"Never Too Late" - Underrated

[The_Noble_Cause]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AH_XuV81SA

In a recent interview, Neal admitted that removing "Ask the Lonely" and "Only the Young" off of Frontiers was a huge mistake. He's right, and as far as Journey mistakes go, it definitely ranks up there (not replacing Perry with Chalfant is another one). An equally blunder-headed record sequencing mistake, (for a much less successful album), was ditching "Never Too Late" on the initial US release of Generations. Can anyone in the band, or working behind-the-scenes for Nomotoa, possibly justify including "Butterfly" "or "Gone Crazy" over this lush melodic gem? What were they thinking? Andrew's early review of the Japan release of Arrival famously influenced Neal to go back and add two extra rock tracks to the domestic release. If only someone had been able to act as the musical crossing guard for the Generations sessions and direct them back to their former glory. If anyone ever asks you how and why you still follow this band after Perry left, be sure to play them "Higher Place" or this standout track.

For me, "Never Too Late" (or NTL) lands somewhere in the top ten tracks Journey has composed in the post-Perry era. The band would cannibalize it only a few years later with "Never Walk Away" on Revelation, which sounded like a cross between NTL and the JSS/Schon collaboration, "Believe In Me."

[Journey/Survivor]

I do love NTL. And it should have been on the American release of Generations too.

As for OTY and ATL, like I said in another thread, I prefer the way that the album was released, with BT and TC on it.

Yes, OTY and ATL probably would have helped Frontiers sell even better than it did. But, in my opinion, it's a better album with BT and TC on it, and OTY and ATL having been released on soundtracks, Greatest Hits and Time 3.

Survivor made a big mistake by not including "Burning Heart" on their "When Seconds Count" album. It would have helped boost sales, and would have added a much needed Rocker to the album.

[Hollywood]

I do love NTL. And it should have been on the American release of Generations too.

As for OTY and ATL, like I said in another thread, I prefer the way that the album was released, with BT and TC on it.

Yes, OTY and ATL probably would have helped Frontiers sell even better than it did. But, in my opinion, it's a better album with BT and TC on it, and OTY and ATL having been released on soundtracks, Greatest Hits and Time 3.

Survivor made a big mistake by not including "Burning Heart" on their "When Seconds Count" album. It would have helped boost sales, and would have added a much needed Rocker to the album.

It was on the US version of Generations. Just not the version given out at the shows. When Sanctuary released the record it was there.

Also, To Be Alive again was initially the Japanese Bonus Track from Arrival, but early reviews cause them to switch it up.

[scarab]

I can see it in your eyes should have been on TBF, remove one of the hideous ballads and put that one there.. youve got a great album

[Eric]

Great crunchy rocker....

[The_Noble_Cause]

It was on the US version of Generations. Just not the version given out at the shows. When Sanctuary released the record it was there.

The concert giveaway version WAS the US release. The Sanctuary deal was a total afterthought and the cd was dumped into stores with ZERO fanfare or publicity. Neal was inspired by Prince, who also gave cds away at shows.
At the time, such a ploy actually counted toward Billboard sales. By the time of Generations, this was changed. Much like the Perry re-records, the concert giveaway idea was a backdoor idea for Journey to get back on the charts (without actually having to convince consumers to purchase new material).
And even on the eventual Sanctuary release, NTL was dumped at the tail end of the album, as if it's some throwaway B-side. "Baby, I'm a Leavin You" on Trial By Fire is a great example of a bonus track. It is just a little candy, and the guys are messing around. "Gone Crazy" with Ross doing his best ZZ Top homage should've been the Gens bonus track. But not Never Too Late. No sir, that's musical prime real estate and could have been the cd opener.

[carleysdad]

Although I agree with your assessment of the song "Never Too Late" I have to disagree with you about Kevin Chalfant. He would NOT have made a good lead singer for Journey.

[The_Noble_Cause]

He would NOT have made a good lead singer for Journey.

Two classic Storm records and the personal endorsement of Herbie Herbert tells me otherwise. Out of Augeri, JSS, and Arnel - I am not sure if any of these guys were the right "fit" so to speak.

[Memorex]

He would NOT have made a good lead singer for Journey.

Two classic Storm records and the personal endorsement of Herbie Herbert tells me otherwise. Out of Augeri, JSS, and Arnel - I am not sure if any of these guys were the right "fit" so to speak.

Well, one classic Storm record and then another Storm record.

[StoneCold]

Although I agree with your assessment of the song "Never Too Late" I have to disagree with you about Kevin Chalfant. He would NOT have made a good lead singer for Journey.

You don't say why. One thing I can tell from what I've read/seen about him is he wouldn't have been a pushover for Schon/Cain. This would've made the band better imo.

No doubt, Journey would've had a successful post-Perry career if KC had helmed it. Perry knew this as well.

Here's an recent interview clip with him. He sings a couple Journey and one Storm here.

4:30 - Lights
8:30 - IGALTLAL
1645 - Stay Awhile

Kevin Chalfant live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjfhzyxJtF0

[Deb]

Although I agree with your assessment of the song "Never Too Late" I have to disagree with you about Kevin Chalfant. He would NOT have made a good lead singer for Journey.

Agree on both counts. Never too Late and Better Life are actually the 2 I like the most on Generations, especially Better Life. Also agree the above mentioned 2 songs should never have been left off of Frontiers. Regarding Chalfant, it's just me but I've never understood the rave regarding him fronting Journey. Nothing against the guy, saw him perform live at MR1 and he was good, but IMO he is sounds like one of many interchangable legacy sounding Journey singers. Out of the Augeri, Chalfant, JSS and Pineda........the only one that wasn't a sound alike was JSS, but yet brought the oldschool Journey vocalist deliverability to the role. And just my brutally honest opinion, I think it boiled down to them a) not having the balls to take the chance of stepping even a slight bit away from the legacy sound and b) gawd forbid, the alpha dogs having a non "yes" man fronting the band again. With the 3 differing personalities, I think they could have wrote some great stuff together given in the chance (reminiscent of the give/take writing style of Schon/Perry/Cain). I think JSS would have been the push needed. And if the Schon/Soto tune "Believe in Me" was any indication...........

Have to say I agree with Perry's quotes on JSS in his MR interview.

"By the way, of all three singers – now I've not heard the other two, but I know in his own right, with his own music, with his own songwriting ability, this guy's a very talented guy! And of all three maybe they should have stuck with him and continued to write music, but that might have required that they let him in emotionally a little more? (laughing)"

"Maybe.... But I think that might have been a challenge. And so I think that possibly, he was the one that I think would have been a growth because he brought a lot of his own self in to it."

[Ehwmatt]

Although I agree with your assessment of the song "Never Too Late" I have to disagree with you about Kevin Chalfant. He would NOT have made a good lead singer for Journey.

Agree on both counts. Never too Late and Better Life are actually the 2 I like the most on Generations, especially Better Life. Also agree the above mentioned 2 songs should never have been left off of Frontiers. Regarding Chalfant, it's just me but I've never understood the rave regarding him fronting Journey. Nothing against the guy, saw him perform live at MR1 and he was good, but IMO he is sounds like one of many interchangable legacy sounding Journey singers. Out of the Augeri, Chalfant, JSS and Pineda........the only one that wasn't a sound alike was JSS, but yet brought the oldschool Journey vocalist deliverability to the role. And just my brutally honest opinion, I think it boiled down to them a) not having the balls to take the chance of stepping even a slight bit away from the legacy sound and b) gawd forbid, the alpha dogs having a non "yes" man fronting the band again. With the 3 differing personalities, I think they could have wrote some great stuff together given in the chance (reminiscent of the give/take writing style of Schon/Perry/Cain). I think JSS would have been the push needed. And if the Schon/Soto tune "Believe in Me" was any indication...........

Have to say I agree with Perry's quotes on JSS in his MR interview.

"By the way, of all three singers – now I've not heard the other two, but I know in his own right, with his own music, with his own songwriting ability, this guy's a very talented guy! And of all three maybe they should have stuck with him and continued to write music, but that might have required that they let him in emotionally a little more? (laughing)"

"Maybe.... But I think that might have been a challenge. And so I think that possibly, he was the one that I think would have been a growth because he brought a lot of his own self in to it."

Perry's comments were incredibly disingenuous. First, you know he's damn well heard all the replacements. Second, he praised JSS the most because JSS posed the lowest threat to his "legacy"-not because JSS is less talented than the other guys, but because JSS is simply a different singer. Nobody-not even the most casual fans-would confuse JSS for Perry. I guarantee you Perry reels every time he hears "Steve Perry with a perm" or "sounds just like Perry" being tossed about with Arnel, Augeri, Jeremey, etc. In short, the comments bespeak his insecurity.

[Ehwmatt]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1AH_XuV81SA

In a recent interview, Neal admitted that removing "Ask the Lonely" and "Only the Young" off of Frontiers was a huge mistake. He's right, and as far as Journey mistakes go, it definitely ranks up there (not replacing Perry with Chalfant is another one). An equally blunder-headed record sequencing mistake, (for a much less successful album), was ditching "Never Too Late" on the initial US release of Generations. Can anyone in the band, or working behind-the-scenes for Nomotoa, possibly justify including "Butterfly" "or "Gone Crazy" over this lush melodic gem? What were they thinking? Andrew's early review of the Japan release of Arrival famously influenced Neal to go back and add two extra rock tracks to the domestic release. If only someone had been able to act as the musical crossing guard for the Generations sessions and direct them back to their former glory. If anyone ever asks you how and why you still follow this band after Perry left, be sure to play them "Higher Place" or this standout track.

For me, "Never Too Late" (or NTL) lands somewhere in the top ten tracks Journey has composed in the post-Perry era. The band would cannibalize it only a few years later with "Never Walk Away" on Revelation, which sounded like a cross between NTL and the JSS/Schon collaboration, "Believe In Me."

Funny you post this now. I just threw this on a few nights ago and jammed along with it on guitar. I always felt this way about the song and completely agree with you about it being left off Generations. Just fucking unreal they ever considered leaving it off. It's a much bigger blunder than leaving I Can See It In Your Eyes off TBF. That song's just okay. NTL was easily one of the best tracks in the last 15 years, and certainly one of the best from Generations.

[Final Frontiers]

Although I agree with your assessment of the song "Never Too Late" I have to disagree with you about Kevin Chalfant. He would NOT have made a good lead singer for Journey.

You don't say why. One thing I can tell from what I've read/seen about him is he wouldn't have been a pushover for Schon/Cain. This would've made the band better imo.

No doubt, Journey would've had a successful post-Perry career if KC had helmed it. Perry knew this as well.

Here's an recent interview clip with him. He sings a couple Journey and one Storm here.

4:30 - Lights
8:30 - IGALTLAL
1645 - Stay Awhile

Kevin Chalfant live
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hjfhzyxJtF0

I'm chargrined that KC didn't correct the host when he said that he sang with Journey for a year!!!! Exsqueeze me, I baking powder!!!! Doing one gig and writing one song with Journey does not a member make. Even if you counted all of the time KC was with The Vu, The Storm, and that one time he sang with Journey (that no film or recording actually exists of) it wouldn't amount to much worth interviewing him about. Seriously, KC needs to stop riding Gregg Rolie's jock. Poor KC, he's not even a has-been, he's a never-was. If he didn't have his minor Journey connection, nobody would care about him. He played "I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love" without even being asked to . Sadly, the music business is a young person's game. And if you haven't made it by a certain age.....

I agree with Stone Cold, while KC is an adequate singer. He's just not front man material. I think Neal wanted to have a *ahem* pretty lead singer for his band . Someone the women would like. Steve Perry was a pretty boy in the '70s-'80s, Arnel is a little doll, and JSS is a big, strong, strapping man. I wouldn't consider Augeri to be "pretty", but he was in shape back then. KC can't compete with them and he knows it.

[The_Noble_Cause]

And just my brutally honest opinion, I think it boiled down to them a) not having the balls to take the chance of stepping even a slight bit away from the legacy sound and b) gawd forbid, the alpha dogs having a non "yes" man fronting the band again.

According to a friend of mine, Trans Siberian Orchestra also got rid of JSS, despite rave reviews when he toured with them. There may be more to the story than the fans know.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Poor KC, he's not even a has-been, he's a never-was. If he didn't have his minor Journey connection, nobody would care about him. He played "I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love" without even being asked to . Sadly, the music business is a young person's game. And if you haven't made it by a certain age.....

If not for Journey, Augeri would still be swinging a wrench and working a blue collar job and toiling away in obscurity. Even after Journey, he is not a household name. And I think Augeri would be the first person to admit that. Chalfant, to his credit, has hung in there. For what it’s worth, he did the BG vocals on Dennis Deyoung’s last solo album. Of course, even Dennis posed the question him, “Why haven’t I heard of you before, Kevin Chalfant?” Also, would anybody, except for die hards, care about Jon Cain or Ross Valory, if not for their "Journey connection"? Your argument is invalid.

Steve Perry was a pretty boy in the '70s-'80s..

Actually, he was pretty fucking weird looking. The voice made the ladies swoon.

[RedWingFan]

He would NOT have made a good lead singer for Journey.

Two classic Storm records and the personal endorsement of Herbie Herbert tells me otherwise. Out of Augeri, JSS, and Arnel - I am not sure if any of these guys were the right "fit" so to speak.

And don't forget Chalfant's "Running With the Wind" cd. He would have been the much needed songwriter that they're sorely lacking now. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Foq0KAYmw2g

[Final Frontiers]

Poor KC, he's not even a has-been, he's a never-was. If he didn't have his minor Journey connection, nobody would care about him. He played "I've Got A Lot To Learn About Love" without even being asked to . Sadly, the music business is a young person's game. And if you haven't made it by a certain age.....

If not for Journey, Augeri would still be swinging a wrench and working a blue collar job and toiling away in obscurity. Even after Journey, he is not a household name. And I think Augeri would be the first person to admit that. Chalfant, to his credit, has hung in there. For what it’s worth, he did the BG vocals on Dennis Deyoung’s last solo album. Of course, even Dennis posed the question him, “Why haven’t I heard of you before, Kevin Chalfant?” Also, would anybody, except for die hards, care about Jon Cain or Ross Valory, if not for their "Journey connection"? Your argument is invalid.

Ross is the bass player . There's an entire page on TV Tropes titled "Nobody Cares About The Bass Player". Though he has his fans- if tumblr is to be believed .

My agrument is quite valid. Augeri is a never was too. But at least he has the actual credientals of having been in Journey with records and concerts and video to prove it. I always feel kind of bad for him. Didn't it come down to Tall Stories and Pearl Jam with the record company picking the later to put their money behind. Who knows how things could've turned out if it had gone the other way. My issue is that Chalfant is claiming Augeri levels of Journey membership and that is just flat out not so. I'm surprised that Neal & Jonathan don't make him cease and desist. Of course nobody cares about Chalfant and it would probably cost them more in legal fees than it's worth to get him to stop.

BTW, how is Augeri not hanging in there while Chalfant is and they're BOTH covering Journey tunes in concert? How big a deal is Chalfant if an industry vet like Dennis Deyoung doesn't know him and he's one of his contemporaries?

Steve Perry was a pretty boy in the '70s-'80s..

Actually, he was pretty fucking weird looking. The voice made the ladies swoon.[/quote]

When Journey was at it's biggest, I didn't have an opinion on anybody in the band's looks one way or the other. Now, in looking back and watching a lot of the old videos and concerts like The Midnight Special. It can't be denied- the camera LOVED Steve Perry. Almost 50% of every video is an extreme close up of him (and not just because he's the singer). The camera operators and directors knew just how to frame him to de-emphasize his nose. Plus he has the best hair and the tightest pants which is 75% of being a rock star, you know .

And just my brutally honest opinion, I think it boiled down to them a) not having the balls to take the chance of stepping even a slight bit away from the legacy sound and b) gawd forbid, the alpha dogs having a non "yes" man fronting the band again.

According to a friend of mine, Trans Siberian Orchestra also got rid of JSS, despite rave reviews when he toured with them. There may be more to the story than the fans know.

Now this is a game I'd like to play!!!! Why were Kevin Chalfant and Jeffery Scott Soto not allowed to continue the Journey? There has to be more to it than what we've heard and what they know. Chalfant, by his own admission, is a bit of a control freak who didn't want to let anyone else contribute to the writing process. That wasn't going to work with Neal and Jonathan and I believe they just didn't have the Perryesque chemistry they were looking/hoping for.

JSS (was probably never going to be a long term member anyway and they told him whatever they needed to, to get him on tour) and didn't sound enough like Perry to please Cain. But quote a great You Tube commenter, "JSS is the booty call of Rock & Roll- always there to help out a band in the middle of the night when they're desperate, but as soon as the daylight comes he has to do the walk of shame out of the band". Why is that? He seems to be a great guy and well liked. Is there some sort of flaw that none of us see? I want to know more about why TSO got rid of JSS too.

Admittedly, Augeri & Arnel are probably more agreeable "Yes Men" that Neal & Jonathan can run over than JSS would be. Now I can't help but think Chalfant would do whatever Neal & Jonathan wanted to get his foot in the door.

[The_Noble_Cause]

BTW, how is Augeri not hanging in there while Chalfant is and they're BOTH covering Journey tunes in concert?

Never said he wasn't. Augeri is also a survivor and has done very well for himself considering that his second chance at the AOR scene came one or two decades too late. My point is, you claim that Kevin Chalfant is a 'never was' and a nobody. And yet, household name recognition has alluded the singers who actually fronted Journey (SA, JSS) and even their longtime members (Schon who?)

Chalfant, by his own admission, is a bit of a control freak who didn't want to let anyone else contribute to the writing process.

While the word "primadonna" has been said about KC by others, I have never heard him put himself down this way. At the very least, I don't think he would've fired Ross, Smitty, or Herbie.

...and I believe they just didn't have the Perryesque chemistry they were looking/hoping for.

In both the Augeri and Arnel eras, the writing process has been monopolized by Cain/Schon, so where is the proof that they are even looking for writing chemistry? I think Cain is perfectly happy as Journey primary songwriter. He thinks he's Bernie Taupin.

JSS (was probably never going to be a long term member anyway and they told him whatever they needed to, to get him on tour) and didn't sound enough like Perry to please Cain.

Disagree. The band sent out a press release announcing him as an official member. This got picked up and carried by several major news outlets. Bands don't do that as a gag. Something else happened.

Now I can't help but think Chalfant would do whatever Neal & Jonathan wanted to get his foot in the door.

Maybe. It's a tough business. Chalfant needed a big break and outside of The Storm, he never really got it. He's tried gospel, and country. Like Jeremey and JSS, he is a footnote in the Journey legacy. Hopefully Frontiers contacts him and has him, Augeri, and JSS do a "Journey: Duets" cd or something cheesy along those lines.

[AR]

Always thought that was a good song.

[Final Frontiers]

Never said he wasn't. Augeri is also a survivor and has done very well for himself considering that his second chance at the AOR scene came one or two decades too late. My point is, you claim that Kevin Chalfant is a 'never was' and a nobody. And yet, household name recognition has alluded the singers who actually fronted Journey (SA, JSS) and even their longtime members (Schon who?)

Being on a first name basis with the public is one thing. But Journey and Neal and Jonathan have pop culture revelancy and all the fame and money that comes with it. Journey can get booked on The Today Show or Dancing With The Stars or any talk show they want day or night they want. Plus they have access to the best of everything including A list interviewers, accomodations, and the fawning of fans. They don't have to scrape by with podcasts and obscure internet websites. Augeri, JSS, Chalfant, and Hugo can't claim that.

Chalfant, by his own admission, is a bit of a control freak who didn't want to let anyone else contribute to the writing process.

While the word "primadonna" has been said about KC by others, I have never heard him put himself down this way. At the very least, I don't think he would've fired Ross, Smitty, or Herbie.

I paraphrased that he was a control freak. He needs/ed Ross, Smitty, Rolie, and Herbie to give him legitimacy. Ross & Herbie might be the only ones who would be on his side. I don't think Smitty was all that impressed with KC during The Storm.

This explains a little bit of his control issues.





Justin, I love how you ask sideways questions like this. I did give you a simple explanation for my decision back then. I own all of my master recordings. I can't really find any reason to change that and give anyone the rights to a recording that causes me to lose control of that recording. When Interscope Records turned music on it's ear in the 1990s, I decided then that I would own my recordings. In the end, this is all we have as artists. I appreciate your energy and desire to make great recordings, but I disagree with allowing others have the rights to the recordings. You have been successful at getting some very brilliant artists to sign on with you and I commend you for that. Maybe you just offered them a lot more than you offered me … I don't know.


http://www.libertynjustice.net/gettoknow_kevinc.php

...and I believe they just didn't have the Perryesque chemistry they were looking/hoping for.

In both the Augeri and Arnel eras, the writing process has been monopolized by Cain/Schon, so where is the proof that they are even looking for writing chemistry? I think Cain is perfectly happy as Journey primary songwriter. He thinks he's Bernie Taupin.

I don't just mean song writing chemistry. But also singing chemistry. They want someone who can sing the dirty dozen but also new stuff too. If they had amazing unquestionable chemistry with Chalfant or JSS they'd have kept them. Cain/Schon need somebody who can interpret their music and take it to the next level.

JSS (was probably never going to be a long term member anyway and they told him whatever they needed to, to get him on tour) and didn't sound enough like Perry to please Cain.

Disagree. The band sent out a press release announcing him as an official member. This got picked up and carried by several major news outlets. Bands don't do that as a gag. Something else happened.

They sent out a press release hiring JSS just as easily as they did firing him. It's just a sheet paper. With no recordings or tour books or professional videos or songs AKA physcial evidence- it was very easy to act like his tenure never happened. It should be called "Chalfanting" .

Now I can't help but think Chalfant would do whatever Neal & Jonathan wanted to get his foot in the door.

Maybe. It's a tough business. Chalfant needed a big break and outside of The Storm, he never really got it. He's tried gospel, and country. Like Jeremey and JSS, he is a footnote in the Journey legacy. Hopefully Frontiers contacts him and has him, Augeri, and JSS do a "Journey: Duets" cd or something cheesy along those lines.

Maybe they'll do something based off of the new R&B&Rock&Roll Journey album.

[The_Noble_Cause]

But Journey and Neal and Jonathan have pop culture revelancy and all the fame and money that comes with it. Journey can get booked on The Today Show or Dancing With The Stars or any talk show they want day or night they want.

Really? I think the members of the band would be pretty surprised to hear that. Where was this windfall of publicity back in 1998, when radio stations blacklisted the new lineup and the band was only playing in small theatres? Around the time of Arrival, the band could barely get arrested. The mass media attention high point was a guest spot on the cancelled reality show, Blind Date, in which Augeri was ridiculed, as well as a blink-and-you-miss-it segment on Access Hollywood. Let me enlighten you further, the band didn’t call their 2002 tour, “Under the Radar” in an attempt to be ironic. It was the truth. Regular MR poster, FamilyMan, who works for CBS, has even told us that getting the band TV coverage for the 2011 Eclipse album was an extremely tough sell.

They want someone who can sing the dirty dozen but also new stuff too…Cain/Schon need somebody who can interpret their music and take it to the next level.

Uh huh. That’s funny because Augeri was pretty uneven on his own material, not just the classic stuff. And Arnel’s the first singer to have an on-staff diction coach. I guess that’s what qualifies as “the next level” to you. Lip synching and reenacting scenes from “The King’s Speech” backstage.

It should be called "Chalfanting"

Beats trolling on a Journey message board sounding like an unknowledgeable asshole. At this point, it’s pretty obvious you are just carrying out a petty juvenile grudge. So Chalfant fucked your sister before you did? Is that it? Either way, spare me your factually erroneous pontificating on a subject you clearly know shit about.

[Final Frontiers]

What's with all the juvenile name calling? I didn't insult you once. How old are you?

As long as Journey plays "Don't Stop Believing" and "Open Arms" and "Faithfully" they'll always be able to get on TV. I just saw Foreigner on Jay Leno's last episodes where they did a greatest hits medley. Def Leppard and Heart and bunch of other bands were on DWTS when they had a seperate results show. The Today show when they do their Summer Concert Series has many different bands. No, most of those shows aren't interested in hearing new music. But they'll all take what they can get. The most important fact to revelancy is that "Faithfully" was just sung on American Idol (again) and "Lights" on The Voice and Glee rerecorded "Don't Stop Believin'".

How many Augeri era songs are covered? How many Pineda era songs are covered? How many Chalfant songs are covered? How many talk shows or syndicated shows or networks shows has Chalfant ever performed on?


Pop culture is cyclical 20 years ago when Journey was trying to get exposure with Augeri- no they weren't going to be on TV. Now, the people who were fans of them in their youth are happy to put their songs on TV, in commercials, in movies, and cover them. They don't see Journey as "their parents' music", but their own.

And I never said that either Augeri or Arnel were the ones to take their songs to the next level. Since that clearly hasn't happened. Schon & Cain seem to think so though or they did.

My issue with Chalfant is that he straight up fronts that he was in Journey for a significant amount of time without every correcting anybody. He promotes himself as Steve Perry's replacement for a time. You're right, maybe the definition of "Chalfanting" should be changed to lying about being in a big name band and being in a cover band without actually calling it a cover band.

The ULTIMATE Journey Experience

Kevin Chalfant's Journey Experience features Kevin Chalfant, and features all of the lights, sounds and Journey-esque atmosphere associated with what you expect from a show called the Journey Experience! This is not a cover band but a very talented singer who actually shared the stage with Journey, replacing Steve Perry for a time! He performs all the hits that made Journey famous; one fabulous hit after another!


Kevin Chalfant's Journey Experience features all of the lights, sounds and Journey-esque atmosphere you'd expect from a show called the Journey Experience! This is not a cover band but a very talented singer who served as the initial stand-in lead singer for Steve Perry with Journey LIVE! He performs all the hits that made Journey famous, one fabulous hit after another!


http://www.kevinchalfant.com/journeyexp ... about.html

The way you defend KC, I'm beginning to wonder are you him?

[Kor'n]

Although I agree with your assessment of the song "Never Too Late" I have to disagree with you about Kevin Chalfant. He would NOT have made a good lead singer for Journey.

Agree on both counts. Never too Late and Better Life are actually the 2 I like the most on Generations, especially Better Life. Also agree the above mentioned 2 songs should never have been left off of Frontiers. Regarding Chalfant, it's just me but I've never understood the rave regarding him fronting Journey. Nothing against the guy, saw him perform live at MR1 and he was good, but IMO he is sounds like one of many interchangable legacy sounding Journey singers. Out of the Augeri, Chalfant, JSS and Pineda........the only one that wasn't a sound alike was JSS, but yet brought the oldschool Journey vocalist deliverability to the role. And just my brutally honest opinion, I think it boiled down to them a) not having the balls to take the chance of stepping even a slight bit away from the legacy sound and b) gawd forbid, the alpha dogs having a non "yes" man fronting the band again. With the 3 differing personalities, I think they could have wrote some great stuff together given in the chance (reminiscent of the give/take writing style of Schon/Perry/Cain). I think JSS would have been the push needed. And if the Schon/Soto tune "Believe in Me" was any indication...........

Have to say I agree with Perry's quotes on JSS in his MR interview.

"By the way, of all three singers – now I've not heard the other two, but I know in his own right, with his own music, with his own songwriting ability, this guy's a very talented guy! And of all three maybe they should have stuck with him and continued to write music, but that might have required that they let him in emotionally a little more? (laughing)"

"Maybe.... But I think that might have been a challenge. And so I think that possibly, he was the one that I think would have been a growth because he brought a lot of his own self in to it."

Perry's comments were incredibly disingenuous. First, you know he's damn well heard all the replacements. Second, he praised JSS the most because JSS posed the lowest threat to his "legacy"-not because JSS is less talented than the other guys, but because JSS is simply a different singer. Nobody-not even the most casual fans-would confuse JSS for Perry. I guarantee you Perry reels every time he hears "Steve Perry with a perm" or "sounds just like Perry" being tossed about with Arnel, Augeri, Jeremey, etc. In short, the comments bespeak his insecurity.

Perry's comments [seemed] incredibly" ingenuous. It makes no sense that Perry participated in the Behind the Music with their saying "Steve Perry with a perm" if he "'reels every time he hears 'Steve Perry with a perm.'" Don't think anyone could have twisted his arm into doing that. Not to mention his doing an interview in 2011 for Classic Rock when it sponsored the band's trip (with Foreigner and Night Ranger) to UK.

JSS is probably the only one that could have threatened his legacy (no Perry sound), for as long as they continue with "soundalike" producing no new music to be played or heard, his legacy stays in tact. The Greatest Hits are selling now, not Revelation with the karaoke GH. When DSB EMJ was released, the GH DVD hit the charts. DSB EMJ has never hit the charts and it only takes 2-300 with DVDs to hit at #40.

Billboard Albums
Year Album Chart Peak
2014 Journey's Greatest Hits The Billboard 200 10
2014 Journey's Greatest Hits Top Digital Albums 6
2014 Journey's Greatest Hits Top Pop Catalog 1

Great numbers and the band is NOT even touring and helping. Itunes runs lots of specials for Perry era music (sitting at #25 right now at itunes).

Probably, If JSS had been in the band when "DSB" hit with Glee, they could have been riding high, finally able to displace the Perry sound... Before Glee's doing of "DSB," the band was #20 on the lists in 2008 with $35m, but easily fell to #48 in 2009 with $18m. Seems on their way out already, so not so much push contributed to AP. Even though there was publicity at the time, lots (radio, etc.) knew nothing of Journey getting Pineda. Read on Journey board someone asking radio to play Pineda with radio saying never heard of Pineda.

Take note of his words in that SP Online Q&A (2011) before Eclipse was released, and his manner and words thereafter as he went on to put together The Greatest Hits II.

Jan/2011
"5) When I feel blue and worn out I get strength from listening to music or power-walking, often combined. What do you do when you need to regain your strength or just clear your mind? - A-L

Well lately I've been stressing and not really taking the time I should to re-charge. I guess I really need to get back into walking too cause that -with my ear phones- is the best way to Zone out and feel good about life again.........It's so easy to forget to do that............Thanks .....for reminding me that I need to do that! - SP

Sept/2011
"24) There's an interview where Neal Schon and the rest of the Journey members said that you are welcome anytime to jam with them during a performance. Is this something you would consider? - JC

That's a kind invitation...........but I Respectfully decline.
But I want you to know this.......
I just spent the last 3 months listening very closely to the new Journey Greatest Hits 2 and the first Journey Greatest Hits ....... Every single one of those tracks is a magical moment in time..... Neal's playing is stunningly amazing ..... and Jon's keyboard performances are locked in rock history forever ......Steve Smith and Ross are a Symphonic R&B - Rock rhythm section....Gregg Rolie's playing and singing and Aynsley's drumming .....Still are and will always be... forever timeless.
And there's one more thing..... everyone should know........
I will NEVER stop believing in all the original and amazing music we created together!" SP
--------------

Steve Perry before the release of "Eclipse," never really said much about any of his bandmates. I think Don mentioned how SP would not even say their names (2011 CR interview), but seems after Eclipse, he had no problems. Maybe since the flop (Hello Eric) of Eclipse, he is able to listen to the others:

9/2013
"Glamour: I know the band has Arnel [Pineda] now, and he’s great, but there is no one like Steve Perry.
Steve: Well, that’s very sweet. It’s a great gig, and he’s doing great."
--------------

In Andrew's interview (2011), he spoke of how he has gotten over their continuing on without him, and Neal recently called him "arrogant" when SP spoke of no reunion with Journey in an interview recently at that "Need for Speed" movie premier. I think it has been said that Andrew's interview with SP was one of the best ever. He seemed to really open up to Andrew.

Steve Perry is probably still not so thrilled that the band continued on without him, but Journey with a different sound other than Steve Perry's ........ But, seems SP is not coming back or doing more music, so maybe at some point he has to think financially, and the band hitting with a different sound (which easily could have happened with the big Glee push) would probably not serve him well, so his "comments" seem ingenuous, especially his saying that being "growth" for the band.

"In short, the comments bespeak his" security as they hit the road every year with the "soundalike," not even sincerely speaking of new music.

Is that enough "food for thought".....

[The_Noble_Cause]

My issue with Chalfant is that he straight up fronts that he was in Journey for a significant amount of time without every correcting anybody. He promotes himself as Steve Perry's replacement for a time. You're right, maybe the definition of "Chalfanting" should be changed to lying about being in a big name band and being in a cover band without actually calling it a cover band.

The ULTIMATE Journey Experience

Kevin Chalfant's Journey Experience features Kevin Chalfant, and features all of the lights, sounds and Journey-esque atmosphere associated with what you expect from a show called the Journey Experience! This is not a cover band but a very talented singer who actually shared the stage with Journey, replacing Steve Perry for a time! He performs all the hits that made Journey famous; one fabulous hit after another!


Kevin Chalfant's Journey Experience features all of the lights, sounds and Journey-esque atmosphere you'd expect from a show called the Journey Experience! This is not a cover band but a very talented singer who served as the initial stand-in lead singer for Steve Perry with Journey LIVE! He performs all the hits that made Journey famous, one fabulous hit after another!


http://www.kevinchalfant.com/journeyexp ... about.html

The way you defend KC, I'm beginning to wonder are you him?

This is KC's touring band, Two Fires. And depending on the promoter/venue, they will either play as Two Fires or use the Journey Experience name to lure in more concertgoers. Is it a little desperate? Sure. Is it inaccurate? Not really, considering The Storm was pretty much a Journey spin-off band, and everything in the write-up is accurate. If Hugo and Jeremey and others can do it, why not KC?

[StoneCold]

In the debate about KC, regardless if you think he was a good fit or not, you have to remember they were regrouping as a six piece with Rolie in the mix.

That would've been an awesome move.

Perry nixed it quick by interloping. TBF is a great album, don't get me wrong but facts are facts.

[FamilyMan]

In general, I think "Generations" is where the Augeri-fronted Journey went off the rails. Coming off the oddly offered RED-13 Ep, which wasn't all that great in and of itself, I was shocked how weak a follow up "Generations" was. This song wouldn't have helped it. "Faith in the Heartland" is the one song worth its salt.

[scarab]

I actually love better life, Deen sings his heart out. The place in your heart was good too, but too much paint by the numbers Journey.

[The_Noble_Cause]

In general, I think "Generations" is where the Augeri-fronted Journey went off the rails. Coming off the oddly offered RED-13 Ep, which wasn't all that great in and of itself, I was shocked how weak a follow up "Generations" was. This song wouldn't have helped it. "Faith in the Heartland" is the one song worth its salt.

While definitely a let down after Arrival, Generations has waay more than one decent song. Out of harms way, beyond the clouds, place in your heart, a better life - all of them are top shelf journey tunes. Even the insipid knowing that you love me is really no worse then the plethora of ballads on arrival. Family man, I suggest you re listen to the cd.

[scarab]

Knowing that you love me, is not any better than the terrible Arrival ballads. (Except the sultry Kiss me Softly, now that is a ballad.)
I will never get the lyrics about going back in time to hold your wife when she was a baby. Now that is just CREEPY.
Luckily the Arrival Rockers, with the addition of WGW and Nothing Comes close makes up for the terrible ballads.