Journey Topic- Part 1 Irving Azoff

[Saint John]

This topic is gay. Why not talk about something more important to Journey than Azoff? Like the fact that Journey is finally getting the recognition they deserve by having a song in Wheel of Fortune? Wake up and stop being so lame.

There is NOTHING more important to Journey than Azoff Management. He's the guy that's going to be setting the course for their direction, seeking a label (if any) and moving them forward. He'll be in charge of booking TV appearances radio opportunities and general exposure to the public. To dismiss this topic as "gay" is ridiculous. And you've probably just incurred the wrath of someone very weird. Good luck with THAT.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

...I learned why Irving was so damned passive about Journey, and why nothing ever happened to promote the band. His hands were tied unfortunately.

Are you saying that Azoff had nothing to do with Tapegate?

[Saint John]

...I learned why Irving was so damned passive about Journey, and why nothing ever happened to promote the band. His hands were tied unfortunately.

Are you saying that Azoff had nothing to do with Tapegate?

Seems to me, that would be impossible. Which is what I think you were getting at.

[chad]

First, I'm not sure what the promotional goals are of Journey.

But, if they want more exposure and want to be a current newsworthy band in today's market (i.e. new songs on the radio, broaden appeal, etc.) they will most definitely need some break-through marketing/promotions. Taking a year off to be missed is like preaching to the choir. The only people missing them will be the hardcore fans (message board)....there are many casual fans that attended the last concert tour....and to attract more casual fans is the goal. To fill more seats and play larger venues you need new songs on the radio and promotions targeting incremental fans. It's that simple.

The hard part is puttting forth a sucessful marketing stratetgy. They'll have to think different to pull this off.

Even if they put out an awesome new CD, that's only part of the equation. They'll need a plan to capitalize on the right new CD.

Going out and playing the classic Journey hits will only bring in so many people. Hence, they'll have to expand their existing base to address this barrier.

Chad

[Marc S]

Its true, melodic rock no longer has much sway on frontline radio especially in the uk. We get all manner of shit R&B and hip hop based novelty records and pop fodder, no sophistication or virtuoso singers/players whatsoever (take Mika's Grace Kelly, its a pastiche of everything but has fuck all substance vis-a-vis a novelty record, but all media is going apeshit).

There was a mention that Bon Jovi was the exception - this only happened because they changed drastically around 'Keep the Faith' era - shorter hair, Manchester Indie drum beats, less hair metal guitar, no real blinding guitar solos etc etc. They reinvented themselves - if Journey under Soto can do this, there is no reason why they cannot achieve major airplay. Problem is, by changing, they may well alienate a vast chunk of their loyal fan base who see Journey only in 'Classic Rock' terms.

They could really rock the boat artistically if they put their minds to it....

[Saint John]

Its true, melodic rock no longer has much sway on frontline radio especially in the uk. We get all manner of shit R&B and hip hop based novelty records and pop fodder, no sophistication or virtuoso singers/players whatsoever (take Mika's Grace Kelly, its a pastiche of everything but has fuck all substance vis-a-vis a novelty record, but all media is going apeshit).

There was a mention that Bon Jovi was the exception - this only happened because they changed drastically around 'Keep the Faith' era - shorter hair, Manchester Indie drum beats, less hair metal guitar, no real blinding guitar solos etc etc. They reinvented themselves - if Journey under Soto can do this, there is no reason why they cannot achieve major airplay. Problem is, by changing, they may well alienate a vast chunk of their loyal fan base who see Journey only in 'Classic Rock' terms.

They could really rock the boat artistically if they put their minds to it....

Great post. Never thought of it exactly like that.

[EightyRock]

They definitely need to reinvent themselves and move OFF of the greatest hits merry-go-round . Until they are willing to do that and take some big chances, they are done.

Azoff??? He is brilliant. He just had nothing to work with in an Augeri-fronted band. Azoff was hired to move the heavens for a Perry fronted Journey and I believe he would have done a stellar job at that. Perry chose him specifically, so I'm not doubting he had what it took to do the job.....THEN. I don't blame Azoff at all, unless he was the one who insisted they keep the wiggler on, long after he couldn't do his job. There's where they went all wrong. Kept a singer who lost his voice before the even started the tour, toured anyway, didn't address the issue with the fanbase and most of all....screwed the ticketbuyers all the way to the bank.
Yeah...I'd say some major changes were needed before now. Let's see Azoff fix this. Then, we'll see just how good he really is. It helps that Soto is a better singer/frontman than Augeri. Let's see if that is enough.

[brywool]

However business is business and they should move faster than lightning...Time is ticking away.Journey has one more chance to do something worthy of their name.
If it doesn't happen now I doubt it it will ever happen.

I agree with you here, but....

They can't tour the States this year. they need to be missed. However, i do think they should have a CD DONE by this year. That is MY opinion. I know the timetable doesn't call for it to be done this year, but like you said, they need to move fast; keep their recent momentum. But at the same time, be missed. Now thankfully with jeff, he has a European connection that he brings, and they will be able to keep their Mo' over there, and hopefully early 2008, release and tour in support of the new release.

Touring this year would only keep them away from the studio job they need to do,and it has to be a good job,much better than Generations was.
Hell,I don't even want to think about Gens,I will go with what Jeff said and set the standard in the Evolution era.
That will require hard work,inspiration and faith and I am sure that a tour-free year will give them the best environement to focus.
Studios are creative centers,many great Journey songs were penned on the road,but polished to the state-of-the-art material in the studio.

They can keep in shape with a few shows here and there...Europe is a great idea as they need to build up a good fanbase here.
Jeff could be the right catalyst between the band and the european future fans/album buyers.

However,my opinion is that while they are working on the new material,management has to shift gears and hit the race track.
This is the 21st century,media is king.There is iTunes,Myspace(good move so far),oh and they definitely need to re-build their official site!

Get the band out of the studio for one day and sign them to perform a couple songs maybe in a major event,televised.
Music awards,sport events,anything that can promote them.

Oh yeah,and the other idea is good too...A sountrack would do wonders.

I could go on and on and on...


p.s. SJ,about changing management...They say it's safer to drive on the road you know better ,than change direction and risk getting lost...
Just my opinion.

Agreed with get off the road and into the studio.

However, Journey's had quite a few soundtracks:

Tron- only solutions
Heavy Metal- open arms
Vision Quest- only the young
Armageddon- remember me
Two of a Kind (or whatever the travolta movie was)- ask the lonely
probably more...

Um, were ANY of their songs the feature song? I think in Vision Quest maybe, but the rest, their songs were in the background. Sometimes WAYYYYY in the background. They need something like "I Don't Wanna Miss a Thing" to get back in the game.

I don't think having Journey in a sound track is going to do much for them at all unless they really get the lead song in a Blockbuster movie.

Journey will NEVER again be what they were as far as album sales. That's not a comment on the band so much as the marketplace. Speaking of that, the ONLY song I heard from Bryan Adam's last album (Room Service) was "Just another east side story" and I heard it in Albertsons while buying toothpaste- LAST WEEK. Hasn't that album been out a year already? I believe Herbie Herbert mentioned how he got Journey into retail stores originally as part of the store chain's muzak system or something like that. Journey's CORE FANS are people in their late 30s to early 50s. They're NOT going to have a hit with the teens again (most likely) so concentrate on their age group.

Look at John Mellencamp- He's got that song in a Chevy ad now. He said (You can see this at Rollingstone.com) that Chevy's the best record company he's ever had because their commercials run ALL THE TIME and they're not shoved into some format (AC, CR, or Rap). Journey should TOTALLY persue that. It worked for Brian May for Driven By You in England. Mellencamp's song was the first I'd heard from him since his Van Morrison remake a few years back. I thought he'd retired. No, just nobody was playing him. It's actually a good song too. He said "Tom Petty put out a great record last year and NOBODY PLAYED IT". The reason is because radio is a f'd up medium that needs to toss all their friggin' consultants out on their asses. Aren't record companies responsible for those? Might be wrong.

[*Laura]

I don't think having Journey in a sound track is going to do much for them at all unless they really get the lead song in a Blockbuster movie.

Exactly!! That would be the idea.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

They definitely need to reinvent themselves and move OFF of the greatest hits merry-go-round . Until they are willing to do that and take some big chances, they are done.

Two words: Latin Rhythms.

They won't do it. Andrew's already made that clear here. So what are they going to do? Re-hash Infinity/Evolution-era song styles as JSS has recently hinted?

*YAWN*

Didn't we spend the last 8 years trying to live in the past? Good luck to them. I don't trust that they know what they're doing - particularly considering what's transpired over the last 8 years - BUT I do wish them well.

[chad]

Brywool...the Brian Adams and Brian May examples are along the lines of thinking different. This is what it takes, especially for an 80's band to get mass-market awareness. They've got to reach an incremental target, otherwise it'll be business as usual.

Just making a new CD (even a good one) without a promotional strategy is like winking at a girl in the dark. You know what you are doing, but nobody else does.

Chad

[*Laura]

They definitely need to reinvent themselves and move OFF of the greatest hits merry-go-round . Until they are willing to do that and take some big chances, they are done.

Two words: Latin Rhythms.

They won't do it. Andrew's already made that clear here. So what are they going to do? Re-hash Infinity/Evolution-era song styles as JSS has recently hinted?

*YAWN*

Didn't we spend the last 8 years trying to live in the past? Good luck to them. I don't trust that they know what they're doing - particularly considering what's transpired over the last 8 years - BUT I do wish them well.

Fyre...as much as I admire your passion and your ideas,I have to say that I am surprised that you can "yawn" at the thought of the Infinity/Evolution sound being re-born.
I mean,think a bit...That's the pure sound of Journey,the very reason most of the people became fans in the first place!
Seriously...if the current Journey succedes to recapture that sound,they will have nothing to lose,on the contrary,I think they would have a chance to prove they really are Journey.

As for the Latin Rhythms...I love them,Latin music is one of the best things on Earth,but please think,Fyre...
Try to step outside your idea and take a look at the people who would go to a Journey concert and hear a Latino band in front of them!
I see a lot of jaws dropping,but not in a positive way...more like "are they NUTS!???"

IMO,Journey has to stay Journey and if that means returning to their own '78-'82 roots,the better.

[brywool]

"latin rhythms"???

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

They should do a rap album.

Neal Schon is in da HOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE YO!!

[Rick]

"latin rhythms"???

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

They should do a rap album.

Neal Schon is in da HOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE YO!!

OMG! Talk about running for the exit doors!

I agree with Shania, Journey will be better served just being themselves, and hopefully like she said, returning a bit to their roots. With a hard rockin' album and of course, you know, a couple of ballads for her.

[*Laura]

"latin rhythms"???

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

They should do a rap album.

Neal Schon is in da HOUSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEE YO!!

OMG! Talk about running for the exit doors!

I agree with Shania, Journey will be better served just being themselves, and hopefully like she said, returning a bit to their roots. With a hard rockin' album and of course, you know, a couple of ballads for Shania.

I have my handkerchiefs ready.

[ohsherrie]

Great ideas from Shania and Brywool.

No Latin rhythm CD. Maybe one track like La Raza, but doing a whole CD of it would be suicide.

[brywool]

Great ideas from Shania and Brywool.

No Latin rhythm CD. Maybe one track like La Raza, but doing a whole CD of it would be suicide.

"Hi, I'm Antonia Banderesssssssssss and when I'm doing my Chica Melanie Griffith, we listen to da Journey! Now, every-a-body dahnce!!!"


um, no...

[ohsherrie]

Great ideas from Shania and Brywool.

No Latin rhythm CD. Maybe one track like La Raza, but doing a whole CD of it would be suicide.

"Hi, I'm Antonia Banderesssssssssss and when I'm doing my Chica Melanie Griffith, we listen to da Journey! Now, every-a-body dahnce!!!"


um, no...

Yeah, something like that.

Maybe Jeff should do a duet with Gloria Estefan on the new CD. (not that I don't like Gloria, but Journeyeque she's not)

[lights1961]

stop me if I am wrong, but about 2 years ago or something, Neal said no more **poppy** music....so why all the fuss about getting airplay...

Rick

[ohsherrie]

My guess would be airplay = relevance = gratification Rick.

[donnaplease]

However, Journey's had quite a few soundtracks:

Tron- only solutions
Heavy Metal- open arms
Vision Quest- only the young
Armageddon- remember me
Two of a Kind (or whatever the travolta movie was)- ask the lonely
probably more...

Don't forget "Don't Stop Believing" in "Monster". That one was a pretty big part of the movie, wasn't it?

[ohsherrie]

However, Journey's had quite a few soundtracks:

Tron- only solutions
Heavy Metal- open arms
Vision Quest- only the young
Armageddon- remember me
Two of a Kind (or whatever the travolta movie was)- ask the lonely
probably more...

Don't forget "Don't Stop Believing" in "Monster". That one was a pretty big part of the movie, wasn't it?

Yeah, and After the Fall in that movie where Tom Cruise danced in his underwear and then ran a "dating service". Can't think of the name.

[lights1961]

However, Journey's had quite a few soundtracks:

Tron- only solutions
Heavy Metal- open arms
Vision Quest- only the young
Armageddon- remember me
Two of a Kind (or whatever the travolta movie was)- ask the lonely
probably more...

Don't forget "Don't Stop Believing" in "Monster". That one was a pretty big part of the movie, wasn't it?

Yeah, and After the Fall in that movie where Tom Cruise danced in his underwear and then ran a "dating service". Can't think of the name.

Risky Business... **Some times you just have to say what the f%&K**


Rick

[Wheels Of Fyre]

They definitely need to reinvent themselves and move OFF of the greatest hits merry-go-round . Until they are willing to do that and take some big chances, they are done.

Two words: Latin Rhythms.

They won't do it. Andrew's already made that clear here. So what are they going to do? Re-hash Infinity/Evolution-era song styles as JSS has recently hinted?

*YAWN*

Didn't we spend the last 8 years trying to live in the past? Good luck to them. I don't trust that they know what they're doing - particularly considering what's transpired over the last 8 years - BUT I do wish them well.

Fyre...as much as I admire your passion and your ideas,I have to say that I am surprised that you can "yawn" at the thought of the Infinity/Evolution sound being re-born.
I mean,think a bit...That's the pure sound of Journey,the very reason most of the people became fans in the first place!
Seriously...if the current Journey succedes to recapture that sound,they will have nothing to lose,on the contrary,I think they would have a chance to prove they really are Journey.

As for the Latin Rhythms...I love them,Latin music is one of the best things on Earth,but please think,Fyre...
Try to step outside your idea and take a look at the people who would go to a Journey concert and hear a Latino band in front of them!
I see a lot of jaws dropping,but not in a positive way...more like "are they NUTS!???"

IMO,Journey has to stay Journey and if that means returning to their own '78-'82 roots,the better.

I appreciate your thoughts. So much to address here. Bottom line is that you're speaking about/to the fans of "old." The fans who were captured in 1977 with Infinity and then grew up with JOURNEY through ROR and are now following them in between beer runs whenever they want to play something new..

What have these fans done for JOURNEY over the last 8 years?

They've helped JOURNEY become a successful, touring nostalgia act. That's what they want from their beloved band.

We have others screaming the evils of Tapegate - looking to crucify SA, Kevin Elson, Irving Azoff or anyone else they feel are tarnishing the golden JOURNEY reputation of LIVE performances as established by the angelic vocals of SP. That's what they want from their beloved band.

And I seek after what I want from my beloved band.

We all want and seek after what we want.

[AR]

I am hoping for a gangsta rap or Norwegian death metal slant. An album full of G.G. Allin cover tunes would also be met warmly I think.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

I am hoping for a gangsta rap or Norwegian death metal slant. An album full of G.G. Allin cover tunes would also be met warmly I think.

In being ridiculous you're ridiculing me.

Go ahead.

The problem is that Latin rhythms are in Neal's background and JSS'. It's entirely feasible considering that SP and SA are long gone.

Many people will say that JOURNEY isn't JOURNEY without one or the other. I say that JOURNEY isn't JOURNEY if they're NOT seeking new frontiers. For the last 8 years JOURNEY hasn't been JOURNEY for the simple fact that they haven't done anything DIFFERENT. With the exception of Butterfly (which most hate) nothing they did on Arrival through Generations was DIFFERENT.

If anyone is shaming the JOURNEY legacy it's JOURNEY. They haven't been living up to their legacy rather they've been pandering to fans who want to sway back and forth to LTS like they did 20 years ago when they were 16 - the only difference being several additional pounds around their waists and cell phones being raised as opposed to BIC lighters.

[AR]

I think they should just do an urban/hip hop re-mix of the "dirty dozen" and make that the new album.

Hey it worked for Aerosmith.

[yulog]

They definitely need to reinvent themselves and move OFF of the greatest hits merry-go-round . Until they are willing to do that and take some big chances, they are done.

Two words: Latin Rhythms.------Three words

They won't do it. Andrew's already made that clear here. So what are they going to do? Re-hash Infinity/Evolution-era song styles as JSS has recently hinted?

*YAWN*

Didn't we spend the last 8 years trying to live in the past? Good luck to them. I don't trust that they know what they're doing - particularly considering what's transpired over the last 8 years - BUT I do wish them well.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

I think they should just do an urban/hip hop re-mix of the "dirty dozen" and make that the new album.

Hey it worked for Aerosmith.

I haven't heard that from them but I can see where it would work:
1. They have their original lead singer.
2. Their music is suited for being re-mixed in that style.

JOURNEY no longer has SP and their music isn't suited for being re-mixed in that style.

I don't know if you're being sincere or not.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

They definitely need to reinvent themselves and move OFF of the greatest hits merry-go-round . Until they are willing to do that and take some big chances, they are done.

Two words: Latin Rhythms.------Three words

They won't do it. Andrew's already made that clear here. So what are they going to do? Re-hash Infinity/Evolution-era song styles as JSS has recently hinted?

*YAWN*

Didn't we spend the last 8 years trying to live in the past? Good luck to them. I don't trust that they know what they're doing - particularly considering what's transpired over the last 8 years - BUT I do wish them well.

Did anyone let Tapegate go? No. And the people who've claimed to have let it go continue to bring it up at every turn. Why? Because it's what defines them.

I don't need to let anything go because it's nothing that I'm holding onto - it doesn't define me.