RocknRoll wrote:mdaemon wrote:RocknRoll wrote:strangegrey wrote: Regardless, what I hate, is the bullshit that is thrust by some folks here that Arnel is some second coming of the messiah. The success the band is experiencing right now, is in NO WAY, even close to what the band experienced in the 80s. Arnel might have nudged this band a notch or two higher than Augeri or Soto could have...but let's not start calling it a comeback yet. There's ALOT of additional factors that come into play here...and any one of them can be far more the reason than Arnel's voice.
While I don't often agree with you and your style of posting, I do agree with this. The success (songwriting/music) of Revelation, DSB and the comeback of 80's type bands guaranteed the band some success even with Jeremey, who I'm sure would have done just fine. I do agree with many that AP brought a lot to the band and he's doing a great job. I think Journey's success today has encouraged a lot of other 80's type bands to get back on the road again.
Personally, I don't see Neal or Jon getting rid of Arnel, but rather Arnel leaving on his own. He just doesn't appear to like or hold up well touring and Journey is a live band. I'm sure he'll stick it out a while longer through the next album, but than return permanently to PI where it appears he is the happiest.
Try living in the Philippines with almost a hand to mouth existence and tell me again that Arnel would leave Journey because he couldn't tour. Sorry dude, but I am sure you don't comprehend how big a leap Arnel made when he became the lead singer of Journey. He is not going to let go of this opportunity.
... and it's Dudette to you Dude. I just think that if AP is the simple guy he claims to be when does he feel it's enough. I commend Arnel for stayng on the road and I hope he keeps it up. But you never know?
I think, though Arnel doesn't likes touring, he will stick it out for quite a few more years. And I don't agree with Frank that Neal will kick him to the curb. I don't see that happening at all just b/c they like the roll they're on with him. Though I loved Frank's remark re Neal doing it b/c Arnel charged Pizza to Neal's room. Now, that's some funny stuff from the Frank I remember.
Arnel is loyal and will hang in there. I think if he learns to balance his time off, which he spent way too much time on other stuff back in the Phils this past year, with his time on the road touring with Journey he will really enjoy the tradeoff. Six months or seven months very well-off financially at home with family relaxing, enjoying the fruits of his labor, and five months on the road out of the year not too bad.
Plus, I believe, and this is just me, that Neal will do what it takes to keep Arnel within reason I think Arnel with family traveling with him in the U.S. will make all the difference in the world. And as this band is getting older, in a few years I could even see them doing smaller tours or taking a year off possibly. This year is a month for the Asian/Hawaii tour, some down time, and four months for European/USA leg.
