He's Baaaaaaack

[Journey/Survivor]

I have to think that part of the reason that Smith had been turning them (Journey) down in recent years is that he didn't want to be the reason that Deen would lose his job in Journey. But now that Deen lost his job in Journey anyway, Smith is more willing to rejoin.

Smith has been mostly playing Jazz for the last 30 years now. There's nothing wrong with him taking a 2 year break from Jazz, and making more money for those 2 years. I'm sure he will return to Jazz when his stint in Journey ends. Smith has done nothing wrong in my eyes.

[Art Vandelay]

I have to think that part of the reason that Smith had been turning them (Journey) down in recent years is that he didn't want to be the reason that Deen would lose his job in Journey. But now that Deen lost his job in Journey anyway, Smith is more willing to rejoin.

Smith has been mostly playing Jazz for the last 30 years now. There's nothing wrong with him taking a 2 year break from Jazz, and making more money for those 2 years. I'm sure he will return to Jazz when his stint in Journey ends. Smith has done nothing wrong in my eyes.

He's not taking a break from jazz...his schedule is booked solid through next year, sans May-September, which is when Journey would be on tour.

[perryfan61]

Then he is going to be a very busy man! Since they came to Canada this last summer, I know they won't be back next year, which means my only chance to see SS is if they make a "live" DVD. One can live in hope!

[Journey/Survivor]

I have to think that part of the reason that Smith had been turning them (Journey) down in recent years is that he didn't want to be the reason that Deen would lose his job in Journey. But now that Deen lost his job in Journey anyway, Smith is more willing to rejoin.

Smith has been mostly playing Jazz for the last 30 years now. There's nothing wrong with him taking a 2 year break from Jazz, and making more money for those 2 years. I'm sure he will return to Jazz when his stint in Journey ends. Smith has done nothing wrong in my eyes.

He's not taking a break from jazz...his schedule is booked solid through next year, sans May-September, which is when Journey would be on tour.

All the more then that it makes sense for him to take the Journey job. I was really hoping that they would record a new album. If Smith is booked up with his Jazz projects other than the time period that he will be touring with Journey, then I guess he wont have time to record with them? Which is very disappointing.

[JohnH]

I see your point , but it's hard to be disappointed when they have little time for an album and it's been pretty obvious there won't be one for a long time , if ever.

[perryswoman]

Well awesome! Now we need Steve for 1 year!!

[slucero]

Smitty is gonna get PAID...

[scarab]

hopefully Steve Smith thinks a tour with Santana IV and the possibility of Rolie playing with them brought him back.
and to tell you the truth, I would love to have a dominantly pre Escape set list and Eclipse. I can dream.
yeah, and maybe it might bring Perry back for a song or two.

[Monker]

Maybe I have some "false memory" but didn't Steve Smith say once that he would come back to Journey if Steve Perry came back? Wouldn't that duo coming back light up this Board!!! Oh well, I"ll keep dreaming on...and on...and on..and on...

I read people writing this a lot, and I don't recall him ever saying that. What I recall is he didn't want to go through the process of RE-BUILDING Journey sans Perry. I'm not even sure that reunion tour was more than he was planning with Journey even had Perry stayed on.

No, no, no.

Steve Smith said he left after TBF because when it became obvious that Perry wasn't coming back, then he had to leave. He had a set aside a certain amount of time to devote to the Journey reunion and when that time was up, he had to go back to Jazz...which he felt putting on hold like he did had caused that part of his career to suffer.

When asked about joining Journey for Arrival, he said he had joined Journey for a REUNION and without Perry it wasn't really a reunion any longer. In other words, he would be joining a working rock band....and he didn't want that. He wanted to continue being a Jazz drummer. Remember, he didn't even tour with the Storm - rock music was never his priority.

The point in all of that is this: Steve Smith did not want to be a permanent member of Journey, or any rock band. He joined Journey for the reunion and TBF...but he never expected to be Journey's permanent drummer. It was NOT some devotion to Steve Perry. If it had been Neal who left/fired after TBF, it also would no longer be a reunion so it would have been the same situation and Steve Smith would not keep going for Arrival.

If you look at what is going on right now, it's a similar thing. He has a two year time frame where he is willing to be Journey's drummer. The band needs someone and he's willing to step up. But, he is NOT signing on as the next full-time drummer for Journey. It also would not surprise me at all if Gregg is involved somehow....Steve Smith joined the Journey reunion BEFORE PERRY WAS IN IT for TBF, and Kevin Chalfant was.

[Majestic]

But is it even cool to be a jazz drummer or...

[Art Vandelay]

Maybe I have some "false memory" but didn't Steve Smith say once that he would come back to Journey if Steve Perry came back? Wouldn't that duo coming back light up this Board!!! Oh well, I"ll keep dreaming on...and on...and on..and on...

I read people writing this a lot, and I don't recall him ever saying that. What I recall is he didn't want to go through the process of RE-BUILDING Journey sans Perry. I'm not even sure that reunion tour was more than he was planning with Journey even had Perry stayed on.

No, no, no.

Steve Smith said he left after TBF because when it became obvious that Perry wasn't coming back, then he had to leave. He had a set aside a certain amount of time to devote to the Journey reunion and when that time was up, he had to go back to Jazz...which he felt putting on hold like he did had caused that part of his career to suffer.

When asked about joining Journey for Arrival, he said he had joined Journey for a REUNION and without Perry it wasn't really a reunion any longer. In other words, he would be joining a working rock band....and he didn't want that. He wanted to continue being a Jazz drummer. Remember, he didn't even tour with the Storm - rock music was never his priority.

The point in all of that is this: Steve Smith did not want to be a permanent member of Journey, or any rock band. He joined Journey for the reunion and TBF...but he never expected to be Journey's permanent drummer. It was NOT some devotion to Steve Perry. If it had been Neal who left/fired after TBF, it also would no longer be a reunion so it would have been the same situation and Steve Smith would not keep going for Arrival.

If you look at what is going on right now, it's a similar thing. He has a two year time frame where he is willing to be Journey's drummer. The band needs someone and he's willing to step up. But, he is NOT signing on as the next full-time drummer for Journey. It also would not surprise me at all if Gregg is involved somehow....Steve Smith joined the Journey reunion BEFORE PERRY WAS IN IT for TBF, and Kevin Chalfant was.

Well said and spot on!

[Art Vandelay]

But is it even cool to be a jazz drummer or...

Honestly, you can't really classify him as a 'jazz drummer'. He's a world class drummer and musician. He's played numerous styles over the years, more fusion than anything actually. Do a search on GHS or Vital Tech Tones. The stuff he does on those albums is second to none. And his playing with his jazz outfits is still top notch.

[Uno_up]

Hello old friends....I know this is off-topic, but i want to purchase presale tix for this tour, but i have to be a member of the journey fanclub in order to do so. is the fanclub the same as the journey email list? if not, can someone give me a link to sign up for the fanclub please. thank you!

[Eric]

https://twitter.com/TheJonathanCain/sta ... 5638105088

[ScarabFan]

https://twitter.com/TheJonathanCain/status/669183985638105088

That's Jon's solo EP right?

[The_Noble_Cause]

https://twitter.com/TheJonathanCain/status/669183985638105088

That's Jon's solo EP right?

Probably Cain's religious album he's been talking about. Will probably sell as well as Chalfants.

[Uno_up]

Hello fuckers....I know this is off-topic, but i want to purchase presale tix for this tour, but i have to be a member of the journey fanclub in order to do so. is the fanclub the same as the journey email list? if not, can someone give me a link to sign up for the fanclub please. thank you!

just changed "old friends" to "fuckers". maybe that will produce a response

[The_Noble_Cause]

Hello fuckers....I know this is off-topic, but i want to purchase presale tix for this tour, but i have to be a member of the journey fanclub in order to do so. is the fanclub the same as the journey email list? if not, can someone give me a link to sign up for the fanclub please. thank you!

just changed "old friends" to "fuckers". maybe that will produce a response

Have you tried "old fuckers"?

[perryswoman]

LOL!

[Gina3008]

Maybe I have some "false memory" but didn't Steve Smith say once that he would come back to Journey if Steve Perry came back? Wouldn't that duo coming back light up this Board!!! Oh well, I"ll keep dreaming on...and on...and on..and on...

I read people writing this a lot, and I don't recall him ever saying that. What I recall is he didn't want to go through the process of RE-BUILDING Journey sans Perry. I'm not even sure that reunion tour was more than he was planning with Journey even had Perry stayed on.

No, no, no.

Steve Smith said he left after TBF because when it became obvious that Perry wasn't coming back, then he had to leave. He had a set aside a certain amount of time to devote to the Journey reunion and when that time was up, he had to go back to Jazz...which he felt putting on hold like he did had caused that part of his career to suffer.

When asked about joining Journey for Arrival, he said he had joined Journey for a REUNION and without Perry it wasn't really a reunion any longer. In other words, he would be joining a working rock band....and he didn't want that. He wanted to continue being a Jazz drummer. Remember, he didn't even tour with the Storm - rock music was never his priority.

The point in all of that is this: Steve Smith did not want to be a permanent member of Journey, or any rock band. He joined Journey for the reunion and TBF...but he never expected to be Journey's permanent drummer. It was NOT some devotion to Steve Perry. If it had been Neal who left/fired after TBF, it also would no longer be a reunion so it would have been the same situation and Steve Smith would not keep going for Arrival.

If you look at what is going on right now, it's a similar thing. He has a two year time frame where he is willing to be Journey's drummer. The band needs someone and he's willing to step up. But, he is NOT signing on as the next full-time drummer for Journey. It also would not surprise me at all if Gregg is involved somehow....Steve Smith joined the Journey reunion BEFORE PERRY WAS IN IT for TBF, and Kevin Chalfant was.

Thanks so much for clarifying, Monker. I guess I did have "false memory". What you said explained it so well and makes much more sense.

[Art Vandelay]

Steve Smith talks about his decision to play again with Journey...

http://www.vitalinformation.com/news.htm

[The_Noble_Cause]

I have been invited to tour with Journey for the 2016-2017 touring season and I have agreed to play drums for the group during this period!

I’ve enjoyed working with Journey guitarist Neal Schon for many years and playing on his solo albums, including The Calling and his latest release Vortex. In fact, Neal and I still share the creative chemistry we had when I was a member of Journey. When we work in the studio on his music, it's essentially just the two of us, jamming, writing, arranging and recording.

Over the years, he has mentioned that he'd like to have me tour with Journey again. The invitation has always been appreciated but with my busy schedule always being booked at least a year in advance, the timing was never right. Some changes within the band have once again brought me the invitation to tour and this time we were able to plan in advance and work a Journey tour into my schedule.

Like an actor capable of playing a wide variety of roles, I'm a musician who enjoys, and is comfortable performing, diverse genres of music. My group Vital Information, as well as the other great jazz and world music artists that I tour and record with, remain a musical priority. I will also be performing with them during the next two years and by 2018 will resume my career full-time as a touring and recording jazz musician.

My decision to tour with Journey in 2016-2017 is based on many factors:

My relationship with Neal is strong and we enjoy playing together. I've been in touch with Jonathan Cain and Ross Valory and we have a good rapport both personally and musically. All four of us share a common history and have created some enduring music together. I've met and spent time with Arnel Pineda and have great respect for him both as a person and vocalist.

I am excited to revisit a role that was a formative part of my career, performing music that has touched many people for more than 30 years. My kids Ian, Elizabeth, Kasia and Zac have not seen me play with the group (Ian has but he was too young to remember), it will be fun to have them see me perform with the band. Finally, I can say "yes" to the many fans who have asked if I would tour with Journey again.

My hope is that Journey fans will appreciate a new line-up similar to the Escape and Frontiers era -- and will want to revisit this timeless music with me. By bringing my musical experience to the table along with the years that the members of Journey have spent touring, I'm sure this new incarnation of Journey will develop its own special magic. It's going to be amazing. I look forward to seeing all the fans on the road!


http://www.vitalinformation.com/news.htm

Very very cool.

[Archetype]

But is it even cool to be a jazz drummer or...

After watching a few drum cam videos of Steve playing jazz, I'll confidently say yes. He's absolutely amazing. Playing Journey stuff is going to by far be a vacation for him. A very well-paying vacation.

[perryfan61]

But is it even cool to be a jazz drummer or...

After watching a few drum cam videos of Steve playing jazz, I'll confidently say yes. He's absolutely amazing. Playing Journey stuff is going to by far be a vacation for him. A very well-paying vacation.

I'm sure he will have a great time, and so will all the fans who get to see him!! I am sure he will be paid very well, which he deserves.

[MysteryMountain]

I guess Aynsley was unavailable.

[annie89509]

wow, I sure called this 2 months ago, didn't I? It's going to be so exciting for the old-timers to experience Smitty in the band, again. At the same time, very sad to not have SP there .

[annie89509]

haha ... just checked. It was only a month ago that we were speculating about possible candidates to fill in. Thought I had been away from here longer than that . Didn't take them long to iron things out.

[Onestepper]

What a great statement by Steve. I won't be going to see them on this tour, but I'll look forward to seeing some of the reviews and youtubes that come along.

[perryswoman]

I have been invited to tour with Journey for the 2016-2017 touring season and I have agreed to play drums for the group during this period!

I’ve enjoyed working with Journey guitarist Neal Schon for many years and playing on his solo albums, including The Calling and his latest release Vortex. In fact, Neal and I still share the creative chemistry we had when I was a member of Journey. When we work in the studio on his music, it's essentially just the two of us, jamming, writing, arranging and recording.

Over the years, he has mentioned that he'd like to have me tour with Journey again. The invitation has always been appreciated but with my busy schedule always being booked at least a year in advance, the timing was never right. Some changes within the band have once again brought me the invitation to tour and this time we were able to plan in advance and work a Journey tour into my schedule.

Like an actor capable of playing a wide variety of roles, I'm a musician who enjoys, and is comfortable performing, diverse genres of music. My group Vital Information, as well as the other great jazz and world music artists that I tour and record with, remain a musical priority. I will also be performing with them during the next two years and by 2018 will resume my career full-time as a touring and recording jazz musician.

My decision to tour with Journey in 2016-2017 is based on many factors:

My relationship with Neal is strong and we enjoy playing together. I've been in touch with Jonathan Cain and Ross Valory and we have a good rapport both personally and musically. All four of us share a common history and have created some enduring music together. I've met and spent time with Arnel Pineda and have great respect for him both as a person and vocalist.

I am excited to revisit a role that was a formative part of my career, performing music that has touched many people for more than 30 years. My kids Ian, Elizabeth, Kasia and Zac have not seen me play with the group (Ian has but he was too young to remember), it will be fun to have them see me perform with the band. Finally, I can say "yes" to the many fans who have asked if I would tour with Journey again.

My hope is that Journey fans will appreciate a new line-up similar to the Escape and Frontiers era -- and will want to revisit this timeless music with me. By bringing my musical experience to the table along with the years that the members of Journey have spent touring, I'm sure this new incarnation of Journey will develop its own special magic. It's going to be amazing. I look forward to seeing all the fans on the road!


http://www.vitalinformation.com/news.htm

Very very cool.

VERY AWESOME~

[tater1977]

Steve Smith ‏@stevesmithdrums · Oregon, USA
Putting in some practice time on my 1980 @sonor_drums that I played on @JourneyOfficial Captured, Escape, Frontiers!

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