Why I Think Augieri Should Stay in Journey

[aaronproot]

I recently lost my job of 7 years 2 months ago and it's been an emotional nightmare ever since. Even though I wasn't a rock star, for the first time in my life I was paid well, treated with respect, and loved going to work every day. I got to travel the world, fly on private jets, stay in the best hotels, and I got to experience a life I've never had before and never will again.

And what really sucks is that the only reason I lost it was because of Wall Street and the need to boost the stock price with mass layoffs.

And what does this have to do with Augieri?

He was working at the Gap thinking his musical career was over when a miracle happened and he got to front a legendary rock band. Sure, JSS is a better singer and I'm not a huge fan of Steve 2.0's voice, but he fronted the band with class and grace. And now he's going to be booted out of the band because he shredded his voice on songs built for Steve Perry. Anyone who knows anything about singing knows that if you don't sing within your own range and vocal capabilities, you will kill your vocal chords. The same thing will happen to JSS if Journey doesn't alter the songs to fit him.

In any case, I feel for Augieri and what he must be going though. It sucks to have everything and lose it. God bless him if he's holding out for cash or even trying to get his job back, because that's what any of us would do.

If he can't sing anymore, then replace him. If he can, then let him stay.

So say we all!

[AR]

I recently lost my job of 7 years 2 months ago and it's been an emotional nightmare ever since. Even though I wasn't a rock star, for the first time in my life I was paid well, treated with respect, and loved going to work every day. I got to travel the world, fly on private jets, stay in the best hotels, and I got to experience a life I've never had before and never will again.

And what really sucks is that the only reason I lost it was because of Wall Street and the need to boost the stock price with mass layoffs.

And what does this have to do with Augieri?

He was working at the Gap thinking his musical career was over when a miracle happened and he got to front a legendary rock band. Sure, JSS is a better singer and I'm not a huge fan of Steve 2.0's voice, but he fronted the band with class and grace. And now he's going to be booted out of the band because he shredded his voice on songs built for Steve Perry. Anyone who knows anything about singing knows that if you don't sing within your own range and vocal capabilities, you will kill your vocal chords. The same thing will happen to JSS if Journey doesn't alter the songs to fit him.

In any case, I feel for Augieri and what he must be going though. It sucks to have everything and lose it. God bless him if he's holding out for cash or even trying to get his job back, because that's what any of us would do.

If he can't sing anymore, then replace him. If he can, then let him stay.

So say we all!

If a football player has lost a step, should the team keep him around?

[whocares]

...

So say we all!

no truth is only you and a few other's say that...

[ArnelRox]

Steve 2.0's voice,

2.0 Funny.

Anyone who knows anything about singing knows that if you don't sing within your own range and vocal capabilities, you will kill your vocal chords. The same thing will happen to JSS if Journey doesn't alter the songs to fit him.

Ya know, I thought a lot like this myself until I heard recent boots of Jeff & then saw him live. He hits those high notes pretty easily & without anything looking like effort. I think when he first started out, he was tired. He'd been working his ass off straight through since February. Then, he went out on tour w/Journey w/very little rehearsal time. He essentially had to rehearse live onstage. Not only did he have to remember the lyrics of a whole bunch of songs, but he also had to get used to playing w/the band, being onstage w/the band, & hitting high notes all the time which I think he said before he hadn't done for a few yrs. He did sing those notes before tho. Listen to his songs w/Eyes if u don't believe me. But he had to get used to singing those songs live for an entire set, high notes, low notes, & all, & w/a band he hadn't performed w/before. Sure he'd been onstage w/Neal before (I don't think he did live shows w/Deen, did he?). But he'd never been onstage w/Jon & Ross. I think it takes some time just to get used to how the guys move onstage, where they stand, etc. Especially for a guy like Jeff who likes to use every single bit of that stage when he performs. I can't imagine what kind of stress Jeff must have been feeling those 1st few nites out there. Even the stages were bigger than he'd done in a while. But u know, he didn't ever let it show. I saw him his 3rd nite out w/Journey & he had a fabulous presence even then.

I think Jeff did a fantastic job from show 1 onwards especially considering he didn't have months & months of rehearsal. By the time I saw him in November, he made it look as if he'd been playing w/this band for years. Perhaps going out there & being thrown into it, essentially rehearsing LIVE made it all the more fun. Whatever the case, Jeff is an incredible talent & an amazing professional to even be capable of doing that. It was sink or swim & he swam, that's for sure.

If he can't sing anymore, then replace him. If he can, then let him stay.

He can't sing. From what I've heard, the damage to his voice is permanent. I do feel sorry for him for that reason. It must be a terrible blow for a singer to lose his voice. I know many sports pros are devastated when they have to transition from what they've always done. But Augeri has done this before. He gave up singing in the 90s. Maybe that makes it a bit easier. I wish him well & hope he can move along from this quickly & let Journey continue. Many think he's an amazingly kind individual. I just hope he digs into his higher self & lets this go soon.

[JeremyP]

My feelings on everything that's gone on are this:

My world was rocked hard when all this came about because the Augeri lineup is what I became a fan of. Not because it continued the "Journey legacy" because I had no clue about any of that. I was 15 years old and I loved this band on it's own merits. Nothing more, nothing less.

My first reaction upon hearing them: "These guys are AMAZING!!"

Steve A, Neal, Jon, Ross, and Deen WERE Journey to me and provided me countless hours of listening pleasure and I was fortunate enough to see them live in 2001 and my socks were quite rocked off. lol

I bought Arrival, Red13, and Generations and still enjoy them and listen to them frequently.

I was really shaken when it became apparent that Steve A. would not be continuing with the band, but that's the way things have gone down.

I can say for sure that JSS is a truly gifted musician with a very strong voice, and that he is, above all, a FAN just like all of us. He, like Steve A., understands the passion that drives us to be fans and makes us have such strong viewpoints on where we stand.

I plan to support Steve A. in his future projects whether they come in the form of Tall Stories II or a solo album.

I also plan to give the new Journey material a fair and unbiased listen and I'm sure that both Journey's and Steve A's future endeavors will live up to the standard they have set for themselves and rock mightily.

That is all.




Edited for spelling

[donnaplease]

My feelings on everything that's gone on are this:

My world was rocked hard when all this came about because the Augeri lineup is what I became a fan of. Not because it continued the "Journey legacy" because I had no clue about any of that. I was 15 years old and I loved this band on it's own merits. Nothing more, nothing less.

My first reaction upon hearing them: "These guys are AMAZING!!"

Steve A, Neal, Jon, Ross, and Deen WERE Journey to me and provided me countless hours of listening pleasure and I was fortunate enough to see them live in 2001 and my socks were quite rocked off. lol

I bought Arrival, Red13, and Generations and still enjoy them and listen to them frequently.

I was really shaken when it became apparent that Steve A. would not be continuing with the band, but that's the way things have gone down.

I can say for sure that JSS is a truly gifted musician with a very strong voice, and that he is, above all, a FAN just like all of us. He, like Steve A., understands the passion that drives us to be fans and makes us have such strong viewpoints on where we stand.

I plan to support Steve A. in his future projects whether they come in the form of Tall Stories II or a solo album.

I also plan to give the new Journey material a fair and unbiased listen and I'm sure that both Journey's and Steve A's future endeavors will live up to the standard they have set for themselves and rock mightily.

That is all.




Edited for spelling

Good Post!!!

[Saint John]

I recently lost my job of 7 years 2 months ago and it's been an emotional nightmare ever since. Even though I wasn't a rock star, for the first time in my life I was paid well, treated with respect, and loved going to work every day. I got to travel the world, fly on private jets, stay in the best hotels, and I got to experience a life I've never had before and never will again.

And what really sucks is that the only reason I lost it was because of Wall Street and the need to boost the stock price with mass layoffs.

And what does this have to do with Augieri?

He was working at the Gap thinking his musical career was over when a miracle happened and he got to front a legendary rock band. Sure, JSS is a better singer and I'm not a huge fan of Steve 2.0's voice, but he fronted the band with class and grace. And now he's going to be booted out of the band because he shredded his voice on songs built for Steve Perry. Anyone who knows anything about singing knows that if you don't sing within your own range and vocal capabilities, you will kill your vocal chords. The same thing will happen to JSS if Journey doesn't alter the songs to fit him.

In any case, I feel for Augieri and what he must be going though. It sucks to have everything and lose it. God bless him if he's holding out for cash or even trying to get his job back, because that's what any of us would do.

If he can't sing anymore, then replace him. If he can, then let him stay.

So say we all!

If a football player has lost a step, should the team keep him around?

Nope. Bad analogy, though. Augeri was really never good and the fact that the 2 and a half albums he did with Journey were collectively outsold by Greatest Hits approximately 5 million to 400,000 over the last 8 years proves that Journey's fan base is alive and kicking. They just rejected him as lead singer. Maybe Soto will be different. It would be hard to be the same or worse.

[JeremyP]

My feelings on everything that's gone on are this:

My world was rocked hard when all this came about because the Augeri lineup is what I became a fan of. Not because it continued the "Journey legacy" because I had no clue about any of that. I was 15 years old and I loved this band on it's own merits. Nothing more, nothing less.

My first reaction upon hearing them: "These guys are AMAZING!!"

Steve A, Neal, Jon, Ross, and Deen WERE Journey to me and provided me countless hours of listening pleasure and I was fortunate enough to see them live in 2001 and my socks were quite rocked off. lol

I bought Arrival, Red13, and Generations and still enjoy them and listen to them frequently.

I was really shaken when it became apparent that Steve A. would not be continuing with the band, but that's the way things have gone down.

I can say for sure that JSS is a truly gifted musician with a very strong voice, and that he is, above all, a FAN just like all of us. He, like Steve A., understands the passion that drives us to be fans and makes us have such strong viewpoints on where we stand.

I plan to support Steve A. in his future projects whether they come in the form of Tall Stories II or a solo album.

I also plan to give the new Journey material a fair and unbiased listen and I'm sure that both Journey's and Steve A's future endeavors will live up to the standard they have set for themselves and rock mightily.

That is all.




Edited for spelling

Good Post!!!

Thank you

[AR]

Nope. Bad analogy, though. Augeri was really never good and the fact that the 2 and a half albums he did with Journey were collectively outsold by Greatest Hits approximately 5 million to 400,000 over the last 8 years proves that Journey's fan base is alive and kicking. They just rejected him as lead singer. Maybe Soto will be different. It would be hard to be the same or worse.

Disagree respectfully. Radio didn't play those records, and most classic rock acts can't get any radio play anymore, unless it's the old stuff. The general public DID accept Augeri. Concert sales proved that.

Cheap Trick and Foreigner were big bands, that saw record sales dive despite the fact they still had their original lead singers.

Trick's new CD is fantastic and never got a whiff of airplay. Unless you are a rap star, or someone on American Idol, you won't be heard, with only a few exceptions.

[Citygirl]

Regardless of what might have gone on, he was good in his time.

I think we can safely say he's in the past. Yeah I'd buy any solo CDs he did, if he was actually able to sing again. Time will tell.

[Saint John]

Nope. Bad analogy, though. Augeri was really never good and the fact that the 2 and a half albums he did with Journey were collectively outsold by Greatest Hits approximately 5 million to 400,000 over the last 8 years proves that Journey's fan base is alive and kicking. They just rejected him as lead singer. Maybe Soto will be different. It would be hard to be the same or worse.

Disagree. Radio didn't play those records, and most classic rock acts can't get any radio play anymore, unless it's the old stuff. The general public DID accept Augeri. Concert sales proved that.

Cheap Trick and Foreigner were big bands, that saw record sales dive despite the fact they still had their original lead singers.

Trick's new CD is fantastic and never got a whiff of airplay. Unless you are a rap star, or someone on American Idol, you won't be heard, with only a few exceptions.

Journey has always been a record selling machine....until Augeri. Concert sales proved that people like to hear the classics, even if they DID have someone else singing them. One of the largest "tribute" bands in the Chicago-land area is Infinity. They sell quite well and do so because of Journey's legacy and they do the classics justice...just like Augeri did. To a man, everyone of my friends that likes Journey, Foreigner, REO, Toto and the like said that Arrival was Ok and that Red 13 and Generations were the biggest clusterfuck of music that they'd ever heard. Sentiments I agree with. While Schon and Cain were still able to write awesome lyrics, Augeri just didn't have the vocally emotive touch that Perry did. Not many do.

[Rockindeano]

The thing is Steve Augeri is NOT going to stay in Journey and doesn't have a choice in ther matter. Why keep someone around who cannot do his job adequately, retards the bands progress, and limits its' potential?

Steve, I do know some high ranking people in Lowes. Perhaps I can give them a call on your behalf?

[AR]

Journey has always been a record selling machine....until Augeri. Concert sales proved that people like to hear the classics, even if they DID have someone else singing them. One of the largest "tribute" bands in the Chicago-land area is Infinity. They sell quite well and do so because of Journey's legacy and they do the classics justice...just like Augeri did. To a man, everyone of my friends that likes Journey, Foreigner, REO, Toto and the like said that Arrival was Ok and that Red 13 and Generations were the biggest clusterfuck of music that they'd ever heard. Sentiments I agree with. While Schon and Cain were still able to write awesome lyrics, Augeri just didn't have the vocally emotive touch that Perry did. Not many do.

Foreigner was a record selling machine too. Lou Gramm left for 1 record and his return did not send them back to platinum status.

I do agree with this. Arrival was very good, and Red 13 and Generations were not.

Either way, point is mute. Augeri is gone.

I just disagree with anyone that thinks that bands of this era are going to have smash hits. If Journey would have had a follow up to Trial By Fire with Perry, it would not have done much. Track record proves that on reunions. The first time they return - big business, after that, it drops off.

They might be a little better off if Perry had stayed through until the present day - but not much.

[Blueskies]

The thing is Steve Augeri is NOT going to stay in Journey and doesn't have a choice in ther matter. Why keep someone around who cannot do his job adequately, retards the bands progress, and limits its' potential?

Steve, I do know some high ranking people in Lowes. Perhaps I can give them a call on your behalf?

Deano, you've been like a scratched record lately. Needle's stuck. Give your turntable a little kick, will ya?!

[Saint John]

Journey has always been a record selling machine....until Augeri. Concert sales proved that people like to hear the classics, even if they DID have someone else singing them. One of the largest "tribute" bands in the Chicago-land area is Infinity. They sell quite well and do so because of Journey's legacy and they do the classics justice...just like Augeri did. To a man, everyone of my friends that likes Journey, Foreigner, REO, Toto and the like said that Arrival was Ok and that Red 13 and Generations were the biggest clusterfuck of music that they'd ever heard. Sentiments I agree with. While Schon and Cain were still able to write awesome lyrics, Augeri just didn't have the vocally emotive touch that Perry did. Not many do.

Foreigner was a record selling machine too. Lou Gramm left for 1 record and his return did not send them back to platinum status.

I do agree with this. Arrival was very good, and Red 13 and Generations were not.

Either way, point is mute. Augeri is gone.


I just disagree with anyone that thinks that bands of this era are going to have smash hits. If Journey would have had a follow up to Trial By Fire with Perry, it would not have done much. Track record proves that on reunions. The first time they return - big business, after that, it drops off.

They might be a little better off if Perry had stayed through until the present day - but not much.

I think Bon Jovi is the only group in Journey's league in terms of popularity, fan support and drawing power. The aforementioned bands, while very good, are in the minor leagues of AOR. That said, had Journey found a way to to release something every few years with Perry at the helm I think they'd still be a platinum selling group. Greatest Hits sales seem to allude to that. Ultimately, the quality of the music would be the deciding factor. And it would have to be a step up from TBF, that is for sure.

[Andrew]

Thanks to those posting for ensuring this thread has not and hopefully will not descend into chaos. Points posted thus far have been done as I would hope all posts should be throughout this board - with respect to differing opinions.

[Mark H]

Journey has always been a record selling machine....until Augeri. Concert sales proved that people like to hear the classics, even if they DID have someone else singing them. One of the largest "tribute" bands in the Chicago-land area is Infinity. They sell quite well and do so because of Journey's legacy and they do the classics justice...just like Augeri did. To a man, everyone of my friends that likes Journey, Foreigner, REO, Toto and the like said that Arrival was Ok and that Red 13 and Generations were the biggest clusterfuck of music that they'd ever heard. Sentiments I agree with. While Schon and Cain were still able to write awesome lyrics, Augeri just didn't have the vocally emotive touch that Perry did. Not many do.

Foreigner was a record selling machine too. Lou Gramm left for 1 record and his return did not send them back to platinum status.

I do agree with this. Arrival was very good, and Red 13 and Generations were not.

Either way, point is mute. Augeri is gone.

I just disagree with anyone that thinks that bands of this era are going to have smash hits. If Journey would have had a follow up to Trial By Fire with Perry, it would not have done much. Track record proves that on reunions. The first time they return - big business, after that, it drops off.

They might be a little better off if Perry had stayed through until the present day - but not much.

Agree with it all. If Journey brought out Escape tomorrow it wouldn't sell a damn in global terms. AOR just isn't in vogue at the moment. I don't think SA affected Journeys record selling ability one way or the other; what he did do is allow them to continue with their only valid revenue stream...touring. And for that I thank him.

[Saint John]

Journey has always been a record selling machine....until Augeri. Concert sales proved that people like to hear the classics, even if they DID have someone else singing them. One of the largest "tribute" bands in the Chicago-land area is Infinity. They sell quite well and do so because of Journey's legacy and they do the classics justice...just like Augeri did. To a man, everyone of my friends that likes Journey, Foreigner, REO, Toto and the like said that Arrival was Ok and that Red 13 and Generations were the biggest clusterfuck of music that they'd ever heard. Sentiments I agree with. While Schon and Cain were still able to write awesome lyrics, Augeri just didn't have the vocally emotive touch that Perry did. Not many do.

Foreigner was a record selling machine too. Lou Gramm left for 1 record and his return did not send them back to platinum status.

I do agree with this. Arrival was very good, and Red 13 and Generations were not.

Either way, point is mute. Augeri is gone.

I just disagree with anyone that thinks that bands of this era are going to have smash hits. If Journey would have had a follow up to Trial By Fire with Perry, it would not have done much. Track record proves that on reunions. The first time they return - big business, after that, it drops off.

They might be a little better off if Perry had stayed through until the present day - but not much.

Agree with it all. If Journey brought out Escape tomorrow it wouldn't sell a damn in global terms. AOR just isn't in vogue at the moment. I don't think SA affected Journeys record selling ability one way or the other; what he did do is allow them to continue with their only valid revenue stream...touring. And for that I thank him.

Escape WOULD sell today. 9 million copies? Of course not. Escape is timeless Journey music. Platinum? Absolutley.

[Matthew]

Escape WOULD sell today. 9 million copies? Of course not. Escape is timeless Journey music. Platinum? Absolutley.

I totally agree. There are plenty of 'golden oldie' acts enjoying successful recording careers at the moment.

[Matthew]

In any case, I feel for Augieri and what he must be going though. It sucks to have everything and lose it. God bless him if he's holding out for cash or even trying to get his job back, because that's what any of us would do.

Sure - I've been fired twice from great jobs and it's a nightmare - but equally I reckon he's ponced off the Journey legacy for long enough - and it's time the guy had another go of making it on his own merits and to rediscover his professional self-respect.

[ohsherrie]

I had sympathy for Augeri when all this first happened. He didn't ask to lose what was a good singing voice. He was never, IMO, vocally worthy of being the frontman for Journey, but he tried. He had a good voice, just not good enough to sing the Perry oriented material. The CDs they did after he joined were good, but not great. His bread has been buttered during his time with Journey by the Perry material that was too much for him. He should be thankful for that butter because he sure hasn't churned any of his own. Instead of thanking Journey for the time that they allowed him to have with them he's holding out for something that he hasn't earned. I no longer have any sympathy for him.

[ArnelRox]

I had sympathy for Augeri when all this first happened. He didn't ask to lose what was a good singing voice. He was never, IMO, vocally worthy of being the frontman for Journey, but he tried. He had a good voice, just not good enough to sing the Perry oriented material. The CDs they did after he joined were good, but not great. His bread has been buttered during his time with Journey by the Perry material that was too much for him. He should be thankful for that butter because he sure hasn't churned any of his own. Instead of thanking Journey for the time that they allowed him to have with them he's holding out for something that he hasn't earned. I no longer have any sympathy for him.

Well said sis. He had a dream come true & he got to live it. Now let it go w/dignity & let Journey move on.

[ohsherrie]

I had sympathy for Augeri when all this first happened. He didn't ask to lose what was a good singing voice. He was never, IMO, vocally worthy of being the frontman for Journey, but he tried. He had a good voice, just not good enough to sing the Perry oriented material. The CDs they did after he joined were good, but not great. His bread has been buttered during his time with Journey by the Perry material that was too much for him. He should be thankful for that butter because he sure hasn't churned any of his own. Instead of thanking Journey for the time that they allowed him to have with them he's holding out for something that he hasn't earned. I no longer have any sympathy for him.

Well said sis. He had a dream come true & he got to live it. Now let it go w/dignity & let Journey move on.

Thanks Sis. He's not only losing his dignity but also costing Journey some too by holding out. IMO he hasn't earned the right to do that.

[JeremyP]

I had sympathy for Augeri when all this first happened. He didn't ask to lose what was a good singing voice. He was never, IMO, vocally worthy of being the frontman for Journey, but he tried. He had a good voice, just not good enough to sing the Perry oriented material. The CDs they did after he joined were good, but not great. His bread has been buttered during his time with Journey by the Perry material that was too much for him. He should be thankful for that butter because he sure hasn't churned any of his own. Instead of thanking Journey for the time that they allowed him to have with them he's holding out for something that he hasn't earned. I no longer have any sympathy for him.

Well said sis. He had a dream come true & he got to live it. Now let it go w/dignity & let Journey move on.

Thanks Sis. He's not only losing his dignity but also costing Journey some too by holding out. IMO he hasn't earned the right to do that.

I have to respectfully disagree about Steve A. not having churned his own butter. (that sounds funny lol)

That lineup got me into Journey in the first place. They may not appeal to everyone's taste, but the Augeri era albums are very musically interesting and relevant. As a musician myself, trust me, I'm a stickler. lol

I do agree about the songs being too much for him night after night, as I think they were for Perry. Those songs have vocals which are verrry high and extremely demanding. To consistantly hit every single note as they're sung on the albums night after night on a months-long tour would be super human and I haven't heard the Journey frontman yet who could do it.

Lou Gramm has mentioned that it's been hard for him to sing the songs the way they're sung on the record, and we all know what an amazing voice he's been in the classic rock scene.

I feel like some think, "If it ain't Perry, it ain't good." I don't wanna put words into anybody's mouth so please correct me if that's what I'm doing.

[Saint John]

I had sympathy for Augeri when all this first happened. He didn't ask to lose what was a good singing voice. He was never, IMO, vocally worthy of being the frontman for Journey, but he tried. He had a good voice, just not good enough to sing the Perry oriented material. The CDs they did after he joined were good, but not great. His bread has been buttered during his time with Journey by the Perry material that was too much for him. He should be thankful for that butter because he sure hasn't churned any of his own. Instead of thanking Journey for the time that they allowed him to have with them he's holding out for something that he hasn't earned. I no longer have any sympathy for him.

Well said sis. He had a dream come true & he got to live it. Now let it go w/dignity & let Journey move on.

Thanks Sis. He's not only losing his dignity but also costing Journey some too by holding out. IMO he hasn't earned the right to do that.

I have to respectfully disagree about Steve A. not having churned his own butter. (that sounds funny lol)

That lineup got me into Journey in the first place. They may not appeal to everyone's taste, but the Augeri era albums are very musically interesting and relevant. As a musician myself, trust me, I'm a stickler. lol

I do agree about the songs being too much for him night after night, as I think they were for Perry. Those songs have vocals which are verrry high and extremely demanding. To consistantly hit every single note as they're sung on the albums night after night on a months-long tour would be super human and I haven't heard the Journey frontman yet who could do it.

Lou Gramm has mentioned that it's been hard for him to sing the songs the way they're sung on the record, and we all know what an amazing voice he's been in the classic rock scene.

I feel like some think, "If it ain't Perry, it ain't good." I don't wanna put words into anybody's mouth so please correct me if that's what I'm doing.

The problem is that this incarnation of Journey didn't get many others other than yourself to buy their new music. While they were "relevant" to you, to most they were only relevant as karaoke with live music. Album sales prove that.

[donnaplease]

I do agree about the songs being too much for him night after night, as I think they were for Perry. Those songs have vocals which are verrry high and extremely demanding. To consistantly hit every single note as they're sung on the albums night after night on a months-long tour would be super human and I haven't heard the Journey frontman yet who could do it.
Lou Gramm has mentioned that it's been hard for him to sing the songs the way they're sung on the record, and we all know what an amazing voice he's been in the classic rock scene.

I feel like some think, "If it ain't Perry, it ain't good." I don't wanna put words into anybody's mouth so please correct me if that's what I'm doing.

Actually, Journey did have a frontman who could do it. I don't happen to believe it was the music that has kept SP from performing, although it is a well-known fact that his voice did become lower over the years. Of course, he didn't have to sing the same songs over and over again, because their albums were successful enough that they didn't have to rely on the same 'dirty dozen' songs. For those of you who were fortunate enough to see the SP-era Journey in concert (lucky bastards!!! ), am I right about this????? Please correct me if I am wrong.

BTW, I happen to really love his lower range, sometimes I think I like it better than his early 80's sound...

[ohsherrie]

I have to respectfully disagree about Steve A. not having churned his own butter. (that sounds funny lol)

That lineup got me into Journey in the first place. They may not appeal to everyone's taste, but the Augeri era albums are very musically interesting and relevant. As a musician myself, trust me, I'm a stickler. lol

I do agree about the songs being too much for him night after night, as I think they were for Perry. Those songs have vocals which are verrry high and extremely demanding. To consistantly hit every single note as they're sung on the albums night after night on a months-long tour would be super human and I haven't heard the Journey frontman yet who could do it.

Lou Gramm has mentioned that it's been hard for him to sing the songs the way they're sung on the record, and we all know what an amazing voice he's been in the classic rock scene.

I feel like some think, "If it ain't Perry, it ain't good." I don't wanna put words into anybody's mouth so please correct me if that's what I'm doing.

Jeremy, I'm glad that you became a Journey fan for whatever reason. I'm glad you appreciated the humor of the "churned butter" thing. Yes, the songs became too much for Perry too, but they were and still are his songs. He did them in their time. None of the songs that Augeri sung were anywhere near comparable in quality or range.

I used to feel that it couldn't be Journey if it wasn't Perry. I don't anymore. It couldn't become Journey to some of we "oldtimers" with Augeri because he just couldn't deliver the same quality goods. I guess the fact that someone who never knew "Perry quality" in it's time thought the Augeri sung songs were good speaks to the quality of what's out there today.

Stick around though. With JSS onboard more great stuff is still to come.

[Red13JoePa]

If Augeri COULD stay in the band, the he would be there.

He's physically unable to do what he did for 8 years out front at this time.

It's the one thing both tape gate and the June press release agree upon.


It's why we have a dynamic new lead vocalist.

[ohsherrie]

If Augeri COULD stay in the band, the he would be there.

He's physically unable to do what he did for 8 years out front at this time.

It's the one thing both tape gate and the June press release agree upon.


It's why we have a dynamic new lead vocalist.

And it don't get much simpler than that. Good one Joe.

[journeywoman]

I had sympathy for Augeri when all this first happened. He didn't ask to lose what was a good singing voice. He was never, IMO, vocally worthy of being the frontman for Journey, but he tried. He had a good voice, just not good enough to sing the Perry oriented material. The CDs they did after he joined were good, but not great. His bread has been buttered during his time with Journey by the Perry material that was too much for him. He should be thankful for that butter because he sure hasn't churned any of his own. Instead of thanking Journey for the time that they allowed him to have with them he's holding out for something that he hasn't earned. I no longer have any sympathy for him.

No one could've said it any better than you!He has lived that dream and it almost cost Journey he should know it's time to move on,they were good enough to keep him this long.Great post