by SP Fan in Oregon » Thu Nov 05, 2009 2:18 pm
Six pages already! I do not know, but I have experience to speculate that Arnel probably started out under an employment contract with the LLC (if an LLC exists, as Jeremey indicated). Arnel would likely have to prove his value to the band before they would allow him a membership interest in the LLC. Now that Arnel has contributed substantially to the success of Journey, his lawyers have likely negotiated a membership interest, but I highly doubt Arnel's interest is as much as the others. So, yeah, no "contract" as that term is used, but LLC's have operating agreements, and so it isn't like there isn't a written agreement. I would think that as Arnel continues with Journey that he will command a larger interest in the LLC. Sort of like when Perry became the VOICE of Journey, he got so powerful in the control of Journey because he held ALL the cards. "he had the reins, and they let him run with it." More like he had everyone's balls and they didn't flinch for fear of losing him and all the success they were having with him. Arnel may end up commanding the same kind of control once he figures out he has the reins too. As for Perry, I speculate that he would have done just about anything to get out of his contract with Sony.
He has the exact date of his contract release at the tip of his tongue, that is how much it meant to him to get out of that. I don't think he will ever get himself into another contract without a clear out. When you are young, and in those days, wow, sign me up. Lots of young talent have done that same thing and have found themselves in servitude to contracts they didn't really realize would impact their life so much. I can't imagine Perry signing a non-compete to get out of the contract, especially if Lora confirmed that it didn't happen (I never saw that post). It was most likely a negotiated settlement on percent of rights, Perry giving up a lot to just get out of his contract with Sony. Much like a divorce, everyone leaves with less than they hoped for, but at least it isn't protracted litigation for the rest of your life. I do not think that Perry's failure to release a CD in all these years has anything to do with the settlement terms.