Rollie/Perry

[brywool]

So, just a question as there seem to be some here that might know...
I'm curious how the relationship was between Perry and Rollie.
That had to suck for Greg to have Steve just kind of come in and
take over as the singer for the band. Granted, it was a great addition, etc.,
but, was it really an easy change for Rollie?

I've seen interviews with the band from that time and Rollie usually seemed
pretty quiet, etc.

Just curious and haven't seen anybody talk about it before.

No need to get into who's better or whatever, I'm just curious about how it was dealt with and if it created tension between the two.

[Carlitto H@kk]

So, just a question as there seem to be some here that might know...
I'm curious how the relationship was between Perry and Rollie.
That had to suck for Greg to have Steve just kind of come in and
take over as the singer for the band. Granted, it was a great addition, etc.,
but, was it really an easy change for Rollie?

I've seen interviews with the band from that time and Rollie usually seemed
pretty quiet, etc.

Just curious and haven't seen anybody talk about it before.

No need to get into who's better or whatever, I'm just curious about how it was dealt with and if it created tension between the two.

I have heard that the relationship wasn't pretty. Probably more so during the
Departure years and was one of the main reasons Rolie decided to exit.
I think there is info on this from Herbie in his classic Castles Burning interview.

[StoneCold]

Ya gotta remember Rolie'd been on the road since the 60's (Santana) and stuck around for 3 studio albums after Perry joined.

Santana w Rolie at Woodstock (spotlight on Rolie at 6:15)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yzw60tvoRIc

[Voyager]

I would imagine that Rolie, being a music veteran by the time Perry came onboard, saw Perry as a green band member coming in and taking control of everything. It would be no different than if you were the manager of a business, and the owner hired a new manager who didn't know anything about the business and put him in control of you and the whole company. Most people would have a hard time sticking around given the same set of circumstances. You could either embrace it and go with the new flow or reject it. Rolie obviously chose the latter.

[brywool]

Right, I knew that he was baked (not to be confused with "toast"- dang, what's all this with food?) from the travel, etc., but you didn't really see them too 'chummy' together in interviews. I've read the City's Burnin' deal a few times now and nothing jumps out about that other than 'different styles of music'.

I would think that bringing Perry into the band would've been tough for Greg. The differences between the Perryless band and the Perryband is amazing. It was definitely the right move, but seriously, had to be a drag for Greg.

I can imagine how it must've been, but I haven't heard any stories or anything. I've been watching some Departure shows with them together, and there's not really any interaction between the two.

[jrnyman28]

I have heard that the relationship wasn't pretty. Probably more so during the
Departure years and was one of the main reasons Rolie decided to exit.

That's how I have heard it as well.

[STORY_TELLER]

So, just a question as there seem to be some here that might know...
I'm curious how the relationship was between Perry and Rollie.
That had to suck for Greg to have Steve just kind of come in and
take over as the singer for the band. Granted, it was a great addition, etc.,
but, was it really an easy change for Rollie?

I've seen interviews with the band from that time and Rollie usually seemed
pretty quiet, etc.

Just curious and haven't seen anybody talk about it before.

No need to get into who's better or whatever, I'm just curious about how it was dealt with and if it created tension between the two.

Absolutely created tension. I have an interview with Rollie back when he was in the band (afro and all) and this very question was raised to him. The way he described the situation, he made it seem like the whole band was on board with Perry from the get go, but Rollie has no poker face. His eyes told the story. Seriously. His look screamed "I'm lying through my teeth".

The official story says that Rollie quit Journey because he was tired of the road. I always had the feeling it was partially that, but that the majority reason was he simply couldn't take Perry anymore. Perry did have an ego and he started pushing his weight around pretty early on.

[ProgRocker53]

It's an absolute shame Rolie couldn't carry on with Journey. Yes, the Cain era brought them the most hits and album sales, and still made some very good music....

....but there's just something a little more special about the Rolie era to me. It's more... earthy. The tone, the "vibe" of the songs before Cain are more of my style, and I can't get enough of Rolie's warm voice and smooth organ.

The duets/harmonies with Perry are absolutely killer too.... and often I fantasize about what would've happened had Journey had more success with their original style of music, without the record company forcing them to streamline songs and find a new frontman. I love Steve Perry and he's my favorite vocalist of all time, but still, I'd love to hear what could've been.

[NealIsGod]

I can't get enough of Rolie's warm voice and smooth organ.

I'll bet you can't.

[Michigan Girl]

It's an absolute shame Rolie couldn't carry on with Journey. Yes, the Cain era brought them the most hits and album sales, and still made some very good music....

....but there's just something a little more special about the Rolie era to me. It's more... earthy. The tone, the "vibe" of the songs before Cain are more of my style, and I can't get enough of Rolie's warm voice and smooth organ.

The duets/harmonies with Perry are absolutely killer too.

WOW...you have a way with words!!!
I Concur!!

[Lula]

i absolutely love the Rolie era of Journey. nothing can touch that velvet voice and there is no comparison to the duets between Rolie and Perry, pure heaven to my ears.

[Voyager]

I can't get enough of Rolie's warm voice and smooth organ.

I'll bet you can't.

Ouch!

[ProgRocker53]

Wow, NIG, I was the one to get you out of hiding after three weeks! I feel honored.

Hopefully next time your reply will be a NIG post and not a stevew2 post. Lame.

[jrnyman28]

Well Prog, you walked right into that one.....backwards....... bent over........

[ProgRocker53]

Well Prog, you walked right into that one.....backwards....... bent over........

In more ways than one, I suppose.

I just have a thing for Rolie's organ.

[Art Vandelay]

Wasn't Rollie considered for the TBF reunion? I vaguely remember his name being discussed in the early stages, but someone (Schon?) making a comment that not everyone gets along with everyone.

I could be wrong..can't recall where I read that. But I believe that's what I remember reading.

[sniper16]

you guys forget that robert flieshman came on board before perry and help co write define the style theu were going in he even did some shows live, so the new lead singer thing would have already played out before perry.

[ProgRocker53]

Wasn't Rollie considered for the TBF reunion? I vaguely remember his name being discussed in the early stages, but someone (Schon?) making a comment that not everyone gets along with everyone.

I could be wrong..can't recall where I read that. But I believe that's what I remember reading.

Rolie and Kevin Chalfant were writing with the band in the early stages of that reunion. Word got around to Sir Stephen that Journey was reuniting with a new vocalist, and that was the end of that chapter.

[Rockindeano]

Wasn't Rollie considered for the TBF reunion? I vaguely remember his name being discussed in the early stages, but someone (Schon?) making a comment that not everyone gets along with everyone.

I could be wrong..can't recall where I read that. But I believe that's what I remember reading.

Rolie and Kevin Chalfant were writing with the band in the early stages of that reunion. Word got around to Sir Stephen that Journey was reuniting with a new vocalist, and that was the end of that chapter.

Yep, as it should be. Stephen carries a big stick doesn't he?

[mistiejourney]

So, just a question as there seem to be some here that might know...
I'm curious how the relationship was between Perry and Rollie.
That had to suck for Greg to have Steve just kind of come in and
take over as the singer for the band. Granted, it was a great addition, etc.,
but, was it really an easy change for Rollie?

I've seen interviews with the band from that time and Rollie usually seemed
pretty quiet, etc.

Just curious and haven't seen anybody talk about it before.

No need to get into who's better or whatever, I'm just curious about how it was dealt with and if it created tension between the two.

Absolutely created tension. I have an interview with Rollie back when he was in the band (afro and all) and this very question was raised to him. The way he described the situation, he made it seem like the whole band was on board with Perry from the get go, but Rollie has no poker face. His eyes told the story. Seriously. His look screamed "I'm lying through my teeth".

The official story says that Rollie quit Journey because he was tired of the road. I always had the feeling it was partially that, but that the majority reason was he simply couldn't take Perry anymore. Perry did have an ego and he started pushing his weight around pretty early on.

That is STILL the reason he says he left the road! Heard an interview with him on the Greg Kihn show about a year ago and that is still the standard party line.

[ProgRocker53]

Wasn't Rollie considered for the TBF reunion? I vaguely remember his name being discussed in the early stages, but someone (Schon?) making a comment that not everyone gets along with everyone.

I could be wrong..can't recall where I read that. But I believe that's what I remember reading.

Rolie and Kevin Chalfant were writing with the band in the early stages of that reunion. Word got around to Sir Stephen that Journey was reuniting with a new vocalist, and that was the end of that chapter.

Yep, as it should be. Stephen carries a big stick doesn't he?

Indeed. I'm glad SP came back onboard for that, but sad that Gregg got squeezed out. Think of all the musical layer combos he and Cain could concoct.. with synths, organs, pianos, harmonicas, and rhythm guitars in their collective repetoire.... yum...

[Art Vandelay]

Wasn't Rollie considered for the TBF reunion? I vaguely remember his name being discussed in the early stages, but someone (Schon?) making a comment that not everyone gets along with everyone.

I could be wrong..can't recall where I read that. But I believe that's what I remember reading.

Rolie and Kevin Chalfant were writing with the band in the early stages of that reunion. Word got around to Sir Stephen that Journey was reuniting with a new vocalist, and that was the end of that chapter.

No, I know about that. But I seem to remember that Rollie was also originally included in the Perry-led line-up as well, but pulled out. I know I read that somewhere...gotta check my scrapbook at home.

[SF-Dano]

Wasn't Rollie considered for the TBF reunion? I vaguely remember his name being discussed in the early stages, but someone (Schon?) making a comment that not everyone gets along with everyone.

I could be wrong..can't recall where I read that. But I believe that's what I remember reading.

Rolie and Kevin Chalfant were writing with the band in the early stages of that reunion. Word got around to Sir Stephen that Journey was reuniting with a new vocalist, and that was the end of that chapter.

I still am upset to this day that they never produced anything from the Rolie/Chalfant reunion line up. Perry is the king, but to have only TBF from that reunion is sad. I really feel that, had Perry not gotten involved, the other lineup would have had a good/better chance at longevity and similar success. The musical climate at that time was more receptive. And you had a group of guys that "wanted to work". I think we would have seen more than just one CD, and there would have surely been a tour (barring death or a serious hip injury or something like that )

Still Schon and Cain's biggest mistake of the 90s IMO.

[brywool]

Wasn't Rollie considered for the TBF reunion? I vaguely remember his name being discussed in the early stages, but someone (Schon?) making a comment that not everyone gets along with everyone.

I could be wrong..can't recall where I read that. But I believe that's what I remember reading.

Rolie and Kevin Chalfant were writing with the band in the early stages of that reunion. Word got around to Sir Stephen that Journey was reuniting with a new vocalist, and that was the end of that chapter.

Yep, as it should be. Stephen carries a big stick doesn't he?

Indeed. I'm glad SP came back onboard for that, but sad that Gregg got squeezed out. Think of all the musical layer combos he and Cain could concoct.. with synths, organs, pianos, harmonicas, and rhythm guitars in their collective repetoire.... yum...

So did Rollie hear Perry was coming back and bail, or did the band just say 'we want the Escape version'? The band had a heck of a success with Rollie. Departure was huge (not as big as Escape) and given more time, you gotta wonder what would've come out after Departure and Captured if Rollie stayed on.

[daytrpr]

I met Gregg last year and wanted to ask him about that, but thought better of it. Didn't want to bring up something he might not want to talk about. Really nice guy, by the way.

[gr8dane]

It's an absolute shame Rolie couldn't carry on with Journey. Yes, the Cain era brought them the most hits and album sales, and still made some very good music....

....but there's just something a little more special about the Rolie era to me. It's more... earthy. The tone, the "vibe" of the songs before Cain are more of my style, and I can't get enough of Rolie's warm voice and smooth organ.

The duets/harmonies with Perry are absolutely killer too.... and often I fantasize about what would've happened had Journey had more success with their original style of music, without the record company forcing them to streamline songs and find a new frontman. I love Steve Perry and he's my favorite vocalist of all time, but still, I'd love to hear what could've been.

I am with you on this one,smooth voice and warm organ and all.
I got off after the first Perry album.
Listening to Evolution was like putting on a wet pair of socks and then your favorite waders and then go for a long walk.

[jrnyman28]

Sony said they wanted an Escape-era reunion ONLY. So Neal and Jon said see-ya to Gregg and Kevin in favor of Perry and the bank....

[brywool]

Sony said they wanted an Escape-era reunion ONLY. So Neal and Jon said see-ya to Gregg and Kevin in favor of Perry and the bank....

God, what bullshit. Stupid.

[ProgRocker53]

Sony said they wanted an Escape-era reunion ONLY. So Neal and Jon said see-ya to Gregg and Kevin in favor of Perry and the bank....

God, what bullshit. Stupid.

Agreed. I would've rather had the Kevin/Gregg lineup. Sure, I wouldn't've had a few of my favorite Journey songs (One More, Still She Cries, Can't Tame the Lion) but I'm positive the reunion album would've been 100x better overall with Kevin/Gregg involved.

[Just Sara]

I would imagine that Rolie, being a music veteran by the time Perry came onboard, saw Perry as a green band member coming in and taking control of everything. It would be no different than if you were the manager of a business, and the owner hired a new manager who didn't know anything about the business and put him in control of you and the whole company. Most people would have a hard time sticking around given the same set of circumstances. You could either embrace it and go with the new flow or reject it. Rolie obviously chose the latter.

Very nicely put
I never thought of it like that.
I wouldn't necessarily say that Perry had no experience but I agree that this maybe very close to how Gregg might've felt at one point or another.

I kind of always assumed that there was probably tension between the two because of the circumstances. If that was indeed the case then I can't say I blame him for leaving.

I got to see the Gregg Rolie band at the Fox awhile ago and it was amazing!!! I was near the end of the autograph line afterward. By the time I got to him I was too star struck to say anything intelligent. It was awesome to meet him though!