Hypothetical Situation....

[JRNYMAN]

If AP got sick - not long-term sick, just the 24-hour, flu-like kind of sick. Given the fact that there are 2 other bands on the bill which makes rescheduling a show next to impossible, would Deen take over on vox for that one night while still drumming? He's obviously capable and can easily pull it off but, I'm just curious how they would handle it.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Rediculous. There's no way Journey would have the drummer sing the entire show. Come on now. That's like saying Kiss would have Peter Criss sing an entire show since he could do Beth, if there was no one else from the band who could sing that night. Or....is it just me who thinks this way?

[JRNYMAN]

Rediculous. There's no way Journey would have the drummer sing the entire show. Come on now. That's like saying Kiss would have Peter Criss sing an entire show since he could do Beth, if there was no one else from the band who could sing that night. Or....is it just me who thinks this way?

With all due respect..... and as much as I loved Peter Criss, he BARELY pulled off Beth with regard to actually singing on key. He clearly didn't have the chops to provide lead vox to basically any of Kiss' other songs - and do so adequately. Deen, on the other hand, could aptly and satisfactorily perform all of the songs in Journey's catalog. Apples and oranges my friend.... apples and oranges. And as for Deen singing an entire show, didn't he do just that the night following Augeri's departure? I may be remembering it wrong but IIRC that's how it played out with JSS joining them 2 nights later. Even if I'm completely deluded in my thinking, Deen could definitely handle one night on lead vox.

[SF-Dano]

Good question. I would hope that we would see Deen singing a majority of the tunes, but would think that Cain would possibly cover some old Rolie vocal tune or possibly pull out EG. Neal possibly doing Lies or SD, which has now shown up on a Journey CD. Just so Deen would not have to carry the whole evening's set list vocally.

Now, there is the other option where AP comes out and sings, but.........um......not really. If you see what I am getting at. Hope that would not happen again even for just one show.

[JRNYMAN]

Good question. I would hope that we would see Deen singing a majority of the tunes, but would think that Cain would possibly cover some old Rolie vocal tune or possibly pull out EG. Neal possibly doing Lies or SD, which has now shown up on a Journey CD. Just so Deen would not have to carry the whole evening's set list vocally.

Now, there is the other option where AP comes out and sings, but.........um......not really. If you see what I am getting at. Hope that would not happen again even for just one show.

It would definitely provide for a different set list I'm thinking.

[tater1977]

If AP got sick - not long-term sick, just the 24-hour, flu-like kind of sick. Given the fact that there are 2 other bands on the bill which makes rescheduling a show next to impossible, would Deen take over on vox for that one night while still drumming? He's obviously capable and can easily pull it off but, I'm just curious how they would handle it.

Have Pat B step in & cover the songs...

[AR]

Rediculous. There's no way Journey would have the drummer sing the entire show. Come on now. That's like saying Kiss would have Peter Criss sing an entire show since he could do Beth, if there was no one else from the band who could sing that night. Or....is it just me who thinks this way?

Kiss did play a show without Paul Stanley though. Paul was carted off to the hospital with a racing heart rate and they played as a 3 piece. All Gene songs mostly.

Paul Stanley has fallen ill and is unable to perform at KISS's show tonight (Friday, July 27, 2007) in San Jacinto, CA. He's been sent to a local hospital with throat problems (not officially confirmed; there is also a **unsubstantiated** report on a KISS fan site that Paul's heart was approaching 200 beats per minute and that medical personnel tried medicines to bring it down but that it didn't work). Stanley did perform at the soundcheck this afternoon around 6:00 p.m. PST. Gene Simmons carried the show and KISS played as a three-piece with fans joining them onstage early in the set to fill in for Paul.

The final setlist was as follows:

01. Deuce
02. Cold Gin
03. Calling Dr. Love
04. (Long Pause) Christeen Sixteen
05. Nothin' to Lose (w/ Eric Singer on vocals)
06. I Love it Loud
07. Goin' Blind
08. Watchin' You
09. She
10. Parasite
11. God of Thunder
12. Let Me Go, Rock 'N Roll
13. Black Diamond (w/ Eric Singer on vocals)
14. Rock and Roll All Night

[Liam]

That's a badass setlist for Kiss....

[scarab]

call me if this ever happens!
would go anywhere in the US to see deen sing a majority of songs. The guy has soul!
Arnel is purely paint but the numbers, talent he has, but unfortunately its in mimicry.
So sad when Journey management called the fans idiots, and the don't have the IQ to understand a drummer singing.

What do they think we are all from Wisconsin???

[steveo777]

call me if this ever happens!
would go anywhere in the US to see deen sing a majority of songs. The guy has soul!
Arnel is purely paint but the numbers, talent he has, but unfortunately its in mimicry.
So sad when Journey management called the fans idiots, and the don't have the IQ to understand a drummer singing.

What do they think we are all from Wisconsin???

W.Virginia............

[FamilyMan]

Guessing they could revert to a Generations-era set list (Act 1) with Jon handling Rollie era songs and Deen could finish up with the Perry era. No one would be happier than Neal...

[Arkansas]

Unless AP was on his death bed, they'd do the "Perry/B12" shot thing and just get through it. Yes, DC would sing a lot...nothing new, noting the Augeri tours.


later~

[JRNYMAN]

call me if this ever happens!
would go anywhere in the US to see deen sing a majority of songs. The guy has soul!
Arnel is purely paint but the numbers, talent he has, but unfortunately its in mimicry.
So sad when Journey management called the fans idiots, and the don't have the IQ to understand a drummer singing.

What do they think we are all from Wisconsin???

W.Virginia............

...and parts of Arkansas..... right Rip?

Guessing they could revert to a Generations-era set list (Act 1) with Jon handling Rollie era songs and Deen could finish up with the Perry era. No one would be happier than Neal...

So let's take this a step further.....

What would a set list look like with Deen and Jon providing the vox? It wouldn't necessarily have to be a clone of the Generations-tour list.

Deen has performed the following live:
Suzanne
Still They Ride
Faithfully
DSB
Mother Father
IBAWY
Faithfully
Patiently
Where Were You
After The Fall
Keep On Runnin'
Happy to Give
SHML
Dixie Highway (I almost positive I've heard this with Deen on vox but I can't find it to confirm it)

Add to that list the following with Jon and Deen sharing vox:
Anytime/FTW
Just the Same Way

That's a pretty strong set list right there! And I'm sure I'm forgetting a couple of others....

[efrasjourney]

To add to the discussion, I think is best in that scenario that the drum tech takes the skins and Deen takes the mic. Me thinks its ok for a couple a songs but I imagine a whole show singing while playing the drums would be very taxing. JMHO.

Saludos

[FamilyMan]

Deen's got chops - and he's a nice featured player for a song or two in a set. Don't think I could take him for a whole night, as much as I love the guy. Interesting that in all the pre-Pineda turmoil, they never considered Deen as a permanent lead singer (to my knowledge).

[JRNYMAN]

Deen's got chops - and he's a nice featured player for a song or two in a set. Don't think I could take him for a whole night, as much as I love the guy. Interesting that in all the pre-Pineda turmoil, they never considered Deen as a permanent lead singer (to my knowledge).

Actually, the discussion never even came up with regard to Deen singing lead vox because he had already made it crystal clear that he is a drummer first and a singer 2nd to everything else. The fact that he gets to sing a song or two per show (when they're actually allowing him to do so....) is exactly the way he wants it. The songs he does sing are his favorites which works out great for him - under one condition...... that he sings from behind his drum kit. After Augeri's last show, Jim, Deen's tech took over the drum duties and Deen came out to center stage for that one single show. And while everything went off without a hitch and he did a fantastic job, it nearly caused him to have a nervous breakdown! Seriously, as long as he has that buffer between him and the audience, he's perfectly fine. But, unfortunately Deen suffers from extreme stage fright when the focus is on him without his kit as his "shield". He gets so nervous that he literally psyches himself into a state of absolute terror. The color drains from his face, he starts to shake, his palms gush with perspiration, his field of vision goes white and he feels like he's going to pass out at any second the entire time he's out from behind his kit.
So, basically, him ever being the lead singer on a full time basis was a moot point.
He loves the time he gets to sing when the situation/powers that be allow and consistently delivers flawless, strong high harmonies night after night but his role in Journey, Hardline, Bad English, etc. is/was as the drummer and backing vocals.

Now, as for the scenario I proposed, he could most definitely pull it off for one night from behind his kit. There have been several bands whose drummer was the lead vocalist and the two duties never interfered with one another.

[la michelona]

Deen's got chops - and he's a nice featured player for a song or two in a set. Don't think I could take him for a whole night, as much as I love the guy. Interesting that in all the pre-Pineda turmoil, they never considered Deen as a permanent lead singer (to my knowledge).

Actually, the discussion never even came up with regard to Deen singing lead vox because he had already made it crystal clear that he is a drummer first and a singer 2nd to everything else. The fact that he gets to sing a song or two per show (when they're actually allowing him to do so....) is exactly the way he wants it. The songs he does sing are his favorites which works out great for him - under one condition...... that he sings from behind his drum kit. After Augeri's last show, Jim, Deen's tech took over the drum duties and Deen came out to center stage for that one single show. And while everything went off without a hitch and he did a fantastic job, it nearly caused him to have a nervous breakdown! Seriously, as long as he has that buffer between him and the audience, he's perfectly fine. But, unfortunately Deen suffers from extreme stage fright when the focus is on him without his kit as his "shield". He gets so nervous that he literally psyches himself into a state of absolute terror. The color drains from his face, he starts to shake, his palms gush with perspiration, his field of vision goes white and he feels like he's going to pass out at any second the entire time he's out from behind his kit.
So, basically, him ever being the lead singer on a full time basis was a moot point.
He loves the time he gets to sing when the situation/powers that be allow and consistently delivers flawless, strong high harmonies night after night but his role in Journey, Hardline, Bad English, etc. is/was as the drummer and backing vocals.

Now, as for the scenario I proposed, he could most definitely pull it off for one night from behind his kit. There have been several bands whose drummer was the lead vocalist and the two duties never interfered with one another.

Ummm, actually:

In fact, before Arnel Pineda joined the band, the most Steve Perry-sound-a-like in Journey may have been Castronovo. On those pre-Arnel tours, Castronovo would take over lead vocals on songs like, “Mother, Father” and “Still They Ride” with incredible Perry-like quality. He admits there was even a point after Perry and before Pineda that there were discussions about whether he should be the lead singer. But Castronovo said it was an easy decision for him.

“I was not interested. I’m not a front man. Number one, I’m not a front man. Number 2, yeah, I could sing the songs but I don’t know how long I could last. Number 3, I’ve got an arsenal of stuff around me so no one has to look at me. And number 4, the fans are so critical. They are very critical, and if you blow it, if you have a rough night, they’re not afraid to tell you, and I’m really thin skinned when it comes to that stuff. Ultra thin skinned,” admitted Castronovo who said he stays away from fan message boards and social media pages. “If I see one negative thing, it stays with me for days. It just breaks my heart.

http://concertconnection.blogs.deseretn ... on-friday/

[JRNYMAN]

Deen's got chops - and he's a nice featured player for a song or two in a set. Don't think I could take him for a whole night, as much as I love the guy. Interesting that in all the pre-Pineda turmoil, they never considered Deen as a permanent lead singer (to my knowledge).

Actually, the discussion never even came up with regard to Deen singing lead vox because he had already made it crystal clear that he is a drummer first and a singer 2nd to everything else. The fact that he gets to sing a song or two per show (when they're actually allowing him to do so....) is exactly the way he wants it. The songs he does sing are his favorites which works out great for him - under one condition...... that he sings from behind his drum kit. After Augeri's last show, Jim, Deen's tech took over the drum duties and Deen came out to center stage for that one single show. And while everything went off without a hitch and he did a fantastic job, it nearly caused him to have a nervous breakdown! Seriously, as long as he has that buffer between him and the audience, he's perfectly fine. But, unfortunately Deen suffers from extreme stage fright when the focus is on him without his kit as his "shield". He gets so nervous that he literally psyches himself into a state of absolute terror. The color drains from his face, he starts to shake, his palms gush with perspiration, his field of vision goes white and he feels like he's going to pass out at any second the entire time he's out from behind his kit.
So, basically, him ever being the lead singer on a full time basis was a moot point.
He loves the time he gets to sing when the situation/powers that be allow and consistently delivers flawless, strong high harmonies night after night but his role in Journey, Hardline, Bad English, etc. is/was as the drummer and backing vocals.

Now, as for the scenario I proposed, he could most definitely pull it off for one night from behind his kit. There have been several bands whose drummer was the lead vocalist and the two duties never interfered with one another.

Ummm, actually:

In fact, before Arnel Pineda joined the band, the most Steve Perry-sound-a-like in Journey may have been Castronovo. On those pre-Arnel tours, Castronovo would take over lead vocals on songs like, “Mother, Father” and “Still They Ride” with incredible Perry-like quality. He admits there was even a point after Perry and before Pineda that there were discussions about whether he should be the lead singer. But Castronovo said it was an easy decision for him.

“I was not interested. I’m not a front man. Number one, I’m not a front man. Number 2, yeah, I could sing the songs but I don’t know how long I could last. Number 3, I’ve got an arsenal of stuff around me so no one has to look at me. And number 4, the fans are so critical. They are very critical, and if you blow it, if you have a rough night, they’re not afraid to tell you, and I’m really thin skinned when it comes to that stuff. Ultra thin skinned,” admitted Castronovo who said he stays away from fan message boards and social media pages. “If I see one negative thing, it stays with me for days. It just breaks my heart.

http://concertconnection.blogs.deseretn ... on-friday/

Hi Michelle!!! Long time no see/chit-chat.

Yup, the reasons you quoted by Deen are spot on and consistent with the info I was paraphrasing from his Generations interview way back in 2005. And, I had forgotten what he said about staying away from message boards and reading reviews.
Hard to fathom someone with so incredibly talented and so seemingly confident can be brought to his emotional knees by nothing more than his own self-doubt. And it runs deeper than that even..... He truly has no idea not only how good of a drummer he is but also how highly respected and regarded he is in the drummer community. He sees himself as an "adequate session drummer". And if Smitty is rumored to possibly be stopping by the venue to visit, he literally won't get within 50 feet of his kit! He's too self conscious for his own good!

[The Sushi Hunter]

If AP wasn't able to sing, I serously doubt that they'd have the drummer do the entire show. A replacement singer, I could see that and I can also see the other members singing more. But I think they would cancel or postpone the show until either AP was back to doing the job or until they found someone else who was capable of doing it. I think the last resort would be the pre-recorded vocals as someone I think mentioned early on.

[JRNYMAN]

If AP wasn't able to sing, I serously doubt that they'd have the drummer do the entire show. A replacement singer, I could see that and I can also see the other members singing more. But I think they would cancel or postpone the show until either AP was back to doing the job or until they found someone else who was capable of doing it. I think the last resort would be the pre-recorded vocals as someone I think mentioned early on.

As I've noted a couple of times now, that very situation has happened once before when they were touring with Def Leppard and postponing/rescheduling wasn't possible and Deen became the lead singer for a single show.

And as for pre-recorded vocals........ Umm..... they went down that road and it blew up in their collective face BIG TIME! (Ref. Rockin' Deano's well publicized discovery and subsequent "Tapegate" incident(s).)

And, just to reiterate the topic of this thread, my question is purely hypothetical and I was just curious what others thought would be the band's choice/decision if the situation presented itself.

Basically, I guess I'm just wondering if they feel their collective vocal resources could or would get them through a single show if AP couldn't perform for a single performance. Personally..... I think they could definitely pull it off and satisfactorily deliver a performance worthy of the money spent by the ticket holders. In fact...... given the perceived set list that would be delivered in that situation, I think it would be a BETTER one than what they're currently (and seemingly always) performing. Some of the band's older material would probably be performed which would be very well received by the veteran fans for sure. But, that's just my opinion.

[The Sushi Hunter]

So the drummer sang the entire concert? When was that? That is surprising to me, I thought they would postpone because wouldn't that tend to piss off the people who paid to come see the entire band do the songs?

[SF-Dano]

Steve Augeri's last show with the band, Def Leppard/Journey tour. I believe SA came out and tried to work through the first two songs but couldn't not do it. Deen steps out front on vox for the rest of the concert with his drum tech taking over on the skins. Only happened the one show as they then rushed in Soto who took over on lead vox for the rest of the tour. This is how I heard it went down. I wasn't there, so I can definitely be corrected if this is wrong.

[Eric]

Steve Augeri's last show with the band, Def Leppard/Journey tour. I believe SA came out and tried to work through the first two songs but couldn't not do it. Deen steps out front on vox for the rest of the concert with his drum tech taking over on the skins. Only happened the one show as they then rushed in Soto who took over on lead vox for the rest of the tour. This is how I heard it went down. I wasn't there, so I can definitely be corrected if this is wrong.

Deen did 8 songs I believe that night. Would love to have a boot of 'em.

[Don]

Steve Augeri's last show with the band, Def Leppard/Journey tour. I believe SA came out and tried to work through the first two songs but couldn't not do it. Deen steps out front on vox for the rest of the concert with his drum tech taking over on the skins. Only happened the one show as they then rushed in Soto who took over on lead vox for the rest of the tour. This is how I heard it went down. I wasn't there, so I can definitely be corrected if this is wrong.

I'm pretty sure that is how it happened too. Deen's drum tech also filled in for a show the last tour or so when Castronovo was in a German hospital over a cardiac scare.

[fightingilliniJRNY]

Steve Augeri's last show with the band, Def Leppard/Journey tour. I believe SA came out and tried to work through the first two songs but couldn't not do it. Deen steps out front on vox for the rest of the concert with his drum tech taking over on the skins. Only happened the one show as they then rushed in Soto who took over on lead vox for the rest of the tour. This is how I heard it went down. I wasn't there, so I can definitely be corrected if this is wrong.

Here's a report from someone who was there. The show in question was the July 4, 2006 show in Raleigh, which ended up being Steve Augeri's last show in Journey. I am a big SA fan, and reading this is tough at times. This would have been a fascinating show to be at, though.



Journey hit the stage first with Faith in the Heartland and it was immediately clear that something was wrong. Augeri showed up in Raleigh---his voice did not. To say he was having a difficult time would be putting it mildly. He was struggling. The extent would not be totally realized for a few songs though. Explanations would come later, but there was a problem.

Be Good To Yourself started and the after the first line of the song, Augeri signaled to Deen Castronovo to take over and Augeri went backstage. I have heard Deen sing a few times, and he was on tonight. Augeri returned after a little while and he and Deen went back and forth on lead vocals for the remainder of the song while Augeri tried to coax his voice into action.

Ask the Lonely came next and was somewhat of a breather with it’s lower-pitched vocal. Augeri did better on this song, but he was still having major problems.

Throughout the song, Deen supplied backup and occasionally doubled Augeri’s voice. Only the Young came next with Deen singing lead. It didn’t look as if it was planned for Deen to sing on this, but after the problems Augeri was having, it wasn’t a surprise. Journey has been changing the songs Deen would sing in a show, so anything is possible. Augeri needed a breather anyway.

As the song ended, Neal Schon started up his guitar solo. With his choice of playing the Star Spangled Banner at concerts over the past few years, it wasn’t hard to guess what was coming. Tonight’s version was inspired with Ross Vallory and Deen giving the “we’re not worthy” bows towards the end. Stone in Love was next and Steve Augeri was back, but Deen took over shortly in to the song singing the majority of the lead vocals from there on. Wheel in the Sky followed, and Augeri took the lead in this, but Deen was still doing a lot of doubling parts and singing the high parts leaving Augeri for the lower notes.

By now, everyone was fully aware there was something serious going on, but the show continued. Lights was next, and Augeri signaled for Deen. They went back and forth on lead vocals throughout the song. Near the end of the song, Augeri went back to the drums, signaled to Deen and the two of them went offstage. It was plainly obvious there was a problem. Augeri’s voice was not getting any better and he was really struggling. You could feel the tension in the air. Augeri said something and Deen’s reaction had to be seen to believed. Basically, it was “you have got to be kidding me!”. What was said would be revealed very soon. Augeri disappeared into the wings of the stage and the stage was set.

For anyone who is not aware, Deen Castronovo has been doing lead vocals for several years now, but had always been behind the drum seat, playing the drums and singing. Tonight, that changed. A drum tech came out and got in the drummers seat and Deen made his way out to the front of the stage as Open Arms had started. Open Arms isn’t a very drum-intensive song, and there are no drums until the end of the song. Ross Vallory was near the drum kit trying to help the new guy on drums as Deen was out front with just a microphone singing the song. Anyone could tell that Deen was extremely nervous being alone out front, but the crowd loved it. The applause at the end was geniune.

Every Generation started up next, and Augeri was back, this time with guitar in tow. Jonathan Cain took lead vocals, and Augeri did some backup on the chorus. Chain Reaction followed with Augeri singing lead, but he was still having problems. He was giving his all, but the voice just wasn’t there. His voice was improved from the start of the show, but he was still struggling.

As the song ended, Augeri addressed the crowd and informed them of the situation that was occurring on stage. What follows isn’t exactly verbatim, but was written down immediately after he said it, so it is VERY close. “You might have noticed I haven’t been myself. I’ve been a little under the weather lately, so here comes Deen Castronovo to save the day. Give him a lot of love”. That was the intro to Faithfully, and once again, Deen was center stage, and the tech was on the drums. Deen was less nervous this time, trying to get the audience to sing, but still far from comfortable. Ross was at the drums once again helping the tech through the song.

Don’t Stop Believin’ was next and Augeri was back once again. His voice had improved, but he was still signaling for Deen to take the high parts. Separate Ways followed and Augeri’s voice was on the rebound. He was far from perfect, but was still giving 110%. He would nail one note, then his voice would die on the next, but he didn’t give up. Any Way You Want It was next, and the voice continued to improve. Deen continued helping, but Augeri’s voice was finally starting to come around. By this point, he was hitting about 70-80% of the high notes. Early in the show would have been maybe 15-20%. Lovin, Touchin, Squeezin closed the show out with Augeri finally in command.

As the band left the stage, Augeri and Deen embraced for probably the 5th time that night. It was obvious how much Augeri appreciated it. Without Deen being able to sing lead vocals, everyone knew the concert probably would have been cancelled. Augeri knew that better than anyone else.

They say that heroes arise in the time of need. Journey encountered that tonight, and Deen Castronovo stepped up. If there was ever a case for Journey to need a backing tape for Augeri, tonight was the case. There was no backing tape used, and everyone was better for the result.

I don’t know what will happen for the rest of the tour. Journey has a major problem if Augeri has another night like this one, but for those in the right time and place, they saw history being made. Tonight’s show wasn’t what anyone was expecting, but I’ll take this over a pre-recorded experience any day. After seeing the reaction of the crowd when Deen finished Open Arms at center stage, I don’t think I’m alone in that thought.

Setlist…
Faith in the Heartland
Be Good To Yourself (Steve & Deen)
Ask the Lonely (Deen on backup)
Guitar Solo (Star Spangled Banner)
Stone in Love (Steve and Deen)
Wheel in the Sky (Deen on a lot of backing vocals)
Lights (Steve and Deen)
Open Arms (Deen)
Every Generation
Chain Reaction
Faithfully (Deen)
Don’t Stop Believin’ (Deen on high notes)
Separate Ways
Any Way You Want It
Lovin’ Touchin’ Squeezin’

[FamilyMan]

Deen's got chops - and he's a nice featured player for a song or two in a set. Don't think I could take him for a whole night, as much as I love the guy. Interesting that in all the pre-Pineda turmoil, they never considered Deen as a permanent lead singer (to my knowledge).

Actually, the discussion never even came up with regard to Deen singing lead vox because he had already made it crystal clear that he is a drummer first and a singer 2nd to everything else. The fact that he gets to sing a song or two per show (when they're actually allowing him to do so....) is exactly the way he wants it. The songs he does sing are his favorites which works out great for him - under one condition...... that he sings from behind his drum kit. After Augeri's last show, Jim, Deen's tech took over the drum duties and Deen came out to center stage for that one single show. And while everything went off without a hitch and he did a fantastic job, it nearly caused him to have a nervous breakdown! Seriously, as long as he has that buffer between him and the audience, he's perfectly fine. But, unfortunately Deen suffers from extreme stage fright when the focus is on him without his kit as his "shield". He gets so nervous that he literally psyches himself into a state of absolute terror. The color drains from his face, he starts to shake, his palms gush with perspiration, his field of vision goes white and he feels like he's going to pass out at any second the entire time he's out from behind his kit.
So, basically, him ever being the lead singer on a full time basis was a moot point.
He loves the time he gets to sing when the situation/powers that be allow and consistently delivers flawless, strong high harmonies night after night but his role in Journey, Hardline, Bad English, etc. is/was as the drummer and backing vocals.

Now, as for the scenario I proposed, he could most definitely pull it off for one night from behind his kit. There have been several bands whose drummer was the lead vocalist and the two duties never interfered with one another.

Explains why he doesn't do a drum solo??

[The Sushi Hunter]

Very interesting read. I'm currious why they never just had Deen be the lead singer for the band after that if he's that good.

[Archetype]

Is there any footage of Deen singing as a front man?

[The Sushi Hunter]

Is there any footage of Deen singing as a front man?

Good question. I'd like to watch one. I'd also like to see a video of JSS doing an entire Journey song live with Journey. So far I've only seen bits and pieces of video of him with Journey and then lots without Journey but not entire songs from start to finish live.

[JRNYMAN]

Very interesting read. I'm currious why they never just had Deen be the lead singer for the band after that if he's that good.

Both La Michelona and I answered that question in detail above.

As far as him being "that" good..... he's all that and a bag of honey roasted cashews! Give a listen to any Journey song which is rich with harmonies whether it's a live performance or straight off the album and pay close attention to the high harmonies. Deen's voice is steady, ALWAYS on key, is usually the last to taper off of any given note, and is never missing from any given note, phrase, etc. One curse that usually always plagues singing drummers - especially those whose attack and execution of their craft is as vigorous and aggressive as is Deen's - is their physicality of them hitting the drums is audible in their voice which comes through as being choppy or "bumpy" if you get what I'm saying. Phil Collins had a terrible time with this as does Henley on some of their earlier live stuff - with Henley, you can almost detect a slight grunt on certain words which are backed by driving drums. With Deen, somehow, he is able to keep his vocals and what the rest of his body is doing to his drum kit completely separate - which, I guess, is why his delivery of Mother Father is somewhat spectacular in and of itself considering the two times in the song when he sings "believe" while simultaneously delivering 122 drum strikes in a 2.5 second time frame, yet if you didn't know the drummer was singing, you'd never guess it. Re-read that last sentence and let it sink in then listen to Mother Father you will have a new-found respect for Deen. Another great, great example of Deen's amazing abilities as both singer and drummer at the same time is the Higher Place video from the 2001 DVD. Give it a listen specifically for Deen's high harmonies throughout the song. There are times he actually holds certain notes longer than Stevie did and at the same time is just beating the holy shit out of his kit - and he was approx 50 lbs. heavier then as well so his "punch" was even more daunting. He's an amazing musician and such a sweet, sincere guy as well.