Questions / Thoughts About Today's Journey Events

[mgstar1964]

Hello All,

I am a long-time reader and fan of MR.com, and an infrequent poster, due to time / job constraints. I was absolutely HORRIFIED and SHOCKED at today's turn of events. I have been a MAJOR Journey fanatic since 1984 and have seen them in concert 13 times, and have all of the 2006 SP / Journey remastered CDs, all of their DVDs, and a # of boots, as well.

After careful analysis and thought, I have some questions for everyone's evaluation and discussion, based on Dean's version of the "PRESS RELEASE." Here goes:

A few questions / points of discussion ...

1. How could Jeff have been seen as too arrogant, when he was also known to be very humble, both online and, especially, in person? I know that online, he displayed a lot of CONFIDENCE (for every 1 fan that leaves, 10 will be gained), but overall, people online liked his personality, for the most part. He did rub some of the Augeri-diehards the wrong way at first, in December-January, but pretty much, the entire online Journey community was behind him and pro-JSS, pro-Journey by the start of the Feb. tour ...

2. The band didn't want to work / record new material? What happened to all of the previously discussed plans - new album, major 2008 comeback tour after taking 2007 off, ostensibly, to "disappear for a while" as Neal so eloquently stated, "We gotta go away for a bit."

If they didn't want to work and write / record new material, why did they write that new song for the Virginia show, Winds of Freedom? I actually liked it based on the YouTube clips.

What happened to taking the 2nd half of 2007 (after Talisman tour finishes) to write and then record the next album? Did they just decide to do an about-face and not record anything at all?

They had considered, for a brief while, re-recording the band classics with JSS vocals on them, and then that idea was out-voted and scrapped. I can't believe that that would have contributed to JSS being forced out, though.

3. JSS helped bring Journey back into technology-land, by completely re-designing his own website which is an extension / reflection of Journey's online presence, and also, by pushing them to allow YouTube videos and links on the BackTalk forum rules, etc. He had gradually made backtalk a more friendly place than it was a year or more ago at this time ...

4. JSS interacted with the fans online - perhaps too much for his own good? Is it possible that the band members / management didn't want him to be so 'loose-lipped" online? However, it makes sense from a PR perspective because he was the "new singer" and had to smooth over a lot of "ruffled feathers" by people who still supported Steve Augeri, etc. So, his attempts at online responses, PMs, message board posts, and fan dialogues was a good attempt at free PR for the band, and showing a new era of "reaching out" on his part ....

5. Why would Jon and Neal want to get rid of someone who lifted the energy and image of the band - it is interesting to note that they would feel "overshadowed" by his stage presence, but this is natural, because they are a band that has songs that are "vocally oriented and centered" .... meaning, whoever is singing the catalogue is going to be the focus primarily, on stage.

6. What about the supposed "writing chemistry" between JSS and Neal, and their deep musical bond / friendship since 2004 / Soul Sirkus, etc.? Is it possible that Neal wanted him still in the band and Jon didn't feel that chemistry w/ him?

7. I can't believe that either Ross or Deen would want JSS out ... makes no sense ...

I'd be curious to hear everyones' thoughts on some of my ideas here ... Thank you

Regards,


Michael

[Clasicrockldy]

I think it is because two ego's didn't want to have the limelight taken away from them!

[Rick]

I think it is because two ego's didn't want to have the limelight taken away from them!

Jeff was taking all the good looking chicks away from Neal!

[Clasicrockldy]

I think it is because two ego's didn't want to have the limelight taken away from them!

Jeff was taking all the good looking chicks away from Neal!

Lmao Rick ! That could be! Neal and Friga are sacks of smelly shit.

[Liam]

I think it is because two ego's didn't want to have the limelight taken away from them!

Gotta agree with Sallee here. Neal's been trying to make himself a household name for YEARS. He felt he got fucked over 'cause Jeff was better than him. Jeff was working TOWARDS a new horizon and they fucked it up. FUCK NEAL...FUCK JOURNEY.

[Jeremey fan forever]

I have a hunch it has to do with money. I'd guess the guys didn't want to have Jeff making the full pay grade. My guess.

[Liam]

Not sure WHAT it has to do with...but if it IS about cash...they just gave up their cash cow. Fuckin' morons. Jeff was about to bring the 80's back (so-to-speak)

[Clasicrockldy]

I have a hunch it has to do with money. I'd guess the guys didn't want to have Jeff making the full pay grade. My guess.

No, it is plain egos here. Jeff was in the limelight, as all singers are, and the two egos couldn't handle it. Dumb fucks. They just put the nail in their coffin.

[Liam]

Ya know...we may be the small minority..but we're the ones who MAKE SURE that we buy the cds,dvd's whatever...and they REALLY fucked up. What casual fan buys any and ALL shit they put out????? Again...Fuckin' morons.
Where's Herbie with a sniper rifle when you need him??

[Shadowsong]

Gosh darn
You think 30 or 40 years would be enough to try to teach someone a lesson.
It's not all about them
So what its Rock N Roll & then don't give a shit about anyone butt there own ass
Journey is a band
They had another shot at rock n roll
Not being a clone band.
A front man worthy of voice & humanity
So what do they do
flush it down the toilet

You don't get that many flushes in this game called life.
You better flush wisely or else the toiletmay back up on you...

$$$$
Piss in the pot
Because
you might as well split nothing 4 ways instead of 5
Yeah big deal!

[*Laura]

1. How could Jeff have been seen as too arrogant, when he was also known to be very humble, both online and, especially, in person? I know that online, he displayed a lot of CONFIDENCE (for every 1 fan that leaves, 10 will be gained), but overall, people online liked his personality, for the most part.

You're right about that - Jeff was (and should be) confident.Not to be mistaken with arrogance.
I guess 20+ years in the biz as a frontman has a lot to do with his strenght.
That's the main reason why I believe that Jeff will be fine without Journey.Unfortunately,the viceversa of that won't work out too well.

If they didn't want to work and write / record new material, why did they write that new song for the Virginia show, Winds of Freedom?

I guess they were asked to write it specially for that event.That song had nothing to do with their real intentions.Read:no new album with Jeff.

JSS interacted with the fans online - perhaps too much for his own good? Is it possible that the band members / management didn't want him to be so 'loose-lipped" online? However, it makes sense from a PR perspective because he was the "new singer" and had to smooth over a lot of "ruffled feathers" by people who still supported Steve Augeri, etc. So, his attempts at online responses, PMs, message board posts, and fan dialogues was a good attempt at free PR for the band, and showing a new era of "reaching out" on his part ....

My opinion is that Jeff's presence online was a good thing for the band and for the fans.Not many artists are doing that nowadays...Jeff was an example of how a smart PR office should work like.
I really don't believe that Jeff came online to "smooth over ruffled feathers",I just think he was enjoying the connection with the fans.He is a friendly guy and most of all,I believe that he really cares what fans think.

Why would Jon and Neal want to get rid of someone who lifted the energy and image of the band - it is interesting to note that they would feel "overshadowed" by his stage presence, but this is natural, because they are a band that has songs that are "vocally oriented and centered" .... meaning, whoever is singing the catalogue is going to be the focus primarily, on stage.

If Neal and Jon felt "overshadowed" by Jeff's stage presence,then I really doubt their intelligence.Name one band who wouldn't be satisfied with a charismatic frontman! Looks like Journey IS the exception to that rule...
What makes it even worse for Journey is that they don't seem to be learning from their own past.

As they say "to make a mistake once is forgivable, to make it twice is just stupidity".

What about the supposed "writing chemistry" between JSS and Neal, and their deep musical bond / friendship since 2004 / Soul Sirkus, etc.? Is it possible that Neal wanted him still in the band and Jon didn't feel that chemistry w/ him?

Sure there was chemistry between Jeff & Neal,but maybe only outside Journey.Once in the Journey formula things changed...The writing team was different.
I said this before and I stick to my feeling:Jon lost his Muse.

Of course,besides "chemistry" there must be a purely business chapter in this story,but that's behind closed doors.



Either way,no matter the reasons,Journey made an awfully bad move.

I'll always be a fan of the Classic Journey,that will never change no matter what,but I'm definitely turned off by the perspective.
Perhaps Journey are looking forward to "map out future plans",but I guess they'll have to do that without the support of a lot of their fans.
What's the use then?

[Shadowsong]

Hey,
Guess the band has been pretty faithful.
Bands like relationships
though well intended
sometimes don't work out.
Someone gets hurt
Wish they would break up with dignity.
I feel bad for Jeff
but maybe he deserves better!

the band is doing pretty well so far
they have had less band mates than bedmates...

[whocares]

not by much though.

[ArnelRox]

Let's see. It's Neal's band. He has had 4 wives thus far. He just fucked over "official" lead singer No. 5 (Rolie, Fleischman, Perry, Augeri, Soto). He has one more wife to hook up to get caught up, I guess

Hey,
Guess the band has been pretty faithful.
Bands like relationships
though well intended
sometimes don't work out.
Someone gets hurt
Wish they would break up with dignity.
I feel bad for Jeff
but maybe he deserves better!

the band is doing pretty well so far
they have had less band mates than bedmates...

[ArnelRox]

1. How could Jeff have been seen as too arrogant, when he was also known to be very humble, both online and, especially, in person?

Um maybe he stole too much of Neal's thunder? Ya think?

2. The band didn't want to work / record new material? What happened to all of the previously discussed plans - new album, major 2008 comeback tour after taking 2007 off, ostensibly, to "disappear for a while" as Neal so eloquently stated, "We gotta go away for a bit."

Great question. If u get an answer, let me know, please.

If they didn't want to work and write / record new material, why did they write that new song for the Virginia show, Winds of Freedom? I actually liked it based on the YouTube clips.

See above.

What happened to taking the 2nd half of 2007 (after Talisman tour finishes) to write and then record the next album? Did they just decide to do an about-face and not record anything at all?

See above.

3. JSS helped bring Journey back into technology-land, by completely re-designing his own website which is an extension / reflection of Journey's online presence, and also, by pushing them to allow YouTube videos and links on the BackTalk forum rules, etc. He had gradually made backtalk a more friendly place than it was a year or more ago at this time ...

Very true. Great guy isnt he? In touch w/fans, reachable. Damn. Isnt that what a band wants? Ya think>

4. JSS interacted with the fans online - perhaps too much for his own good? Is it possible that the band members / management didn't want him to be so 'loose-lipped" online? However, it makes sense from a PR perspective because he was the "new singer" and had to smooth over a lot of "ruffled feathers" by people who still supported Steve Augeri, etc. So, his attempts at online responses, PMs, message board posts, and fan dialogues was a good attempt at free PR for the band, and showing a new era of "reaching out" on his part ....

Jeff has always been that way w/his fans. He did nothing different than he always did. Surely they knew that? & hired him anyway.

5. Why would Jon and Neal want to get rid of someone who lifted the energy and image of the band

Question of the year. Get me an answer, please!

6. What about the supposed "writing chemistry" between JSS and Neal, and their deep musical bond / friendship since 2004 / Soul Sirkus, etc.? Is it possible that Neal wanted him still in the band and Jon didn't feel that chemistry w/ him?

Maybe but remember it's Neal's band! Chances are Neal made the decision.

7. I can't believe that either Ross or Deen would want JSS out ... makes no sense ...

Maybe they didnt. But u really think they have a LOT of say-so?