Idolator
Theoretically, Alex Pappademas' GQ piece on Journey is about the new lead singer, Arnel Pineda, and his rise to stardom, but hands down, the best parts are courtesy Mr. Neal Schon.
Clearly, the relationship between Schon and Steve Perry is closer to that of a extended one-night stand that went on for too long, then ended badly, than one between two dudes who happened to be in a band together for a while.
Example:
In conversation, the members of Journey jokingly refer to Steve Perry as "He Who Cannot Be Named," like the evil wizard in the Harry Potter books. Later, I ask Schon about this, after reading an interview with their former manager in which it is alleged that Journey are somehow legally enjoined from speaking on the record about Perry.
"Oh, y'know," Schon says. "There's no legal issue. We just try not to. I mean, I didn't say anything inflammatory. I didn't talk about how he still gets paid like a motherfucker even though he shouldn't be. It's stuff like that I'm not allowed to talk about. He sorta just bitches and moans and whines about everything. And he just assumes that every time we bring up his name, that we're sayin' bad things."
When Steve Perry's name comes up, poor Arnel must slink out of the room. Clearly, there's some emotional baggage lying around the Journey offices. And Journey's fans are playing the part of the family members who don't quite understand why the couple broke up.
I ask people to tell me their Journey stories; I ask people what they think of Pineda. I give out my e-mail address. Within minutes, my in-box fills up with e-mails—angry, passionate e-mails.
I hear from a few thick-and-thin super-fans, from plenty of reasonable people ready to give Arnel a fair shake, and even a few early Pineda converts. But I also hear from people frustrated by the band's -inability to hold on to a lead singer and from people who resent the band for continuing on at all. But mostly, I hear from people who have not stopped believing in Steve Perry. They compare him to Elvis, John Lennon, Freddie Mercury, and God. They describe the post-Perry band as "a second-class rendition of Journey." They send me all-caps e-mails—Steve Perry really brings out the caps-lock in people—that begin "IT HAD BEEN BROUGHT TO MY ATTENTION THAT YOU ARE LOOKING TO WRIGHT AN ARTICLE ABOUT WHY JOURNEY IS NO LONGER JOURNEY BUT NOTHING MORE THEN A TRIBUTE BAND TO THE BEST SOFT ROCK BAND EVER." They send me photomosaics of Steve Perry created out of many, many tiny little pictures of Steve Perry.
On the other hand, Perry's moved on, and clearly doesn't have time to keep tabs on Schon.
"I only know that they've been through three guys," he says, "and I've never heard any of them. I stay away from it, because it's really none of my business now. We have children together, which are the songs we wrote, but that's about all."
Obviously, Schon and Perry should consider hugging out their difficultie—perhaps on a very special episode of Dr. Phil. Until then, however, enjoy "Foolish Heart". Oh, Neal and Steve, can't you hear each others' hearts calling? You've been wrong before. Don't be wrong anymore.
Comments
"Steve Perry really brings out the caps-lock in people."
That's gold, Neil. I've always been on the fence about Neil since he was such an undeniable gangster in his youth before the unfortunate turn towards weakness with Journey (although I don't entirely dislike some of his work with Jan Hammer). Actually, "don't entirely dislike" is the best way to describe my feelings for Neil, which is the highest compliment I can pay a guy responsible for "Wheel In The Sky."
"They send me photomosaics of Steve Perry created out of many, many tiny little pictures of Steve Perry." I want one of these more than I can possibly express.
@NeverEnough: seriously! someone had better put these on eBay stat.
@Maura Johnston: I've been furiously Googling since and came across: [www.journeyloaded.com] and (are you ready?) [aquila-productions.tripod.com] I know what I'll be doing the rest of the day.
From the story: "Finally Hugo found his voice. "Steve, you're the greatest performer ever, at least in my book," he said. "I consider it an honor to be here in your home, holding you as a friend and a lover. I care too much for you to ever hurt you. I love you too, and not just for what you are. I want to learn how to pleasure you, to make you happy, to be your best friend. You be who and what you want, and I'll be there to support you. I love you.""
I have whispered those words to my Steve Perry poster a thousand times...
paging kate!!!!!
@NeverEnough: I just spasmed reading that. Should I thank you, or not?
@Ned Raggett: Shhhh! I'm too busy reading the tale of Hugo and Steve's love that dare not speak its name to answer you!
@NeverEnough: "Don't..stop."
"Any way you want it?"
I heard there's a secret way to get Steve Perry and Journey back together again, but you have to solve the final puzzle from their 80's video game to find out. Does anyone have a working Atari 2600 so we can get this in motion?
+ Watch video
@Ned Raggett: "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'"?
@NeverEnough: "And now I come...
To you."
@NeverEnough:
@Ned Raggett:
Memories remain,
Roses never fade.
Seriously though, Neil Schon is a frickin GREAT guitarist. Ross Valory ain't half-bad on the bass, either.
@Ned Raggett: Better "to" than "in your left eye".
Christ, I've spent the past 45 minutes reading Steve Perry slash fiction. What the fuck is wring with me? When not having hot man-on-man action with Hugo, Steve Perry talks about Alex, his roadie who has "a condition called Turner's Syndrome that screwed her up genetically. She's genetically neither gender. She's a Pagan, with some very open ideas." Also, Steve's mom is terminally ill. Nothing says sexy like mutated genes and the loss of a parent.
@NeverEnough: Run!!! Run from the dark side before it swallows you up!!!
This band hasn't been the same since Randy Jackson left to be a judge on the Gong show.
@NeverEnough: I couldn't get very far into the story because this early passage made my head explode:
He couldn't stand sitting around the house feeling sorry for himself, so he decided to get out and go for a long walk. That sort of thing usually cleared his mind and settled his mood.
He went across the Bridge to the City, parked near Chinatown, and got out. When he tired of walking, there were plenty of good places to eat in the area. He'd chosen this spot deliberately for that very reason, for he loved Chinese food.
@disinterested 3rd party: Don't deny yourself, son. Embrace of Perry goodness.
For someone who doesn't talk badly about Steve Perry, Neal sure does alot of bad talking about him. Neal sounds very jealous and bitter in all his interviews. Of course Steve gets money, uh, hello, he wrote and co-wrote most of the hits. He should get money. Lots of money. They would be AMAZING again with Steve. Neal should stop bad mouthing and start kissing but. They were fantastic together, Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory and Steve Smith. Steve Perry is a class act who is impossible to follow or replace. FOR ME, Steve was, is and will always be Journey.
Longtime Steve Perry fanatic but Pineda is good, very good!!
Bought Revelation last week and was very impressed. Although they shouldn't have re-recorded the classics, it was also very good in a different taste than when Perry sang them. IMO, Journey will again be in the ballpark. Peace!
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