If Arnel was SP replacement #1 would fans like him better?

[Voyager]

I was wondering after listening to a few of Arnel's YouTube videos if he would have been better received by Journey fans in the USA had he been chosen instead of Steve Augeri when Journey first decided to move on without Steve Perry? Granted, there are going to be people who do not like the fact that Arnel doesn't speak English very well. But I am guessing that Arnel would have been more well received than Steve Augeri simply because he sounds more like Perry. I think the main reason that Arnel is getting the cold shoulder from a large portion of Journey's USA fans is because they are sick and tired of Journey trying to replace the legendary Steve Perry. It's like they're saying "Enough is enough! Don't trash the legacy anymore than you already have!"

It doesn't help things any that Journey tossed Steve Augeri when he was used up like a disposable lighter, and then tossed JSS after he stepped up to bat when they were desperate. I think these are the main reasons that people are having a hard time embracing Arnel. The Journey fans are beginning to see that the members of Journey are loyal to no one but themselves. It's beginning to look like a big money grab, and many longtime Journey fans are simply fedup with it.

My guess is that Journey will make some big money in Asia on a 2008 tour, but will be lucky to play county fairs in the USA. In addition, with many USA fans being as angry and hostile as they are about what Journey has done over the past few years, I wouldn't be surprised if fans took it out on Arnel by egging him or Neal Schon at stateside shows.

Any thoughts?

[fightingilliniJRNY]

How many of these hypothetical polls are you going to make? Arnel is in. He's SP replacement #3. It is what it is.

My guess is that Journey will make some big money in Asia on a 2008 tour, but will be lucky to play county fairs in the USA.

People have been saying that since JSS was let go. Give me an indication of why you think this will be the case. The Journey name is still in demand. County fairs? Are you serious?

[Voyager]

How many of these hypothetical polls are you going to make? Arnel is in. He's SP replacement #3. It is what it is.

Umm... I think I've created three since I joined. If Andrew didn't want polls, he wouldn't allow them. If you don't like them, don't vote.

[STORY_TELLER]

I think no matter who the first singer to replace Perry was, he/she/it was going to run into a wall of doubt, criticism and outright flaming. Doesn't help that Augeri wasn't even as strong a vocalist as the drummer, but with the experience of JSS on vocals, the growing pains of experiencing a Perryless Journey have subsided a bit. While most would still prefer Perry back, diehard fans are more open to what happens from this point forward (assuming the new singer lives up to the hype of the PR machine).

Unfortunately, I think had Arnel been Perry's original replacement, the fact that he's asian would have been an even bigger pill to swallow for most fans than it will be now. Since the creation of MTV, what the music looks like is just as important as how it sounds. Case(s) in point: Christopher Cross. When the public saw the physical appearance of the man who owned the sweet emotional voice, it turned them off and his records stopped selling. When Ann Wilson got fat, Heart's albums stopped selling.

Journey will still have an uphill battle promoting Arnel, but at least he's not Perry's original replacement. That would have spelled complete doom.

NOTE: before I get labeled a racist, these are not my own opinions of how I feel. I could care less if the guy had blue skin and one eyeball as long as the NEW material they record with him is worthy of the Perry era Journey of which I am a fan to date. This is my opinion on how the shallow masses will feel.

[Voyager]

My guess is that Journey will make some big money in Asia on a 2008 tour, but will be lucky to play county fairs in the USA.

People have been saying that since JSS was let go. Give me an indication of why you think this will be the case.

You just answered your own question: "People have been saying that since JSS was let go." I happen to agree with them. Journey did not support themselves in 2006. They rode on the coattails of Def Leppard. If Journey headlines in 2008 on a USA tour, I don't see them playing big venues at all. What if the Rolling Stones were on their third Mick Jagger replacement? Would they be playing arenas still?

[fightingilliniJRNY]

My guess is that Journey will make some big money in Asia on a 2008 tour, but will be lucky to play county fairs in the USA.

People have been saying that since JSS was let go. Give me an indication of why you think this will be the case.

You just answered your own question: "People have been saying that since JSS was let go." I happen to agree with them. Journey did not support themselves in 2006. They rode on the coattails of Def Leppard. If Journey headlines in 2008 on a USA tour, I don't see them playing big venues at all. What if the Rolling Stones were on their third Mick Jagger replacement? Would they be playing arenas still?

And you avoided my question. People on here have been using "They'll only play county fairs now! Yay! Serves them right!" as an insult since JSS was let go. Give me an indication why this will actually be the case for Journey 2008.

[Voyager]

And you avoided my question. People on here have been using "They'll only play county fairs now! Yay! Serves them right!" as an insult since JSS was let go. Give me an indication why this will actually be the case for Journey 2008.

Journey played our State Fair a few years ago as a headliner with Steve Augeri and it didn't sell very well. Since then they've hired two singers and fired two singers. In 2006 Journey toured with JSS as an opening act for Def Leppard, which doesn't give any idea of what their success or failure would have been if they would have been touring on their own merit. Because of this, they'll be lucky to play county fairs in the USA. Promoters won't be willing to gamble on them.

[somethingtohide]

I think the reception for Arnel would have been even more negative than it is presently if he had followed directly after Perry.

Anyone following Perry probably had the most to prove to the fans.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

I think the reception for Arnel would have been even more negative than it is presently if he had followed directly after Perry.

Anyone following Perry probably had the most to prove to the fans.

In response to the opening question...

I tend to agree with this. People were looking much harder when Journey announced that they replaced Steve Perry. Augeri had to do a hell of a job under such scrutiny, and he did an admirable job, in my opinion.

[Voyager]

I think the reception for Arnel would have been even more negative than it is presently if he had followed directly after Perry.

Anyone following Perry probably had the most to prove to the fans.

In response to the opening question...

I tend to agree with this. People were looking much harder when Journey announced that they replaced Steve Perry. Augeri had to do a hell of a job under such scrutiny, and he did an admirable job, in my opinion.

Personally I wasn't very impressed with Augeri. When I saw him in concert (twice) his voice was weak and out of key. He couldn't hit the high notes at all. Personally I think Arnel would have done a better job after hearing his YouTube videos. However, at this stage of the game I thing the whole think is a big joke. Fans want something to be passionate about, and when every time you sell a singer to the fans you turn around and toss them in the trash can, it's hard (if not impossible) to remain passionate about a band that does that to their singers.

[Journey69]

Here we go..Another JSS apologist thread.. For the love of god.. the last option in the poll is JSS rocks! Everyone else sucks! Quit beating a dead horse!

[S.B.N]

Where is the "..This is a moot point since that was 1998 and this is 2007." option? haha

[Rick]

Here we go..Another JSS apologist thread.. For the love of god.. the last option in the poll is JSS rocks! Everyone else sucks! Quit beating a dead horse!

This is a Journey forum. JSS was in Journey and should still be. So, yes we can talk about him, and we can do it without putting OT: at the beginning of it. We've been talking about JSS here since WAY before you got here and started bitching about it.

[AeroZach]

Here we go..Another JSS apologist thread.. For the love of god.. the last option in the poll is JSS rocks! Everyone else sucks! Quit beating a dead horse!

This is a Journey forum. JSS was in Journey and should still be. So, yes we can talk about him, and we can do it without putting OT: at the beginning of it. We've been talking about JSS here since WAY before you got here and started bitching about it.

Bravo!

[STORY_TELLER]

Seems to me I'm the only person in this thread who really addressed the poll question. The rest of you are too busy arguing over petty crap (as usual).

[Rick]

Seems to me I'm the only person in this thread who really addressed the poll question. The rest of you are too busy arguing over petty crap (as usual).

The Journey forum as usual.

[AeroZach]

If I could've voted for two it would have been the last JSS option, or the Jeremy to sing option. Which is why I didn't vote at all.

[IngoK]

Like this Poll

[Indyjoe]

Here we go..Another JSS apologist thread.. For the love of god.. the last option in the poll is JSS rocks! Everyone else sucks! Quit beating a dead horse!

I know you're going to just love hearing from me given my avatar and all!! FYI I didn't vote in this poll, because although JSS ROCKS I cannot vote with the rest of that statement.

I was just wondering what someone like myself should do? You don't want us here in the Journey forum even though JSS was the last singer in Journey. And we are a bunch of butt kissing losers to laugh at in his forum? Yet you are here in the Journey forum supporting your favorite band and their new singer and I do not for a second think you as a butt kisser nor was I laughing at you.

Just wondering what gives?

(Sorry about the petty crap ST - but I did address the poll!)

[Voyager]

I was just wondering what someone like myself should do? You don't want us here in the Journey forum even though JSS was the last singer in Journey.

On the contrary. I think if you are a fan of Journey and/or a fan of one of their six singers, you have as much right as anyone to post your opinion here.

[bluejeangirl76]

On the contrary. I think if you are a fan of Journey and/or a fan of one of their six singers, you have as much right as anyone to post your opinion here.

Agreed. It's a Journey board, not a "CURRENT Journey" board.

[Indyjoe]

I was just wondering what someone like myself should do? You don't want us here in the Journey forum even though JSS was the last singer in Journey.

On the contrary. I think if you are a fan of Journey and/or a fan of one of their six singers, you have as much right as anyone to post your opinion here.

Why thank you! I am actually a fan of several of their six singers!

[Journey69]

Here we go..Another JSS apologist thread.. For the love of god.. the last option in the poll is JSS rocks! Everyone else sucks! Quit beating a dead horse!

I know you're going to just love hearing from me given my avatar and all!! FYI I didn't vote in this poll, because although JSS ROCKS I cannot vote with the rest of that statement.

I was just wondering what someone like myself should do? You don't want us here in the Journey forum even though JSS was the last singer in Journey. And we are a bunch of butt kissing losers to laugh at in his forum? Yet you are here in the Journey forum supporting your favorite band and their new singer and I do not for a second think you as a butt kisser nor was I laughing at you.

Just wondering what gives?

(Sorry about the petty crap ST - but I did address the poll!)

I have stated many times..I love JSS.. I have no problem with him..I just hate all the ass kissing.. Do you go to the JSS boards and see what people write..It's disgraceful..Jeff pops on and writes to a few people and they are absolutely star struck.. I don't get it. JSS even said to let sleeping dogs lie.. We know 5 people in this forum are pissed at how Jeff was treated and think he should be the singer..But look at it this way..You get a new album from Jeff and one from Journey..

[Indyjoe]

Here we go..Another JSS apologist thread.. For the love of god.. the last option in the poll is JSS rocks! Everyone else sucks! Quit beating a dead horse!

I know you're going to just love hearing from me given my avatar and all!! FYI I didn't vote in this poll, because although JSS ROCKS I cannot vote with the rest of that statement.

I was just wondering what someone like myself should do? You don't want us here in the Journey forum even though JSS was the last singer in Journey. And we are a bunch of butt kissing losers to laugh at in his forum? Yet you are here in the Journey forum supporting your favorite band and their new singer and I do not for a second think you as a butt kisser nor was I laughing at you.

Just wondering what gives?

(Sorry about the petty crap ST - but I did address the poll!)

I have stated many times..I love JSS.. I have no problem with him..I just hate all the ass kissing.. Do you go to the JSS boards and see what people write..It's disgraceful..Jeff pops on and writes to a few people and they are absolutely star struck.. I don't get it. JSS even said to let sleeping dogs lie.. We know 5 people in this forum are pissed at how Jeff was treated and think he should be the singer..But look at it this way..You get a new album from Jeff and one from Journey..

I am one of the ones on Jeff's board! I love that he writes there! So?! Wouldn't it be cool to you if Neal wrote here or Jon or Ross (Ross is funny)? That would be way cool to the Journey fans I would think.

I dig Jeff and the work he does. I do not see it as "a.. kissing" at all and I still don't really get why you do. I just don't see it as any different than you digging anything Journey does. The difference is getting to tell him. That's just cool. When you get a chance to tell Journey themselves what you think of them we'll see how it comes out. I am pretty sure you won't see yourself as a "kiss a..". Nor am I one or the posters on his forum.

I just wanted to clarify.

Have a good night!

[ironmountain]

I always thought that Steve Augeri was a suitable replacement for Perry, not in the caliber as SP, but a fine replacement. JSS was also a hugely talented singer, but would take the band in a new direction. Arnel has solidified the remaining members as a tribute band, though they may create some new music that is stellar, they still long to be Journey with Steve Perry.

I wish the best to Arnel, as he is taking on a monumental task, not only as "Steve's" replacement, but having to deal with 2 colossal egos, Neil Schon and Jon Cain. Talented in their own right, but too pig headed to see the truth.

[bluejeangirl76]

I was wondering after listening to a few of Arnel's YouTube videos if he would have been better received by Journey fans in the USA had he been chosen instead of Steve Augeri when Journey first decided to move on without Steve Perry?

In answer to original poll question, and speaking totally honestly here, I really think that there would have been much more upheaval over Arnel back then than there is now. If they had parted ways with Perry and immediately hired a cover band singer, let alone a foreign cover band singer, it would have been a big big deal with fans.

I'm not opining on whether that would be right or fair, just saying, that's what would happen. It's sooooo easy to sit here now, 10 years and 3 singers later and say you would have given AP the chance if he were the 1st replacement in 1998, but I don't really believe that's true. We have a large number of people sitting here now going "what the hell is Journey thinking?" but if this was 1998, I think most people would be saying that. If this was June 1998 and Journey showed up and announced "We have parted ways with Steve Perry and this is our new singer..." there would be a collective pants-shitting.

[Deb]

Here we go..Another JSS apologist thread.. For the love of god.. the last option in the poll is JSS rocks! Everyone else sucks! Quit beating a dead horse!

I know you're going to just love hearing from me given my avatar and all!! FYI I didn't vote in this poll, because although JSS ROCKS I cannot vote with the rest of that statement.

I was just wondering what someone like myself should do? You don't want us here in the Journey forum even though JSS was the last singer in Journey. And we are a bunch of butt kissing losers to laugh at in his forum? Yet you are here in the Journey forum supporting your favorite band and their new singer and I do not for a second think you as a butt kisser nor was I laughing at you.

Just wondering what gives?

(Sorry about the petty crap ST - but I did address the poll!)

I have stated many times..I love JSS.. I have no problem with him..I just hate all the ass kissing.. Do you go to the JSS boards and see what people write..It's disgraceful..Jeff pops on and writes to a few people and they are absolutely star struck.. I don't get it. JSS even said to let sleeping dogs lie.. We know 5 people in this forum are pissed at how Jeff was treated and think he should be the singer..But look at it this way..You get a new album from Jeff and one from Journey..

I am one of the ones on Jeff's board! I love that he writes there! So?! Wouldn't it be cool to you if Neal wrote here or Jon or Ross (Ross is funny)? That would be way cool to the Journey fans I would think.

I dig Jeff and the work he does. I do not see it as "a.. kissing" at all and I still don't really get why you do. I just don't see it as any different than you digging anything Journey does. The difference is getting to tell him. That's just cool. When you get a chance to tell Journey themselves what you think of them we'll see how it comes out. I am pretty sure you won't see yourself as a "kiss a..". Nor am I one or the posters on his forum.

I just wanted to clarify.

Have a good night!

Great post Indy! Nobody is kissing ass in the JSS forum, people are just posting back and forth to each other and JSS just happens to be one of them.........he's cool that way! I think it's great that he keeps his fans informed of what he's up to and what he's working on. Great little community, great people. (for the most part)

[S.B.N]

Here we go..Another JSS apologist thread.. For the love of god.. the last option in the poll is JSS rocks! Everyone else sucks! Quit beating a dead horse!

I know you're going to just love hearing from me given my avatar and all!! FYI I didn't vote in this poll, because although JSS ROCKS I cannot vote with the rest of that statement.

I was just wondering what someone like myself should do? You don't want us here in the Journey forum even though JSS was the last singer in Journey. And we are a bunch of butt kissing losers to laugh at in his forum? Yet you are here in the Journey forum supporting your favorite band and their new singer and I do not for a second think you as a butt kisser nor was I laughing at you.

Just wondering what gives?

(Sorry about the petty crap ST - but I did address the poll!)

I have stated many times..I love JSS.. I have no problem with him..I just hate all the ass kissing.. Do you go to the JSS boards and see what people write..It's disgraceful..Jeff pops on and writes to a few people and they are absolutely star struck.. I don't get it. JSS even said to let sleeping dogs lie.. We know 5 people in this forum are pissed at how Jeff was treated and think he should be the singer..But look at it this way..You get a new album from Jeff and one from Journey..

I'm a JSS fan also. But it is quite comical when he posts anywhere. It is like a mad rush to grab his approval with all the "!!" and "JEFF!" It can count as homerism. But you can't blame anybody, it is cool a member well known here posts to fans. The only thing that was said stupid was for JSS to release his album the same day as Journey. Not a good idea..

[Rick]

The only thing that was said stupid was for JSS to release his album the same day as Journey. Not a good idea..

Yeah, then everyone would spend their money on Jeff's record and Journey wouldn't sell any at all.

[Indyjoe]

I'm a JSS fan also. But it is quite comical when he posts anywhere. It is like a mad rush to grab his approval with all the "!!" and "JEFF!" It can count as homerism. But you can't blame anybody, it is cool a member well known here posts to fans. The only thing that was said stupid was for JSS to release his album the same day as Journey. Not a good idea..

I'm thinking that use of !!! isn't what gets Jeff's approval or disapproval! Or yelling his name in CAPS!!

This just struck me as funny!

Anyway always nice to see other JSS fans! Hi!