My Thoughts on Journey's "Legacy" Revisited

Voted Worlds #1 Most Loonatic Fanbase

Moderator: Andrew

My Thoughts on Journey's "Legacy" Revisited

Postby Carlitto H@kk » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:03 am

Note from Carlitto: The following editorial is something I posted months ago
when Jeff was still in the band. It's pretty funny that I can just insert "Arnel"
for "Soto" and it still reads the same. Thought it'd be nice to share it with all the newbs we
have in here. It is a little long but I hope most of you will take the time to read to the end
and share your thoughts with me. I guess I just got so tired of hearing so many people
whine about this supposed "Legacy" that I had to think out loud about it!
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 Arnel 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 Arnel 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 Arnel 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. :lol: 8)
User avatar
Carlitto H@kk
Stereo LP
 
Posts: 2891
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:27 am
Location: Home & Well

Postby Tomulator » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:11 am

Let me help you understand where so many of us are coming from.

It's alot like great classic movies which then have sequals made. They rarely if EVER live up to the ORIGINAL movie even though they go to EXTRAORDINARY lengths to RECREATE the flavor and feel of the first.

My question is...why even try???!

Let it be. Go on to something else...make a NEW "classic".

That's the LEGACY that is being referred to. The impact of the ORIGINAL...don't do "cheesy" things like "sequals" which just cheapen the whole experience.

8)
"I was merely probing the patient for muscle tone and skeletal girth. We mock what we don't understand."
User avatar
Tomulator
Cassette Tape
 
Posts: 1300
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:37 am
Location: Anywhere I happen to be...

Postby Carlitto H@kk » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:30 am

Tomulator wrote:Let me help you understand where so many of us are coming from.

It's alot like great classic movies which then have sequals made. They rarely if EVER live up to the ORIGINAL movie even though they go to EXTRAORDINARY lengths to RECREATE the flavor and feel of the first.

My question is...why even try???!

Let it be. Go on to something else...make a NEW "classic".

That's the LEGACY that is being referred to. The impact of the ORIGINAL...don't do "cheesy" things like "sequals" which just cheapen the whole experience.

8)


Give me a break...
Caddyshack II sucked ballz... you telling me you still don't
consider Caddyshack one of the greatest movies of all time??? :lol:

I see your point but it still doesn't make sense.
What are you worried about?
Are you affraid you might be out on the town with some friends and,
when the topic of music comes up, you throw out there that you love Journey
and everyone around you is gonna laugh because "Journey cracked the stone?"

Bullshit. They are all gonna agree w/you and start naming and singing great songs
from the "classic line-up". :wink:
User avatar
Carlitto H@kk
Stereo LP
 
Posts: 2891
Joined: Wed Aug 09, 2006 3:27 am
Location: Home & Well

Postby Tomulator » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:39 am

Carlitto H@kk wrote:
Tomulator wrote:Let me help you understand where so many of us are coming from.

It's alot like great classic movies which then have sequals made. They rarely if EVER live up to the ORIGINAL movie even though they go to EXTRAORDINARY lengths to RECREATE the flavor and feel of the first.

My question is...why even try???!

Let it be. Go on to something else...make a NEW "classic".

That's the LEGACY that is being referred to. The impact of the ORIGINAL...don't do "cheesy" things like "sequals" which just cheapen the whole experience.

8)


Give me a break...
Caddyshack II sucked ballz... you telling me you still don't
consider Caddyshack one of the greatest movies of all time??? :lol:

I see your point but it still doesn't make sense.
What are you worried about?
Are you affraid you might be out on the town with some friends and,
when the topic of music comes up, you throw out there that you love Journey
and everyone around you is gonna laugh because "Journey cracked the stone?"

Bullshit. They are all gonna agree w/you and start naming and singing great songs
from the "classic line-up". :wink:


IMO, there is a "fine line" between what is appropriate and in "good taste" and what is just CHEESY.

"Journey" has crossed that line sorry to say.

8)
"I was merely probing the patient for muscle tone and skeletal girth. We mock what we don't understand."
User avatar
Tomulator
Cassette Tape
 
Posts: 1300
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:37 am
Location: Anywhere I happen to be...

I asked this same question and Oh Sherrie gave me this:

Postby ttango1 » Wed Feb 27, 2008 4:41 am

http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/vie ... 32#4046832

ttango1 wrote:

Here is another thing that irks me. WHAT IS THE LEGACY? Is it something you can touch? Is it a memory locked away in your individualism? What is it? Tell me...inform me, help me see what you see. I might not agree(STILL) but I'm open to investigation. I don't need to subject myself to GROUPTHINK. I'm an individual fan whose seen Perry live and am looking forward to the doing same thing with Pineda. SO what is the legacy, the songs? The rep? what exactly?

The legacy seems to mean something different to different people. To me it's the catalog and the history of the creation of that catalog.


It's Neal and Steve sitting in a hotel room together when they first met writing Patiently.

It's that amazing soprano sound during the guitar solos in WITS that a lot of people assumed was electronically produced.

It's the feeling you get when you hear the guitar sound opening Lights on the radio and know the voice you're going to hear say "When the lights go down".

It's knowing you're in for a good few minutes when you hear the bluesy sound of the original LTS coming through the speakers or earphones.

It's that moment in the Houston '81 concert when Steve announced that Escape was #1 in the nation.

It's the sound of "Hear we stand" and "Highway run" beginning Separate Ways and Faithfully that can't be replicated by any other voice.

It's remembering the videos(as bad as they were) and the interviews(as hokey as they were) back in the day and feeling a fanship(sort of like a kinship) to those guys.

It's hearing Girl Can't Help It on the radio and knowing they're back and still the best.

It's hearing WCTNGOF and thinking your heart is going to explode from the emotion that voice singing those words evokes in you.

It's hearing When You Love A Woman or Message of Love on the radio and being so grateful that they came together one more time to give you more of their magic.



It has nothing to do with anybody else singing those songs.

Not that I agree with her but she was very eloquent.
Oh and Sequels can be good if they are done right. I like Aliens better than Alien.
Pineda -"I'm just here to celebrate the legacy of Journey."
Image
Where's that album Beak Dude?!?!?
User avatar
ttango1
8 Track
 
Posts: 679
Joined: Sat Dec 22, 2007 8:57 pm
Location: Beautiful San Diego

Postby Eric » Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:08 am

Tomulator wrote:Let me help you understand where so many of us are coming from.

It's alot like great classic movies which then have sequals made. They rarely if EVER live up to the ORIGINAL movie even though they go to EXTRAORDINARY lengths to RECREATE the flavor and feel of the first.

My question is...why even try???!


Godfather 2 was better than 1 and won an Oscar
Rocky 2 was better than 1
Rocky 4 was fun as hell
Revenge of the Sith was an amazing Star Wars...even though a lot folks refuse to acknowledge it
Empire Strikes back was the best of all 6 Star Wars
Lord of the Rings sequel won best picture
Batman Begins is the millionth Batman...and it was the best
X-mas vacation was the 3rd...and best...National Lampoons
Star Trek fans usually rate Wrath the best
Superman 2 is better than the first
Evil Dead 2 is better than the first
KillBill 2 rocked over 1
Eric
Eric
Stereo LP
 
Posts: 3934
Joined: Sat Sep 07, 2002 12:51 am

Postby ohsherrie » Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:15 am

Eric wrote:Lord of the Rings sequel won best picture


There was no sequel. There were three movies telling the same story that was written as one book divided into three by the publisher because of the length.

The award was given for the whole season but represented by the last movie.

Star Trek fans usually rate Wrath the best


I really prefer IV The Voyage Home, but they're all great.
User avatar
ohsherrie
Digital Audio Tape
 
Posts: 7601
Joined: Sat Jan 04, 2003 12:42 pm

Postby Tomulator » Wed Feb 27, 2008 5:50 am

Eric wrote:
Tomulator wrote:Let me help you understand where so many of us are coming from.

It's alot like great classic movies which then have sequals made. They rarely if EVER live up to the ORIGINAL movie even though they go to EXTRAORDINARY lengths to RECREATE the flavor and feel of the first.

My question is...why even try???!


Godfather 2 was better than 1 and won an Oscar
Rocky 2 was better than 1
Rocky 4 was fun as hell
Revenge of the Sith was an amazing Star Wars...even though a lot folks refuse to acknowledge it
Empire Strikes back was the best of all 6 Star Wars
Lord of the Rings sequel won best picture
Batman Begins is the millionth Batman...and it was the best
X-mas vacation was the 3rd...and best...National LampoonsStar Trek fans usually rate Wrath the best
Superman 2 is better than the first
Evil Dead 2 is better than the first
KillBill 2 rocked over 1


Are you HIGH?????

:shock:
"I was merely probing the patient for muscle tone and skeletal girth. We mock what we don't understand."
User avatar
Tomulator
Cassette Tape
 
Posts: 1300
Joined: Fri Mar 09, 2007 10:37 am
Location: Anywhere I happen to be...

Postby Eric » Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:41 am

ohsherrie wrote:There was no sequel. There were three movies telling the same story that was written as one book divided into three by the publisher because of the length. The award was given for the whole season but represented by the last movie.


Gotcha
Eric
Eric
Stereo LP
 
Posts: 3934
Joined: Sat Sep 07, 2002 12:51 am

Postby mikemarrs » Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:55 am

there is always that chance.AC/DC was just getting popular with highway to hell its first high charting album when the one of a kind bon scott died.this guy was such a character that most people who knew the band or liked them probably thought they were done with because they just had their first platinum album.they never dreamed the replacement vocalist would make the next album its best ever and it would sell millions in a short period of time.same goes for Van Halen for when Roth left in 1985 you could say the future did look kind of blean coming off its best selling album yet however a new vocalist joined even if he was already established and 5150 went on to become the first number one album the band had and sold more than the best selling one roth had made.KISS in 1983 after barely selling any albums like they did in the 70's and replaced its two original members took off the makeup and started selling out tours again and going platinum after a few years of being on the low end of sales.Survivor had a platinum album and smash hit with eye of the tiger and replaced its vocalist and went on to greater success with its next few albums starting in 1984 with vital signs.however in 2008 with journey and the state of the industry it might not happen.if this was 1988 yeah it might've worked.....
User avatar
mikemarrs
Stereo LP
 
Posts: 3346
Joined: Fri Jun 15, 2007 4:44 pm
Location: Memphis

Postby texafana » Fri Feb 29, 2008 12:59 am

"My question is...why even try???! "

Because to alot of peeps, a Journey out there touring, making new music, is better than no Journey at all. You don't like em, fine, 1000's upon 1000's of other peeps do.
User avatar
texafana
Cassette Tape
 
Posts: 1531
Joined: Sat Oct 20, 2007 3:52 pm

Postby Moose » Fri Feb 29, 2008 5:54 am

Tomulator wrote:
Eric wrote:
Tomulator wrote:Let me help you understand where so many of us are coming from.

It's alot like great classic movies which then have sequals made. They rarely if EVER live up to the ORIGINAL movie even though they go to EXTRAORDINARY lengths to RECREATE the flavor and feel of the first.

My question is...why even try???!


Godfather 2 was better than 1 and won an Oscar
Rocky 2 was better than 1
Rocky 4 was fun as hell
Revenge of the Sith was an amazing Star Wars...even though a lot folks refuse to acknowledge it
Empire Strikes back was the best of all 6 Star Wars
Lord of the Rings sequel won best picture
Batman Begins is the millionth Batman...and it was the best
X-mas vacation was the 3rd...and best...National LampoonsStar Trek fans usually rate Wrath the best
Superman 2 is better than the first
Evil Dead 2 is better than the first
KillBill 2 rocked over 1


Are you HIGH?????

:shock:


Xmas vacation was leaps and bounds better than the other entries in that series. Not even close.
User avatar
Moose
Cassette Tape
 
Posts: 1297
Joined: Sun Oct 08, 2006 3:36 pm
Location: Jersey


Return to Journey

Who is online

Users browsing this forum: No registered users and 7 guests