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.
@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?
@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.
“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.
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!
A “marriage of equals” can lead to emotional bankruptcy. Like minds can fall apart. Then again, perhaps Mr. Schon never got to be a one-name wonder like Clapton, Santana, Escovedo and others whom he looked up to and that frustrated him. Perry being a lead singer stole Schon’s thunder from him like lead singers tend to do, they run the show. Took me years before I realized Mike Jackson was actually on stage with his brothers, that is how captivating a performer he was! But, here is the thing, life is SOOOOO short. And those guys are now older. They should understand that when they hurt their fans hurt, so I hope one day before someone dies, they all patch up whatever differences they have and act like they respect the years together that they shared. Their fans respect it. Last thing, check out this crazy woman on YOUTUBE who claims she is going nuts trying to locate the missing Steve Perry. Very funny stuff. Her channel name is Mochabuspasslady. If the Journey guys and Steve Perry could laugh at themselves for one minute, I guarantee they would approve.
I’m like a deer in headlights right now! When I heard about how Neal found Arnel it wasn’t shocking. I didn’t buy the rags to riches story. I figured he probably found success prior to Neil’s call. I know Neal wouldn’t choose a lame singer so I expect dynamic vocals. They’ve always been great!
For the last 30 years I’ve felt that Steve Perry had one of the most beautiful voices, if not THE most beautiful voice. I’ve had the pleasure to see him/them countless times. Steve could sing your “your mama” and it may send you chills. A voice so touching!
I took a second to see how this Arnel sounds. It turned into a whole night of it. I watched every video I could possibly find! I can’t get over it! I can’t find a concert on the Eastern seaboard either, damn it!
Being a Perry fan I understand the naysayers. Isn’t it bizarre how Perry is praised when he doesn’t even sing? When was the last time any of his fans heard him sing? For a couple of years it’s been my opinion that Perry had back surgery, it can make you loose your voice. Why would he just stop singing? If he was is so great, where do we see him? Is he on the radio? How could an elite singer like Perry be so great if he’s not even singing? I have not heard him in more than 10 years!!! Where’s the music?
Perry’s voice was great in concert, but he wasn’t anything more as a performer. IMO a beautiful voice is good enough. But it is nice to see a singer enjoy what he’s doing. We’re talking about Steve Perry, he can sit on the floor and never look up. I know, I know.
Seeing Arnel perform is an eye-opener. Absolutely amazing!!! I thought all the praise came from Asians. So many acolytes, it seemed like Michael Jackson fans just going crazy. I’m not Asian, I don’t know him. I am confident when I say: Steve didn’t sound as good as Arnel when we was a singer!!!
To the people that disapprove of them re-recording new CD’s with Arnel: GO LISTEN TO THIS SINGER!!! YOU WILL CHANGE YOUR MIND….I’D RATHER HAVE THE NEW VOICE!!!! ! PERRY LEFT JOURNEY LONG AGO.
The other guys have been great. No Perry…But this new guy is actually BETTER than Perry. Crap, I never thought I’d say that…
Journey is always great, now they’re just better!