mistiejourney wrote:
Gotta agree with you, John. I am a huge Matchbox Twenty fan and I cannot tell you the name of a single band member other than Rob Thomas. Somebody left this year, and I just wanted to make sure it wasn't the guitarist (it wasn't).
And yet I buy all their CDs (missed the recent concert - damn). So I bet a lot of folks know "Steve Perry" and some folks know "Neal Schon" and no one else. They are still buying the CDs and going to the concerts.
Right, and Matchbox Twenty has ALWAYS marketed themselves as "Matchbox Twenty with Rob Thomas". I remember when they first broke onto the scene, I would hear their songs on the radio, the DJ would always say "Matchbox Twenty with Rob Thomas". It was almost bizarre, as I had never come across any band that had their lead singer's name so prominently featured right on the front of their CD's. I have zero doubt in my mind that Thomas did that, knowing all along that he wanted to put out some solo stuff and get that name recognition, which in my opinion was brilliant marketing, on his part!
As for the Journey thing...same situation, on a larger scale. In spite of what some jackass Perry haters on this board would have you believe, the guy had a VERY successful solo album. I personally consider FOUR top 40 hits (and we're talking about the Billboard 100 pop charts...not the "adult contemporary" charts that all of us old fucks are responsible for pumping up, these days)

In spite of Neal Schon's brilliant musicianship, I would venture to guess that only the hardcore Journey fans (i.e. people who visit sites like this) have ever even heard of the guy. Unless someone has a strong interest in guitar, they probably pay very little attention to Mr. Schon. Bands create music together. The vocalist is responsible for making that music something beyond words on a piece of paper!
John from Boston