The Age of the Internet - (Tales from Meeting the Band)

[GollyWally]

Over the last week or so, I've read so many horrible stories from people who've had the opportunity (or misfortune in most cases) to meet members of the band. With a few exceptions, most of the accounts have been extremely negative-luried tales about what jerks Neal and Jon are, particularly to male fans. Many of these stories predate the Internet, so I was wondering if Neal and Jon would have behaved differently toward their fan base had they known that twenty years later these stories would be posted on the Internet where droves of people could read about what jerks they are! Maybe they're so egotistical that they wouldn't care, but there's no way they could have envisioned back then that their fans would be sharing all these stories decades later.

[conversationpc]

Over the last week or so, I've read so many horrible stories from people who've had the opportunity (or misfortune in most cases) to meet members of the band. With a few exceptions, most of the accounts have been extremely negative-luried tales about what jerks Neal and Jon are, particularly to male fans. Many of these stories predate the Internet, so I was wondering if Neal and Jon would have behaved differently toward their fan base had they known that twenty years later these stories would be posted on the Internet where droves of people could read about what jerks they are! Maybe they're so egotistical that they wouldn't care, but there's no way they could have envisioned back then that their fans would be sharing all these stories decades later.

I'm sure that, to some extent, they still don't care. They know that most casual fans are probably not up to date on this stuff.

[strangegrey]

What's one more consequence of your actions? When you're such a reprehensible character in real life, who cares what people will think online?? That's like asking Bill Clinton if he felt guilty pinching his secretary's ass, just after he zipped up his pants after a Monica Blow Job...

Also, keep in mind...Friga and Fro don't really care about the net. They don't think highly of their internet fans, never have, never will...they're in some kind of alternate reality. They still think it's 1983 and they still think they have the keys to any city they walk into....when in reality us onliners are really the only ones that care or even know who they are. That's the ironic bit to all of this...we're the only ones left who actually know them from a grave digger...and we're the ones they've most offended.

So in answer to your question, they wouldn't have acted any differently. When you're of such questionable moral fiber, one more pair of eyes on you doesn't make a tick turd of difference.

[rdekker]

Well I'm sure these so called fans had probably themselves to blame. Speaking for myself I only have very positive memories with meeting band members, Neal especially.

[Red13JoePa]

Also, keep in mind...Friga and Fro don't really care about the net. They don't think highly of their internet fans, never have, never will...

Would you?
Too many of us are fit to be tied, we probly scare the everloving SHIT out of these guys. They look at the frothing angry posts, they see the weird personal sigs, photoshopped pix of themselves.... the online fan community is unfortunately not resembling a sane persons' convention.

[*Laura]

They look at the frothing angry posts, they see the weird personal sigs, photoshopped pix of themselves.... the online fan community is unfortunately not resembling a sane persons' convention.

Ain't that the truth?

Seriously,I think the online fandom is a nuthouse populated both by geniuses and whackos,sometimes those 2 characters live in 1...
I've seen truly great ideas coming from Journey fans,ideas that would have definitely made a difference in the band's evolution...Too bad they don't listen to the "little people" and their big ideas.
However,the other side of the coin is really nasty and way too personal...No fan should get that close to a band member's private life,even if it's with a virtual "knife".

Maybe they sometimes read the posts and look at the pics,but I'm not sure they laugh sincerely...Maybe a frightened laugh?

[NealIsGod]

Well I'm sure these so called fans had probably themselves to blame. Speaking for myself I only have very positive memories with meeting band members, Neal especially.

Yeah, me too. But they do not come any cooler than JSS. I have never seen anyone truly appreciate the fans like he does.

[NealIsGod]

Also, keep in mind...Friga and Fro don't really care about the net. They don't think highly of their internet fans, never have, never will...

They look at the frothing angry posts, they see the weird personal sigs, photoshopped pix of themselves.... the online fan community is unfortunately not resembling a sane persons' convention.

Yeah, that's why I stayed away from BT. Those people give me the creeps.

[dcvader]

I have never had a problem from SP on down to current guy's in this band. I guess when fan's act like a star struck douche bags, it's prolly a little weird for them (band) too.

[conversationpc]

Also, keep in mind...Friga and Fro don't really care about the net. They don't think highly of their internet fans, never have, never will...

They look at the frothing angry posts, they see the weird personal sigs, photoshopped pix of themselves.... the online fan community is unfortunately not resembling a sane persons' convention.

Yeah, that's why I stayed away from BT. Those people give me the creeps.

Though there may not be as many people posting here as there were at BT, it sure feels like there is just as high a percentage of weirdos in this forum as BT has. The only difference is, you can actually post how you feel instead of being banned for eternity for speaking your mind.

[NealIsGod]

Also, keep in mind...Friga and Fro don't really care about the net. They don't think highly of their internet fans, never have, never will...

They look at the frothing angry posts, they see the weird personal sigs, photoshopped pix of themselves.... the online fan community is unfortunately not resembling a sane persons' convention.

Yeah, that's why I stayed away from BT. Those people give me the creeps.

Though there may not be as many people posting here as there were at BT, it sure feels like there is just as high a percentage of weirdos in this forum as BT has. The only difference is, you can actually post how you feel instead of being banned for eternity for speaking your mind.

Who you calling a weirdo?

[Red13JoePa]

I guess when fan's act like a star struck douche bags, it's prolly a little weird for them (band) too.

Right on the noise. Jeff's so down-to-earth he probly treats anybody just this shy of the dude loitering around in a trenchcoat, hat, glasses and beard the same respectful cool way.
But maybe other stars are not so at ease with the stalking I mean "fandom."
I bet most of the people with bad stories of these guys expected more than a handshake and 15 seconds to say, "thanks for the music."

I know for a FACT people have chased JSS down restricted hallways after meet/greets were closed.

[*Laura]

I know for a FACT people have chased JSS down restricted hallways after meet/greets were closed.

Oh,yes!I was the one who did that! Considering the circumstances,I had to.He knew who I was,I wasn't wearing a trenchcoat and a beard ,plus I have travelled half the globe to meet him!Just couldn't miss the chance and NOT use my m & g pass.
We had a good laugh.

[Red13JoePa]

forget it

[strangegrey]

Well I'm sure these so called fans had probably themselves to blame. Speaking for myself I only have very positive memories with meeting band members, Neal especially.

Complete and utter hogwash...I've never seen evidence of the fans bringing it on themselves, with respect to the stories I have relayed....and I'm quite sure some of the stories the OP was refering to were some of mine. Stop treading in waters you know nothing about You might have had positive experiences with Schonbag...consider yourselve an extremely lucky member of a very exclusive minority.

[johnroxx]

FWIW...i have had several meetings with Schon over the years, mostly because of his association with my friend Paul Rodgers. In my experience, the guy has never been anything but friendly and well-mannered.

As far as the rest, I attended a nice, relaxed, and lengthy meet 'n greet with the whole band after one of Journey's shows at Pechanga Casino in Temecula, CA back in October of 2005. Ross, Augeri, Deen, and "Friga" were all very pleasant and conversational, especially Augeri and Deen.

Your mileage, of course, may vary...

;^)

[SteveForever]

I did not get to meet the band, but the former lead singer did something very nice for me at one of the concerts I went to. I still can't believe Jeff is not with Journey anymore...

[conversationpc]

I can't help but chuckle whenever I see that pic.

[ohsherrie]

I can't help but chuckle whenever I see that pic.

I love it!! It's the best Photoshop job I've ever seen. I just had to right click/save.

[Red13JoePa]

It is funny. I don't think Neal has a Napoleon complex at all, but FrankSgrey has some good comedic timing and material.

BTW, that Neal face pic is the same one TNC made the "My feeble-minded grampa taking a dump" joke about

[MartyMoffatt]

I've met them all on several occasions and I have to say I haven't had a single bad experience with any of them. Steve Augeri and Jeff have without a doubt been the most openly friendly but Neal, Jon, Deen and Ross have all been more than willing to chat and to let me invade their space (camera in hand). Even when other fans interrupted (and on one occasion one drunken fan barged past me to blurt out in a loud voice to Ross 'Are you Jonathan Cain?!') they have been very courteous to everybody.

On the UK tour a couple of months ago Neal even went out of his way to invite me into their dressing room to take some pics of the band relaxing backstage. Maybe it was vanity on his part, but to me it seemed simply that he was comfortable with me wandering around and was encouraging me to go wherever I liked to take pictures, warts and all.

On the other hand, during that tour, it was conspicuous that after the first couple of shows, only Jeff turned up for the M&Gs - perhaps they'd picked up on the fact that most of the M&Gs had come from Jeff and most of the people were there to see him. Regardless of that, and despite some of their questionable 'business' practices before and since, I think the attitude of all the members of the band to their fans (at least face to face) isn't as poor as has been painted in this thread. Their attitude to online fans may be another matter.

Marty

[strangegrey]

It is funny. I don't think Neal has a Napoleon complex at all..

LOL. You're kidding right? Little man, huge ego, throws a tantrum and fires people if he doesn't get his way? And you don't think he has a napoleon complex?

[Blueskies]

It is funny. I don't think Neal has a Napoleon complex at all..

LOL. You're kidding right? Little man, huge ego, throws a tantrum and fires people if he doesn't get his way? And you don't think he has a napoleon complex?

Thats because it hits too close to home for Red. He's in denial! (just a joke, Red, take it)

[Red13JoePa]

If I were like you and jrox, Regan, I'd accuse of you of stalking me in this thread.

[Red13JoePa]

It is funny. I don't think Neal has a Napoleon complex at all..

LOL. You're kidding right? Little man, huge ego, throws a tantrum and fires people if he doesn't get his way? And you don't think he has a napoleon complex?

Well, I DO have the luxury of blissful ignorance. Unfortunately my personal knowledge of Neal comes from me going "Yo Neal!" one time after a show in Camden when he was coming out of the place and him going "Yo!" and waving.

I guess I just meant he doens't STRIKE me as a Nap Complexer.

[Blueskies]

If I were like you and jroxx, Regan, I'd accuse of you of stalking me in this thread.

You have got to be kidding, right? You dish out but cant take.
...isn't it quitting time for you?...Your rides here... ..wait a minute,..your already on board? isn't that you on the left? Nice headscarf!

[Red13JoePa]

If I were like you and jroxx, Regan, I'd accuse of you of stalking me in this thread.

You have got to be kidding, right? You dish out but cant take.
...

No, I only said IF I were you 2 guys, you blooming idiot. Post at me wherever you want to, I don't care.

[Blueskies]

If I were like you and jroxx, Regan, I'd accuse of you of stalking me in this thread.

You have got to be kidding, right? You dish out but cant take.
...

No, I only said IF I were you 2 guys, you blooming idiot. Post at me wherever you want to, I don't care.

Awww! Red, you got your smile back! Blooming?....hmmmm...like a flower??? A blooming idiot is better than just being an idiot! Thanks Red, I'm starting to feel the love again!

[johnroxx]

If I were like you and jroxx, Regan, I'd accuse of you of stalking me in this thread.

What the fuck does THAT mean, anyway? Just stating my opinion. Has nothing to do with your presence here or anyone elses.

;^)

[Crazy4Ross]

Every time I have been around the band they ALL (Ross, Neal, Jon, Deen, Steve and JSS) have been very courteous and fan friendly. I remember Steve Augeri in Palm Springs having to run off from the Meet N Greet to pack his suitcase as it was the last show of the 2005 tour. He told those that hadn't had the opportunity to get a photo or autograph to give him 1o minutes, he would be back to make sure they were taken care of. I remember alot of people saying they did not expect to see him but sure enough Steve came back and didn't leave until everyone had the opportunity for a photo and autograph. Just one of the many examples I have witnessed.