through things and he/she and the guest answer the questions live, right there. It's a live chat, but moderated and controlled. The only disappointments of course are when not all questions have a chance to be answered.

In fact, my wife has been involved in live, real-time "chats" with educators on the 'Net (she's the current past-president of an educational group in CA). They were moderated and people would submit questions to the moderator and then the mod would forward them to my wife. She would respond to the questions vocally and people would hear it through their computer link. Her responses were also typed by the moderator so that everyone could either see or hear her answers.

This just wouldn't work in the case of the internet Journey/Perry world. There are too many passionate feelings involved on both sides of the issues. There are people who would see this type of chat with Perry, Neal, Augeri, or any other member or associate of the band as a chance to vent their frustrations. Others would be asking questions that they just can't answer for personal, professional, or legal reasons and then be angry or hurt when they didn't get an answer. Supporters of whichever of the guys who was participating in the chat would get angry and possibly hostile towards participants that they felt were attacking or being unfair to the band particitpant. I can imagine it being a completely unmanageable melee.

I think the way Steve does this with Lora is the only way he can reasonably communicate with us other than an interview. I wish he would just talk with Andrew about doing an interview. I think he'd find that Andrew is a great guy and a true professional who isn't as hostile towards him as this board at times may have led Steve to believe.

[ArnelRox]

It would work actually. The live chats that I've been involved with like this are done simply: each person logs on and submits questions to the moderator. The moderator then sifts through things and he/she and the guest answer the questions live, right there. It's a live chat, but moderated and controlled. The only disappointments of course are when not all questions have a chance to be answered.

I agree w/u Fred. I've taken online classes that have been handled this way. There is a live chat room & anything the instructor says appears on the screen. However, questions from participants do not appear on the screen until the moderator allows them to appear. There's no reason a live chat w/a celeb couldn't be set up the same way.

[ohsherrie]

It would work actually. The live chats that I've been involved with like this are done simply: each person logs on and submits questions to the moderator. The moderator then sifts through things and he/she and the guest answer the questions live, right there. It's a live chat, but moderated and controlled. The only disappointments of course are when not all questions have a chance to be answered.

I agree w/u Fred. I've taken online classes that have been handled this way. There is a live chat room & anything the instructor says appears on the screen. However, questions from participants do not appear on the screen until the moderator allows them to appear. There's no reason a live chat w/a celeb couldn't be set up the same way.

It would be fun to know that Steve was actually there in real time, but I sure wouldn't want to be the moderator. Unless there was an entire panel of them I can invision quite a wait between questions appearing on the screen while things are sorted out and we'd all either be there a very long time or very few questions would be answered due to time constraints. The way Lora does it she simply sorts the emails before Steve gets the questions then he answers them. The results are basically the same.

[ArnelRox]

It would be fun to know that Steve was actually there in real time, but I sure wouldn't want to be the moderator.

That's true. Journey fans aren't good at restraining themselves.

[ohsherrie]

It would be fun to know that Steve was actually there in real time, but I sure wouldn't want to be the moderator.

That's true. Journey fans aren't good at restraining themselves.

No we're certainly not. I can see why the guys are all gunshy about posting with us on a messageboard let alone getting in a chatroom.

[fred_journeyman]

This just wouldn't work in the case of the internet Journey/Perry world. There are too many passionate feelings involved on both sides of the issues. There are people who would see this type of chat with Perry, Neal, Augeri, or any other member or associate of the band as a chance to vent their frustrations. Others would be asking questions that they just can't answer for personal, professional, or legal reasons and then be angry or hurt when they didn't get an answer. Supporters of whichever of the guys who was participating in the chat would get angry and possibly hostile towards participants that they felt were attacking or being unfair to the band particitpant. I can imagine it being a completely unmanageable melee.

I think the way Steve does this with Lora is the only way he can reasonably communicate with us other than an interview. I wish he would just talk with Andrew about doing an interview. I think he'd find that Andrew is a great guy and a true professional who isn't as hostile towards him as this board at times may have led Steve to believe.

ohsherrie, I think you may have missed the point of my post. While the "chats" I'm talking about are live (certainly in real time), they are totally controlled by the moderator. The questions get submitted to the mod, then relayed to Perry (or whomever). He decides which ones he'll respond to. There would not be a chance for people to vent their frustrations. The mod would see that and either delete it or Perry wouldn't respond to it. In that way, it's not a free for all live chat, but a controlled chat. The moderator has total control. I was involved in a chat like this with Steve Smith not long ago. It worked very well. It was very controlled and not even close to being a melee.

[fred_journeyman]

I agree w/u Fred. I've taken online classes that have been handled this way. There is a live chat room & anything the instructor says appears on the screen. However, questions from participants do not appear on the screen until the moderator allows them to appear. There's no reason a live chat w/a celeb couldn't be set up the same way.

Yeah, that's exactly what I'm talking about. It works.

[ohsherrie]

ohsherrie, I think you may have missed the point of my post. While the "chats" I'm talking about are live (certainly in real time), they are totally controlled by the moderator. The questions get submitted to the mod, then relayed to Perry (or whomever). He decides which ones he'll respond to. There would not be a chance for people to vent their frustrations. The mod would see that and either delete it or Perry wouldn't respond to it. In that way, it's not a free for all live chat, but a controlled chat. The moderator has total control. I was involved in a chat like this with Steve Smith not long ago. It worked very well. It was very controlled and not even close to being a melee.

I understood what you were talking about Fred. I'm familiar with that sort of chat format. That's why I said there would probably be long waits between answers and either we would be there a long time or few questions would be answered. It works for a lot of situations, but I don't think it would in this particular circumstance. The internet Perry/Journey community just doesn't act as civilized as the people would in the examples you presented. Even though they couldn't fight on screen, many of the questions would be unacceptable, so the chat format would just be wasted. Therefore, letting Lora screen the emails and answering them in bulk is the best that Steve can reasonably do.

[fred_journeyman]

I understood what you were talking about Fred. I'm familiar with that sort of chat format. That's why I said there would probably be long waits between answers and either we would be there a long time or few questions would be answered. It works for a lot of situations, but I don't think it would in this particular circumstance. The internet Perry/Journey community just doesn't act as civilized as the people would in the examples you presented. Even though they couldn't fight on screen, many of the questions would be unacceptable, so the chat format would just be wasted. Therefore, letting Lora screen the emails and answering them in bulk is the best that Steve can reasonably do.

Okay, I see your point. I just disagree with it. I think it would work fine and there would be enough "good" questions that Steve could respond to. Either way, it'll probably never happen that way, so since that won't occur, at least we have Lora and Fan Asylum.

[L~L~L]

Am awaiting for the answers, this is going to be so much fun.

Thanks!