Gregg Rolie

by **aedstrom** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:42 pm

This might be a bizarre question for some Journey fans. I've been a Journey fan since around 1981 when I was 16. It was different back then. I didn't see them on TV. Rarely saw then in concert. It was mostly radio, vinyl, 8-track or cassette. Playing there tunes in my band. The first time I saw them was the the Frontier tour with Bryan Adams. Gregg was long gone onto other things. Saw them again on a Styx, REO tour with Steve Augeri and then with with Jeff Scott Soto.

Fast forward in real life and Gregg is my neighbor with common friends. Wow, he leads the absolutely fabulous Gregg Rolie Band doing mostly Santana song. Amazing AMAZING live band!!!

Where does an understated guy like Gregg fall into the history of rock and roll. He helped start two of the most commercially successfully rock bands of all time. Played Woodstock. He's stayed relevant though a bit reclusive personally through all of the past 40 years.

What do you think?

Art
www.totalcontrolaudio.com

by **Michigan Girl** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:47 pm

aedstrom wrote:This might be a bizarre question for some Journey fans. I've been a Journey fan since around 1981 when I was 16. It was different back then. I didn't see them on TV. Rarely saw then in concert. It was mostly radio, vinyl, 8-track or cassette. Playing there tunes in my band. The first time I saw them was the the Frontier tour with Bryan Adams. Gregg was long gone onto other things. Saw them again on a Styx, REO tour with Steve Augeri and then with with Jeff Scott Soto.

Fast forward in real life and Gregg is my neighbor with common friends. Wow, he leads the absolutely fabulous Gregg Rolie Band doing mostly Santana song. Amazing AMAZINGLY live band!!!

On Xmas eve he and I were at a small party (15 people) discussing how music rock music has/hasn't changed. He has to be one of the absolute more gracious hall of fame rock stars. He loves rock music. Love live music.

So my question is where does an understated guy like Gregg fall into the history of rock and roll. He helped start two of the most commercially successfully rock bands of all time. Played Woodstock. He's stayed relevant though a bit reclusive personally through all of the past 40 years.

He can walk into our Home Depot without most people knowing how the hell he his.

Art
www.totalcontrolaudio.com

I would know.... :wink:

FYI~ I usually don't mention spelling errors, but Gregg and the thread title.... :wink:

by **The Sushi Hunter** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 12:52 pm

The person you should be asking this question to should very well be him. I think he'd be the best person to know the answer.

by **Arkansas** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:29 pm

I think it's fantastic! To be an unsung hero is probably frustrating to most. But to be able to hang out in public, while being a bonafide truly historical rock star, is probably the very thing that most superstars crave. Soooo, as long as his financials & legals are sound, ie, making decent royalties while being protected from any 'thieves', I'd say he's got life pretty much dicked. I'm sure many, if not most, would love to be him.

(Now if only he could pressure Schon & Co into getting him back in to the band. :wink:

)

later~

by **Aaron** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:34 pm

Dude,

You're a lucky guy to know Gregg. His contribution to Journey goes completely under estimated. In my opinion, he was one of the key reasons Infinity, Evolution, Departure and Captured are some of the best Journey music ever recorded. Buy him a beer for me and tell thanks for changing our lives.

Best regards,

Aaron

by **stevew2** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:41 pm

who is gegg? is he that dude that made out with his mom on the Brady Bunch i would have, the father was gay [like Friga] and didnt give her nun

by **Aaron** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:43 pm

Nope, he was the dude that gave Journey some balls and a great vocal harmonies before your fag boy Friga hit the lottery by getting Gregg's gig.

stevew2 wrote:who is gegg? is he that dude that made out with his mom on the Brady Bunch i would have, the father was gay [like Friga] and didnt give her nun

by **Michigan Girl** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:45 pm

Aaron wrote:Nope, he was the dude that gave Journey some balls and a great vocal harmonies before your fag boy Friga hit the lottery by getting Gregg's gig.

stevew2 wrote:who is gegg? is he that dude that made out with his mom on the Brady Bunch i would have, the father was gay [like Friga] and didnt give her nun

LMAO!!!
We agree with this....don't we Stevie? :wink:

by **Lula** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:53 pm

grb rocks!! my favorite journey music is from his time in journey. no one can touch his velvet voice and there is none better than the duets of perry/rolie.

by **Arianddu** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:55 pm

aedstrom wrote:So my question is where does an understated guy like Gregg fall into the history of rock and roll. He helped start two of the most commercially successfully rock bands of all time. Played Woodstock. He's stayed relevant though a bit reclusive personally through all of the past 40 years.

He can walk into our Home Depot without most people knowing how the hell he his.

Art
www.totalcontrolaudio.com

In my book, it works like this:

Steve Perry - Voice of God
Neal Schon - Guitarist of God
Ross Valory - Looked like God (back in his long hair and Jesus-beard days)
Gregg Rolie - IS God
Steve Smith - who God wants to be when He grows up.

(And remember, God moves in mysterious ways :wink:

)

by **Rick** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:58 pm

Lula wrote:grb rocks!! my favorite journey music is from his time in journey. no one can touch his velvet voice and there is none better than the duets of perry/rolie.

Totally agree. Just The Same Way is one of my favorite Journey songs.

by **Arkansas** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 1:59 pm

Obviously, Perry's voice is the most identifiable thing for Journey. (I'll add that most people don't realize it, but they also identify with Schon's guitar - maybe equally with Perry's voice.) And while Cain's writing hit a nerve that helped propel the band into everyone's heart, Gregg Rolie is without a doubt the strength of Journey. His uncanny talent for building solid foundations (He was a rythym section of his own.), and his deep baritone voice, were the very things that positioned Journey for their superstardom.

I know a lot of people that still listen to older Journey simply because of Rolie's voice. They tend to say that Perry in the band was a commercial 'sell-out', and Rolie's voice was the real strength. And I agree with them...while loving what Perry brought too.

No Rolie - no Journey. F'ing Period.

later~

by **Don** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:09 pm

Even thought the R&R Hall of Fame is a sham, Gregg is in and Journey is not, so +1 on that account. Like Perry, he has to be loving how the addition of Arnel has caused the back catalog to start selling again. Arnel is like a little ATM machine as far as the older members are concerned.

by **stevew2** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:17 pm

Aaron wrote:Nope, he was the dude that gave Journey some balls and a great vocal harmonies before your fag boy Friga hit the lottery by getting Gregg's gig.

stevew2 wrote:who is gegg? is he that dude that made out with his mom on the Brady Bunch i would have, the father was gay [like Friga] and didnt give her nun

He aint my boy, Gregg is a kick ass organ player ,I was makin fun of the spelling nunb nuts

by **nutz4Neal** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 2:25 pm

aedstrom wrote:

So my question is where does an understated guy like Gregg fall into the history of rock and roll. He helped start two of the most commercially successfully rock bands of all time. Played Woodstock. He's stayed relevant though a bit reclusive personally through all of the past 40 years.

Awesome story, Art, thanks for sharing it with us.

Personally, I love Gregg & his music with Journey and present, have all his CDs. I've never had the pleasure of hearing his band play cause they seem to make it a practice not to travel very far away from home..that I can understnad, but sure wish they would.

However, I did have the pleasure of meeting Gregg and Herbie at the Bammies, they were both most gracious to us, the fans.

To answer your question, he seems to wish to stay low keyed..he doesn't play any Journey songs, only Santana style music..so be it. I love him still.

When you talk to him, please tell him that many of his fans wish he would travel further! LOL

Oh, and tell him that we love him!

by **stevew2** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:06 pm

nutz4Neal wrote:
aedstrom wrote:

So my question is where does an understated guy like Gregg fall into the history of rock and roll. He helped start two of the most commercially successfully rock bands of all time. Played Woodstock. He's stayed relevant though a bit reclusive personally through all of the past 40 years.

Awesome story, Art, thanks for sharing it with us.

Personally, I love Gregg & his music with Journey and present, have all his CDs. I've never had the pleasure of hearing his band play cause they seem to make it a practice not to travel very far away from home..that I can understnad, but sure wish they would.

However, I did have the pleasure of meeting Gregg and Herbie at the Bammies, they were both most gracious to us, the fans.

To answer your question, he seems to wish to stay low keyed..he doesn't play any Journey songs, only Santana style music..so be it. I love him still.

When you talk to him, please tell him that many of his fans wish he would travel further! LOL

Oh, and tell him that we love him!

i would like to meet gregg, the best hammond B3 player ever

by **Arkansas** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 3:38 pm

Maybe Perry's next record could have Rolie on it. We can dream, no?

later~

by **StoneCold** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 5:03 pm

Arkansas wrote:Maybe Perry's next record could have Rolie on it. We can dream, no?

later~

Since Perry's voice doesn't have the high pitch anymore, the contrast won't be there. Maybe Rolie can play that smooth Hammond B3 organ though. (nod to Progs there,

).

But we'll see Rolie in Journey before he ever does anything with Perry.

by **SherriBerry** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 7:31 pm

Gregg Rolie has a few tour dates on his website, and one is the Nakusp Music Fest
on July 19 in Nakusp, BC - I already have my ticket! I can't believe I lucked out
that he's playing there this year - my boss was chuckling yesterday because I put in
for the time off 6 months in advance.

by **Aaron** » Tue Jan 20, 2009 10:21 pm

lol I figured. I was just busting your balls bro (and obviously typing too fast).

stevew2 wrote:
Aaron wrote:Nope, he was the dude that gave Journey some balls and a great vocal harmonies before your fag boy Friga hit the lottery by getting Gregg's gig.

stevew2 wrote:who is gegg? is he that dude that made out with his mom on the Brady Bunch i would have, the father was gay [like Friga] and didnt give her nun
He aint my boy, Gregg is a kick ass organ player ,I was makin fun of the spelling nunb nuts

by **Arianddu** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 2:09 am

SherriBerry wrote:Gregg Rolie has a few tour dates on his website, and one is the Nakusp Music Fest
on July 19 in Nakusp, BC - I already have my ticket! I can't believe I lucked out
that he's playing there this year - my boss was chuckling yesterday because I put in
for the time off 6 months in advance.

Envy, envy, envy, envy, envy!

by **ProgRocker53** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:18 am

Gregg Rolie is one of my favorite musicians of all time.

What a dude. Love his work with Journey, The Storm, Santana, and solo.

His organ is so immense.

by **Don** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:21 am

ProgRocker53 wrote:Gregg Rolie is one of my favorite musicians of all time.

What a dude. Love his work with Journey, The Storm, Santana, and solo.

His organ is so immense.

by **bluejeangirl76** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 6:22 am

Arkansas wrote:Maybe Perry's next record could have Rolie on it.

It will, as long there's there's another remaster of "Feeling That Way / Anytime". :lol:

by **Gideon** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 8:12 am

I, too, must admit that the duets between Gregg and Steve were highlights of Journey's pre-Cain catalogue. Love his voice. That said, he can't write pop songs for shit. People ignore that he pretty much tried to rip off Cain in the Storm and failed. Miserably.

Would love to hear from him occasionally guesting on a Journey show, but I'm really glad the band went in the direction they did.

by **E5C4P3ING** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 10:54 am

I always enjoyed Rolie's duets with Perry.

His time in Journey produced more of a "bluesy", "gritty" sound than in later years when the Perry/Cain era transitioned into more of a "polished" sound.

I personally enjoy both.

Interestingly enough, I thought the arrival of Augeri brought the band back to more of the "bluesy, grit" side, which was pretty cool as well.

by **stevew2** » Wed Jan 21, 2009 11:11 am

E5C4P3ING wrote:I always enjoyed Rolie's duets with Perry.

His time in Journey produced more of a "bluesy", "gritty" sound than in later years when the Perry/Cain era transitioned into more of a "polished" sound.

I personally enjoy both.

Interestingly enough, I thought the arrival of Augeri brought the band back to more of the "bluesy, grit" side, which was pretty cool as well.

I liked Arrival more than generations and revelation combined.Friga has his little pecker in revelation to much,neal should have gotten off the bottle sooner

by **Arkansas** » Thu Jan 22, 2009 1:58 pm

StoneCold wrote:
Arkansas wrote:Maybe Perry's next record could have Rolie on it. We can dream, no?

later~

... But we'll see Rolie in Journey before he ever does anything with Perry.

And maybe that'll be when we see both again ... in Journey.

later~

by **StoneCold** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:19 am

Heard Black Magic Woman again today. It needs to be said again.

Rolie is the man.

Biggups and booyaka.

by **StoneCold** » Fri Jan 30, 2009 7:23 am

BMW
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEpq7zc5rZI

MR

Gregg Rolie

Gregg Rolie

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