Dean Blog

[Rockindeano]

This is such an overrated notion. We all love perry, but the facts are that most people know Journey. Not schon, not perry, not Cain. Most people when they hear Oh Sherrie think it is Journey.

Parade DLR out in front of an audience of 10k and the majority will say, "there's Dave."
Do the same with perry and the majority will go "who's that?"
Some loon will be screeching and convulsing and scaring near bystanders and only THEN would word spread, "Oh, that's the guy from Journey, the singer. They did Oh Sherry and Open Arms."

Nice post.

[strangegrey]

This is such an overrated notion. We all love perry, but the facts are that most people know Journey. Not schon, not perry, not Cain. Most people when they hear Oh Sherrie think it is Journey.

Parade DLR out in front of an audience of 10k and the majority will say, "there's Dave."
Do the same with perry and the majority will go "who's that?"
Some loon will be screeching and convulsing and scaring near bystanders and only THEN would word spread, "Oh, that's the guy from Journey, the singer. They did Oh Sherry and Open Arms."

Nice post.

I second that! The perception of Journey is vastly different from the general puplic to rock music fans to loons...it's as if they're looking at different realities...

[*Laura]

The old school way of doing things is going going gone....major labels don't mean much anymore...
Just get the record out thereand hit the streets and all press possible.

I definitely believe there will be a VERY strong interest from media in this band and their new release - TV, Radio and relevant other press.
Just get the record out there (themselves I think is best) and then get ready to tour tour tour

That is so true.Old school is rapidly dying and the big labels are becoming irrelevant.
Even here in Central Europe,artists are beginning to avoid the big labels and their absurd contracts and demands,and get their records to the masses themselves.
Touring is the best way of making money,and with that said,any major band out there can invest in their own product and promotion as they have the means to financially recover.

If Journey's management will be clever enough to take advantage of this moment and give a push to this revamped version of the band,I'm sure the future will be bright.
The music market changes so fast...Soon,even the good ole fashioned CDs will lose their power.The iPods are already dominating the market!
Journey has to think about the best strategy to get their new product to as many people possible,through as many means as possible - music stores,Malls,at the concert venues and especially via the Internet - all good places to sell.

In my vision,I see a first single up on iTunes before the whole album would be released.That would be a good apetizer,I bet it would light up people's interest on the new material.
Who needs the radio for the new stuff?Let radio play the classics,that's what they do best.


Umm...ok,this thread was about HOF...sorry...
Who needs HOF anyway?

[larryfromnextdoor]

The Dick Clark Five

Dave Clark

[Matthew]

This is such an overrated notion. We all love perry, but the facts are that most people know Journey. Not schon, not perry, not Cain. Most people when they hear Oh Sherrie think it is Journey.

Parade DLR out in front of an audience of 10k and the majority will say, "there's Dave."
Do the same with perry and the majority will go "who's that?"
Some loon will be screeching and convulsing and scaring near bystanders and only THEN would word spread, "Oh, that's the guy from Journey, the singer. They did Oh Sherry and Open Arms."

Nice post.

I second that! The perception of Journey is vastly different from the general puplic to rock music fans to loons...it's as if they're looking at different realities...

Even as a proud member of the Loon community I cannot help noticing the sheer amount of times I come across this phrase: "Steve Perry, former lead singer of Journey."

From magazine articles or blog entries and websites it's always..."Steve Perry, former leader singer of Journey." In fact, one of of those Journey parodies on You Tube - the zombie one , I think - they only refer to him as "Steve Perry, former lead singer of Journey."

So I guess Perry hasn't quite reached iconic status in his own right out there in the real world, after all.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

A Dean blog would help but ultimately, what "works" is the RnR HOF powers that be.

I mentioned in strangegrey's thread that I don't think JOURNEY is an icon of rock. This is what's keeping them out. The voice of Steve Perry is iconic.

This is such an overrated notion. We all love perry, but the facts are that most people know Journey. Not schon, not perry, not Cain. Most people when they hear Oh Sherrie think it is Journey.

Parade DLR out in front of an audience of 10k and the majority will say, "there's Dave."
Do the same with perry and the majority will go "who's that?"
Some loon will be screeching and convulsing and scaring near bystanders and only THEN would word spread, "Oh, that's the guy from Journey, the singer. They did Oh Sherry and Open Arms."

JOURNEY has had the stigma of being that "nameless" "faceless" band since the beginning. It's not at all an overrated notion that SP's voice is iconic. It's entirely recognizable and overshadows JOURNEY and any individual band member name - including SP's!

It's very strange. JOURNEY is more of a living, breathing ENTITY than it is a band. It's like Neal has created some kind of deity whose name can't be known.

[CatEyes]

again, from Bob Lefsetz http://www.lefsetz.com:

[...] after you create your music, you don’t sell it with stunts. Stunts are how you get the old wave media to pay attention. A stunt is Lonelygirl15. Heard anything about HER lately? Now you’ve just got to put your stuff up on the Web, and wait for people to find it. Oh, service music blogs, and provide your friends/family/fans with free MP3s and other goodies, but you’ve got to let the public do the marketing. It’s cheaper, and if you gain momentum, it LASTS!

The foregoing is anathema to the old wave players. They need insurance. They worry about radio, they think about television, they’ve got to get a pass from the gatekeepers. Hell, I’ve got to tell you, the only gatekeepers who even matter now are the authors of music blogs. THAT’S where so many records get started. But really, an act is now its OWN gatekeeper. You have to figure out how accessible you are online, to what degree you pressure people to pay attention. You’ve got to be available, but you’ve got to get others to PULL! You need infrastructure, but you can’t fire up the machine until the public DEMANDS IT!

Cat

[*Laura]

JOURNEY is more of a living, breathing ENTITY than it is a band. It's like Neal has created some kind of deity whose name can't be known.

You're scaring me,Fyre...Is there a trailer somewhere for that?


kidding

[Red13JoePa]

And that's not to say he shouldn't be at that iconic level Matt.

I just think that Perry, as publicly enigmatic as he was did not grandstand and shove his face and name into the media spotlight all the time.

Yes he was controlling a lot of the musical shots but was far from a publicity hound and for that I commend him. Getting the music right and being a great singer was what mattered.


Oh, and Frywings: Dude, come on with the msyticism stuff already.

[Granny]

I think each of you has a good point to make. My first impression of Journey and Steve Perry was who is that singing...My daughter said Journey and I said no THE SINGER, what his name?...Steve Perry and Neal's guitar are what made Journey popular..together they were magic... Myself, my family and firends know the name Journey and Steve Perry..we must be the exception to the rule. Last year when I told people here in SC, where we had just moved to, that I was going to a Journey concert asked me if Steve Perry was still with the band.???What does that tell you..???
I had just moved from San Diego to Charleston..
I disagree that people aren't familiar with SP.

However, if they get new music out there with Jeff's vocals and Neal's guitar on itunes...they are in for a bright future..Touring is where the money is and touring makes me happy. RORHOF sucks..they dont need to be in there and bribing to get in is just stupid...Neal, Jon, Ross, Deen and Jeff, SP and the other band members are way beyond that.
At least they still care about the music and that is what is important.--granny

[Soto All The Way]

Moves by ANY fan to get a band into the HOF will always be utterly pointless.

The HOF is all about $$$, bribes and who is trendy enough at the time so that the HOF committee can use that band to further their own egos.

Will never happen.

Well Drew, let's fucking bribe em'....I got a buck!!!

Any thoughts on that "Starting a Business" thread? No need to rush, just very interested in YOUR thoughts.....

e-

[Wheels Of Fyre]

JOURNEY is more of a living, breathing ENTITY than it is a band. It's like Neal has created some kind of deity whose name can't be known.

You're scaring me,Fyre...Is there a trailer somewhere for that?


kidding

I'm spooky that way!

[Wheels Of Fyre]

And that's not to say he shouldn't be at that iconic level Matt.

I just think that Perry, as publicly enigmatic as he was did not grandstand and shove his face and name into the media spotlight all the time.

Yes he was controlling a lot of the musical shots but was far from a publicity hound and for that I commend him. Getting the music right and being a great singer was what mattered.


Oh, and Frywings: Dude, come on with the msyticism stuff already.

Do I tell you not to be who you are?

I like Lula's sig. That quote from Dr. Seuss: Be who you are and say what you feel, because those that mind don't matter and those that matter don't mind.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

Good Lord, Fyre, your views on the surface sound very sensible and persuasive, but when given some thought it turns into baloney (to me, anyway). Van Halen's "Hot For Teacher" doesn't seem to me to be iconic, does it to you? I don't get that logic. Actually, I don't get your post at all. Maybe an internet blog would help educate some of the voters. Maybe I am tired and can't puzzle what you said out. Journey is an icon to SOMEBODY--otherwise, they wouldn't have sold as many albums as they have...

LOL! I am full of it aren't I!

Van Halen is iconic because Eddie has been knighted a guitar legend. While I agree that Hot For Teacher is utterly garage band material the fact remains that Eddie AS A GUITARIST is an icon.

JOURNEY is iconic to their fans but that's not enough to raise them to legendary, iconic heights in rock history.

Except you have said Fyre that Steve Perry IS an icon. So if VH can get in due to Eddie then why can't Journey get in on the iconic status of Perry AS A VOCALIST?

Perception is everything.

I said that SP's VOICE is iconic. He's not a "name" - his was a voice that was in a band that was bigger than himself and which he never felt a part of. I guess what I'm saying is that when people hear JOURNEY they hear SP's voice. They don't even relate his voice to the name SP. They may very well relate his voice to "that guy with the big nose."

Eddie IS Van Halen. Van Halen really isn't in - Eddie is in with the rest on his coat tails.

JOURNEY can't get in on SP's coat tails because SP is NOT JOURNEY.

Here's my question: what are JOURNEY's merits. Why should they be in? I asked myself this and wrote a letter. I don't know if this is the correct address anymore but here's the cheesy letter that I wrote:

Ms. Suzan I. Evans, ESQ., Executive Director
Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame Foundation
1290 Avenue Of The Americas
New York, NY 10104
212-484-1755
fax 212-445-0108

Dear Ms. Evans and The Rock And Roll Hall of Fame:

It’s with a burning passion that I’m writing this appeal to induct into your halls a Rock and Roll band of a lifetime: JOURNEY.

Rock and Roll music is perhaps the eminent vehicle for human expression. It encompasses the entire spectrum of human experience from rebellion, angst and politics to love, peace and happiness. When it comes to love, peace and happiness, JOURNEY has been graciously serving Rock and Roll fans since 1973.

JOURNEY is an expression of virtue – a voice of hope. This was evident in the beginning when they proclaimed on their first album, “We’ve been waiting so very long to play some music and have some fun - bring some happiness to everyone.” The JOURNEY vision was as clear then as it is today.

JOURNEY carries a message of love. Of course, love is the greatest of human experiences and JOURNEY's message is accessible to all regardless of age, sex or color. Love is an endless experience and JOURNEY has captured the bitter and the sweet of it. While traveling up and down the roller coaster of love, JOURNEY’s music has taken fans to higher places and been the harness that’s safely held them during the bitter times.

JOURNEY's message has given generations of Rock and Roll fans a reason to feel alive. Not only is this a contribution to Rock and Roll music by making it a more diverse and rounded art form; it’s a most important service to humanity. Like no other band, JOURNEY fills the need for love, peace and happiness.

I invite you to please consider for induction this Rock and Roll band of a lifetime.

Sincerely,
John W. Lute
JOURNEY fan since 1978

Pure bullshit, FYRE. What a rambling clusterfuck of nonsense. Any chance they might have had is probably now gone. If they were trying to get into the "We have gay fans" HOF, this letter WOULD have been relevant. You continue to turn everything into some deep, life altering experience that it's not. Journey belongs in the HOF because they had master musicians, one of the all-time great frontmen, chemistry second to none and the world's greatest fans (except for you). Shit, the Perry-Schon chemistry ALONE should merit HOF induction.

What's BS? My letter? Hey - it's from the heart.

I don't turn ANYTHING into deep, life-altering experiences. I don't have that power. Things are deep and life-altering because THEY ARE.

Those with ears to hear and eyes to see...

Go ahead and hear and see how you want but don't tell me that my hearing and vision is BS. It's no more BS than yours.

[Carlitto H@kk]

WyngDynger, for the love of
all things sacred, PLEASE
get rid of that Charo-Shakira-Wannabe
you still have in your sig

[conversationpc]

WyngDynger, for the love of
all things sacred, PLEASE
get rid of that Charo-Shakira-Wannabe
you still have in your sig

Watch out. Someone over at The Journey Forums got labeled a racist for saying something like that.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

I disagree that people aren't familiar with SP.

People are absolutely familiar with SP. What I'm saying is that - generally speaking his VOICE - not his name - is iconic. The guy is a recluse and always has been. He's ALWAYS put his voice out there but NEVER his person.

I think if you gave it a little thought you'd agree that when JOURNEY was hot with SP that hardly anything was known about him. I recall a radio interview (which I still have on cassette!) called "The Steve Perry / JOURNEY Story". SP was interviewed but absolutely NOTHING was disclosed about him. Nothing. He basically said that when he joined JOURNEY that they really didn't want to go the route of a vocal band. That's pretty much it. The entire interview was about his voice and the songs. I still remember thinking to myself, "That's it? Not much of a story. Who IS this guy? No wonder JOURNEY is considered 'corporate rock' - they have a front man who has no personality!"

Little has changed. SP has a lock on who he is and his private life.

But we ALL know HIS VOICE.

In contrast, David Lee Roth was mentioned in this thread. LOL!!! The guy could NOT sing! Alex RIPS him to SHREDS and states things like DLR could NEVER get through ANY of the songs in the studio. He said that EVERY song DLR sang in the studio were composites as his voice puked half way through all of them - and that's why he stunk live. Alex pulls no punches. He notes that DLR was more interested in being a movie star than a rock star. That's entirely true. Therefore everyone knows DLR - the person - because he put himself out there to be known. A nice smokescreen for a rotten voice! SP on the other hand did just the opposite.

[Wheels Of Fyre]

WyngDynger, for the love of
all things sacred, PLEASE
get rid of that Charo-Shakira-Wannabe
you still have in your sig

Watch out. Someone over at The Journey Forums got labeled a racist for saying something like that.

That's not true.

As for the sig - for some reason I can't give up on her...

[whocares]

The RRHOF isn't even in a beautiful building. it's a f'ing pyramid for God's Sake. what do pyramids have to do with Rock-n-Roll? Ok, there is ONE major tie that binds the RRHOF and Journey. Egypt! Egypt has pyramids and they have "scarabs", and that whole connection. But I dare say, that's about as close as they'll get to that God forsaken place.

[conversationpc]

The RRHOF isn't even in a beautiful building. it's a f'ing pyramid for God's Sake. what do pyramids have to do with Rock-n-Roll? Ok, there is ONE major tie that binds the RRHOF and Journey. Egypt! Egypt has pyramids and they have "scarabs", and that whole connection. But I dare say, that's about as close as they'll get to that God forsaken place.

My wife and I visited there back in '96 or '97. I wasn't terribly impressed.

[StevePerryHair]

I disagree that people aren't familiar with SP.

People are absolutely familiar with SP. What I'm saying is that - generally speaking his VOICE - not his name - is iconic. The guy is a recluse and always has been. He's ALWAYS put his voice out there but NEVER his person.

I think if you gave it a little thought you'd agree that when JOURNEY was hot with SP that hardly anything was known about him. I recall a radio interview (which I still have on cassette!) called "The Steve Perry / JOURNEY Story". SP was interviewed but absolutely NOTHING was disclosed about him. Nothing. He basically said that when he joined JOURNEY that they really didn't want to go the route of a vocal band. That's pretty much it. The entire interview was about his voice and the songs. I still remember thinking to myself, "That's it? Not much of a story. Who IS this guy? No wonder JOURNEY is considered 'corporate rock' - they have a front man who has no personality!"

Little has changed. SP has a lock on who he is and his private life.

But we ALL know HIS VOICE.

In contrast, David Lee Roth was mentioned in this thread. LOL!!! The guy could NOT sing! Alex RIPS him to SHREDS and states things like DLR could NEVER get through ANY of the songs in the studio. He said that EVERY song DLR sang in the studio were composites as his voice puked half way through all of them - and that's why he stunk live. Alex pulls no punches. He notes that DLR was more interested in being a movie star than a rock star. That's entirely true. Therefore everyone knows DLR - the person - because he put himself out there to be known. A nice smokescreen for a rotten voice! SP on the other hand did just the opposite.

Sorry, but I totally have to disagree here. Every single person I talk to who does not know that Journey is still touring always every single time either asks me if Steve Perry is back with them, or if they are really that good without him. It is his name and his voice that make him famous, not just being the "voice" of Journey.

We had a couple behind us at a concert here in FL in Feb. who asked me if I thought they'd do a tribute to Steve Perry. I said, no, why would they do that? She said, "because I heard he had throat cancer." So to me, his making his private life so private has just made rumors spread about him.

People definitely know his name though. (Anyone growing up in the 80's remember his solo career too, so how could we not know his name????) There are even some who just don't want to see Journey without him, but of course I do my best word of mouth to change their minds when I can.

[ohsherrie]

You're right StevePerryHair. People who listen to melodic rock music and/or listened to rock or pop music in the '80s know who Steve Perry is. Hell, some people who never listened to Journey know who Steve Perry is. It just doesn't do any good to tell some people that. Let them believe what they will.

[Andrew]

Any thoughts on that "Starting a Business" thread? No need to rush, just very interested in YOUR thoughts.....

e-

Sorry, been a bit busy running my own! Haven't had much time to anything....asap!

[Rockindeano]

Folks, and Nancy in particular, thanks for recognizing my passion for affecting/effecting change, but my blog days are over. There will be no need to start up a blog on Journey again, as JSS has vowed to never lip sync, so we got that going for us!

On a serious note, I do have a colossal idea, that I am thinking of, and I am sure you will all appreciate. I need some assurances, but I believe they will come sooner rather than later. Stay tuned.

[Red13JoePa]

Sure, "people" know who Perry is, of course I don't contend NOBODY outside the loon circle knows, but not in the Elvis-like permutations you loons think.

I think he's a lot like Gramm, Delp, DeYoung, Cronin, et al. More people than not know of the bands those terrific singers front, but not the name of the frontmen.

[StevePerryHair]

Sure, "people" know who Perry is, of course I don't contend NOBODY outside the loon circle knows, but not in the Elvis-like permutations you loons think.

I think he's a lot like Gramm, Delp, DeYoung, Cronin, et al. More people than not know of the bands those terrific singers front, but not the name of the frontmen.

See, I still disagree. And, I am not a loon, I promise. The front men are usually ALL people know from a band. I know that, because that is the type of music fan I was growing up. When I was a teen in the 80's, I always knew who the front man was, including his name. When it came to the guitarist, drummer, bass, etc. I would have no clue what their names were. As an adult, I have learned more about the bands as a whole. The front man in any group tends to get most of the attention, it's just how it is. That's why who you pick as your lead man is so important. Did anyone compare him to Elvis? I don't remember that.

[Rockindeano]

Did anyone compare him to Elvis? I don't remember that.

Friga did in BTM.

[Red13JoePa]

LOL, will you get over Cain already?

[StevePerryHair]

Did anyone compare him to Elvis? I don't remember that.

Friga did in BTM.

Well, then he must be the loon!!!

[Rockindeano]

LOL, will you get over Cain already?

I am sorry, it was Schonny who said that.

And "Friga" is on my shitlist right now.