Jason Scheff wants Journey & Chicago to tour

[Ehwmatt]

This was taped months before it was aired.


Jason scheff is there... lol...You can even hear is voice doing the background vocals in "Look Away". If you watched it when it aired, they did a segment with the band during rehearsals for this show and Jason scheff was there..
Scheff did tour with them earlier this year but had to leave due to family illness.. he released a statement that can be found here: https://www.facebook.com/jason.scheff/

I didn't know when it was taped, okay. But no mention on the actual Chicago website or the band's social media accounts (which I'm sure gets many more views than individual members' FB pages). I'm really happy for Jeff (the new guy) though, it's a great opportunity for him, and it sounds like he's totally killing it out there. But when you've got a guitarist, bassist, drummer, and two lead singers who had nothing to do with any of the recordings that comprise their setlist...but I guess the audience is just there to hear the hits, no matter who is playing them.

Saw Chicago last night. Top 15 show ever. Seen the band 5-6 times with Scheff (never Cetera though). I wrote the band off after they fired Champlin given Scheff's declining voice and hadn't seen them for probably 8-10 years - my loss. Jeff is killing it in Jason's place, and Lou covers Champlin well while not succumbing to some of the crazy oversinging Champlin did in his later years with the group.

At any rate, Chicago is a unique beast when it comes to talking about bands w/ replacement members. Yeah, you're right, some of the key originals (or at least mainstays) aren't there anymore, but you can't denigrate them too much as a "tribute band" (not that you're necessarily doing that) when Jimmy Pankow, Lee Loughnane, and Robert Lamm are there. You just can't.

[RPM]

Jason's Father is one of my favorite bass players. Jerry was the foundation of Elvis Presleys TCB band
and was there for all the big shows including the "Aloha from Hawaii" show. Jason turned out to be very
talented in his own right...

[WalrusOct9]

At any rate, Chicago is a unique beast when it comes to talking about bands w/ replacement members. Yeah, you're right, some of the key originals (or at least mainstays) aren't there anymore, but you can't denigrate them too much as a "tribute band" (not that you're necessarily doing that) when Jimmy Pankow, Lee Loughnane, and Robert Lamm are there. You just can't.

Eh, sure I can. You've got guitar, bass, drums, and lead vocals all being performed by replacement guys. Super nice and talented replacement guys, but still. That's an entire band right there. (especially since the majority of their setlist comes from the first six albums) I mean, I love the Chicago horns, but that's only part of the sound. But like Journey, I don't know how many people in the audience really care.

I know Jeff is killing it though. I can't help but wonder if this will be a longer-term thing, you're not the first person to remark about Scheff's aging voice over the last few years.

[Ehwmatt]

At any rate, Chicago is a unique beast when it comes to talking about bands w/ replacement members. Yeah, you're right, some of the key originals (or at least mainstays) aren't there anymore, but you can't denigrate them too much as a "tribute band" (not that you're necessarily doing that) when Jimmy Pankow, Lee Loughnane, and Robert Lamm are there. You just can't.

I know Jeff is killing it though. I can't help but wonder if this will be a longer-term thing, you're not the first person to remark about Scheff's aging voice over the last few years.

That was the first thing we said driving home from the concert - it'll be a very tall order for Chicago to go back to Scheff and his inconsistent voice. They may not even realize it yet, but when push comes to shove, I'll bet this ends up being permanent. Would feel very bad for Jason if that happens, as he's a very nice guy from everyone I've ever spoken to about interacting with him, did a great job helping the band carry on for the last 30~ years, and sang on some good original songs himself. But the Chicago fan in me wants to see Jeff and his great voice next time they come through.

[Abitaman]

The Doobies I get. They had balls before Michael McDonald showed up on the scene, and Tommy Johnston is still a favorite to see for the old fans. TOP...not so much. Although I've seen them before and they are a solid band and I do love a lot of their stuff, just not a great act for Journey in my opinion.

Chicago - definitely not. The comparison that Jason gave of them touring with Earth, Wind and Fire doesn't apply with Journey. EWF and Chicago shared a common thread – a solid horn section. Maybe they should reach out to TOP instead!

Had times and circumstances been different, and Terry Kath were still alive and Danny Ceraphine were still with Chicago, maybe that could have worked with Journey. They were the soul of that band. But the current version of Chicago...I just don't see it.

Of all the groups Journey toured with in the US (Foreigner, REO, Styx, Def Leppard, Steve Miller, etc), Leppard would probably be the hardest, which is still pretty soft. Overseas, they have tried to tour with some harder acts.

When I saw Journey with Leppard, I left about 2/3 of the way through their show. Thought Journey (with JSS) put them to shame.

[Art Vandelay]

Oddly enough, Steve Augeri performed with Danny Seraphine's band last weekend. Danny has a clip of them playing Lights on his Facebook page.

[tj]

Chicago announced today that Jason Scheff has been replaced after 30 years with the band. The usual "we wish him well" statement,, but no details. The new guy is the one who has been filling in for Jason this year.

[lparn]

Chicago announced today that Jason Scheff has been replaced after 30 years with the band. The usual "we wish him well" statement,, but no details. The new guy is the one who has been filling in for Jason this year.

I read on line Jason had a family health situation
I'm not sure if this is permanent or temporary
Always loved him in Chicago same as Bill chsmplin

[lparn]

When Chicago toured with reo speed wagon a few years ago they did 3 of each other's songs together at the end not sure how or if this would work with journey would rather see Journey tour with foreigner/or night Ranger
They need to lose the live Nation vip and use a different company
$420 and no meet and greet , then 200 for corn toss and expecting people to bid on a guitar for over $3000!?
only worth it to get front row
We paid $10 to see foreigner in Sept and was an awesome show

[lparn]

The Doobies I get. They had balls before Michael McDonald showed up on the scene, and Tommy Johnston is still a favorite to see for the old fans. TOP...not so much. Although I've seen them before and they are a solid band and I do love a lot of their stuff, just not a great act for Journey in my opinion.

Chicago - definitely not. The comparison that Jason gave of them touring with Earth, Wind and Fire doesn't apply with Journey. EWF

When I saw Journey with Leppard, I left about 2/3 of the way through their show. Thought Journey (with JSS) put them to shame.

Only saw 1 show, however I agree

[DracIsBack]

Just my 2 cents, but we might be over-thinking the pairing thing. Regardless to Scheff’s comments, neither band is or has been ballad centric in their live performances for years or ever. The leadership group in Chicago have shown for almost the last 15 years that they would want nothing more than to run away from their 80’s power ballad success

Chicago has never been 'ballad heavy' live. Ever.

You get the usual horse-shit revisionist history from people who prefer 70s Chicago over 80s Chicago, but reality is that their sets were never filled end-to-end with ballads. Not in the mid 70s. Not in the mid 80s. Not in the mid 90s. Not now.

[DracIsBack]

Unfortunately, a lot of their heavier, deeper catalog was due to Terry Kath. He was a real mofo on the guitar, and was even told so by Hendrix. Once Kath passed, the band lost a lot of their soul and grit.

Also some revisionist history. Terry Kath had a fair number of ballads himself.

[DracIsBack]

After about 1975, yes. Chicago has some intermittent harder songs deep in their albums, but not any hits.

REO had ballads in the mid to late 80's, but when I think of their music what stands out is the harder stuff. Not so much for Chicago.

25 or 6 to 4? I'm A Man? Alive Again?

[scarab]

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IX0uspBwDw8

this Hit rocks!

[scarab]

REO rocked very few after after High Infidelity, a rare minor hit was I dowanna know, which was a great poppish rocker, which did ok on FM AOR rock stations, after this they went the Dianne Warren route.

Damn I wish the 70s when REO rocked

[scarab]

another great non ballad song that charted higher than any 80s REO rocker,
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ws9Xclse94

[perryfan61]

I don't remember this one at all!! Shades of Casablanca