Open Letter to Neal Schon

[Rip Rokken]

Neal doesn't want to give Steve Perry full credit for the band's success. He is bound and determined to create an album that sounds like the Perry-Journey so he can say, "See, I told ya so. This sound came from Journey, not from Steve Perry."

I remember David Lee Roth trying that right after he left Van Halen. During the "Eat 'Em And Smile" buzz, when he was showcasing Vai, I remember him saying something about how now fans would see how much of the "Van Halen" sound came from him. As if he was somehow responsible for the way Eddie wrote and played, too.

[Voyager]

Neal doesn't want to give Steve Perry full credit for the band's success. He is bound and determined to create an album that sounds like the Perry-Journey so he can say, "See, I told ya so. This sound came from Journey, not from Steve Perry."

I remember David Lee Roth trying that right after he left Van Halen. During the "Eat 'Em And Smile" buzz, when he was showcasing Vai, I remember him saying something about how now fans would see how much of the "Van Halen" sound came from him. As if he was somehow responsible for the way Eddie wrote and played, too.

Dave wasn't expecting Van Halen to find a Sammy Hagar. Neal still hasn't found his Sammy. He's still trying to find Steve Perry Jr.

[bluejeangirl76]

Neal doesn't want to give Steve Perry full credit for the band's success. He is bound and determined to create an album that sounds like the Perry-Journey so he can say, "See, I told ya so. This sound came from Journey, not from Steve Perry."

I remember David Lee Roth trying that right after he left Van Halen. During the "Eat 'Em And Smile" buzz, when he was showcasing Vai, I remember him saying something about how now fans would see how much of the "Van Halen" sound came from him. As if he was somehow responsible for the way Eddie wrote and played, too.

Dave wasn't expecting Van Halen to find a Sammy Hagar. Neal still hasn't found his Sammy. He's still trying to find Steve Perry Jr.

Sure he did, but then the little bastard fired him in June.

[Voyager]

Neal doesn't want to give Steve Perry full credit for the band's success. He is bound and determined to create an album that sounds like the Perry-Journey so he can say, "See, I told ya so. This sound came from Journey, not from Steve Perry."

I remember David Lee Roth trying that right after he left Van Halen. During the "Eat 'Em And Smile" buzz, when he was showcasing Vai, I remember him saying something about how now fans would see how much of the "Van Halen" sound came from him. As if he was somehow responsible for the way Eddie wrote and played, too.

Dave wasn't expecting Van Halen to find a Sammy Hagar. Neal still hasn't found his Sammy. He's still trying to find Steve Perry Jr.

Sure he did, but then the little bastard fired him in June.

I hate it when that happens!

[Monker]

It seems as though Neal Schon is quite the Web surfer, having spent hours on YouTube trying to find a new Steve Perry impersonator. I doubt that Neal gets on this forum, but just in case he does, I wanted to write something to him to let him know how I feel. Here goes:

Neal,

I'm sorry Neal, but Steve Perry was Journey. You are as much Journey as Elvis' lead guitarist was Elvis. You are not an Eddie Van Halen, Neal. If you were, you would have found a Sammy Hagar by now and changed the course of Journey to a different sound. However, Journey was never popular before Steve Perry joined the band. We will never know if Journey could be popular without Steve Perry until you find someone to sing who is not trying to emulate Steve Perry. You had your chance to do that last year with JSS, but you blew it.

Now you have hired another Steve Perry impersonator. All the while you expect Journey fans to put Steve Perry out of their minds and allow the new singer to have his own identity. You have even stated publicly that Steve Perry is re-releasing old Journey material just so that people will remember him. WTF? Don't you think you are doing the same by hiring another Perry impersonator? Did you hire Arnel to emulate the Steve Perry material so that people can forget about Steve Perry?

What you are doing Neal is no different than if the lead guitarist for Elvis' band would have hired an Elvis impersonator and asked fans to forget about Elvis. No new albums are going to make people forget about Steve Perry, Neal. As long as you guys are touring as Journey with a Steve Perry impersonator, you are leading a Journey cover band at best. Until you do what Eddie Van Halen did and find a singer to give Journey a completely different sound, you guys are basically just a glorified mobile karaoke service.

Good luck Neal.

What a bunch of pathetic statements....none of which are true. What is even worse is I know if I read this thread, which I have no intention of doing, I know a bunch of people will agree. But, they will agree because of their apathy towards the band caused by the band's stupid decisions over the last couple years.

The truth is they didn't NEED to find another Steve Perry. They did fine with Augeri...for eight years. Eight years of people like you saying Journey could not continue on without Perry. Eight years of people like you being COMPLETELY wrong. Eight years of me being right - like it or not. Journey moved on without Perry - he did NOT need to be there. I also said, repeatedly, during that time that a time would come when Journey would not continue on. Perhaps that time is very close, I don't know - and really don't care any longer. However, it is coming not because Perry is irreplacable, but because the decisions made by this band, or management, or whoever is in control - are incredibly stupid. In this perspective, it is Herbie who is irreplacable, not Perry.

It is also ridiculous to compare Journey to Evlis' band. But, you already know this. You also know that most of what you said above is there to do nothing more then inspire angst in anybody who does have any amount of feelings of fandom left for this band. You know this.

[Voyager]

Eight years of people like you saying Journey could not continue on without Perry. Eight years of people like you being COMPLETELY wrong. Eight years of me being right - like it or not.

Nope, you're still wrong. Anyone who is chosen by Journey to sing Steve Perry songs because they sound like Steve Perry is no different than an Elvis impersonator - like it or not.

Here is the definition of the word impersonator:

To imitate the appearance, voice, or manner of; mimic: an entertainer who impersonates celebrities.

Couldn't be more applicable.

[Strange Medicine]

I don't know why people need to grill Augeri, Arnel, and JSS. Guess if they're Perry impersonators, Perry's a Sam Cooke impersonator.

[STORY_TELLER]

I don't know why people need to grill Augeri, Arnel, and JSS. Guess if they're Perry impersonators, Perry's a Sam Cooke impersonator.

That's because you're confusing impersonation with influence.

Perry was influenced by Cooke (among other soul singers), taking their stylings and mixing them with his own artistic and melodic choices. That's how most artists evolve. They learn from those who came before them, but an original musical artist builds upon what they've learned, thus evolving the style and creating a sound which, while it might remind you of Cooke, there's no confusing the two. This has always been the general consensus regarding Perry's vocals (Cooke's own family hold Perry in high regard). Rod Stewart is another example of a Sam Cooke influenced singer. Same situation. Led Zeppelin is another example. All they were doing was playing the blues, but their unique spin and meshing of their influences created something unique, even when they were covering songs originated by other artists.

No one confuses Perry and/or Stewart with Sam Cooke but most acknowledge they learned from him.

Augeri, Hugo, Jeremy and Jason Kelty are Perry vocal impersonators. Most have good vocal chords but their artistic choices are mimicking what Perry originated. I wouldn't put JSS in that category. He sounds nothing like Perry except when he intentionally slips in a Perry phrase styling here or there. That's not unusual and even expected when a singer karaoke's a Perry song. You'll notice on JSS original material, he sounds nothing like Perry.

The grilling comes from a lack of respect. Most people don't respect an impersonator no matter what kind of talent it takes to do the impersonation. This is because it takes even more talent to come up with something so unique that it is original. People respect that.

Take a painter for example. Someone could study every nuance in Da Vinci's paintings and reproduce it to the point of mistaking the original from the forgery. But what would an art buyer want to own? The forgery or the original?

[Voyager]

I don't know why people need to grill Augeri, Arnel, and JSS. Guess if they're Perry impersonators, Perry's a Sam Cooke impersonator.

Really? I must not have heard about Perry starting a Sam Cooke Tribute band, or Perry taking over the lead vocals in Sam's band after he died. Can anyone give me the details? I'd love to hear them.

[Gaffguitars]

What would you guys do if you were Neal? If Steve Perry called Neal and said "Hey let's do it" and Neal said "no we want this Arnel guy instead", then I can see raking him over the coals. This is not a new band. They can't go in a different direction. They are trapped by their history because that's where the money is. I don't blame him one bit. If it was my band I'd do the same exact thing. And so would everyone here. I know everyone likes a certain amount of what they think is integrity but these guys are working. They're making a living doing what they do and doing what will pay them the most. If you don't like the music then go do something else, don't buy a ticket, and stop bashing a guy because he doesn't see things your way. Too much venom here. Jeff and Steve A. got shafted but that's the business and they know it. It's actually none of our friggin business. It should always be about the music, period! I'm amazed about how pissed off fans can be. Like they've been personally assaulted or something. I haven't had enough of Journey yet. I'll give the new guy a shot just like I did with Steve A and JSS. If I don't like it then I go listen to something else but I won't write any open letters to Neal. It's not like he's going to read it and say "oh shit this guy is right what was I thinking." He's a bit more accomplished than that.

[Rick]

What would you guys do if you were Neal? If Steve Perry called Neal and said "Hey let's do it" and Neal said "no we want this Arnel guy instead", then I can see raking him over the coals. This is not a new band. They can't go in a different direction. They are trapped by their history because that's where the money is. I don't blame him one bit. If it was my band I'd do the same exact thing. And so would everyone here. I know everyone likes a certain amount of what they think is integrity but these guys are working. They're making a living doing what they do and doing what will pay them the most. If you don't like the music then go do something else, don't buy a ticket, and stop bashing a guy because he doesn't see things your way. Too much venom here. Jeff and Steve A. got shafted but that's the business and they know it. It's actually none of our friggin business. It should always be about the music, period! I'm amazed about how pissed off fans can be. Like they've been personally assaulted or something. I haven't had enough of Journey yet. I'll give the new guy a shot just like I did with Steve A and JSS. If I don't like it then I go listen to something else but I won't write any open letters to Neal. It's not like he's going to read it and say "oh shit this guy is right what was I thinking." He's a bit more accomplished than that.

They do read this board. If something said here gives him even a notion to proceed in another direction or gives him a thought he hasn't considered, then why not post it? This board is about discussing Journey, that's what we do. Good and bad. I agree, there is a lot of venom right now, but people here do take JSS and Augeri's shafting personally. Especially JSS, as he is friends with some on this board. The venom will die off as time passes, but you've got to understand, this has been one dung heap of a year for Journey fans.

[journeyrock]

What would you guys do if you were Neal? If Steve Perry called Neal and said "Hey let's do it" and Neal said "no we want this Arnel guy instead", then I can see raking him over the coals. This is not a new band. They can't go in a different direction. They are trapped by their history because that's where the money is. I don't blame him one bit. If it was my band I'd do the same exact thing. And so would everyone here. I know everyone likes a certain amount of what they think is integrity but these guys are working. They're making a living doing what they do and doing what will pay them the most. If you don't like the music then go do something else, don't buy a ticket, and stop bashing a guy because he doesn't see things your way. Too much venom here. Jeff and Steve A. got shafted but that's the business and they know it. It's actually none of our friggin business. It should always be about the music, period! I'm amazed about how pissed off fans can be. Like they've been personally assaulted or something. I haven't had enough of Journey yet. I'll give the new guy a shot just like I did with Steve A and JSS. If I don't like it then I go listen to something else but I won't write any open letters to Neal. It's not like he's going to read it and say "oh shit this guy is right what was I thinking." He's a bit more accomplished than that.

That depends on your definition of accomplished.

[EightyRock]

He's a bit more accomplished than that.

Is THAT what it's called? I think it just shows how little confidence he has in his on (and Cain's) ability to do anything that doesn't capitalize on Perry's successes. If they would have struck out into new territory in 1998, maybe they wouldn't be stuck doing what they continue doing. This isn't about being Neal being "accomplished". It's about him needing a fat paycheck in the easiest, fastest way. If it wasn't, he would have turned a corner and let Augeri do his OWN thing with them, or Soto. Instead, they're taking the easy route on Perry Street.

[Gaffguitars]

Accomplished? He sold a lot more albums than I ever have. Including albums he didn't make with Steve Perry. But I guess I'm wrong. I thought the music is what's important. Apparently how they behave and make decisions really is our business. We know way too much thanks to the internet. If the album sucks then I'll say so but I won't beat it like a dead horse.

[Saint John]

He's a bit more accomplished than that.

Is THAT what it's called? I think it just shows how little confidence he has in his on (and Cain's) ability to do anything that doesn't capitalize on Perry's successes. If they would have struck out into new territory in 1998, maybe they wouldn't be stuck doing what they continue doing. This isn't about being Neal being "accomplished". It's about him needing a fat paycheck in the easiest, fastest way. If it wasn't, he would have turned a corner and let Augeri do his OWN thing with them, or Soto. Instead, they're taking the easy route on Perry Street.

Really? If I remember correctly, Jon and Neal played on those albums as well. It was a team effort. I also recall that Perry has never been a part of a number 1 song. Something that both Neal and Jon HAVE been a part of (with Bad English) post Journey. Certainly you aren' trying to argue that FTLOSM was more commercially successful than the 1989 Bad English release? Additionally, the fact that Schon and Cain want to ride the successes of the back catalog THEY were a major part of shouldn't bother you any more than Perry singing those songs on the FTLOSM tour. They all were major contibuters and own them equally. It's just that Schon and Cain wish to continue doing what they love while Perry won't/can't.

[Gaffguitars]

He's a bit more accomplished than that.

Is THAT what it's called? I think it just shows how little confidence he has in his on (and Cain's) ability to do anything that doesn't capitalize on Perry's successes. If they would have struck out into new territory in 1998, maybe they wouldn't be stuck doing what they continue doing. This isn't about being Neal being "accomplished". It's about him needing a fat paycheck in the easiest, fastest way. If it wasn't, he would have turned a corner and let Augeri do his OWN thing with them, or Soto. Instead, they're taking the easy route on Perry Street.

Don't agree with that assessment at all. I wouldn't say the past 9 years have been easy street. They are not a band that can change direction. Really, think about it, how well would these tours do if they didn't have a guy who could sound close to Steve Perry. Who would want to see Journey if they were re-inventing themselves? I mean seriously. The hundreds of thousands of people who caught their show over the past 9 years just want to relive their youth for two hours. When they play new material everyone is on a bathroom/beer run. And yes it IS about his big fat paycheck. The point is YOU would do the same because only a moron would WANT LESS money because their old singer won't or can't do it anymore. Unless you think Neal should just bow to the idea that he will always be Steve Perry's bitch and eek out a meager living in a variety of side projects that go nowhere. At this point in his life it's about Journey. It's his baby, like it or not. I'm still willing to give him a shot. He's too good of a guitar player. Yes I would rather Perry be there but he's not, by his own choice. I don't expect Neal to wait or put it to bed. There's too much money involved and I don't blame him one bit for taking what he can get. As a matter of fact Journey has always taken the Capitalist approach. Just ask Herbie, he'll tell ya.

[conversationpc]

Neal doesn't want to give Steve Perry full credit for the band's success. He is bound and determined to create an album that sounds like the Perry-Journey so he can say, "See, I told ya so. This sound came from Journey, not from Steve Perry."

I remember David Lee Roth trying that right after he left Van Halen. During the "Eat 'Em And Smile" buzz, when he was showcasing Vai, I remember him saying something about how now fans would see how much of the "Van Halen" sound came from him. As if he was somehow responsible for the way Eddie wrote and played, too.

I never thought DLR's solo stuff sounded much like Van Halen other than his vocals. Vai's guitar playing and tone was too recognizable to pull that off.

[Voyager]

I wouldn't say the past 9 years have been easy street. They are not a band that can change direction. Really, think about it, how well would these tours do if they didn't have a guy who could sound close to Steve Perry. Who would want to see Journey if they were re-inventing themselves? I mean seriously. The hundreds of thousands of people who caught their show over the past 9 years just want to relive their youth for two hours. When they play new material everyone is on a bathroom/beer run. And yes it IS about his big fat paycheck.

I agree with this assessment. I think the problem that Neal runs into with Journey's core fanbase is that he is just not being up front about things. If he would just say, "Hey look everybody - I realize that Journey's best years were with Steve Perry at the helm. We are not trying to get people to forget about him. On the contrary, we are trying to take people back down memory lane. Since Steve Perry will not sing for Journey anymore, we are trying to do our best to find a replacement who sounds as close to his voice as possible. Hopefully the third time will be a charm." This is actually what Neal's actions are saying... but what comes out of his mouth is the opposite. He says things like, "Steve Perry is just re-releasing the classic as a way to get people to say, 'Hey, remember me?' " He should be saying things like, "Steve Perry was Journey... we are not denying that. All we are trying to do is give people a taste of the glory days one more time." Instead, what comes out of his mouth seems to be anti-Perry, and in the process he is alienating himself from a large part of his core fanbase who are Perryheads.

[ohsherrie]

He's a bit more accomplished than that.

Is THAT what it's called? I think it just shows how little confidence he has in his on (and Cain's) ability to do anything that doesn't capitalize on Perry's successes. If they would have struck out into new territory in 1998, maybe they wouldn't be stuck doing what they continue doing. This isn't about being Neal being "accomplished". It's about him needing a fat paycheck in the easiest, fastest way. If it wasn't, he would have turned a corner and let Augeri do his OWN thing with them, or Soto. Instead, they're taking the easy route on Perry Street.

I understand exactly what you're saying EightyRock. Neal has complained about not being able to rock out and riff out and do his thing with the kind of music Journey is about but he wants to keep paying his alimony checks on the music he doesn't really like.

[Gaffguitars]

I wouldn't say the past 9 years have been easy street. They are not a band that can change direction. Really, think about it, how well would these tours do if they didn't have a guy who could sound close to Steve Perry. Who would want to see Journey if they were re-inventing themselves? I mean seriously. The hundreds of thousands of people who caught their show over the past 9 years just want to relive their youth for two hours. When they play new material everyone is on a bathroom/beer run. And yes it IS about his big fat paycheck.

I agree with this assessment. I think the problem that Neal runs into with Journey's core fanbase is that he is just not being up front about things. If he would just say, "Hey look everybody - I realize that Journey's best years were with Steve Perry at the helm. We are not trying to get people to forget about him. On the contrary, we are trying to take people back down memory lane. Since Steve Perry will not sing for Journey anymore, we are trying to do our best to find a replacement who sounds as close to his voice as possible. Hopefully the third time will be a charm." This is actually what Neal's actions are saying... but what comes out of his mouth is the opposite. He says things like, "Steve Perry is just re-releasing the classic as a way to get people to say, 'Hey, remember me?' " He should be saying things like, "Steve Perry was Journey... we are not denying that. All we are trying to do is give people a taste of the glory days one more time." Instead, what comes out of his mouth seems to be anti-Perry, and in the process he is alienating himself from a large part of his core fanbase who are Perryheads.

Yeah he could probably take a lesson in PR. Personally, I think he shouldn't say anything. He obviously has a hard time dealing with the Steve Perry questions. I mean lets face it. Those two guys together were magic. But I do believe if Steve Perry was still able to sing night in and night out and he wanted back in, Neal would drop everything for him. And he should. But I believe the reality is different. Neal maybe wandering the musical universe aimlessly searching for that magic or he may just be making a living. Either way we either like the music or we don't. I still happen to like it. Is it the same? No way, but it's good enough.

[Voyager]

I wouldn't say the past 9 years have been easy street. They are not a band that can change direction. Really, think about it, how well would these tours do if they didn't have a guy who could sound close to Steve Perry. Who would want to see Journey if they were re-inventing themselves? I mean seriously. The hundreds of thousands of people who caught their show over the past 9 years just want to relive their youth for two hours. When they play new material everyone is on a bathroom/beer run. And yes it IS about his big fat paycheck.

I agree with this assessment. I think the problem that Neal runs into with Journey's core fanbase is that he is just not being up front about things. If he would just say, "Hey look everybody - I realize that Journey's best years were with Steve Perry at the helm. We are not trying to get people to forget about him. On the contrary, we are trying to take people back down memory lane. Since Steve Perry will not sing for Journey anymore, we are trying to do our best to find a replacement who sounds as close to his voice as possible. Hopefully the third time will be a charm." This is actually what Neal's actions are saying... but what comes out of his mouth is the opposite. He says things like, "Steve Perry is just re-releasing the classic as a way to get people to say, 'Hey, remember me?' " He should be saying things like, "Steve Perry was Journey... we are not denying that. All we are trying to do is give people a taste of the glory days one more time." Instead, what comes out of his mouth seems to be anti-Perry, and in the process he is alienating himself from a large part of his core fanbase who are Perryheads.

Yeah he could probably take a lesson in PR. Personally, I think he shouldn't say anything. He obviously has a hard time dealing with the Steve Perry questions. I mean lets face it. Those two guys together were magic. But I do believe if Steve Perry was still able to sing night in and night out and he wanted back in, Neal would drop everything for him. And he should. But I believe the reality is different. Neal maybe wandering the musical universe aimlessly searching for that magic or he may just be making a living. Either way we either like the music or we don't. I still happen to like it. Is it the same? No way, but it's good enough.

My conclusion is that if you want to hear a good Steve Perry impersonator, go see Journey with Arnel in 2008 at your local county fair. But if you want to hear Journey in all their glory, pop in your favorite Journey CD with Steve Perry on vocals and enjoy.

[Monker]

Eight years of people like you saying Journey could not continue on without Perry. Eight years of people like you being COMPLETELY wrong. Eight years of me being right - like it or not.

Nope, you're still wrong. Anyone who is chosen by Journey to sing Steve Perry songs because they sound like Steve Perry is no different than an Elvis impersonator - like it or not.

Journey did not end...they STILL haven't. YOU are wrong. THAT has always been my argument, which you are twisting to mean something completely different.

Here is the definition of the word impersonator:

To imitate the appearance, voice, or manner of; mimic: an entertainer who impersonates celebrities.

Couldn't be more applicable.

That applies to Arnel...but not Augeri. And, it has nothing to do with Perry being irreplacable. In fact, I think it has more to do with having a hard time replacing Augeri because he was the right blend of the being a little different, similar to the past, and a good personality the fans could relate to. JSS was not that person because he was too much of a change. Arnel is not that person because he is too much of a nostaligic throwback. Augeri was the right blend of both of those extremes. HE is the one they are not able to replace right now.

[ohsherrie]

My conclusion is that if you want to hear a good Steve Perry impersonator, go see Journey with Arnel in 2008 at your local county fair. But if you want to hear Journey in all their glory, pop in your favorite Journey CD with Steve Perry on vocals and enjoy.

Yeah, what he said.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

My conclusion is that if you want to hear a good Steve Perry impersonator, go see Journey with Arnel in 2008 at your local county fair. But if you want to hear Journey in all their glory, pop in your favorite Journey CD with Steve Perry on vocals and enjoy.

Oh, Voyager...