Neal VS Jon

[Art Vandelay]

I haven't seen the video or any from his channel in some years. But last I looked it was all click-bait speculation and incorrect opinions.

A while back he was whining and complaining about Little River Band...taking Housden's side saying it's not his fault everybody quit the band and left him with the rights (which is completely NOT what happened). Then he was making fun of Beeb Birtles name. Ridiculous shit. Then he gets an interview with Beeb and suddenly he completely changes his mind and asks other former members to come on his show and be interviewed by him (could you imagine Glen Shorrock or Graham Goble, and especially John Farnham, on a video of his?). All bullshit just trying to get clicks with controversy and "celebrity" guests....and completely ignorant comments and opinions.

There was even one video where he spent time commenting on Perry's daughter. That it was a rumor, or maybe not a rumor. But, he didn't want to dive too far into these guys personal lives...but he felt he should comment on it because fans comment on it...just adding his two cents. Just feeding off of controversy....ridiculous crap.

What I hate is he turns off comments so you can't even correct his bullshit. It's just not worth reading.

I just tuned into his channel for the first time in years, and quickly remembered why I stopped watching in the first place.

He was stirring the pot on Perry's comment at the HOF about Ariel singing his heart out. His argument was that Perry didn't say Arnel was great or good, or that he even liked him. He just said he's singing his heart out, which doesn't really have much meaning or substance to it.

That's the battle you decide to pick?!?!? Total ass hat.

[bellairepark73]

I don't know why all of the guys in the band are fighting over all of this stuff? It's my band! I own Journey.

I know this because my TV is constantly telling me, and I quote "IT'S YOUR JOURNEY, OWN IT."

So I listened to my TV, and I own Journey.

When I first read this, I laughed out loud. Very funny and witty.

[bellairepark73]

The link in the original post no longer works. Is this document available somewhere?

Here is a write up of the fiasco:

https://pagesix.com/2022/11/20/journey- ... amex-card/

[bellairepark73]

I haven't seen the video or any from his channel in some years. But last I looked it was all click-bait speculation and incorrect opinions.

A while back he was whining and complaining about Little River Band...taking Housden's side saying it's not his fault everybody quit the band and left him with the rights (which is completely NOT what happened). Then he was making fun of Beeb Birtles name. Ridiculous shit. Then he gets an interview with Beeb and suddenly he completely changes his mind and asks other former members to come on his show and be interviewed by him (could you imagine Glen Shorrock or Graham Goble, and especially John Farnham, on a video of his?). All bullshit just trying to get clicks with controversy and "celebrity" guests....and completely ignorant comments and opinions.

There was even one video where he spent time commenting on Perry's daughter. That it was a rumor, or maybe not a rumor. But, he didn't want to dive too far into these guys personal lives...but he felt he should comment on it because fans comment on it...just adding his two cents. Just feeding off of controversy....ridiculous crap.

What I hate is he turns off comments so you can't even correct his bullshit. It's just not worth reading.

He turned off commenting because it turned the comments section into a cesspool for one particular troll (James Rudd) and RMO was responding to the comments. Supposedly it was causing him stress because people at one point were allegedly threatening his wife.

[bellairepark73]

So I saw a video the other day from The Real Music Observer

There's your first mistake. Total clown. Not to mention racist, anti-vax, conspiracy theory spreading douchebag.

In other words, everything in that video is click bait horseshit?

No...what he purportedly can mention about the case is true. The link posted in this thread still works and there is a write up about it:

https://pagesix.com/2022/11/20/journey- ... amex-card/

[Andrew]

He turned off commenting because it turned the comments section into a cesspool for one particular troll (James Rudd) and RMO was responding to the comments. Supposedly it was causing him stress because people at one point were allegedly threatening his wife.

He turned off comments years ago because every video had comments calling out his bullshit and lies and making fun of him...me included.

[Monker]

He turned off commenting because it turned the comments section into a cesspool for one particular troll (James Rudd) and RMO was responding to the comments. Supposedly it was causing him stress because people at one point were allegedly threatening his wife.

James Rudd? He used to post on forums...I think he was Mr. Mean, or Meanie, etc. He was definitely a character LOL

And, yes, threatening people is definitely too far. But, RMO could have reported anybody who did that, if it was true.

[danielb]

If it wasn't a soap opera before, I guess it is now.

What's up with these guys?

And they're about to go on a 3 month tour together...

[JourneyHard]

So in the past two years Neal has had legal battles with every member from the ESCAPE line up.

Way to manage the band, Neal.

The blame should go back to Steve Perry when he fired Herbie Herbert. I know Herbie is gone, but he should have been manager of Journey until the day he died. He always preached about sharing profits from the band equally. Even Steve Smith and Ross Vallory got an equal share even if they didn't deserve it. But Perry trashed all that and fired them and fired Herbie Herbert as well. Now, look at the court battles and so on and so forth. It could have all been avoided.

Uh...no! Blame Anysley Dunbar. He got that lawsuit ball rolling first.

You might be right about this, but the band was finally starting to get successful and they kicked Dunbar out of the band. Anybody would be pissed!

[youkeepmewaiting]

Well then, looks like Journey is finally definitely over now

[danielb]

I doubt it. They will overcome this too.

It seems to be a challenge with both parties fighting for pole position. Schon, being the founder of the band, and Cain, writing all their biggest songs together with Perry.

[Journey/Survivor]

I don't know why all of the guys in the band are fighting over all of this stuff? It's my band! I own Journey.

I know this because my TV is constantly telling me, and I quote "IT'S YOUR JOURNEY, OWN IT."

So I listened to my TV, and I own Journey.

When I first read this, I laughed out loud. Very funny and witty.

Thank you!

[Journey/Survivor]

I doubt it. They will overcome this too.

It seems to be a challenge with both parties fighting for pole position. Schon, being the founder of the band, and Cain, writing all their biggest songs together with Perry.

They could always bring back Rolie and also bring in an outside writer like Jim Peterik or Jack Blades to co-write the songs with Rolie and Schon.

[JourneyHard]

What are the odds Neal gets kicked out of Journey?

The new lineup could be Steve Perry, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory, and Steve Smith. With guitarists being a dime a dozen, they could find somebody to play guitar. And in Perry's Journey, the guitarist will be minimalized anyway. No more long solos. Just play the songs like the album. They will make a new album called Expunged since they love one-word titles that start with E. Then they can tour with the new songs plus Perry's solo songs and the dirty dozen.

Meanwhile, Neal can take the current Journey lineup and replace Jon with Gregg Rolie. They can tour and play Journey songs under the name "Neal & Gregg Band." Nobody can sue them on that. They ARE Neal and Gregg. The advertisements can read, "Neal & Gregg Band: Two original members of Journey play the hits of Journey." Perry's Journey can only claim one original member in Ross.

[Andrew]

What are the odds Neal gets kicked out of Journey?

Zero. Its his band. And Cain knows it.

[Onestepper]

Well then, looks like Journey is finally definitely over now

Nah, they'll work it out. They don't have to best friends, they just have to show up and perform for 2 hours a night. Too much money on the table.

It will be interesting to read Cain's lawyer's response though. Much more to come, I bet.

[Art Vandelay]

I doubt it. They will overcome this too.

It seems to be a challenge with both parties fighting for pole position. Schon, being the founder of the band, and Cain, writing all their biggest songs together with Perry.

They could always bring back Rolie and also bring in an outside writer like Jim Peterik or Jack Blades to co-write the songs with Rolie and Schon.

Why assume Rolie would even want to come back? By now he's pretty well versed in Schon's shit. The current setlist has maybe 4-5 songs that he's tied to. I don't think he wants to be playing Separate Ways or Don't Stop Believing every night. And they're not going to revamp the setlist to feature more of the Rolie era stuff at this point. Not under the Journey brand name at least. That was JTT's purpose. Bringing him back is just like bringing Smith back. Awesome for nostalgia, not so good of a balance for moving forward.

[AR]

I'm so glad I gave up on this band about 16 years ago.

Carry on.

[ebake02]

I can’t help but wonder, is this a Neal vs Jon battle or is it really a cat fight between their greedy wives behind the scenes?

[Memorex]

So Neal's wife said Paula was added to the account. Seems like something Jon might have wanted to let Neal know.

Edit: I kind of laugh. As much as this particular thing did not involve Steve, if it turns out Neal was cheated due to a misuse of the card, then that means Steve was likely shorted on his 12%. Hopefully every expense is valid and this all just goes away.

[Gideon]

I think I'm officially checked out at this point.

Neal/Jon and their brotherhood, dynamic was the primary reason for me to stay interested in Journey, since they were 2/3 of the trifecta of Journey's success. When I saw them in 2008, I was hyped af, seeing them stand back to back for the outro guitar solo to Keep On Runnin' and other stage engagement.

But Jon's interest has visibly declined with time and while I love Neal's exuberance, he's a self-absorbed egomaniac who's tried to turn Journey into a mere platform for his fretwork and social media shit. (Including his wife.) Even other shit like ignoring the near decade worth of mixing issues and missing out on opportunities to engage with fans via social media the way Leppard has has been disappointing.

Freedom was just meh. The drama with Ross, Smitty, Perry, and now Jon is just exhausting. Add to that the fact that they don't even look at each other on stage anymore and this thing is just coasting.

I think I'm out.

[Memorex]

I think I'm officially checked out at this point.

Neal/Jon and their brotherhood, dynamic was the primary reason for me to stay interested in Journey, since they were 2/3 of the trifecta of Journey's success. When I saw them in 2008, I was hyped af, seeing them stand back to back for the outro guitar solo to Keep On Runnin' and other stage engagement.

But Jon's interest has visibly declined with time and while I love Neal's exuberance, he's a self-absorbed egomaniac who's tried to turn Journey into a mere platform for his fretwork and social media shit. (Including his wife.) Even other shit like ignoring the near decade worth of mixing issues and missing out on opportunities to engage with fans via social media the way Leppard has has been disappointing.

Freedom was just meh. The drama with Ross, Smitty, Perry, and now Jon is just exhausting. Add to that the fact that they don't even look at each other on stage anymore and this thing is just coasting.

I think I'm out.

Pre-Covid I went to a ton of shows. I never thought one bit about who was fighting or what legal wranglings may go on. Yea, the Styx thing maybe, Fleetwood Mac maybe, a couple others, but never enough to post about it or look it up. I have not been emotionally invested in Journey since Steve left. I saw them a few times after, I have listened to a few non-Perry songs more than once. This legal stuff doesn't bother me at all. I can't imagine this doesn't happen with many, many long-time bands.

[RumTumJM]

I haven't seen the video or any from his channel in some years. But last I looked it was all click-bait speculation and incorrect opinions.

A while back he was whining and complaining about Little River Band...taking Housden's side saying it's not his fault everybody quit the band and left him with the rights (which is completely NOT what happened). Then he was making fun of Beeb Birtles name. Ridiculous shit. Then he gets an interview with Beeb and suddenly he completely changes his mind and asks other former members to come on his show and be interviewed by him (could you imagine Glen Shorrock or Graham Goble, and especially John Farnham, on a video of his?). All bullshit just trying to get clicks with controversy and "celebrity" guests....and completely ignorant comments and opinions.

There was even one video where he spent time commenting on Perry's daughter. That it was a rumor, or maybe not a rumor. But, he didn't want to dive too far into these guys personal lives...but he felt he should comment on it because fans comment on it...just adding his two cents. Just feeding off of controversy....ridiculous crap.

What I hate is he turns off comments so you can't even correct his bullshit. It's just not worth reading.

Not that I'm trying to defend Real Music Observer (It doesn't matter to me if he's attacked or not), but isn't that largely what DID happen with The Little River Band?

YES - I know it's a very complex issue.

YES - I know that heyday manger Glenn Wheatley gets a lot of the fault for the way that he transferred all of the legalities/rights (including the naming rights) to the new, late 80s company, "We Two Pty Limited".

Heck, some could even say that the others in "We Two Pty Limited", Goble, Shorrock and even Wayne Nelson included, were part of the problem, since they never learned about all that applied to their corporate stakes in "We Two Plty".

BUT...in the end, wasn't Stephen Housden, in fact, the last many standing with the naming rights, making what Real Music Observer said rather true? (Thus, aren't Housden's bigger "crimes" committed in regards to how he acts now that he's the sole owner?)

[Memorex]

Jon Responds:

https://www.tmz.com/2022/11/22/journey- ... social-twa

[danielb]

Wow. Jon comes across as the adult in the room here with his announcement. I guess it's up to the court to decide in the end.

I guess the warning light was flashing already with the Resonate video...

[Journey/Survivor]

[This legal stuff doesn't bother me at all. I can't imagine this doesn't happen with many, many long-time bands.

You should read about all of the shit that has gone on with Survivor. It every bit rivals any/all of the shit in Journey.

[ebake02]

Wow. Jon comes across as the adult in the room here with his announcement. I guess it's up to the court to decide in the end.

I guess the warning light was flashing already with the Resonate video...

Journey may be Neal’s band but Jon has always come across to me as the more intelligent level headed decision maker who should really be at the controls. Neal and Jon each have their stories so my guess the truth is probably somewhere in the middle.

[Memorex]

Jon's full reply is much much more harsh than the TMZ article. If Journey didn't make so much money, I think this would be the end.

https://variety.com/2022/music/news/jou ... 235440391/

[Onestepper]

I've said for years that this band (and yes that includes Perry) have to be the most immature group of individuals that have the whole world at their disposal but just continually cannot get out of their own way because ego drive and money. They have adopted the view that everything must be settled by lawyers instead of common sense.

I think there is enough history with NS's behavior over the years to believe Cain. And I don't trust that his wife isn't a big part of this, and the spending.

But let's just assume they are both correct about what hey say of each other. Why would people want to keep feeding that beast? Yeah the average fan isn't gonna know or care about the lawsuits, they will just pay their money and go see the same 12 songs performed over and over and be happy about it. But the "loyal" fans are dwindling, for any number of reasons. They literally just released a new live album and the only thing that is getting pub is two guys arguing over a credit card. Brilliant marketing. How long is this sustainable?

In my opinion the only thing that makes this better is outside management. I also think that is very unlikely. Besides making a quick buck, who's going to want to manage them with this constant circus?

I actually hope this does go to trial so that all of the details become public. The discovery stage would be quite interesting. Maybe it will teach them all a lesson.

[danielb]

Given how the operation seems to be run, I am impressed that they're still able to tour the big venues.