Deen Castronovo on Perry

[arden]

melodicrock.com/interviews/journey2005-deencastronovo.html

Oh dude, when I was 11 years old, the first songs I ever learnt were Journey songs. I had these guys that were 25-30 years old going here's 'Infinity' – learn these songs and since you have the prepubescent voice, you gotta sing it!
Those songs are so so special to me. To me, to this day – Steve Perry is and always will be God of vocals – the man can do no wrong.
I have ripped him off blind, just like I ripped off Steve Smith! Haha But I tell them that!
If you are going to steal, steal from the best!

Amen! Did you catch up with Steve Perry at the Walk Of Fame event?

You know, I shook his hand and said 'nice to meet you', I was just in awe. I turned the corner and my heart skipped – it was like, Oh My God, he's here!
To me that was the highlight of the event – to get to see my idol.
That was the coolest thing. To have him show up dude, it would not have been as special without him. I was praying he would be there. I don't have any right to be there – I don't have anything to do with that legacy, but he needed to be there.

Did you have any time to chat at all?

Just an introduction and that was it…the rest of the time I was just staring at him. I'm a fan just like anyone else. It was freaking me out - the coolest thing ever!

Well, let's talk about your imitation of him on the record!

Yeah, I've stolen blind! Haha
Journey's sound is very distinct. When you get these songs, It's hard not to. For me it's very hard not to sound like Steve Perry as that's who I grew up listening to.
Even though I listen to metal and am a real heavy metal freak, Journey was always a guilty pleasure.
You liked Iron Maiden, Metallica, Slayer…but still, Journey was always my favourite.
Steve Augeri has his own style and that is so cool about him, but I'm just a good chameleon.

[leducred]

very cool
s

[icubud]

Nice to read SP get some nods.

A heck of an interview.

Hope he stays clean and sober.

[perrynow]

As the saying goes....often imitated, NEVER duplicated! No matter how in awe he is of Perry, Deen is trying too hard to stress how much better he can duplicate his vocals, BETTER than Augeri. I don't think either one of them sound like Perry. Geez, Deen, I thought you said Augeri was Steve Perry with a perm. It's all just a rip-off anyway....neither Deen or Augeri had anything to do with writing those songs, OR the legacy, but they are milking it every time they go on stage. If he felt he had no right to be at the WOF, then he should have either stayed home or stood in the audience, watching those that wrote the songs and built the legacy receive the honor. Now THAT would have shown just how gracious, respectful and awestruck he really was (and that goes for Augeri as well). At least Deen didn't wear all white and stand in the front row during all the photos.

[barbara]

Finely someone saying something good about Steve.I was not sure about Deen but he sounds like a good guy.

[webbie]

I am going to stick my two cents in...I hope thats ok...

I think Journey was on a fast train to nowhere...then came Steve Perry.
He MADE that band, PERIOD!
I know they are all good musicians and everything...but THAT VOICE!
And the way they trashed him after Trial By Fire...sheesh.
Ok...I'm done babblin!

Have a great evening everyone,
Webbie
All of a sudden at the WOF, they are trying to look all buddy-buddy with him.

[pat]

Well Journey was circling the drain almost being flushed down the musical sewer when Steve Perry came along and gave the band something they so needed to stay alive and wanted AIR PLAY. They weren't getting that but Steve comes along and got them Air Play and so much more he saved them from music distinction.

It's nice what Deen had to say about Steve. He got to see his idol.