Perry's "ATW" album.....why not Journey?

[Loneman1]

I just got through watching the Bill Graham tribute for probably the hundredth time, and got to thinking......three years before that performance, he recorded an album which was to be called "Against the Wall." Now, supposedly all the tracks that were on that unreleased album were recorded in '88 and have been included as bonus tracks on the SP remasters.

It has been WIDELY reported that Perry was tired, burnt out, he was "toast" and etc, after the ROR tour which ended in 1987. In several interviews years later, he said he just wanted to settle down and "touch the walls" again to see if he still had a personal life after Journey and the ROR tour.

My question is why he began writing and recording again so soon after "supposedly" being so burned out. I know I have seen this topic before, but I thought I would put it out there one more time for any new people in the forum. IMO, it just seems like he was sick and tired of Schon and Cain. I can kind of see his point since his first solo album had two decent hits, and he thought he could do it again. History has now shown that that was clearly not the case.

I know there could potentially be alot of flames for this, but I thought I would throw it out there for the sake of discussion.

Any thoughts?

[Arianddu]

It has been WIDELY reported that Perry was tired, burnt out, he was "toast" and etc, after the ROR tour which ended in 1987. In several interviews years later, he said he just wanted to settle down and "touch the walls" again to see if he still had a personal life after Journey and the ROR tour.

My question is why he began writing and recording again so soon after "supposedly" being so burned out.

As I understand it, the ROR tour ended in January '87, and the Against the Walls recordings were done in late '88, so a year and a half, nearly 2 years later. Time to rest, recover, take stock, deal with personal issues that probably got pushed onto the back burner, etc.

Got no real opinion on his relationship with NS, JC et al - wasn't there, never met any of them, couldn't say...

[jrnyjetster]

That's a good question...possibly Sony was laying down the pressure, as he may have been obligated at the time to record another solo project. I think Sony however was probably more upset that he walked away from Journey at the top of their game.

[jrnyjunky]

I have an interview where he is talking about what happened with "ATW" and I can't exactly remember what he said about it. I will listen to it on my way to work and get back with ya. But if I remember right, he said something to the effect that it was done, but he went and did the ROR album and ATW got shelved. And when he did the Steve Perry GH he thought that that was a good opportunity to bring some of those songs to light. It was an interview with Bob Coburn. I really like all the songs that I heard from ATW except 1 (just a personal preference) so I would love to hear what didn't make it.

[annpea]

Based, on all the interviews I've read concerning that deal; this is just my opinion of it. Sony saw themselves making more profit with a Steve Perry led Journey instead of him going on with a solo career and did all they could to kill off his solo career hoping that would force him back with their cash cow Journey. Steve, probably being stubborn and wanting to prove himself on his own;decided that if he couldn't have a music career without Journey backed by Sony, most likely as not planted his heels in the ground and refused to move thus killing off Journey and himself in one shot. Revenge for all the years he had given to Journey probably to the point of destroying his vocal range. Maybe just maybe he wanted to forfil a lifelong dream before his singing career totally died and Sony did all it could to prevent his dream of a solo career from becoming realized not for his benefit but to benefit their bottomline. Hurt, Anger, feeling betrayed you name it things that have led people to strike out at others in ways some of us can never truly understand. This is just my opinion.

[kgdjpubs]

Based, on all the interviews I've read concerning that deal; this is just my opinion of it. Sony saw themselves making more profit with a Steve Perry led Journey instead of him going on with a solo career and did all they could to kill off his solo career hoping that would force him back with their cash cow Journey. Steve, probably being stubborn and wanting to prove himself on his own;decided that if he couldn't have a music career without Journey backed by Sony, most likely as not planted his heels in the ground and refused to move thus killing off Journey and himself in one shot. Revenge for all the years he had given to Journey probably to the point of destroying his vocal range. Maybe just maybe he wanted to forfil a lifelong dream before his singing career totally died and Sony did all it could to prevent his dream of a solo career from becoming realized not for his benefit but to benefit their bottomline. Hurt, Anger, feeling betrayed you name it things that have led people to strike out at others in ways some of us can never truly understand. This is just my opinion.

I think part of this may be correct. Sony/Columbia easily saw Journey with Perry making more money than Perry solo. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Andrew did an interview with someone and this specific point was mentioned. Journey was a known commodity and a concert draw. Perry, you had to introduce. Translated as more money needed to spend on a Perry album.

At the same time though, and possibily just as important--there was NO hit single on the Against the Wall tracks. Nothing really "wrong" with what he recorded, but calypso-meets-motown pop wasn't playing on the radio. There was no Oh Sherrie or Foolish Heart single that would get massive radio airplay. Without a radio single, Sony/Columbia spends a lot of money marketing an album that will never sell. They did what any business would do. They cut their losses and shelved the project.

[Voyager]

My question is why he began writing and recording again so soon after "supposedly" being so burned out.

Writing and recording is not nearly as stressful and taxing as a tour is. The creative process is the fun part, and you can cover up all the imperfections in a recording studio. The touring process can be just the opposite for many artists... especially the frontman who has to protect his voice from damage (just ask Steve Augeri). You have to be on your game every night while on tour, and every imperfection is exposed for everyone to see.

I've played in bar bands that gigged just once or twice every weekend, and that was stressful enough. I can only imagine what playing 200 nights a year to million of fans would be like! On the other hand, writing and recording is something that I enjoy very much... and can even have a therapeutic effect.

[annpea]

Based, on all the interviews I've read concerning that deal; this is just my opinion of it. Sony saw themselves making more profit with a Steve Perry led Journey instead of him going on with a solo career and did all they could to kill off his solo career hoping that would force him back with their cash cow Journey. Steve, probably being stubborn and wanting to prove himself on his own;decided that if he couldn't have a music career without Journey backed by Sony, most likely as not planted his heels in the ground and refused to move thus killing off Journey and himself in one shot. Revenge for all the years he had given to Journey probably to the point of destroying his vocal range. Maybe just maybe he wanted to forfil a lifelong dream before his singing career totally died and Sony did all it could to prevent his dream of a solo career from becoming realized not for his benefit but to benefit their bottomline. Hurt, Anger, feeling betrayed you name it things that have led people to strike out at others in ways some of us can never truly understand. This is just my opinion.

I think part of this may be correct. Sony/Columbia easily saw Journey with Perry making more money than Perry solo. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Andrew did an interview with someone and this specific point was mentioned. Journey was a known commodity and a concert draw. Perry, you had to introduce. Translated as more money needed to spend on a Perry album.

At the same time though, and possibily just as important--there was NO hit single on the Against the Wall tracks. Nothing really "wrong" with what he recorded, but calypso-meets-motown pop wasn't playing on the radio. There was no Oh Sherrie or Foolish Heart single that would get massive radio airplay. Without a radio single, Sony/Columbia spends a lot of money marketing an album that will never sell. They did what any business would do. They cut their losses and shelved the project.

Good point I can see it being that way.

[Loneman1]

Based, on all the interviews I've read concerning that deal; this is just my opinion of it. Sony saw themselves making more profit with a Steve Perry led Journey instead of him going on with a solo career and did all they could to kill off his solo career hoping that would force him back with their cash cow Journey. Steve, probably being stubborn and wanting to prove himself on his own;decided that if he couldn't have a music career without Journey backed by Sony, most likely as not planted his heels in the ground and refused to move thus killing off Journey and himself in one shot. Revenge for all the years he had given to Journey probably to the point of destroying his vocal range. Maybe just maybe he wanted to forfil a lifelong dream before his singing career totally died and Sony did all it could to prevent his dream of a solo career from becoming realized not for his benefit but to benefit their bottomline. Hurt, Anger, feeling betrayed you name it things that have led people to strike out at others in ways some of us can never truly understand. This is just my opinion.

I think part of this may be correct. Sony/Columbia easily saw Journey with Perry making more money than Perry solo. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure this out. Andrew did an interview with someone and this specific point was mentioned. Journey was a known commodity and a concert draw. Perry, you had to introduce. Translated as more money needed to spend on a Perry album.

At the same time though, and possibily just as important--there was NO hit single on the Against the Wall tracks. Nothing really "wrong" with what he recorded, but calypso-meets-motown pop wasn't playing on the radio. There was no Oh Sherrie or Foolish Heart single that would get massive radio airplay. Without a radio single, Sony/Columbia spends a lot of money marketing an album that will never sell. They did what any business would do. They cut their losses and shelved the project.

Yea, I remember Steve saying something like that Sony felt that they weren't sure of the "direction" of the album, kinda like it was all over the place.

I appreciate the thoughts guys, this was just something that I got to thinking late last night out of nowhere.

[Don]

From what I can dig up, "Against the Wall" was started right after "Street Talk". Perry was deciding whether to pursue a solo career based on his intial success but asked his Mother for Advice. She told him to continue on with Journey. After ROR, he tried to continue work on the unfinished album but Sony had just acquired Columbia and everything was going to have to go through them concerning new releases as they wanted guaranteed successses to begin their stewardship of the company. They obviously didn't see enough mega-potential in the album and killed it, and seeing how Grunge was coming around the corner, they may have been right.

[artist4perry]

I won't speculate. I am not Steve, Neal, or Jon. Interviews can be slanted. I just want to appreciate all of the members and leave the relationships to them. We were not there, and there is always my side~your side to every arguement. Somewhere in the middle is the truth. Only the ones who lived it know. So, Play me some JOURNEY! OLD, NEW, AND STEVE SOLO TOO! I will wait till he finishes any new material. That is if he doesn't get too sick of all this drama.

[scarygirl]

But drama is the mother of creativity. Unless you like being six feet under. No drama there.

[Don]

But drama is the mother of creativity. Unless you like being six feet under. No drama there.

I think it was all just bad timing with the Sony acquisition of Columbia, nothing more.

[Arianddu]

Something else to consider - any Journey project was going to have intense pressure to get out on the road again, and any decisions about how and when to tour were not going to be up to Steve. With a solo album, if he toured or not, how often he performed if he did tour, how long between gigs he would get to rest and the decision to cancel a concert if his voice was in bad shape was going to be Steve's decision only. May have been a factor, may not.

But given that he's said he didn't listen to music, let alone sing, for a year or two after he quit the ROR tour, it does make more sense that the follow-up solo project was done before the ROR album and shelved to 'protect' the release of the Journey project, then permanently canned by Sony later, especially if Steve was not in the right place to add new tracks to it to beef up the hit potential.

[annie89509]

I don't believe there were any conspiracies about who wants to do what to whom at all. Please refer to all the Street Talk promotion interviews archived on the fan sites. SP talked about a 2nd solo album to follow ST. I do believe there were extra songs left over (some of the same collaborators), and ST album cover shows SP leaning against a wall (Against the Wall).

Also, I don't believe ATW was being put together until '89, so yeah, it was 2 yrs. before SP got into the studio. Fact: There is a Journey Force interview out there by Lora .... talking to Steve about the Bay Area earthquake (which happened in Oct '89), wishing him a belated H-Bdate (1/22), and "how is your record coming along?". Put 3 and 3 together, and it's got to be around Feb-Mar 1990 when this interview took place. (Lora can speak up, if she wants to, lol).

Then, Sony came into the picture. Didn't like the songs .... nixed the album.

A couple of more years passed. Maybe SP decided he needed a band thing to get pass Sony. Recruited the guys and formed the Strange Medicine band. He fulfilled his solo urge.

I think it's really as simple as that.

[Loneman1]

I don't believe there were any conspiracies about who wants to do what to whom at all. Please refer to all the Street Talk promotion interviews archived on the fan sites. SP talked about a 2nd solo album to follow ST. I do believe there were extra songs left over (some of the same collaborators), and ST album cover shows SP leaning against a wall (Against the Wall).

Also, I don't believe ATW was being put together until '89, so yeah, it was 2 yrs. before SP got into the studio. Fact: There is a Journey Force interview out there by Lora .... talking to Steve about the Bay Area earthquake (which happened in Oct '89), wishing him a belated H-Bdate (1/22), and "how is your record coming along?". Put 3 and 3 together, and it's got to be around Feb-Mar 1990 when this interview took place. (Lora can speak up, if she wants to, lol).

Then, Sony came into the picture. Didn't like the songs .... nixed the album.

A couple of more years passed. Maybe SP decided he needed a band thing to get pass Sony. Recruited the guys and formed the Strange Medicine band. He fulfilled his solo urge.

I think it's really as simple as that.

I gotta admit, I do kind of lean towards something like that theory as well. As I mentioned, Sony thought that the album was a kind of all over the place without a real theme. Whether or not it was based on politics is a different story (I think it was), but Sony has a really great reputation of screwing things up.

As far as other posts go, I know touring isn't the same as writing/recording, but the way Perry mentions the post ROR era in pretty much every interview he had he never talked about ATW at all. That comes off like he wasn't proud of it or something. Perhaps Sony told him not to mention it or he would have faced major consequences......who knows. I can understand almost every decision made by Journey back when Perry was there, as well as every other major player in the band, but the ATW thing is sort of a grey area IMO.

[annie89509]

That's true, Eric, about SP not talking about it. I wasn't able to piece together that there was a ATW -titled album until after these songs came out in the re-mastered SP GH+5. Everybody knew about "a 2nd solo album", but we all thought it was FTLOSM.

Lol, back to that 1990 interview with Lora, after I came across and read it, I was wondering ... wow, it took SP 4-5 yrs. to make an album? lol

[etcetera]

Cool exchange going on here...Learning a lot .

[WykkedSensation]

The 'Against The Wall' writings were 1988, NOT after Street Talk, and definately NOT before ROR. There were a few cuts that were around from the Street Talk sessions that would have featured on the ATW release, but the main writings for ATW were 1988. Steve Perry confirms this in an interview and Randy Goodrum also confirmed it in an interview i have somewhere.
The ATW album was shelved due to a new top guy at Sony, who didn't feel the album would sell with the music it contained.

[kgdjpubs]

The ATW album was shelved due to a new top guy at Sony, who didn't feel the album would sell with the music it contained.

Honestly, I think that was the right decision. Perry's voice or not, there was no radio hit on that album. Had it been released, it probably would have destroyed Perry's career as a solo artist and you would have never gotten FTLOSM, which sold faily well considering. The music industry tends to screw up a lot of things, but I think this is one they got right. Nothing wrong with the songs, but it wouldn't sell.

[S2M]

The ATW album was shelved due to a new top guy at Sony, who didn't feel the album would sell with the music it contained.

Honestly, I think that was the right decision. Perry's voice or not, there was no radio hit on that album. Had it been released, it probably would have destroyed Perry's career as a solo artist and you would have never gotten FTLOSM, which sold faily well considering. The music industry tends to screw up a lot of things, but I think this is one they got right. Nothing wrong with the songs, but it wouldn't sell.

The sad thing is most singers' solo efforts RARELY resemble the quality of the group effort. And the style is usually different as well. In my opinion, FTLOSM was WELL below standards, and ATW was a tad better, but, still not anywhere near the quality one would 'expect' from SMFP, or Journey. And putting aside people's tastes, I don't really understand all the fawning over those 2 efforts......

[annpea]

I won't speculate. I am not Steve, Neal, or Jon. Interviews can be slanted. I just want to appreciate all of the members and leave the relationships to them. We were not there, and there is always my side~your side to every arguement. Somewhere in the middle is the truth. Only the ones who lived it know. So, Play me some JOURNEY! OLD, NEW, AND STEVE SOLO TOO! I will wait till he finishes any new material. That is if he doesn't get too sick of all this drama.

When the little tots put themselves on public display and ask the public to keep them in their big houses and fine cars and money in their pocket; don't be surprised when the meal tickets want to know what's going on with the little tots who are spending their hard earned money. Make no mistake about it when a fan buy a cd or attend a concert they are supporting that artist and maybe some fans do go overboard but the average fan does not and when the average fan want to know something about the little tots that they are supporting maybe they should be able to without someone telling them what they should or should not feel, think or say about the tots.( No i don't mean slander or out and out lies).When a person gain fame and wealth via the public then they should be well aware that in some ways they become public domain subject to speculation, idol worship, and just plain old curiosity. If the tots don't want or like the attention that is lavished on them then they should have sought out a living in the private sector.

[kgdjpubs]

The sad thing is most singers' solo efforts RARELY resemble the quality of the group effort. And the style is usually different as well.

What do you expect? Most band members would be rather upset if one of them is writing material just like what the band does (and would fit well on the band's albums) and putting it out as a solo album. In theory, you SHOULD expect something that doesn't sound like the band when one of the members does a solo album. Otherwise, all you are doing is diminishing the long-term profitability and viability of the band for the short-term minimal success of one of the band members.

In the case of Perry, why would anybody buy a Perry solo album expecting Journey? He's 1/5 of the band. Maybe an active member and influence on the sound, but he isn't Journey by himself. Anytime you put other people in there for songwriting, you are going to have different influences. Look at the change in Journey's sound from Rolie to Cain. I would expect to hear Perry's voice on a solo album, but I wouldn't expect to hear "Journey", and would be rather dissappointed if I did--btw, I do NOT hear much Journey on the solo albums. He doesn't make any huge creative jumps, but I don't think he was trying to do Journey by himself either.

As far as quality goes...that's subjective as to what "quality" is. What some people like, others won't. Above all else though, the main determining fact is if the person is a songwriter. If they are a good songwriter by themselves (ie Phil Collins) or can rope in people that are good songwriters, they might be able to put out quality albums as a solo artist outside the main band (ie Genesis). Otherwise, you have to go on the theory that a lot of bands have their songs that are collaborations of several people with good chemistry working off each other, with an end result--hopefully--of something that is better than any of them can achieve by themselves. In other words, the whole is more than just the sum of its parts. So when it comes to solo albums, you can either make a pale copy of the band (which some have tried) or forge your own path for what it is and see how it goes. Some have more success than others, but in the end, it boils down to songwriting. If you have the songs, you have quality.

[Don]

Speakjing of Collins, Mike Rutherford's group (Mike and the mechanics) did very well also. I believe he had a little help from outside songwriters but was able to have a sound a little bit different from Genesis.
Perry had said in a Q&A on FanAsylum that in his car any Perry vocal material he would listen to would probably be his solo stuff, ROR and TBF. My take is that Steve prefers his own productions more then the group's. Maybe the harder Journey sound wasn't really his taste.
For those saying to mind our own business, as long as Perry's music is being sold and people continue to put money in his pocket, then we, the buying public have the right to speculate about what was, what is and what will never be.

[S2M]

The sad thing is most singers' solo efforts RARELY resemble the quality of the group effort. And the style is usually different as well.

What do you expect? Most band members would be rather upset if one of them is writing material just like what the band does (and would fit well on the band's albums) and putting it out as a solo album. In theory, you SHOULD expect something that doesn't sound like the band when one of the members does a solo album. Otherwise, all you are doing is diminishing the long-term profitability and viability of the band for the short-term minimal success of one of the band members.

In the case of Perry, why would anybody buy a Perry solo album expecting Journey? He's 1/5 of the band. Maybe an active member and influence on the sound, but he isn't Journey by himself. Anytime you put other people in there for songwriting, you are going to have different influences. Look at the change in Journey's sound from Rolie to Cain. I would expect to hear Perry's voice on a solo album, but I wouldn't expect to hear "Journey", and would be rather dissappointed if I did--btw, I do NOT hear much Journey on the solo albums. He doesn't make any huge creative jumps, but I don't think he was trying to do Journey by himself either.

As far as quality goes...that's subjective as to what "quality" is. What some people like, others won't. Above all else though, the main determining fact is if the person is a songwriter. If they are a good songwriter by themselves (ie Phil Collins) or can rope in people that are good songwriters, they might be able to put out quality albums as a solo artist outside the main band (ie Genesis). Otherwise, you have to go on the theory that a lot of bands have their songs that are collaborations of several people with good chemistry working off each other, with an end result--hopefully--of something that is better than any of them can achieve by themselves. In other words, the whole is more than just the sum of its parts. So when it comes to solo albums, you can either make a pale copy of the band (which some have tried) or forge your own path for what it is and see how it goes. Some have more success than others, but in the end, it boils down to songwriting. If you have the songs, you have quality.

So basically what you are saying is that the singer sells out to be in the band. Because individually, the solo effort would just be something that the singer is into, and not something that would be profitable, or creatively viable. In other words, the singer really doesn't want to siing the style that the band is putting out - only does so because it is popular and makes him money. He'd much rather sing the stuff on his solo album - even though it is of lesser quality, and the masses really aren't diggin' it....but since he is who he is, corporate types just cater to him and let him release such non-mainstream material.....

[kgdjpubs]

The sad thing is most singers' solo efforts RARELY resemble the quality of the group effort. And the style is usually different as well.

What do you expect? Most band members would be rather upset if one of them is writing material just like what the band does (and would fit well on the band's albums) and putting it out as a solo album. In theory, you SHOULD expect something that doesn't sound like the band when one of the members does a solo album. Otherwise, all you are doing is diminishing the long-term profitability and viability of the band for the short-term minimal success of one of the band members.

So basically what you are saying is that the singer sells out to be in the band. Because individually, the solo effort would just be something that the singer is into, and not something that would be profitable, or creatively viable. In other words, the singer really doesn't want to siing the style that the band is putting out - only does so because it is popular and makes him money. He'd much rather sing the stuff on his solo album - even though it is of lesser quality, and the masses really aren't diggin' it....but since he is who he is, corporate types just cater to him and let him release such non-mainstream material.....

Maybe so, maybe not. Maybe you sing for Journey (and love it), but are also fond of the Rolling Stones or AC/DC. Doesn't mean you are "selling out" and prostituting yourself to sing something you don't like...but a lot of songwriters are influenced by what they like--and you will get a certain amount of material that is good....but doesn't really fit your band. If you are in a band like Journey and you have some really good songs, but they are more stripped-down 3-piece riff-laden hard rock, it doesn't matter how good the material is--it just won't work as Journey, so it sits in your closet. Thus is born the solo album.

Whether your other songs are something that would sell depends on a lot of factors...but staying simply on the creative side (as opposed to the marketing side), most people don't just like one kind of music. Obviously, I like Journey as I'm posting on this board, but I also like a lot of other bands, some of which don't sound anything like Journey. Doesn't mean that I like one more than the other. I might just really like a lot of different types of bands and different styles of music. It keeps me sane, and helps me from burning out on a particular band.

Now, at the same time....put yourself in the band member's shoes. You may have liked Don't Stop Believin' or Open Arms or ___insert hit here___ when it came out, but once you have played it 1000 times at EVERY show for the last ten or twenty or thirty years, chances are that you will NOT listen to your band's greatest hits in your free time. You are just simply burned out on it. Performing them may be another story, as you get to live the songs through your audience who still really likes them...but you are probably pretty tired of some of them by yourself. From that perspective, I'm sure musicians can burn out.

Within the limits, you can change your band's music a bit...but if you vary too much from "Journey", then you lose your audience, so you are stuck within how much you can change. Some bands that stay together can gradually change their sound over a period of time (ie Bon Jovi) and make it work. That might keep you from burning out. If your band takes a 10-year break and comes back, you CAN'T change your sound. You're pretty much stuck because your audience didn't grow with you during the time off.

Maybe you would prefer to do the solo material, but know that financially you'll be much better off with the band raking in $500,000 a tour as opposed to $5,000. Maybe you do a solo album to keep you refreshed. Sometimes a break can work wonders if you do something else for a while, then come back enthused again.

There's a lot of reasons for solo albums. Some good, some bad. Some with good intentions, some not. Hopefully, anyone in a band that feels like they are "selling out" has enough money stored away to be able to live, and has enough smarts to get out before people find out. If you are faking it, you better be good, or the audience will tell it. You're better off just leaving the band at that point.

[Arianddu]

So basically what you are saying is that the singer sells out to be in the band. Because individually, the solo effort would just be something that the singer is into, and not something that would be profitable, or creatively viable. In other words, the singer really doesn't want to siing the style that the band is putting out - only does so because it is popular and makes him money. He'd much rather sing the stuff on his solo album - even though it is of lesser quality, and the masses really aren't diggin' it....but since he is who he is, corporate types just cater to him and let him release such non-mainstream material.....

I don't see that being said at all. I don't think you can look at it as just being about what is commercially viable. It's pretty simple - when you're in a band, you don't get to determine the full sound, because you are working with other people who have their own input. When you fly solo, you get to take it pretty much where you want. Steve Smith started as a jazz drummer, and while working with Journey, he got to the point where he wanted to get back to the jazz feel he loves, hence solo album. Didn't change how he felt about Journey, didn't mean he 'sold out' to play with them, but there was/is a side to his musical tastes that couldn't get expressed within the Journey framework. Steve Perry's a huge RnB fan, and from what I can gather, has fairly eclectic tastes in music across the board, and there's a lot of that which doesn't fit the Journey vibe, so - go do a solo and stretch a bit. Doesn't mean he sold out to sing with Journey, just means that he had four other people's tastes and preferences to deal with. Neal Schon wanted to work with Jan Hammer because he saw a guy who, in NS's words, played a keyboard like it was a guitar. They worked together, Neal obviously felt good about it and got something from it that he didn't/couldn't get from Journey or Jon Cain. Can you honestly say that Neal Schon values Journey less? That he sold out to stay with it?

Sure, the solo effort may not be the commercial hit that the group effort was, but I haven't heard anything that says any of those solo efforts lost money, they just didn't sell as well as Journey. Well, hey, Journey never had a number 1 hit - does that mean they weren't commercially viable, that they didn't sell enough records? And it's one hell of a stretch to say that because a singer, or any other member of a band, feels the need to do something away from the band, that they only stick with the band to make more money.

[Don]

When you look at ROR, it was close to a solo project anyway. Perry was the leader even at the expense of two of the members. Neal and Jon were followers at that point. What else could a person want?

[artist4perry]

I won't speculate. I am not Steve, Neal, or Jon. Interviews can be slanted. I just want to appreciate all of the members and leave the relationships to them. We were not there, and there is always my side~your side to every arguement. Somewhere in the middle is the truth. Only the ones who lived it know. So, Play me some JOURNEY! OLD, NEW, AND STEVE SOLO TOO! I will wait till he finishes any new material. That is if he doesn't get too sick of all this drama.

When the little tots put themselves on public display and ask the public to keep them in their big houses and fine cars and money in their pocket; don't be surprised when the meal tickets want to know what's going on with the little tots who are spending their hard earned money. Make no mistake about it when a fan buy a cd or attend a concert they are supporting that artist and maybe some fans do go overboard but the average fan does not and when the average fan want to know something about the little tots that they are supporting maybe they should be able to without someone telling them what they should or should not feel, think or say about the tots.( No i don't mean slander or out and out lies).When a person gain fame and wealth via the public then they should be well aware that in some ways they become public domain subject to speculation, idol worship, and just plain old curiosity. If the tots don't want or like the attention that is lavished on them then they should have sought out a living in the private sector.

I never told anyone they could not speculate. I said I would not.

[walkslikealady]

If people are allowed to speculate...maybe SP wanted to do something where another band member didn't make fun of him while he was singing.