For me, the Journey ends....

[Todd H]

I've been a fan of Journey since the 70's. I've witnessed them evolve from a jam band to the hit-making pop machine of the 80's. And with each step, they evolved musically (for better or worse). That is why Journey hiring Jeff had me excited. It told me that they were moving on from being a nostalgia act to something new and fresh. I was actually excited about Journey for the first time in many years. Then the rug was pulled out from under Jeff.

Now, if the rumors are true, Journey is going with a Perry sound-alike. To me this implies that Journey's musical evolution has stopped. If you look at their history, you can see they evolve with each incarnation. With a Perry impersonator, it tells me they want to live in the past and profit off of the Perry years for the rest of their careers. They will simply be a nostalgia band. No more taking chances and trying to write new music. They will instead tour endlessly on the dirty dozen and be musically stagnant.

Jeremey, think long and hard before taking this job if it is offered to you. You seem like a great guy, but be aware of how they treated their last few singers.

Jeff, you made me a huge fan with your talent and energy. I'll definitely be buying a lot of old stuff from your catalog, as well as any new material you release.

Journey, thanks for the decades of music. But because of the way you've handled the Jeff situation, I'm afraid I won't be buying anything from you ever again.

[Mak]

ditto....I have very rarely posted here but have been a MR reader for quite some time...I remember seeing them with Steve Perry back on the Escape tour and have always been a big fan, even accepting and being pleased with SA on the vocals (we saw him when they did the 3 hour show and thankfully there were no tapes!)....Did not see them with JSS but heard some of that and thought they were going to return to forging new ground & an exciting future....

so yes, your post sums it up nicely for my perspective as well

[yogi]

I ended my association with Journey after the comical CD Generations and the way Steve A was forced to take the rap for tapegate.


I will ALWAYS support ANY group that is led by Steve Perry, and am now a HUGE fan of Steve Augeri & Jeff Scott Soto.


That leads me to a question: Who do you think got screwed worse JSS, Steve A., Andrew or The Fans of Journey ????????

[sad_Journey_girl]

Who got screwed the most? Perry!

[marco17]

I am a bit torn here because I am a big SA fan. But, to be told through the summer tour that the thing with JSS was temporary so he could get healthy and then gets dumped is certainly a bad situation. But, to come out and give the job to JSS and tell everyone how great it is going to be, and then dump him for really no apparent reason that's classless. If they really were concerned about their legacy and the Perry sound, then let Jeff ride out the tour and let SA slide back in. Regardless, it doesn't pay to be a Journey lead singer.

[brywool]

Who got screwed the most? Perry!

WRONG. Perry has "more money than God" (herbie's quote) and he did not get screwed. He made money while Journey was touring with Augeri for God sake. Also, Perry was the one that kept Journey in Limbo forever and he got what he deserved for that. If I didn't go to work for a long time, my company would have no other choice but to let me go. Perry's voice and writing are amazing, but the guy really DID hang the others out for a very long time and that's precisely why there's YEARS between Raised on Radio and Trial By Fire. He SHOULD have been fired. I still love the guy.

The one who got screwed the worst in my opinion is Steve Augeri. Steve DID NOT WANT to do the tapegate thing. He was pressured by Neal and management as well as the rest of the band. It's a fact. Believe me, I know. He's now in the same paragraph with Milli Vanilli, Brittany Spears, and Ashley Simpson unfortunately and will have this hanging over his head for a long time. His credibility is really on the line and I'm sure it will come up in whatever musical endeavor he wants to do.
HOPEFULLY now that his career is on his own terms he will put his naysayers to rest. I totally hope that he can rise above it. He's a class act and deserved none of this. I was very sympathetic towards him always. Sorry if that pisses some of you off, but as a singer, I can TOTALLY see how that could happen. You try saying "no" to Neal Schon and see where it gets you, point proven with Jeff.

Jeff will be alright (without you!) and will come out of this smelling like a rose. Perry, same deal because he wasn't involved and walked away from this train wreck of a band (actually, he was fired) and stayed out of the press. He has done nothing to tarnish his reputation with the fans or the music press. Nor does Soto.

Augeri on the other hand has a major hard road and I feel bad for the guy. Sorry tapegater-team players, but I do. I was a Tall Stories fan when their CD originally came out. A friend in radio gave it to me then and I've always loved what he did with that band better than what he did with Journey. THAT was who he was. He's taken SO MUCH SH*T from Journey fans, Neal Schon, the press, a-holes like Mark and Bryan, etc. and through it all, he's been nothing but a gentleman. I've heard performances where he wasn't great, but I've also heard some where he was amazing. Singers have bad nights and can ruin their voices by too much road work and that happened to him. I totally feel for the guy.

[sad_Journey_girl]

I agree; my favorite was Perry, and Neal screwed him over mercilessly. The worst part was that Perry seemed to be so close to Neal; in the interviews I've seen and read, when asked who Perry respected, his reply was Neal. Journey went nowhere prior to Perry.

There's no question that Augeri was screwed over as well. Neal certainly seems to have a zero-tolerance level when it comes to any kind of medical problem. He should just remember, though, that what goes around comes around!

This latest debacle - using JSS to save his sorry ass and then fucking him over - really indicates a pattern of behavior on Neal's part - and I have to agree with other posts - Cain's part as well. Ross is no better since he did return Jef's phone call, but lied to him in the conversation (according to Brian's write-up.)

I've been a devout Journey fan since the late 70's, but I must admit, 'my' Journey has ended. Thank God I have my bootleg dvd's, etc. because I seriously doubt I'll ever attend another Journey concert. It wouldn't be the 'same' - not even if Perry did come back. I've lost SO much respect for Neal and Jon that I wouldn't be able to watch them; I don't know - if Perry was singing, I could focus on him - but still, I'm so unbelievably disappointed in N and J, that they would detract from the enjoyment of watching Perry.

One other thought - the fans have been fucked over several times. How much do N and J think we can be toyed with anyway?? The loyalty and sincerity of what they stood for (for some of us) has been destroyed! I mean, how confident can we feel buying a concert ticket at some point in the future? We'll be wondering, 'will there be a lead singer,' and 'if he is sick, who will be replacing him and for how long?'

[MJM1959]

I've been on vacation this past week. Who is Jeremy?

[Todd H]

I've been on vacation this past week. Who is Jeremy?

Jeremey Hunsicker of the Journey tribute band Frontiers.

http://www.journeytributeband.com/

[stevew2]

Who got screwed the most? Perry!

WRONG. Perry has "more money than God" (herbie's quote) and he did not get screwed. He made money while Journey was touring with Augeri for God sake. Also, Perry was the one that kept Journey in Limbo forever and he got what he deserved for that. If I didn't go to work for a long time, my company would have no other choice but to let me go. Perry's voice and writing are amazing, but the guy really DID hang the others out for a very long time and that's precisely why there's YEARS between Raised on Radio and Trial By Fire. He SHOULD have been fired. I still love the guy.

The one who got screwed the worst in my opinion is Steve Augeri. Steve DID NOT WANT to do the tapegate thing. He was pressured by Neal and management as well as the rest of the band. It's a fact. Believe me, I know. He's now in the same paragraph with Milli Vanilli, Brittany Spears, and Ashley Simpson unfortunately and will have this hanging over his head for a long time. His credibility is really on the line and I'm sure it will come up in whatever musical endeavor he wants to do.
HOPEFULLY now that his career is on his own terms he will put his naysayers to rest. I totally hope that he can rise above it. He's a class act and deserved none of this. I was very sympathetic towards him always. Sorry if that pisses some of you off, but as a singer, I can TOTALLY see how that could happen. You try saying "no" to Neal Schon and see where it gets you, point proven with Jeff.

Jeff will be alright (without you!) and will come out of this smelling like a rose. Perry, same deal because he wasn't involved and walked away from this train wreck of a band (actually, he was fired) and stayed out of the press. He has done nothing to tarnish his reputation with the fans or the music press. Nor does Soto.

Augeri on the other hand has a major hard road and I feel bad for the guy. Sorry tapegater-team players, but I do. I was a Tall Stories fan when their CD originally came out. A friend in radio gave it to me then and I've always loved what he did with that band better than what he did with Journey. THAT was who he was. He's taken SO MUCH SH*T from Journey fans, Neal Schon, the press, a-holes like Mark and Bryan, etc. and through it all, he's been nothing but a gentleman. I've heard performances where he wasn't great, but I've also heard some where he was amazing. Singers have bad nights and can ruin their voices by too much road work and that happened to him. I totally feel for the guy.

I agree with your reply,what is even worse is his voiceis most likely gone, ruined at least damaged forever.No money in the world can bring that back,and they fucking denied the whole thing.

[MJM1959]

I've been on vacation this past week. Who is Jeremy?

Jeremey Hunsicker of the Journey tribute band Frontiers.

http://www.journeytributeband.com/

If they choose to replace Jeff with this guy, it has to rank up there as the greatest mistake in rock and roll history! I would not got to a free concert with this guy singing much less pay for it.
Pathetic.

[MJM1959]

OK. I listened to three or so songs and there is definitly a reason why he is in a tribute band. Just my opinion here. But, he is horrible. At least as a lead singer for Journey is concerned. If this is the best that they can come up with. They are done.

As far as I am concerned, Steve Perry could return and they still would be done. This was a shitty thing to do to Jeff. I would be shamed to be associated with this band right now.

[donnaplease]

OK. I listened to three or so songs and there is definitly a reason why he is in a tribute band. Just my opinion here. But, he is horrible. At least as a lead singer for Journey is concerned. If this is the best that they can come up with. They are done.

As far as I am concerned, Steve Perry could return and they still would be done. This was a shitty thing to do to Jeff. I would be shamed to be associated with this band right now.

'Shitty thing to do to Jeff' aside (which I TOTALLY agree with), Jeremey Hunsicker and Frontiers are not horrible. Having seen them live on several occasions, I can assure you that Jeremey has a great voice and is does a wonderful job honoring Journey's catalog of music.

Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Journey may very well be done anyway, regardless of who is fronting them. They missed the boat with JSS, and I feel certain they will live to regret it. Probably already are.

[conversationpc]

OK. I listened to three or so songs and there is definitly a reason why he is in a tribute band. Just my opinion here. But, he is horrible. At least as a lead singer for Journey is concerned. If this is the best that they can come up with. They are done.

As far as I am concerned, Steve Perry could return and they still would be done. This was a shitty thing to do to Jeff. I would be shamed to be associated with this band right now.

I don't know what you listened to but Jeremey sounds at least decent on every cut I've ever heard of his band and excellent on most of them. I'm not saying I'm looking forward to him being in Journey if that is indeed their decision but he is a great singer.

[ironmountain]

I don't think it matters at this point who the singer is, Schon and Cain have effectively alienated the fanbase and managed to piss off everyone. I think what they did to Steve Augeri is heartless and what they've done to Jeff Scott Soto is irreparable. A sad state of affair that is Journey, if they hire a Steve Perry knockoff, they will be nothing less than a cheap cover band of themselves.

Kudos to Steve Perry for calling it quits when he did, these guys are assholes.

[KCfla]

OK. I listened to three or so songs and there is definitly a reason why he is in a tribute band. Just my opinion here. But, he is horrible. At least as a lead singer for Journey is concerned. If this is the best that they can come up with. They are done.

As far as I am concerned, Steve Perry could return and they still would be done. This was a shitty thing to do to Jeff. I would be shamed to be associated with this band right now.

I don't know what you listened to but Jeremey sounds at least decent on every cut I've ever heard of his band and excellent on most of them. I'm not saying I'm looking forward to him being in Journey if that is indeed their decision but he is a great singer.

I've heard all the clips too- and while I haven't been as fortunate as some to have seen him live- I feel he is very good at what he does.

And I know what *I* think is not worth the time it takes me to type this- but I still feel the need to say it. As I have gotten to know Jeremey from the various forums that he/I are members at, I can only hope that he thinks very carefully if indeed he is given the chance to audition for this band.

While I understand that this seems to him like the "chance of a lifetime", one does have to remember back only a few months ago when someone else we all care about was in the same position. And what happened to him just a week ago.

Jeremey- if your out there- take it VERY CAREFULLY. I wish you the best, but I worry for you.

S'all I'm saying

[jrnysc]

OK. I listened to three or so songs and there is definitly a reason why he is in a tribute band. Just my opinion here. But, he is horrible. At least as a lead singer for Journey is concerned. If this is the best that they can come up with. They are done.

As far as I am concerned, Steve Perry could return and they still would be done. This was a shitty thing to do to Jeff. I would be shamed to be associated with this band right now.

I don't know what you listened to but Jeremey sounds at least decent on every cut I've ever heard of his band and excellent on most of them. I'm not saying I'm looking forward to him being in Journey if that is indeed their decision but he is a great singer.

I've heard all the clips too- and while I haven't been as fortunate as some to have seen him live- I feel he is very good at what he does.

And I know what *I* think is not worth the time it takes me to type this- but I still feel the need to say it. As I have gotten to know Jeremey from the various forums that he/I are members at, I can only hope that he thinks very carefully if indeed he is given the chance to audition for this band.

While I understand that this seems to him like the "chance of a lifetime", one does have to remember back only a few months ago when someone else we all care about was in the same position. And what happened to him just a week ago.

Jeremey- if your out there- take it VERY CAREFULLY. I wish you the best, but I worry for you.

S'all I'm saying

He can't be careful enough. These guys are brutal. He will probably be dumped before he can unpack good.

[MJM1959]

I listened to three YouTube clips and I was just not impressed at all. But, I am willing to give him a listen again.

But as it stands now. Journey, Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain has seen the last dime that they will ever see from me. I have been a true fan of this band for over thirty years. But as of now, I am turning my back on them. The entire organization lacks the balls that it would have taken to move forward in what could have been a new musical direction and they lack the balls to let Jeff know of their decision, face to face. I have lost all respect for the lot of them.

[kcdrummer]

I'll be a fan of Perry, Augeri and Soto for life, but as far as Journey is concerned, I've spent my last dime on them.

[Little Lenny]

OK. I listened to three or so songs and there is definitly a reason why he is in a tribute band. Just my opinion here. But, he is horrible. At least as a lead singer for Journey is concerned. If this is the best that they can come up with. They are done.

As far as I am concerned, Steve Perry could return and they still would be done. This was a shitty thing to do to Jeff. I would be shamed to be associated with this band right now.

'Shitty thing to do to Jeff' aside (which I TOTALLY agree with), Jeremey Hunsicker and Frontiers are not horrible. Having seen them live on several occasions, I can assure you that Jeremey has a great voice and is does a wonderful job honoring Journey's catalog of music.

Of course everyone is entitled to their own opinions. Journey may very well be done anyway, regardless of who is fronting them. They missed the boat with JSS, and I feel certain they will live to regret it. Probably already are.

There are tribute bands all over the world, we only ever see the ones in our own country, I know there are groups in the uk, not just tribute bands to Journey but to bands such as AC/DC, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Queen, Rainbow..the list is endless. The point is everyone is entitled to an opinion, some will like Jeremy, some won't, there may be people in ohter parts of the world who know of other bands where the singer is equally as good, if not better; but at the end of the day it is opinion.
However, I do think if this is the path that Journey are following then they have chosen a very overgrown path which will not be easy to navigate. I think they may realise this, if, all of this speculation comes to fruition, and they do indeed embark upon this particular Journey, in my opinion.