The Journey "Legacy"

[Saint John]

Much has been discussed recently about Journey's "legacy" and how Steve Perry would rather not sing the back catalog as it might tarnish the "legacy." I've thought long and hard about this and have done a 180. I used to be in the camp that condoned this. However, after thinking about it a bit I've decided that there is NO "LEGACY." It's utter bullshit. For whatever reason(s), the man does not want to sing, but this had better NOT be the reason and here's why. Journey was a group that ascended to majestic heights in the music business after Perry joined. However, they were ripped to shreds by a LOT of so called music critics and magazines alike. Through it all, Journey's fans stayed faithful, followed the band and purchased everything they could get their hands on. As the juggernaut rolled on, the critics continued to slam them and almost EVERY single music magazine did too.

What I'm getting at is this. WE are the "legacy"...us, the fans. Had it been for these so called industry insiders to support Journey they would have been dead and gone long ago. However, the fans kept supporting this band and have made it possible for other generations to enjoy them as well. In closing, we made the "legacy" possible and we want Steve to sing again. Doesn't matter who he sings with..be it in or out of Journey, with a new band or people he's worked with in the past. I can NO longer accept the excuse about the fuckin' "legacy." The people that would possibly critique Steve in ANY way haven't ever supported him anyway, so who gives a shit WHAT they think. We the fans, the ones that created the "legacy" want the man to sing and that is ALL that should matter to him. I have two requests of the man: 1) Fucking SING...anything, anywhere and with anyone, but is has to be lead, and 2) If you don't want to sing just TELL us. Thank you for your fucking time. I'm in a bad mood today.

[Sassie]

We are the legacy. I like the way that sounds.

[Greg]

So tell us how you really feel about it SJ?

I hear what you're saying. I mean, people used to laugh at me when I told them I was a Journey fan. Everything I had ever read or heard about the band was that they were a fashion rock band or a corporate rock band who put out cheesey love ballads to make a quick buck. I mean, I literally caught a lot of flack for being a fan of the band. And then, as years went by, Journey started being one of those "guilty pleasure bands." A band that a lot of people secretly liked, but would never say anything to anybody. So, Journey went from being the antichrist to being a "secret lover." Then, as years go by, people start saying, "oh, Journey did that song? I didn't realize that. That song rocks! I love Separate Ways or Faithful, etc...." Then, their music gets played in movies and tv commercials again. Suddenly, Journey is the awesome to everyone. I will never forget a friend of mine who was big into Nine Inch Nails and music like that made fun of me because I always listened to bands like Journey. Then, one day, we were heading out of town to meet up with some other friends and on his mixed CD was...."Sherrie." I was like, "Dude...you're listening to Steve Perry?" He was like, "Sure, I love the guy's voice, he's got a good voice!" :/

So, with all of that being said, I see your point, SJ. The way I see band's legacy is this: what you have accomplished in the past, nobody can take away from you. If bands like Journey want to "protect their legacy" in regards to band members, then the best way is to have the original members in there who built the legacy. If that's not possible, then dissolve the band. But, if you want to continue to build a legacy by making new music, then that is a horse of a different color. It is possible to continue a legacy of great music with new band members who have writing chemistry with each other. That is why I was so disappointed with how the situation with Jeff went down. Journey had the opportunity to build on to the legacy. And like you said SJ, we the fans help to make the legacy and we the fans mostly supported JSS as the frontman.

[slucero]

Perry's pretty much told us, if not in words, but definitely by action, how likely it is he'll sing... much less perform again.

[strangegrey]

SJ,

well said...and this is why I'm so hard on the remaining members of the band. Because treating your fans like shit...doesn't make for a very good legacy.

[*Laura]

Much has been discussed recently about Journey's "legacy" and how Steve Perry would rather not sing the back catalog as it might tarnish the "legacy."

SJ,I think SP knows exactly what he's doing.He accepted the fact that he cannot sing the classic material the way he used to,much less the way it was recorded back then.
Of course his range changed.Who the hell could have the same performances at almost 60 as they did in their 30s??
It's the same in any professional job.There is a time to race like a madman,and there's a time to slow down.
He retired from Journey at the right time.

For whatever reason(s), the man does not want to sing

He stated many times that he doesn't want to sing with Journey.

Journey was a group that ascended to majestic heights in the music business after Perry joined. However, they were ripped to shreds by a LOT of so called music critics and magazines alike. Through it all, Journey's fans stayed faithful, followed the band and purchased everything they could get their hands on. As the juggernaut rolled on, the critics continued to slam them and almost EVERY single music magazine did too.
What I'm getting at is this. WE are the "legacy"...us, the fans. Had it been for these so called industry insiders to support Journey they would have been dead and gone long ago. However, the fans kept supporting this band and have made it possible for other generations to enjoy them as well.

I agree,the critics and the mags did a fine job tearing into this band,but you know,who cares about the critics?I cannot remember any of their names,who are they?Did they do anything relevant besides barking nonsense?Nope.I'm sure they didn't even managed to convince themselves,let alone the fans!
So,yes,the Fans are the best thing that ever happened to Journey.They carried the torch even better than the band itself.

Still,we are not the Legacy.The SONGS are.
Just think...Without those songs,Journey would not have Fans.Without those songs,there would be no band.
The songs are the key and they are SO good that they cannot be changed.Not even the one who sang them first - and I'm naming SP here - dares to go back and sound different.
The songs are the blessing and the curse of this band.

On the other hand,the only way for the band to go on would have been a change of direction.JSS was the answer.
But I digress...

We the fans,the ones that created the "legacy" want the man to sing and that is ALL that should matter to him.

Like I said,IMO,Journey created the legacy (songs) and we supported it,no matter what happened to the band.
I have a feeling that the Fans matter to SP more than we will ever know.That might be the reason why he was always hesitant.
Some fans ask too much from him.All those nasty remarks throw at him over the years have echoes...
Well,those are the fans he shouldn't give a flying shit about.There are others,like you and me,who would settle for whatever he's got.

I'm in a bad mood today.

Would Fräulein Helga help?

[Carlitto H@kk]

Note from Carlitto: The following editorial is something I posted back in Feb 07...
SJ and i had some similar thoughts...
Funny thing is, this post was written while Jeff was still
a member but alot of it still rings true...
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.

[Liz22562]

David Pack - Voice still sounds the same - he's over 50 years old
Mickey Thomas - Voice still sounds the same - he's over 50
Tommy Shaw - Same thing

I suppose we could get a list going as to who still sounds the same after 20 +++ years in the biz. I don't think Steve Perry cares if he can or can not still hit the same notes as he did 'back in the day'....he just doesn't want anything to do with Journey. When and if he's ready, I'm sure he will let us all know!

Peace to all

[BobbyinTN]

With Steve Perry and Neal it's ego and nothing else.

[EightyRock]

Ah, the "L" word. I think the songs are the legacy, but Perry can't be separated from that, since he was both a songwriter and the lead singer. All his "Perryisms" for lack of a better word, are indelibly stamped on their catalog. The rest of them can still draw an audience to some extent, but I'd love to see what kind of audience they would have drawn with Perry back in the mix. Ain't gonna happen, ever...but it would have given them a huge dose of reality and humility, which is lacking.

Journey sans Perry have treated the fans like an afterthought, instead of a relationship that should be cultivated. As long as they have asses in the seats, the fans that supported them over the years don't count. Frig and Fro treat fans like mosquitos that need swatting. Everybody can see from the shit they've pulled in the past, that loyalty doesn't mean squat to them. It's true that they've had a bunch of rock solid fans for many years, till now.

I wish Perry would get off his ass and do a solo CD, short tour or something. I think what stops him from doing that is he thinks he absloutely has to sing some Journey songs or people would think it is odd. He said that once in an interview. I don't think the fans that would show up at his concert or buy his CD care what he sings. It's more about his vocal styling and delivery than the songs, although it's even better when they are GREAT songs. He can make any song his own. I think he doesn't get that.
Unfortunately for Frig and Fro, Journey's legacy will be more tied to Perry and the songs than to either of them. That's pretty funny, too, considering Frig actually wrote one whole song all by himself!

[Red13JoePa]

YOU and you ALONE St John are "The Legacy."

[ohsherrie]

Ah, the "L" word. I think the songs are the legacy, but Perry can't be separated from that, since he was both a songwriter and the lead singer. All his "Perryisms" for lack of a better word, are indelibly stamped on their catalog. The rest of them can still draw an audience to some extent, but I'd love to see what kind of audience they would have drawn with Perry back in the mix. Ain't gonna happen, ever...but it would have given them a huge dose of reality and humility, which is lacking.

Journey sans Perry have treated the fans like an afterthought, instead of a relationship that should be cultivated. As long as they have asses in the seats, the fans that supported them over the years don't count. Frig and Fro treat fans like mosquitos that need swatting. Everybody can see from the shit they've pulled in the past, that loyalty doesn't mean squat to them. It's true that they've had a bunch of rock solid fans for many years, till now.

I wish Perry would get off his ass and do a solo CD, short tour or something. I think what stops him from doing that is he thinks he absloutely has to sing some Journey songs or people would think it is odd. He said that once in an interview. I don't think the fans that would show up at his concert or buy his CD care what he sings. It's more about his vocal styling and delivery than the songs, although it's even better when they are GREAT songs. He can make any song his own. I think he doesn't get that.
Unfortunately for Frig and Fro, Journey's legacy will be more tied to Perry and the songs than to either of them. That's pretty funny, too, considering Frig actually wrote one whole song all by himself!

Perfect post.

[slucero]

by doing nothing..... Journey's legacy continues to be reinforced as Perry's alone....... by going out "one more time" with the band.... Perry gives some of that back to John and Neal... an by the looks of how messy things have been.... it would be foolish for Perry to associate himself with the mess.... and tarnish what folks remember of him...

[Little Lenny]

by doing nothing..... Journey's legacy continues to be reinforced as Perry's alone....... by going out "one more time" with the band.... Perry gives some of that back to John and Neal... an by the looks of how messy things have been.... it would be foolish for Perry to associate himself with the mess.... and tarnish what folks remember of him...

Agreed