John West on his audition for Journey

by **Matthew** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 10:52 am

Andrew wrote:I think this has been covered in my past interviews - the guys found Augeri to be a super nice guy - his voice fitted the sound and style they desired and it did work out for the guys.

In what way did it work out Andrew?

by **Abitaman** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:06 am

Jeremey wrote:
Abitaman wrote:The problem was he hadn't sang in a few years, so he was out of shape. Not that he copuldn't sing or the problems he had at the en, but you and half the board want to read something else in to it

The point behind what I said and felt at the time wasn't that "Why did they get a guy who couldn't sing," or that he had the chronic problems he does now way back in 1998 - Only that with guys like John West around, what was so powerful and compelling that they went with Augeri, even if he wasn't at 100%.

I wasn't arguing with you J. I was just letting off steam at some of the others who look for any reason to put Augeri down-ERIC

by **Andrew** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:08 am

It kept them on the road post 1998 up until now. Without going over the virtues of the last tour or two (we've done that a few times!!!!), the band has remained a strong touring drawcard and there is always promoter interest in signing them up.

by **Abitaman** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:10 am

Andrew wrote:It kept them on the road post 1998 up until now. Without going over the virtues of the last tour or two (we've done that a few times!!!!), the band has remained a strong touring drawcard and there is always promoter interest in signing them up.

hoping that continues-ERIC

by **Andrew** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:11 am

Abitaman wrote:
Andrew wrote:It kept them on the road post 1998 up until now. Without going over the virtues of the last tour or two (we've done that a few times!!!!), the band has remained a strong touring drawcard and there is always promoter interest in signing them up.

hoping that continues-ERIC

So far so good!

by **ohsherrie** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:19 am

And the best is yet to come!!!!! (well at least since '96)

by **Abitaman** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:25 am

ohsherrie wrote:And the best is yet to come!!!!! (well at least since '96)

They toured in 96?

by **Matthew** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:26 am

Andrew wrote:It kept them on the road post 1998 up until now. Without going over the virtues of the last tour or two (we've done that a few times!!!!), the band has remained a strong touring drawcard and there is always promoter interest in signing them up.

But don't you think any half-decent AOR singer could have kept Journey on the road? Wasn't it the pulling power of the Journey name - rather than Augeri's specific contributions - which attracted the interest from promoters?

Also - isn't it possible that a different singer might have been more successful in slowing down the decline in Journey's recording career? I know that this decline started in 1983 - in commercial terms - and was irreversible....but the Augeri years saw the band sink to unimagined lows.

Yes, the times had changed...and yes Sony lost interest...but surely Augeri's lack of star quality was a factor too. Nobody believed he had what it took to make an impression on TV or in interviews or photo-shoots. The humble, gracious persona wasn't enough to attract the interest of the media - no matter how many nostalgia nights the concert promoters were able to book.

But maybe it was inevitable that Journey would lose their recording deal and go 'under the radar' no matter who was singing - and maybe even Steve Perry himself saw this coming and bailed out at just the right time while the band still had some big league status. In fact, his instincts were right - I think - even back in 1987. The band had peaked and he must have known then that the only way was down.

I guess none of this would matter to me had I loved the music Journey created with Augeri though....

by **Andrew** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:37 am

Matthew wrote:
Andrew wrote:It kept them on the road post 1998 up until now. Without going over the virtues of the last tour or two (we've done that a few times!!!!), the band has remained a strong touring drawcard and there is always promoter interest in signing them up.

But don't you think any half-decent AOR singer could have kept Journey on the road? Isn't it the pulling power of the Journey name - rather than Augeri's specific contributions - which attracted the interest from promoters?

Also - isn't it possible that a different singer might have been more successful in slowing down the decline in Journey's recording career?

Part A - who knows mate! Maybe....maybe not, but you cannot deny that Augeri created a loyal fanbase.

Part B - not sure of that either....i think that part was all down to label politics, so who knows how an alternative situation would have played out.

In the end - it is what it is/was and we can only speculate over what else might have happened

by **ohsherrie** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:44 am

Abitaman wrote:
ohsherrie wrote:And the best is yet to come!!!!! (well at least since '96)

They toured in 96?

I meant the best singer Eric, as you well know. :wink:

by **Matthew** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:57 am

Andrew wrote:
Matthew wrote:
Andrew wrote:It kept them on the road post 1998 up until now. Without going over the virtues of the last tour or two (we've done that a few times!!!!), the band has remained a strong touring drawcard and there is always promoter interest in signing them up.

But don't you think any half-decent AOR singer could have kept Journey on the road? Isn't it the pulling power of the Journey name - rather than Augeri's specific contributions - which attracted the interest from promoters?

Also - isn't it possible that a different singer might have been more successful in slowing down the decline in Journey's recording career?

Part A - who knows mate! Maybe....maybe not, but you cannot deny that Augeri created a loyal fanbase.

Part B - not sure of that either....i think that part was all down to label politics, so who knows how an alternative situation would have played out.

In the end - it is what it is/was and we can only speculate over what else might have happened

Yes, Augeri does have a loyal fanbase - but it is surely just a tiny band of people who spend most of their time on the internet. They might have a loud voice in the freakish little niche we all occupy but looking at the big picture Augeri is largely irrelevant or unknown even to the overwhelming majority of CD-buying Journey fans. Compared to the immense stature and success of the band itself over the years Augeri is very much an 'underground' and commercially insignificant figure.

If Augeri released a solo album how many copies would it sell? 50,000 at most? If that? Pure speculation as you say - but it would be interesting to see how well Augeri does without the wealth of talent and material which Journey provided him.

Also - it could be argued that the fans' loyalty hasn't really been put to the test. He's only just left the band - and I wonder how many Journey fans will actively support the guy in two or three years time. To be honest it amazed me last year to see how quickly most AugeriHeads were able to 'let go' and move on to the next guy.

by **Andrew** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:00 pm

Good points and good questions Matt.

by **ohsherrie** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:06 pm

Matthew wrote:Yes, Augeri does have a loyal fanbase - but it is surely just a tiny band of people who spend most of their time on the internet. They might have a loud voice in the freakish little niche we all occupy but looking at the big picture Augeri is largely irrelevant or unknown even to the overwhelming majority of CD-buying Journey fans. Compared to the immense stature and success of the band itself over the years Augeri is very much an 'underground' and commercially insignificant figure.

And there ya go. Matthew tells it like it is yet again.

by **Red13JoePa** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 12:25 pm

Matthew wrote:
Andrew wrote:It kept them on the road post 1998 up until now. Without going over the virtues of the last tour or two (we've done that a few times!!!!), the band has remained a strong touring drawcard and there is always promoter interest in signing them up.

But don't you think any half-decent AOR singer could have kept Journey on the road? Wasn't it the pulling power of the Journey name - rather than Augeri's specific contributions - which attracted the interest from promoters?

Well, Matthew I realize this may be a foreign concept (

) to some but oddly enough there are those out there, I'm not sure where mind you as we rarely if ever see them, (

) that insist that in fact Perry "is" Journey and that the band could never really exist without him.

by **Abitaman** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 1:07 pm

ohsherrie wrote:
Abitaman wrote:
ohsherrie wrote:And the best is yet to come!!!!! (well at least since '96)

They toured in 96?

I meant the best singer Eric, as you well know.

Can't argue with that point!! Perry is the voice of Rock!! But Augeri keep the band alive and going since then. Now it it is in the hands of JSS. Granted they are not Perry, but each have and will brought what Journey needs or needed to the table-ERIC

by **tammy** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 4:13 pm

Andrew wrote:
Great band....check out Paper Sun and The Mission. Great melodic metal / power hard rock.

***********

Thanks, Andrew I will. It's all new to me & I appreciate suggestions. That's another good thing about this forum - you don't get yelled at if you aren't talking strictly Journey. I'm not familar with Malmsteen (spelling?) when JSS was with him, but I heard a sample on iTunes & it appealed to me. I'm not a metal head, but I like powerful voice & music.

by **bionic** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:14 pm

Clasicrockldy wrote:That article is really interesting, Andrew. Back then Augeri was having trouble with his voice? Hmmmmmmm I am thinking that something is going to hit something very soon.

They took Augeri on when he was around 38! most singers voices are changing at this stage, at best they have a few years before the band will have to down tune and adjust.Its o.k for singers like Ronnie Dio or Bruce Dickinson who have a lower register but the Robert Plants and Steve Perry's its harder to hit those notes.Lets be nonest even Perry at 38 was having changes to his voice quite how that expected an inferior singer at 38 to do the Perry stuff is beyond me,well now we know how they expected him to do it :wink:

by **bionic** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:18 pm

Matthew wrote:
Andrew wrote:
Matthew wrote:
Andrew wrote:It kept them on the road post 1998 up until now. Without going over the virtues of the last tour or two (we've done that a few times!!!!), the band has remained a strong touring drawcard and there is always promoter interest in signing them up.

But don't you think any half-decent AOR singer could have kept Journey on the road? Isn't it the pulling power of the Journey name - rather than Augeri's specific contributions - which attracted the interest from promoters?

Also - isn't it possible that a different singer might have been more successful in slowing down the decline in Journey's recording career?

Part A - who knows mate! Maybe....maybe not, but you cannot deny that Augeri created a loyal fanbase.

Part B - not sure of that either....i think that part was all down to label politics, so who knows how an alternative situation would have played out.

In the end - it is what it is/was and we can only speculate over what else might have happened

Yes, Augeri does have a loyal fanbase - but it is surely just a tiny band of people who spend most of their time on the internet. They might have a loud voice in the freakish little niche we all occupy but looking at the big picture Augeri is largely irrelevant or unknown even to the overwhelming majority of CD-buying Journey fans. Compared to the immense stature and success of the band itself over the years Augeri is very much an 'underground' and commercially insignificant figure.

If Augeri released a solo album how many copies would it sell? 50,000 at most? If that? Pure speculation as you say - but it would be interesting to see how well Augeri does without the wealth of talent and material which Journey provided him.

Also - it could be argued that the fans' loyalty hasn't really been put to the test. He's only just left the band - and I wonder how many Journey fans will actively support the guy in two or three years time. To be honest it amazed me last year to see how quickly most AugeriHeads were able to 'let go' and move on to the next guy.

What concerms me regarding Augeri's future is the fact he could not even handle the Generations material live without the use of tapes so how in hell can he play live any Tall Stories material.Lots of people said he just needs rest he had rest in Journey as he was not singing?

by **ohsherrie** » Sat Jan 20, 2007 9:37 pm

bionic wrote:What concerms me regarding Augeri's future is the fact he could not even handle the Generations material live without the use of tapes so how in hell can he play live any Tall Stories material.Lots of people said he just needs rest he had rest in Journey as he was not singing?

The thing is that it seems he was actually singing but the sound just wasn't going into the mix, so he was still straining his voice. That's one of the things that makes no sense unless he was just afraid he couldn't actually mime it convincingly. Or maybe he thought it would be better to have some sound coming out if the tape cut off.

by **The_Noble_Cause** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:21 am

I remember some Journey fans exclaiming their dissapointment upon hearing the band's choice.
One said (on some forum), "couldn't they have found a better singer?"

"Tall Stories" gave me hope, but the live Tyketto tracks out there are uniformly ear-splittingly awful.
Luckily, Steve got alot of training since those days.

by **tammy** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:48 am

I think I just found something new to love!

http://youtube.com/watch?v=WdasU6M4LQ0

Damn, what a voice John West has & that music is awesome - and, all that flying long hair - love it!

by **ohsherrie** » Mon Jan 22, 2007 5:51 am

The_Noble_Cause wrote:I remember some Journey fans exclaiming their dissapointment upon hearing the band's choice.
One said (on some forum), "couldn't they have found a better singer?"

A lot are saying things similar to that now. :roll:

I personally think they found a lot better singer this time.

by **tammy** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:04 am

Zoiks!! Hot! Just found this... http://www.vitalijkuprij.com/artension/ ... sion30.jpg
I think I'm smitten...oh, my!

Royal Hunt needs to come to the U.S., yep.

by **larryfromnextdoor** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 11:08 am

silverblue wrote:Zoiks!! Hot! Just found this... http://www.vitalijkuprij.com/artension/ ... sion30.jpg
I think I'm smitten...oh, my! Royal Hunt needs to come to the U.S., yep.

SILVER!!!! oh pleeeze.... :lol:

what would bands do without their female fan base?

by **tammy** » Fri Jan 26, 2007 12:27 pm

LarryFromNextDoor wrote:
silverblue wrote:Zoiks!! Hot! Just found this... http://www.vitalijkuprij.com/artension/ ... sion30.jpg
I think I'm smitten...oh, my! Royal Hunt needs to come to the U.S., yep.

SILVER!!!! oh pleeeze.... what would bands do without their female fan base?

I don't know - I feel sorry for you guy fans. :lol:

Of course, ya got Shania Twain (who I also think is hot - oops, have I said too much?)

MR

John West on his audition for Journey

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