working on for a couple days now. It is a little long but I hope most of
you will take the time to read to the end and share your thoughts with me.
Enjoy!
Journey’s Legacy is in the Eyes and “Ears” of the Beholder.
For the past few months we have all debated back and forth and squabbled over whether or not this new line-up will succeed. We have squabbled over whether or not Jeff Scott Soto is the right fit for our beloved band. Most recently we even got into some interesting debates on the possibility of this new line-up re-recording some of the band’s classics for a future release. No matter what the argument/debate may be, one sentiment seems to consistently pop up: “This new Journey is going to tarnish the Legacy.” Now I really don’t believe that for a second but then I started to wonder, “What ‘Legacy’ are we talking about exactly?” You see, I was saying, “No way”, but really wasn’t sure as to what I was saying “No way” to. So it got me to thinking…
What is this “legacy” that so many fans are hoping the band preserves? Is there some sacred Rock & Roll Tome out there that reads like scripture? Does this sacred tome list and define every artist/band from the beginning of time and decree how important or legendary their legacy will be? Sounds like a book I’d love to read. But would it make a difference? Journey is already my all-time favorite band.
Is this legacy tied to simpler things like Rolling Stone’s annual “Top 100 Artists of All Time” list? But it couldn’t be that simple; why would so many Journey fans be concerned with a list created by a bunch of music critics? Is getting on to a list like this really that important? Not to me. I already know they are the greatest band ever because that’s what “I” think. Like Rolling Stone knows anything about good music anymore anyway.
The most obvious situation I thought of, where Journey’s ‘legacy’ would be scrutinized, is an induction into the R&R HOF. Sure, getting inducted and seeing them at the HOF Induction Ceremony Jam would be incredible. Especially if it got Perry, Smitty and Rolie all to share the stage again with Neal, Jon and Ross but, in the end, is Journey being in the R&R HOF really going to change my opinion of them being the greatest band of all time? Very doubtful.
My point is, the legacy Journey leaves behind will be in the eyes and ears of the beholder; you, me and every other fan that is out there. The fact that they have decided to move forward with Jeff as their lead singer isn’t going to take anything away from their past in my eyes. I’m still going to love those classic albums with Perry, Rolie and Smitty. I’m still going to play those songs for my children and, hopefully, their children. I will tell them that this was the greatest band of all time. Even if you don’t support this new line-up, Journey’s legacy, to you, shouldn’t be tarnished because you can choose not to listen to them. You don’t have to go to the shows. You’ve bought the 8-tracks, vinyl, cassettes, cds (originals, reissues versions 1, 2 and so on) and you can play them all you want without ever putting another dime in the band’s pockets. Last time I checked, Journey doesn’t make any money anytime you throw a cd into your stereo.
But you must also understand that Journey is a business and a way of life for its members. They need to keep making music and going on the road because it’s what they love to do and it’s how they put food on their plates. The fact that they will be doing this with Jeff can’t take anything away from their past. It’s a risk, yes but Journey has been taking risks from the beginning. Neal and Gregg took a historic risk by leaving Santana to form this band. They took a risk when they decided to steer the band into a more radio-friendly direction by hiring Perry. They took a risk when they decided to go on without founding member Gregg Rolie and brought in Cain. One of the biggest risks they took was in the eighties with the ROR album and tour. And the biggest risk of all? We all know the answer; they reformed without Perry and introduced us to Steve Augeri. You look at all of these risks they have taken and, for the most part, they have all paid off.
Journey’s legacy will be in the eyes and ears of the beholder; you, the fan. And it is so great being a fan because I get to choose what this legacy is for me. I don’t need critics and awards and accolades to justify Journey’s greatness in my mind. I already know. And I can re-live that magic anytime I want to through all of the available media out there, while at the same time enjoying every-single-minute of this new era in Journey’s illustrious history. In essence, “I” am Journey’s legacy. “YOU” are Journey’s legacy.
And NOTHING can take that away from us.
Thank you for your time and patience.
I now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.
