The ONE agonizing question that Steve Perry never answers...

[jrnyjetster]

....OR maybe no one has had the balls to cut to the chase and ask him POINT BLANK?!

Q: Why did you LEAVE Journey?

I've never read or heard a straight forward answer to that question from Mr. Perry, have any of you?

To me, it doesn't matter either way..he's left Journey and I've moved on with this band, BUT perhaps (just perhaps) it might provide some closure to the diehard Perry loyalists who still find it difficult to accept Journey with Steve Augeri.

[NealRocks]

what are you getting at, man?

[Playitloudforme]

How about we not worry about it and move forward. He's got his reasons. He's moved forward, so perhaps it's best left alone. JMHO.

[aragelfstone]

I've thought his reasons were pretty well explained and understood. At least they were for me. He needed more time to decide what he was going to do about his health problems and the band wasn't willing to give him that time. They wanted a definite answer that he wasn't prepared to give them. They thought they could plug in another singer and ride the wave of the momentum of the success of TBF. He asked them not to muddy up the name and musical legacy of Journey by doing that. Neal thought(or should I say dreamt) he was as much the"star" of Journey as Steve therefore Steve could be replaced and the fans wouldn't care, so he did it anyway. BIG MISTAKE - HUGE MISTAKE . Even if I did accept Augeri as the legitimate frontman for Journey I would still only be a fan of the music of the Perry years because they just don't sound like the Journey I love.

[Bamamutt]

How about we not worry about it and move forward. He's got his reasons. He's moved forward, so perhaps it's best left alone. JMHO.

I've thought his reasons were pretty well explained and understood. At least they were for me. He needed more time to decide what he was going to do about his health problems and the band wasn't willing to give him that time. They wanted a definite answer that he wasn't prepared to give them. They thought they could plug in another singer and ride the wave of the momentum of the success of TBF. He asked them not to muddy up the name and musical legacy of Journey by doing that. Neal thought(or should I say dreamt) he was as much the"star" of Journey as Steve therefore Steve could be replaced and the fans wouldn't care, so he did it anyway. BIG MISTAKE - HUGE MISTAKE . Even if I did accept Augeri as the legitimate frontman for Journey I would still only be a fan of the music of the Perry years because they just don't sound like the Journey I love.

Exactly...

[Monker]

They thought they could plug in another singer and ride the wave of the momentum of the success of TBF.

Absolutely not true. They felt they had no choice. They felt that some Journey was better then no Journey at all. They felt that Perry had put them in the position of making the decision of putting Journey on an indefinite hiatus - again - , or to move on without them.

The above was said in several interviews, including some on this very site.

Where did Journey ever say they were trying to 'ride a wave of momentum of the success of TBF?" The fact is they have said the exact opposite. That the "success" of TBF was an opportunity that wasted away. That they couldn't take advantage of it in ANY way because of Perry's refusal to perform in ANY fashon. They couldn't perform on the awards shows they were asked to. They couldn't perform on late night shows they were asked to. They couldn't do anything but let TBF sit their and see its 'success' evaporate.

He asked them not to muddy up the name and musical legacy of Journey by doing that.

Absolutely NOT TRUE. Perry asked them to not 'crack the stone' to use a name other then Journey because there would be no turning back if they didn't. He NEVER said they would 'muddy up the name and musical legacy of Journey."

Neal thought(or should I say dreamt) he was as much the"star" of Journey as Steve therefore Steve could be replaced and the fans wouldn't care, so he did it anyway.

He felt that Journey was a BAND and he wanted the BAND back again. Not just a personaly war as Journey had been in the past. He NEVER said that 'the fans wouldn't care'. In fact, he has ALWAYS said that some fans will never accept anybody but Perry. The FACT is also that Perry HAS been replaced. He has been replaced for YEARS. YOU may not like that fact, but it doesn't make it any less true.

It's funny how people say Neal and the band are 'dreaming' while writing statements based invented opinions and invented thoughts and invented statements. It's not Journey, or Neal, who is dreaming - it's you.

Even if I did accept Augeri as the legitimate frontman for Journey I would still only be a fan of the music of the Perry years because they just don't sound like the Journey I love.

It doesn't matter what you accept, or don't accept. Journey will be what they want to be...they don't need your approval, or mine.

As for the question. Perry didn't just leave Journey. He left being a part of the recording industry in any significant way. He doesn't have it in him to be a part of a touring band any longer, to be in the spotlight. He has stated such things repeatedly, but nobody seems to listen to him.

[captbythmmnt]

Its not a matter of accepting anyone its personal preference

[Distant Voice]

....OR maybe no one has had the balls to cut to the chase and ask him POINT BLANK?!

Q: Why did you LEAVE Journey?

I've never read or heard a straight forward answer to that question from Mr. Perry, have any of you?

To me, it doesn't matter either way..he's left Journey and I've moved on with this band, BUT perhaps (just perhaps) it might provide some closure to the diehard Perry loyalists who still find it difficult to accept Journey with Steve Augeri.

I would love to answer this, but can we all be adults about this?...

I don't want to start a war with my answers, but if some of you are looking for a "clear answer" I can shed some light on the (soap-opera era) between the band and Steve Perry...

[OldJourney]

I would love to answer this, but can we all be adults about this?...

I don't want to start a war with my answers, but if some of you are looking for a "clear answer" I can shed some light on the (soap-opera era) between the band and Steve Perry...

Well, now, Distant Voice, if you have something to say, why don't you just come out and say it??

I'm all ears.......

[jrnyjetster]

I would love to answer this, but can we all be adults about this?...

I don't want to start a war with my answers, but if some of you are looking for a "clear answer" I can shed some light on the (soap-opera era) between the band and Steve Perry...

Please...by all means...spill your guts..it's all water under the bridge now anyway...but I'm sure a few of us might be interested.. That is, since you claim to know more than the rest of us! Why don't you share some of that "soap opera" stuff with us...no arguements here...I'm all ears (and eyes)

[Journeynut]

....OR maybe no one has had the balls to cut to the chase and ask him POINT BLANK?!

Q: Why did you LEAVE Journey?

I've never read or heard a straight forward answer to that question from Mr. Perry, have any of you?

To me, it doesn't matter either way..he's left Journey and I've moved on with this band, BUT perhaps (just perhaps) it might provide some closure to the diehard Perry loyalists who still find it difficult to accept Journey with Steve Augeri.

I would love to answer this, but can we all be adults about this?...

I don't want to start a war with my answers, but if some of you are looking for a "clear answer" I can shed some light on the (soap-opera era) between the band and Steve Perry...

Here we go again. You always say you know but you are not gonna tell.

[Playitloudforme]

The band members are the only ones that truly know the answer. They've said all they are going to say on the subject at this point. Anything further on the subject isn't our business.

Let's be the adults we are and leave the rumour mill closed please. It does not serve the band at all.

[NealRocks]

The band members are the only ones that truly know the answer. They've said all they are going to say on the subject at this point. Anything further on the subject isn't our business.

Let's be the adults we are and leave the rumour mill closed please. It does not serve the band at all.

Why can't they speak up, man?
Are they are barred from discussing something?
Why doesn't it serve the band at all, man?
Why wouldn't it be a Journey fan's business, man?



Put up or shut up, man.

[Playitloudforme]

The band members are the only ones that truly know the answer. They've said all they are going to say on the subject at this point. Anything further on the subject isn't our business.

Let's be the adults we are and leave the rumour mill closed please. It does not serve the band at all.

Why can't they speak up, man?
Are they are barred from discussing something?
Why doesn't it serve the band at all, man?
Why wouldn't it be a Journey fan's business, man?


Put up or shut up, man.

1) I'm not a man.

2) If they (the band) wanted to, they would have. Discussing band business is private, just as any other business discussion for any other company. The band has a website they use when they wish to divulge information. What doesn't appear on it means it's not our business to know. No one else is privy to my company's inside discussions, same goes with band decisions, events, etc.

3) Rumors only serve to stir up anger, and give the rumor starter some strange elation for starting it. Tell me how that serves the band... (It can't). It's a far better use of one's time (and albeit a more adult behavior overall) to promote the band positively, rather than spending an exorbitant amount of time being negative and promoting rumors and speculation. I'd imagine the band might prefer a positive action and behavior by their fans that to all the garbage that is slung about in their name on various websites.

[Rockindeano]

Why do you people even consider taking what "distantvoice" "says?" Total Bullshit is what it is.

Now, to answer the question of why the Band cannot "speak up." There IS a binding, legal agreement that EITHER side may say things that may "injure" the other side(different legal words of course).

Yeah, Perry was the best, but let's let the Man have his peace, eh?

DEan

[Abitaman]

I could understand all the bad word among everyone, if Perry still wanted to be in Journey, but he does not. He can live with it. BUT CAN WE, I can, I think he his the greatest singer ever, BUT he is gone. Not just from Journey, but from the music industry. JOURNEY IS DEAD, LONG LIVE JOURNEY. Journey carries on with Augeri, and does good, as good as the Perry days? No, Need more new music to see. But Arrival was great, Red 13, good, but too short. But all alot of people want to do is put Augeri down. A man who has very very huge shoes to feel. Give Augeri a chance, people. This guy has to please Perry fans, some of which are hard to please, plus come off as his own person, and put his own personality into the music-ERIC

[perryfaithful]

The band members are the only ones that truly know the answer. They've said all they are going to say on the subject at this point. Anything further on the subject isn't our business.

Let's be the adults we are and leave the rumour mill closed please. It does not serve the band at all.

oh for cryin' out loud! Let people be......
This is a discussion forum...no place for a control freak

[perryfaithful]

[I can shed some light on the (soap-opera era) between the band and Steve Perry...

Well, what the HELL are you waiting for??

[Playitloudforme]

The band members are the only ones that truly know the answer. They've said all they are going to say on the subject at this point. Anything further on the subject isn't our business.

Let's be the adults we are and leave the rumour mill closed please. It does not serve the band at all.

oh for cryin' out loud! Let people be......
This is a discussion forum...no place for a control freak

A discussion board does not automatically make it a rumor board. There can be discussions based upon established facts without speculations. There's nothing 'control freak' about it. There's nothing wrong with dealing with the facts, which is always preferable over fiction.

But if you feel the need to engage in it..you're choice. I just don't happen to think it's a behavior that is acceptable, and that's my choice.

[Bamamutt]

In the BTM he mentioned that he never really felt like part of the band...
I attribute that to him joining the band that had already established a click or sorts so he was like an outsider...C'mon now you all can relate to that..Remember having to move in the middle of the school year and find yourselves in a new school far from the one you knew before..You're placed into a place where there are already established clicks, some of which have been together for years..You're the outsider and somehow have to find a way to fit in but sometimes no matter what, you will not ever fit in...This could be the same reasoning in that Perry never really felt like he was a part of it...No matter what he did, he didn't click fully...JMO, but Neal's ego could have had something to do with that...

In closing though, this whole issue of why who did what should be laid to rest...

[Abitaman]

Steve not clicking with Journey is a bunch of bull. It's Steve's way of putting the balme on someone else. Steve has always pretty much had control of the band, sure he and Neal clashed over the sound and direction of the band, but Perry always got what he wanted. Perry drove off Smith and Valory from the band, he admitted to it. Perry gave the band a softer sound, Perry took over production. Perry got what he wanted. Steve Perry maybe the greatest singer in Rock, and one of the best writers, but he wants nothing else to do woth music, and instead of saying that, he gives an excuse to why he left Journey, And why did he give an excuse, I believe because he didn't get his way on the last thing, and that there be no Journey without him-ERIC

[Journeynut]

The original question is why did SP leave Journey. Given the limited information we have via video or interviews we all jump to our own conclusions.
Knowing what a serious medical condition he had, and how difficult a recovery is for a hip replacement, and how psychologically difficult it is to accept that limitation I would have to say that was the major factor.
Anyone here who has ever faced illness and surgery would know what I am talking about.

On the other hand, the BTM directors cut had Steve Smith talking about how difficult it was to have his life on hold awaiting a decision. HOw frustrating that was for the band....how great a TBF tour would have been! for us!

With all the money at stake it seems like a decision would have been forced. Instead it took over a year. There are things we will never be privy to. We will never know.

[jrnyjetster]

Points taken, Journeynut.
One question any serious Journey fan would have to ask themselves however, is how do you account for the time frame from 1987-1995, when Steve Perry slipped into hiding and kept this band on indefinite hold?? For all intensive purposes, we all thought the band was OVER then, didn't we? Sure, Neal, Jon, Valory and Smitty went off and did their own things, but they WAITED for Perry and didn't hear from him for YEARS! After Mr. Perry's blatant lack of communication with the band after recording Trial By Fire, and once again bringing this band to it's knees, can you honestly blame Neal and Jon for making their decision to MOVE ON with Steve Augeri?

[perryfaithful]

" can you honestly blame Neal and Jon for making their decision to MOVE ON with Steve Augeri?[/quote]

ahh........yeh, I CAN! It has been lackluster and unremarkable. At times even embarrassing.

Reading back on the EXCITEMENT over the SUCCESSFUL release of TBF and the accompanying tour....it was all about the reunion of Journey WITH Steve Perry. Why would anyone think that a quick replacement for the lead singer would EARN and maintain that excitement?

[Tornado_Jackson]

In the BTM he mentioned that he never really felt like part of the band...
I attribute that to him joining the band that had already established a click or sorts so he was like an outsider...C'mon now you all can relate to that..Remember having to move in the middle of the school year and find yourselves in a new school far from the one you knew before..You're placed into a place where there are already established clicks, some of which have been together for years..You're the outsider and somehow have to find a way to fit in but sometimes no matter what, you will not ever fit in...This could be the same reasoning in that Perry never really felt like he was a part of it...No matter what he did, he didn't click fully

What established clique?
You mean the one that existed for the album, Infinity, and Infinity alone?

Here's what I think (hear me out): Perry might have felt excluded for the album, Infinity. But by the time of Evolution, he wasnt the sole newbie in the group, there was also Steve Smith. You mean to say the other new member,Steve Smith, immediately was welcomed into this clique with open arms while the other newbie (Perry) had to sit on the sidelines?

By the time of Esc4p3, Gregg left and yet another newbie entered the group by the name of Jonathan Cain. That means the only two people existing from the original lineup or "clique" was Neal and Ross.
A lousy two people?
Boy, that's really some clique.

By Raised On Radio there were essentially 3 non-original new-ish members in the group. You had Cain, not to mention the hand selected Baird & Jackson...how could Perry feel excluded when ROR was an essentially a lineup of his & jon's own choosing?

Did a clique exist at first during Infinity? Probably, Gregg, Ross, Neal, Dunbar-those guys had been on the road and were probably all really tight. But, they were replaced and new members joined the group. You mean to say that Smith, Cain, Baird etc all assimilated into the pre-existing clique and immediately began to estrange themselves away from steven perry?

I find that hard to believe.

I also find it hard to believe that Perry and Cain could write soo much music together and not develop even the slightest of connvivial, brotherly friendships.

As Perry once stated in FTLOSM's , "Anyway";

"We believed in music. Brothers to the end, nothing stood between us. Fire burned within"

That doesn't sound like an outside member of the band to me. Not at all. Personally, I believe his "never felt like a part of the band" comment to be just sour grapes.

[Monker]

Knowing what a serious medical condition he had

Wrong. You do NOT know how 'serious' it was, or if it was 'serious' at all. It certainly was not 'serious' enough to take of right away, instead of waiting nearly 2yrs.

and how difficult a recovery is for a hip replacement, and how psychologically difficult it is to accept that limitation I would have to say that was the major factor.

You are speculating on ALL of the above. You do NOT know how Perry's 'recovery' was perceived and predicted by his doctors. You do NOT know how 'limited' he was before, during, or after the surgery. You do NOT know how Perry reacted psychologicaly.

You are just guessing and dreaming up your own answers.

On the other hand, the BTM directors cut had Steve Smith talking about how difficult it was to have his life on hold awaiting a decision. HOw frustrating that was for the band....how great a TBF tour would have been! for us!

He did not just hold up the band, or us. He held up the venues that WANTED to book Journey. He held up the crews that would have went on the road. He held up many, many people...some of which you may not even have thought about.

With all the money at stake it seems like a decision would have been forced. Instead it took over a year. There are things we will never be privy to. We will never know.

Exactly...and since it took him nearl TWO years to decide, a tour FOR TBF was IMPOSSIBLE, even if he had decided to have the surgery. It would have been a 'vacations over' tour, except with Perry. The for a TBF tour WASTED away.

[Monker]

" can you honestly blame Neal and Jon for making their decision to MOVE ON with Steve Augeri?

ahh........yeh, I CAN! It has been lackluster and unremarkable. At times even embarrassing.

The above is not even addressing the question. You may not like the results, many others do, but why would Neal and Jonathan NOT want to continue Journey given Perry's history of hiatus, AND the fact that they were about to continue on with Chalfant before Perry joined for TBF?

This was a perfectly predictable decistion...not very complicated AT ALL.

Reading back on the EXCITEMENT over the SUCCESSFUL release of TBF and the accompanying tour....it was all about the reunion of Journey WITH Steve Perry. Why would anyone think that a quick replacement for the lead singer would EARN and maintain that excitement?

NOBODY did think that. EVERYBODY thought that the excitement had DIED and Journey was all but dead. Neal and Jonathan resurrected Journey from the ashes of Perry's bad hip. Taking more then two years to replace Perry is not a 'quick replacement' either.

[perryfaithful]

Reading back on the EXCITEMENT over the SUCCESSFUL release of TBF and the accompanying tour.
NOBODY did think that. EVERYBODY thought that the excitement had DIED and Journey was all but dead.

BACK up to what I actually said Monker....I am talking about THE RELEASE of TBF and all the EXCITEMENT RIGHT THEN over the proposed tour. I am NOT talking about a year later.....

You try to hard

And yea I am addressing the question. I CAN blame Neal and Jon for going on...that was the QUESTION. Again, CAN I BLAME? Well, yes I can

[jrnyjetster]

perryfaithful: let me give you this scenario....

If you were in Neal's shoes, then what would YOU have done? Just say FUCK IT, Journey's OVER?

I'm not going to get into a verbal confrontation with you here, but I wish some of you would realize that Journey wasn't the Steve Perry Band!

[perryfaithful]

perryfaithful: let me give you this scenario....

If you were in Neal's shoes, then what would YOU have done? Just say FUCK IT, Journey's OVER?

I'm not going to get into a verbal confrontation with you here, but I wish some of you would realize that Journey wasn't the Steve Perry Band!

Sorry Jester, but yes I would have, minus the "F" it! ....and JOURNEY wasn't the Neal Schon band either.