Gregg Rolie On A Journey Reunion: ‘I Would Do That!’

[tater1977]

Gregg Rolie On A Journey Reunion: ‘I Would Do That!’

August 30, 2012 3:21 PM

http://womc.cbslocal.com/2012/08/30/gre ... d-do-that/

Roll and Roll Hall of Fame keyboardist/singer Gregg Rolie recently told CBS Local that he’d be amicable to doing a Brian Wilson/Beach Boys-style reunion with Santana, where he’d rejoin the band for an album and/or tour. But what about Journey, the band he and guitarist Neal Schon formed after they left Santana?

“I would do that! It’s just a matter of doing it, and the timing,” he tells CBS Local.

Rolie has kept good relations with Schon (the only founding member who has been on every Journey album). In fact, a few years ago when Journey played Austin, Texas, Rolie joined them onstage for one of the classics from his era with the band, “Just The Same Way” (from 1979′s Evolution.)

Rolie says that he had a blast that night, and that he was surprised by the audience reaction, as he had been out of the band for nearly three decades by that point. “I was kind of shocked. A friend of mine was in the audience, and a guy right behind him said, ‘that’s Greg f***ing Rolie!’ I didn’t know that was my middle name!”

When Journey started, it was a four-piece band with Rolie handling all the lead vocals. Singer Steve Perry joined the band in 1978 after the band had released three albums. After Perry became the lead singer, Rolie concentrated more on keyboards and backing vocals. So what does he think of Perry’s replacement, Arnel Pineda, the Pilipino singer who has been with the band since 2007? (For those who don’t know, Neal Schon saw videos of Pineda singing Journey covers, reached out to him, and offered him the opportunity to audition for the group).

“Arnel’s great, those guys really changed his life. That was a cool thing, what a great story.” But as far as joining the current incarnation of the band for a reunion? “The ball’s in their court. But it’s not on the front burner right now.”

For the moment, Rolie is hoping to work with Ringo Starr again (he played in Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band this summer), and is working on his next album.

“I’ve recorded six songs,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll get it out by early next year.”

– Brian Ives, CBS Local

[Gideon]

That would be awesome, but I wonder how that would work with Jon. Double keys/Jon on rhythm guitar when necessary?

[tater1977]

That would be awesome, but I wonder how that would work with Jon. Double keys/Jon on rhythm guitar when necessary?

Journey Gregg Rolie sits in at the Austin, TX show Just the

http://youtu.be/nUyR9LcCViA

Neal Schon came to the mic and said, "One of the founding members of Journey is from and still lives right here in Austin, would you please welcome...Mr Greg Rollie!" The crowd went ape shit. Recorded on September 29, 2009 using a Flip Video camcorder in Austin, TX

[JohnH]

Greg really is a great guy. Recently had some correspondence with him. Totally cool. After 20 years playing some of those Santana songs, watching him again play them last year in Santa Cruz really made me appreciate him more. Saw him in 88 with Santana also.

[slucero]

That would be awesome, but I wonder how that would work with Jon. Double keys/Jon on rhythm guitar when necessary?

It'd be easy Gid...

Rolie is a Hammond B3 Organ & Moog synth kinda guy...

Cain is more a piano & synth player...


And Rolie kicks Cain's ass on the harmonica... I'd love to hear them do "Precious Time" with Rolie on the harmonica part like the original... it might be hard for Arnel to sing though.. its definitely one of Perry's dog range songs..

Either way,,, both of them onstage would actually be pretty complimentary

[Arkansas]

That would be awesome, but I wonder how that would work with Jon. Double keys/Jon on rhythm guitar when necessary?

Yep, and bring back the B3. I've long advocated for making Journey a six-piece.


later~

[Gideon]

Augeri managed to pull it off; there's a boot on Youtube discovered by TNC that shows them playing Precious Time. Arnel could do it.

[SF-Dano]

Augeri managed to pull it off; there's a boot on Youtube discovered by TNC that shows them playing Precious Time. Arnel could do it.

Saw them do Precious Time with Augeri at Konocti Harbor (Clear Lake, CA). It sounded great and was such a treat to hear. One of those tunes I never thought I would hear live.

[RockInDetroit]

I can not see this working Rolie is talking about a "reunion". Journey would ahve to kick out their newer members including Jon. Would they do this without Steve Perry? Too many obstacles. I always thought Greg was bitter towards Journey. Sounds like he needs the money.

[Michigan Girl]

If it were an actual reunion, I would do that too ...mmmmhmmm!

[maverick218]

That would be awesome, but I wonder how that would work with Jon. Double keys/Jon on rhythm guitar when necessary?

Let Jon Stay home

[maverick218]

I can not see this working Rolie is talking about a "reunion". Journey would ahve to kick out their newer members including Jon. Would they do this without Steve Perry? Too many obstacles. I always thought Greg was bitter towards Journey. Sounds like he needs the money.

I never heard that he was "bitter" towards the band. My understanding has always been that he was tired of being on the road, AND saw that Perry was becoming a more powerful, dictating force in the band and he wanted no part of that.

[cammiecam]

I dunno about a "reunion" but I do know Gregg will be at Iridium in NYC the evening after Journey plays the Barclay Center. Maybe he'll make an appearance on stage at the Journey show. I will be there and I'm pretty sure I'll be seeing Gregg the next night also. I'm only speculating (and wishing). Guess we'll just have to wait and see.

**back into lurkdom**

[Gideon]

That would be awesome, but I wonder how that would work with Jon. Double keys/Jon on rhythm guitar when necessary?

Let Jon Stay home

Nah.

[Don Wishon]

Gregg returns to Dallas on Friday, October 26 - Poor David's Pub - performing with Austin blues guitarist Alan Haynes.

http://greggroliedallas2012.eventbrite.com

[Just Saying]

Gregg Rolie On A Journey Reunion: ‘I Would Do That!’

August 30, 2012 3:21 PM

http://womc.cbslocal.com/2012/08/30/gre ... d-do-that/

Roll and Roll Hall of Fame keyboardist/singer Gregg Rolie recently told CBS Local that he’d be amicable to doing a Brian Wilson/Beach Boys-style reunion with Santana, where he’d rejoin the band for an album and/or tour. But what about Journey, the band he and guitarist Neal Schon formed after they left Santana?

“I would do that! It’s just a matter of doing it, and the timing,” he tells CBS Local.

Rolie has kept good relations with Schon (the only founding member who has been on every Journey album). In fact, a few years ago when Journey played Austin, Texas, Rolie joined them onstage for one of the classics from his era with the band, “Just The Same Way” (from 1979′s Evolution.)

Rolie says that he had a blast that night, and that he was surprised by the audience reaction, as he had been out of the band for nearly three decades by that point. “I was kind of shocked. A friend of mine was in the audience, and a guy right behind him said, ‘that’s Greg f***ing Rolie!’ I didn’t know that was my middle name!”

When Journey started, it was a four-piece band with Rolie handling all the lead vocals. Singer Steve Perry joined the band in 1978 after the band had released three albums. After Perry became the lead singer, Rolie concentrated more on keyboards and backing vocals. So what does he think of Perry’s replacement, Arnel Pineda, the Pilipino singer who has been with the band since 2007? (For those who don’t know, Neal Schon saw videos of Pineda singing Journey covers, reached out to him, and offered him the opportunity to audition for the group).

“Arnel’s great, those guys really changed his life. That was a cool thing, what a great story.” But as far as joining the current incarnation of the band for a reunion? “The ball’s in their court. But it’s not on the front burner right now.”

For the moment, Rolie is hoping to work with Ringo Starr again (he played in Ringo Starr’s All-Starr Band this summer), and is working on his next album.

“I’ve recorded six songs,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll get it out by early next year.”

– Brian Ives, CBS Local

I'm so glad Steve Perry and Greg Rolie are on speaking terms again...They were spotted about a year ago
in Las Vegas, Nevada eating lunch at Rounders ....A Portuguese/American Restaurant........Steve was being a clown that day because his waitress was named Sherry.....The clark county paper said Steve Perry sang the first bar of "Oh Sherry" to a portuguese waitress and took a photo with her on August 5th 2011

[Majestic]

As much as I loved what he did with Perry (but hated his work as lead before Perry) I would be much more excited to seem him and Schon pull off another Abraxas Pool effort than a Journey reunion. R & R hall of famer or no, I think Cain's musicianship is much better, and Cain can cover Greg's vocals well enough.

Abraxas Pool II, Greg! Journey's alright without you.

[slucero]

As much as I loved what he did with Perry (but hated his work as lead before Perry) I would be much more excited to seem him and Schon pull off another Abraxas Pool effort than a Journey reunion. R & R hall of famer or no, I think Cain's musicianship is much better, and Cain can cover Greg's vocals well enough.

Abraxas Pool II, Greg! Journey's alright without you.

Cains a better writer and a piano/synth player... but have you HEARD Cain blow a harp????

Rolie plays rings around Cain on the Hammond B3, the Moog and harmonica...

[cammiecam]

As much as I loved what he did with Perry (but hated his work as lead before Perry) I would be much more excited to seem him and Schon pull off another Abraxas Pool effort than a Journey reunion. R & R hall of famer or no, I think Cain's musicianship is much better, and Cain can cover Greg's vocals well enough.

Abraxas Pool II, Greg! Journey's alright without you.

Awwww... Hated? Better musician? Not that I'm qualified to speak on who I think is better... I just think they have very different styles. Hate tho! Such a strong word! I love his pre-SP work with Journey - the first album and Look Into The Future specifically, but I'd totally be behind an Abraxas Pool II. I think that's some of his best "solo" work.

[strangegrey]

why the hell do they even need Arnel? That was fucking brilliant, and that little shit wasn't even on the stage....