JSS's Time in Journey

[Trace123321]

Although I am a SP purist, and admittedly, did like the contrast of SA in Journey, I have to say that I really like JSS and am sorry that his tenure in Journey was so short. I know that there are a lot of SP nutswingers who refused to give him a chance, including the tools in the band themselves. I have to say that Cain and Schon irked me beyond measure. It is their band and they can do with it what they will, however, I think that JSS reinvigorated Journey and would have a been a great long-term lead singer.

Let the flaming begin.

[steveo777]

Although I am a SP purist, and admittedly, did like the contrast of SA in Journey, I have to say that I really like JSS and am sorry that his tenure in Journey was so short. I know that there are a lot of SP nutswingers who refused to give him a chance, including the tools in the band themselves. I have to say that Cain and Schon irked me beyond measure. It is their band and they can do with it what they will, however, I think that JSS reinvigorated Journey and would have a been a great long-term lead singer.

Let the flaming begin.

Wrong. Nothing and nobody reinvigorated Journey post Perry like Augeri, but especially like Pineda has. No matter what, Journey made the best business decision and Journey IS a business. What is it that some of you people don't understand about this? Do I agree with the way it was handled? NO Do I think replacing JSS was the right decision? Absolutely. Nothing against Jeff, as most here will agree, he is a great singer but he just wasn't the right fit for the enduring Journey sound.

[Rick]

Although I am a SP purist, and admittedly, did like the contrast of SA in Journey, I have to say that I really like JSS and am sorry that his tenure in Journey was so short. I know that there are a lot of SP nutswingers who refused to give him a chance, including the tools in the band themselves. I have to say that Cain and Schon irked me beyond measure. It is their band and they can do with it what they will, however, I think that JSS reinvigorated Journey and would have a been a great long-term lead singer.

Let the flaming begin.

I would have loved to see them do an album with Jeff and a proper tour, at the very least. They should have given him that much of a chance. He was really doing an excellent job on the tour they had with him, especially after he had had a few months to get the hang of singing that stuff.

As far as Perry goes, he just can't or won't do the touring anymore, so there was really no option there. As far as Arnel goes, I think he's doing a great job, all things considered.

[Journey/Survivor]

Although I am a SP purist, and admittedly, did like the contrast of SA in Journey, I have to say that I really like JSS and am sorry that his tenure in Journey was so short. I know that there are a lot of SP nutswingers who refused to give him a chance, including the tools in the band themselves. I have to say that Cain and Schon irked me beyond measure. It is their band and they can do with it what they will, however, I think that JSS reinvigorated Journey and would have a been a great long-term lead singer.

Let the flaming begin.

Wrong. Nothing and nobody reinvigorated Journey post Perry like Augeri, but especially like Pineda has. No matter what, Journey made the best business decision and Journey IS a business. What is it that some of you people don't understand about this? Do I agree with the way it was handled? NO Do I think replacing JSS was the right decision? Absolutely. Nothing against Jeff, as most here will agree, he is a great singer but he just wasn't the right fit for the enduring Journey sound.

Great post. I fully agree with that entire post, Steveo777.

[slucero]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

[steveo777]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

Fact or your opinion? I agree that those things set the time as ripe for Journey to make a comeback but I also believe the band is carrying themselves on their own merits with their current lead singer. The true test of this would be to replace the singer again and see what happens, of course. My bet is that someone of lesser vocal ability than Pineda and they would be playing to much smaller audiences. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Pineda is doing the kind of job that is making them worthy of their current success.

[MotherCitay]

I agree 100% ... JSS is probably thanking his Mama that his voice didn't end up as toast.

Arnel may be bacon & scrambled egg right now, or honey on old muesli - but soon to be Journey toast.

That catalogue toasted even Steve Perry, who today is rare as roast beef.

[slucero]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

Fact or your opinion? I agree that those things set the time as ripe for Journey to make a comeback but I also believe the band is carrying themselves on their own merits with their current lead singer. The true test of this would be to replace the singer again and see what happens, of course. My bet is that someone of lesser vocal ability than Pineda and they would be playing to much smaller audiences. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Pineda is doing the kind of job that is making them worthy of their current success.

Absent the attention the DSB resurgence got them.. there would be no buzz, no press, no new younger fans, no reminded fans from the heydey... no Walmart deal.... no Revelation...

The band is riding (touring) the coattails of that, with a fabulous replacement singer who does justice to the "legacy" (Jon's and Neal's words)... and they are milking what is left...

That's not success.. that's surviving.

If they truly were having real success, it would be with new music that is as in demand as the hits of their heydey. Clearly that is not the case. One need only look at the "success" of Eclipse, and any of their setlists, of which 95% of the songs are 35 years old.

[steveo777]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

Fact or your opinion? I agree that those things set the time as ripe for Journey to make a comeback but I also believe the band is carrying themselves on their own merits with their current lead singer. The true test of this would be to replace the singer again and see what happens, of course. My bet is that someone of lesser vocal ability than Pineda and they would be playing to much smaller audiences. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Pineda is doing the kind of job that is making them worthy of their current success.

Absent the attention the DSB resurgence got them.. there would be no buzz, no press, no new younger fans, no reminded fans from the heydey... no Walmart deal.... no Revelation...

The band is riding (touring) the coattails of that, with a fabulous replacement singer who does justice to the "legacy" (Jon's and Neal's words)... and they are milking what is left...

That's not success.. that's surviving.

If they truly were having real success, it would be with new music that is as in demand as the hits of their heydey. Clearly that is not the case. One need only look at the "success" of Eclipse, and any of their setlists, of which 95% of the songs are 35 years old.

That should be pretty good "milk" for Arnel, especially if he is frugal with his money. What he makes is a hell of a lot of money where he lives! I'd love to believe he is set for life. He deserves it. The rest of the band should never need to worry about money either. I'd say they pretty much have perpetual income.

[Gideon]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

Fact or your opinion? I agree that those things set the time as ripe for Journey to make a comeback but I also believe the band is carrying themselves on their own merits with their current lead singer. The true test of this would be to replace the singer again and see what happens, of course. My bet is that someone of lesser vocal ability than Pineda and they would be playing to much smaller audiences. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Pineda is doing the kind of job that is making them worthy of their current success.

Absent the attention the DSB resurgence got them.. there would be no buzz, no press, no new younger fans, no reminded fans from the heydey... no Walmart deal.... no Revelation...

The band is riding (touring) the coattails of that, with a fabulous replacement singer who does justice to the "legacy" (Jon's and Neal's words)... and they are milking what is left...

That's not success.. that's surviving.

If they truly were having real success, it would be with new music that is as in demand as the hits of their heydey. Clearly that is not the case. One need only look at the "success" of Eclipse, and any of their setlists, of which 95% of the songs are 35 years old.

Success doesn't have an expiration date. DSB is a product of Jon, Neal, and Perry. Two-thirds of that is still relevant. If I create or co-create a product that, years later, achieves longevity and makes me money, that's still a success and it's still mine.

The fact that it ultimately came from 1981 when Jon Cain turned this band into something worth listening to doesn't change that.

[slucero]

I'm not questioning what any of them makes... I'm questioning how anyone could call their recent "success" the result of their own doing.... because it isn't.

Revelation vs. the abysmal failure of Eclipse is proof enough of that. Revelation was as close as you could get to "vintage" Journey this century and it did nothing to put the band back on the map. Eclipse isn't even worth discussing.

Augeri, JSS, Pineda.. they're ALL replacement singers.. hired to perpetuate the Perry-era legacy. If Augeri had not gotten sick and could still sing the songs like he could when they hired him.. he'd STILL be in the band.. and JSS would never have been hired.... and Arnel would still be slogging it out in Asia..

Their recent notoriety is a gift, not of their own making... and they're simply gonna tour it into retirement.

[slucero]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

Fact or your opinion? I agree that those things set the time as ripe for Journey to make a comeback but I also believe the band is carrying themselves on their own merits with their current lead singer. The true test of this would be to replace the singer again and see what happens, of course. My bet is that someone of lesser vocal ability than Pineda and they would be playing to much smaller audiences. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Pineda is doing the kind of job that is making them worthy of their current success.

Absent the attention the DSB resurgence got them.. there would be no buzz, no press, no new younger fans, no reminded fans from the heydey... no Walmart deal.... no Revelation...

The band is riding (touring) the coattails of that, with a fabulous replacement singer who does justice to the "legacy" (Jon's and Neal's words)... and they are milking what is left...

That's not success.. that's surviving.

If they truly were having real success, it would be with new music that is as in demand as the hits of their heydey. Clearly that is not the case. One need only look at the "success" of Eclipse, and any of their setlists, of which 95% of the songs are 35 years old.

Success doesn't have an expiration date. DSB is a product of Jon, Neal, and Perry. Two-thirds of that is still relevant. If I create or co-create a product that, years later, achieves longevity and makes me money, that's still a success and it's still mine.

The fact that it ultimately came from 1981 when Jon Cain turned this band into something worth listening to doesn't change that.

And their recent success is a product of of The Chicago White Sox & Steve Perry, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants.. absent that and they'd be playing the fair circuit again.

They currently are successful touring, playing the old songs.

Not making new music.

[steveo777]

I'm not questioning what any of them makes... I'm questioning how anyone could call their recent "success" the result of their own doing.... because it isn't.

Revelation vs. the abysmal failure of Eclipse is proof enough of that. Revelation was as close as you could get to "vintage" Journey this century and it did nothing to put the band back on the map. Eclipse isn't even worth discussing.

Augeri, JSS, Pineda.. they're ALL replacement singers.. hired to perpetuate the Perry-era legacy. If Augeri had not gotten sick and could still sing the songs like he could when they hired him.. he'd STILL be in the band.. and JSS would never have been hired.... and Arnel would still be slogging it out in Asia..

Their recent notoriety is a gift, not of their own making... and they're simply gonna tour it into retirement.

Hehehe "You Didn't Build This"

[slucero]

I'm not questioning what any of them makes... I'm questioning how anyone could call their recent "success" the result of their own doing.... because it isn't.

Revelation vs. the abysmal failure of Eclipse is proof enough of that. Revelation was as close as you could get to "vintage" Journey this century and it did nothing to put the band back on the map. Eclipse isn't even worth discussing.

Augeri, JSS, Pineda.. they're ALL replacement singers.. hired to perpetuate the Perry-era legacy. If Augeri had not gotten sick and could still sing the songs like he could when they hired him.. he'd STILL be in the band.. and JSS would never have been hired.... and Arnel would still be slogging it out in Asia..

Their recent notoriety is a gift, not of their own making... and they're simply gonna tour it into retirement.

Hehehe "You Didn't Build This"

No... They built it 35 years ago.. The recent notoriety they didn't build.

Nothing wrong with that.

[steveo777]

I'm not questioning what any of them makes... I'm questioning how anyone could call their recent "success" the result of their own doing.... because it isn't.

Revelation vs. the abysmal failure of Eclipse is proof enough of that. Revelation was as close as you could get to "vintage" Journey this century and it did nothing to put the band back on the map. Eclipse isn't even worth discussing.

Augeri, JSS, Pineda.. they're ALL replacement singers.. hired to perpetuate the Perry-era legacy. If Augeri had not gotten sick and could still sing the songs like he could when they hired him.. he'd STILL be in the band.. and JSS would never have been hired.... and Arnel would still be slogging it out in Asia..

Their recent notoriety is a gift, not of their own making... and they're simply gonna tour it into retirement.

Hehehe "You Didn't Build This"

No... They built it 35 years ago.. The recent notoriety they didn't build.

Nothing wrong with that.

Surfs up and it's a pretty good wave they're riding. I disagree on part of what you said though. They are playing at places they have never played before and having Pineda in the band helped open up some of those doors, so where I disagree is that there is some recent notoriety. I'm still feeling these guys have one more great album in them IF they go back to the Journey formula. Not only was Eclipse not well promoted, but really when you think about it, it's a Neal Schon album with AP on vocals.....a far stray from a casual fan's Journey record. Neal doesn't sell many albums of his own either but I appreciate them.

[slucero]

Surfs up and it's a pretty good wave they're riding. I disagree on part of what you said though. They are playing at places they have never played before and having Pineda in the band helped open up some of those doors, so where I disagree is that there is some recent notoriety. I'm still feeling these guys have one more great album in them IF they go back to the Journey formula. Not only was Eclipse not well promoted, but really when you think about it, it's a Neal Schon album with AP on vocals.....a far stray from a casual fan's Journey record. Neal doesn't sell many albums of his own either but I appreciate them.

Where they play "then vs now" is not relevant, because I'm referring to WHAT is affording them that opportunity. And that is the buzz they received from DSB,

• NOT because they were out there touring and playing it
• NOT because of new Journey music creating a buzz about the band

.. but DSB... a 35 year old song.. resurrected by the ChiSox and SP, The Sopranos and Glee.


I'll be really surprised if they ever do another album... They've done 2 albums in 5 years. There is no interest in new Journey music by fans or labels unless Perry is singing, nor does there appear to be interest by Journey to record on a yearly basis even with Arnel singing. New music is not a priority for them. Touring is it.

[wednesday's child]

Okay, let's flip it somewhat back to the original thrust of the thread, then.


Taking Sopranos and Glee into consideration (by which time Augeri and Perry were not options, lol)
could Jeff have helped Journey milk their return to pop relevance just as well as they did with Arnel
on board? Remember that Arnel brought in buzz of his own, what with that YouTube discovery and
homeless-on-the-streets backstory.

I've only seen a few vids of a Jeff-fronted Journey (Raza, etc.) and I feel he does a good job on them.
He certainly brought english pronunciaton superior to the best that Arnel has shown so far, and he
brought loads of frontman charisma --which may ultimately be a critical part of the problem that some
older Journey members seem to have had with Jeff's continued stay.

A generous way to put it is that it may have altered a personality-dynamic in the band. The new guy
had charisma of the bad-boy sort (nothing like the appeal of Perry or Augeri) and may have disturbed
the group dynamic on a performance and personal level beyond the older members' tolerance. Arnel
was, by comparison, totally non-threatening to anyone's ego, and he certainly had the range and the
power to sing the songs. Personally, I think Jeff brings more to the table, for a Journey that wants to
start making new music as a group, and is willing to share the creative process with the new guy (lol,
ri-iiight). Arnel offered more to a Journey that wanted to extend a PR buzz and fill concert seats.

JM2. YMMV.

[DracIsBack]

The fact that it ultimately came from 1981 when Jon Cain turned this band into something worth listening to doesn't change that.

You think stuff before 1981 isn't worth listening to. Others do. What makes you right and them wrong?

[Trace123321]

[quote="steveo777"][quote="Trace123321"]Although I am a SP purist, and admittedly, did like the contrast of SA in Journey, I have to say that I really like JSS and am sorry that his tenure in Journey was so short. I know that there are a lot of SP nutswingers who refused to give him a chance, including the tools in the band themselves. I have to say that Cain and Schon irked me beyond measure. It is their band and they can do with it what they will, however, [b]I think that JSS reinvigorated Journey [/b]and would have a been a great long-term lead singer.

Let the flaming begin. [/quote]

Wrong. Nothing and nobody reinvigorated Journey post Perry like Augeri, but especially like Pineda has. No matter what, Journey made the best business decision and Journey IS a business. What is it that some of you people don't understand about this? Do I agree with the way it was handled? NO Do I think replacing JSS was the right decision? Absolutely. Nothing against Jeff, as most here will agree, he is a great singer but he just wasn't the right fit for the enduring Journey sound.[/quote]

Respectfully disagree with your post. There are far too many that believe that Journey HAS to sound like the SP days, which is why AP has been so warmly embraced as the lead singer. I recognize AP's talent and can most certainly appreciate how his being in the band has helped to increase Journey's exposure. From a personal taste stand point, the richest and power of JSS voice I felt was a welcome addition. The enduring Journey sound that you referenced has been cannibalized by the band itself. The classics still sound like the classics, but I would have to say that most anything pre-JC has been changed to incorporate his style of playing and that is something that I, as a Journey fan, do not like. Take AWYWI...the richness of GR's Hammond B-3 has been supplanted by JC's 80's era synth. Makes the song sound like something it was not intended to be like in the first place.

[Ritchie]

I have some Malmsteen albums with Jeff singing on some songs,one of those is called "Inspiration" an album with covers of Yngwie's favorite tunes from classic rockbands.
On "Mistreated"(Deep Purple)Jeff nails the vocals without being a carbon copy of Coverdale..I think this vocal style fits Jeff like a glove.
I believe Pineda does the same job on the Journey classics he sounds familiar but is not an exact SP copy.
I remember a discussion with someone regarding the Journey singer issue..he said " You can't repaint the Mona Lisa"....I said "true,...but if the Mona Lisa was damaged who should renovate it .... a Picasso or a Da Vinci expert".

[slucero]

This would have been the direction I expected writing sessions with JSS, NS and JC to have taken.... It rocks, is melodic and Neal gets to shred on it... it sounds very "familiar"... yet is a departure from the more polished recent Journey sound. I think this is what Neal should have been pursuing.. and has always been pursuing... a less keyboard heavy Journey.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOAW6Q75FNw

[Gideon]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

Fact or your opinion? I agree that those things set the time as ripe for Journey to make a comeback but I also believe the band is carrying themselves on their own merits with their current lead singer. The true test of this would be to replace the singer again and see what happens, of course. My bet is that someone of lesser vocal ability than Pineda and they would be playing to much smaller audiences. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Pineda is doing the kind of job that is making them worthy of their current success.

Absent the attention the DSB resurgence got them.. there would be no buzz, no press, no new younger fans, no reminded fans from the heydey... no Walmart deal.... no Revelation...

The band is riding (touring) the coattails of that, with a fabulous replacement singer who does justice to the "legacy" (Jon's and Neal's words)... and they are milking what is left...

That's not success.. that's surviving.

If they truly were having real success, it would be with new music that is as in demand as the hits of their heydey. Clearly that is not the case. One need only look at the "success" of Eclipse, and any of their setlists, of which 95% of the songs are 35 years old.

Success doesn't have an expiration date. DSB is a product of Jon, Neal, and Perry. Two-thirds of that is still relevant. If I create or co-create a product that, years later, achieves longevity and makes me money, that's still a success and it's still mine.

The fact that it ultimately came from 1981 when Jon Cain turned this band into something worth listening to doesn't change that.

And their recent success is a product of of The Chicago White Sox & Steve Perry, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants.. absent that and they'd be playing the fair circuit again.

They currently are successful touring, playing the old songs.

Not making new music.

I never suggested that their success owed to new music. I'm simply saying, contrary to what you suggest, they are successful and the success they do have is theirs (not just Perry's or anyone else's) to have.

[Gideon]

The fact that it ultimately came from 1981 when Jon Cain turned this band into something worth listening to doesn't change that.

You think stuff before 1981 isn't worth listening to. Others do. What makes you right and them wrong?

No one said they were wrong. Liking vs not liking the pre-Cain stuff is a matter of opinion. The "fact" I alluded to was that the song responsible for Journey's modern success is DSB, which was entirely the result of Jon Cain's inclusion in this band.

[slucero]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

Fact or your opinion? I agree that those things set the time as ripe for Journey to make a comeback but I also believe the band is carrying themselves on their own merits with their current lead singer. The true test of this would be to replace the singer again and see what happens, of course. My bet is that someone of lesser vocal ability than Pineda and they would be playing to much smaller audiences. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Pineda is doing the kind of job that is making them worthy of their current success.

Absent the attention the DSB resurgence got them.. there would be no buzz, no press, no new younger fans, no reminded fans from the heydey... no Walmart deal.... no Revelation...

The band is riding (touring) the coattails of that, with a fabulous replacement singer who does justice to the "legacy" (Jon's and Neal's words)... and they are milking what is left...

That's not success.. that's surviving.

If they truly were having real success, it would be with new music that is as in demand as the hits of their heydey. Clearly that is not the case. One need only look at the "success" of Eclipse, and any of their setlists, of which 95% of the songs are 35 years old.

Success doesn't have an expiration date. DSB is a product of Jon, Neal, and Perry. Two-thirds of that is still relevant. If I create or co-create a product that, years later, achieves longevity and makes me money, that's still a success and it's still mine.

The fact that it ultimately came from 1981 when Jon Cain turned this band into something worth listening to doesn't change that.

And their recent success is a product of of The Chicago White Sox & Steve Perry, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants.. absent that and they'd be playing the fair circuit again.

They currently are successful touring, playing the old songs.

Not making new music.

I never suggested that their success owed to new music. I'm simply saying, contrary to what you suggest, they are successful and the success they do have is theirs (not just Perry's or anyone else's) to have.

Oh that I agree with..

[Journey/Survivor]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...

I agree with that part of your post. In the long-run, it was better for JSS that they didn't keep him in Journey long-term. If he had stayed in Journey long-term it would have destroyed his voice having to sing that catalog night-after-night year-after-year.

[maverick218]

I've always thought of JSS as a "vocal chameleon"- one who can sing in many different styles well (I mean that as a compliment). It would have shredded his voice if he had stayed in Journey, so being booted out was a good thing for his longevity in the music biz. The biggest thing that I was disappointed in was that he never really wrote but the one song with Neal and Jonathan (can't remember the song he wrote with them)- I believe that his song writing ability in the Journey fold could have really been something if it had panned out. Too bad that songwriting bridge was burned...

[FamilyMan]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

Fact or your opinion? I agree that those things set the time as ripe for Journey to make a comeback but I also believe the band is carrying themselves on their own merits with their current lead singer. The true test of this would be to replace the singer again and see what happens, of course. My bet is that someone of lesser vocal ability than Pineda and they would be playing to much smaller audiences. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Pineda is doing the kind of job that is making them worthy of their current success.

Absent the attention the DSB resurgence got them.. there would be no buzz, no press, no new younger fans, no reminded fans from the heydey... no Walmart deal.... no Revelation...

The band is riding (touring) the coattails of that, with a fabulous replacement singer who does justice to the "legacy" (Jon's and Neal's words)... and they are milking what is left...

That's not success.. that's surviving.

If they truly were having real success, it would be with new music that is as in demand as the hits of their heydey. Clearly that is not the case. One need only look at the "success" of Eclipse, and any of their setlists, of which 95% of the songs are 35 years old.

DSB helped for sure. But take it from someone who had to pitch the bosses at CBS Sunday Morning, for whom Journey was not an easy sell. The Arnel Pineda story is what gave this band its resurgence.
Absent that hook, no network TV shows -- not ours, not Oprah, not Ellen -- are profiling Journey without Steve Perry.

[slucero]

I think Jeff got lucky to get out of it with his voice intact...


Journey had nothing to do with reinvigorating themselves.... that happened as a result of DSB, courtesy of The Chicago White Sox, The Sorpranos, Glee and the San Francisco Giants..

Fact or your opinion? I agree that those things set the time as ripe for Journey to make a comeback but I also believe the band is carrying themselves on their own merits with their current lead singer. The true test of this would be to replace the singer again and see what happens, of course. My bet is that someone of lesser vocal ability than Pineda and they would be playing to much smaller audiences. Gotta give credit where credit is due. Pineda is doing the kind of job that is making them worthy of their current success.

Absent the attention the DSB resurgence got them.. there would be no buzz, no press, no new younger fans, no reminded fans from the heydey... no Walmart deal.... no Revelation...

The band is riding (touring) the coattails of that, with a fabulous replacement singer who does justice to the "legacy" (Jon's and Neal's words)... and they are milking what is left...

That's not success.. that's surviving.

If they truly were having real success, it would be with new music that is as in demand as the hits of their heydey. Clearly that is not the case. One need only look at the "success" of Eclipse, and any of their setlists, of which 95% of the songs are 35 years old.

DSB helped for sure. But take it from someone who had to pitch the bosses at CBS Sunday Morning, for whom Journey was not an easy sell. The Arnel Pineda story is what gave this band its resurgence.
Absent that hook, no network TV shows -- not ours, not Oprah, not Ellen -- are profiling Journey without Steve Perry.

Sure I get that... the only angle you had, because Journey had no "new music buzz" (which was my original point).. was Arnels' story. Now that the novelty of Arnels story is pretty much over... he's just another of Journey's replacement singers.. and the band is no different than it was with SA or JSS songs.. a little more popular, and taking advantage of that as best they can.

I think its a good idea to look at this in the order that it happened.

2005 - DSB is the rallying cry for the Chisox 2005 Series run. That world Series generated a 11 share. That's 12,274, 900 households. (11 x 1,159,000 households)

2007 - DSB on the the Sopranos final episode - 11.9 million viewers

2008 - CBS Sunday Morning profile. (I had to re-watch that.. that was cool)

2009 - DSB on the pilot episode of Glee (insane viewership)

2009 - DSB is played played at Dodger home games throughout the 2009 season

2010 - DSB became the unofficial anthem for the Giants' 2010 postseason, used during the end montage following the Fox network's coverage of the 2010 World Series.


Certainly Journey's TV appearances have helped them, but IMHO nowhere near as much as DSB's resurgence in the public consciousness has. In all honesty i think it was Glee that was the catalyst... that audience is huge and young. It's what propelled the Itunes sales of DSB.

Arnel's story may ave been the "bait".. but DSB is the "hook" (pun intended)

[tater1977]

This would have been the direction I expected writing sessions with JSS, NS and JC to have taken.... It rocks, is melodic and Neal gets to shred on it... it sounds very "familiar"... yet is a departure from the more polished recent Journey sound. I think this is what Neal should have been pursuing.. and has always been pursuing... a less keyboard heavy Journey.


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MOAW6Q75FNw

I get that neal wanted to reformat his band & get back on the road.. That he wanted to do
more "rockin" stuff...With this song..it sounded like a great match for a reformatted band..
He didn't want to live in the past but wanted to "move forward"...
How come neal didn't go along this line back then?
All they are doing now...is what he didn't want to do back then...

[Gideon]

Neal knows where his bread is buttered. Journey hasn't gotten a lot of opportunities to reinvent themselves, and what few they had they squandered, either by their own incompetence or management's. I firmly believe that had they put 'Resonate' front and center, minus the minute of Gregorian chants, it might have done something. It's a driving, pulsating song. Has more balls than a pool table.