Okay, so a few days ago, I wrote a little blog thingie about how I might have inadvertently reunited Journey with Steve Perry (pictured), the singer we all know was responsible for catapulting the band to rockstar status in their 1980s heyday. My "proof" that this history-making event was upon us? Both Perry and guitarist Neal Schon had made we’ve-gone-our–separate-ways puns in recent interviews, so of course that meant they were letting bygones be bygones and reassembling after Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain let go their latest singer, Jeff Scott Soto. It seemed obvious to me (and my editors) that my pseudo-intertextual-analysis/crystal-balling was meant as ONE BIG JOKE. But apparently, irony is no match for the fiery passion of Journey fans, who have been flooding the internets with theories of how and when and why the Perry-Journey reunion will take place. Word eventually got back to the ex-frontman himself, and on June 21 he posted a message stating that he has "no such plans whatsoever" to get back with the band. "What you have heard is only a rumor. I’m truly sorry for any disappointment this rumor may be causing," he wrote.
Now, I’m not presumptuous enough to think that my silly little post was the sole cause of said rumor. But if I somehow added to the brouhaha, then oh, woe is me! ‘Twas never my intention to seriously raise the hopes that the ex-bandmates would run back to each other with open arms (d’oh!). And now — sigh — there are brokenhearted Journey devotees like PopWatcher Bruce in NC, who was ready to "un-mothball my denim jacket with the Escape scarab patch ironed onto the back."
Alas, it seems there shall be no Escape tour redux. To cheer yourselves up, I suggest repeated viewings of THE MOST AWESOME VIDEO IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD.This infamous gem always lifts my spirits. The air keyboards, wokhi-hat set, and earnest profile singing are especially rad. (My sister,meanwhile, really digs the trick with the beat-up old van around the1:40 mark.) In this video, PopWatchers, we can go on be-lieeeev-in’ formany years to come.
I knew it was just a rumor. If Perry ever decided to get back with two-faced, back-stabbing Neal Schon, I will know for sure that he has lost his mind. And I would not want Cain to feel left out. He is a kisser of the rear-end. Journey is a band without integrity. Neal should start thinking about retirement. Hope he saved up for his old age, the time has come.
I am not the only one who feels this way. Def Leppard fans, which I am one of them, have plenty to say about Neal’s exploding head and John Cain his yes man.
Hey everybody! I am so sorry for what I did to Jeff. You see, I haven’t been myself lately. I am having hallucinations. Everytime I look in the mirror, I see a burro with large teeth and huge pointy ears. And you all may not believe this, but he talks! He keeps telling me I am a horses back end. Afterwards, he laughs at me and calls me a has-been old man. I go to the next room to look in a different mirror but he keeps following me. I am checking in to Sunny Brook Shady- Spot rest home. Hope in time my blind faithful followers will forgive me.
I knew you were joking.
As your blog was tongue in cheek, so were our responses, pretty much. Although it was a nice fantasy for a while.
This 80′s child didn’t care if Journey got back together or not. Sheesh. I’d be just as excited if Air Supply reunited; they rock just as hard.
Baby (or anyone else): Please fill me in on this back stabbing story involving Neal Schon & Def Leppard. I MUST KNOW!
*re-folds jacket & places back in storage bin while murmuring “One day… One day.”*
Joe C, don’t agree with your Journey comment but I DO AGREE with your Air Supply request! I love Air Supply!
Journey just uses people and then throws them away. While Steve Perry was caring for himself and helping his mother, they were planning on bringing in a new singer behind his back. They used Jeff and then got rid of him. Def Leppard has a website which is going to change to Def Leppard Forum. There is a thread to talk about the lack of integrity of Journey and how after touring with the Lep they did not learn anything about band integrity and friendship.If you want to have your say about the matter you have to become a member. Many of the members of the Leppard are Journey fans as well. They have much to say on this subject.
I hate to say this but the band did the same thing to their original singer Robert Fleishman.
It went like this:
Fleishman: 1973-1976?
Gregg Rollie: 1976-1978
Gregg Rollie and Steve Perry: 1977-1978 (Infinity)
Steve Perry 1977-1984 skip to 1986-1988
Steve Augeri who was then replaced by another person.
Fleishman’s voice could no boost their record sales not to mention that 1974′s “Next” was a dud. He was fired. When your in a band sometimes it is business before family. I think that is wrong, but that is what Ross Valeri and Neal Schon wanted first.
Journey will reunite as quickly as the Sopranos movie starts production…NOT………
Baby, thank you for filling me in. I’m interested in the Def Leppard message board. How do I access that? (I’m a monster Def Lep fan myself!)
Sarah: You can go to Def Leppard.com and join the fan club. The name of the site is supposed to change today, but I am sure you will get redirected. Have fun!
Stephanie: You are right. I know the story too. And it is surly wrong of them.
Stephanie, your chronology of singers is not quite right:
Gregg Rolie: 1973-1977 (sang some live songs as lead & some duets with Perry until he left in 1980)
Robert Fleishman: 1977 (NO album)
Steve Perry: 1978-1987, (no official break up*) 1996-1997 (for 1 studio album, no tour)
Steve Augeri: 1998-2006
Jeff Scott Soto: 2006-2007
*In the hiatus between 1987 & 1996, Cain & Schon formed Bad English with Jon Waite (formerly in The Babys with Cain). Their drummer was Deen Castronovo who took over the Journey drummer job when Steve Smith left (for the 2nd time) after Perry left. Journey considered moving ahead with Kevin Chalfant (formerly The Storm with Gregg Rolie) and bringing Rolie back.
Robert Fleischman did not sing on any of Journey’s albums. He co-wrote some songs though which Perry sang on Infinity.
Another note: in 1986, Smith (drummer) left and Ross Valory was fired. Randy Jackson replaced Valory. Mike Baird replaced Smith live, with Larrie London in the studio.