The other shoe dropped...

[arden]

www.melodicrock.com/

JOURNEY PRESS RELEASE
Jeff Scott Soto has been formally announced as the new vocalist for Journey and Steve Augeri has stepped down after 8 years fronting the band. Here is the long awaited official press release from band management:


JOURNEY NAMES JEFF SCOTT SOTO OFFICIAL NEW LEAD SINGER

December 19, 2006 -- Jeff Scott Soto has been officially named the new lead singer of Journey. He had been filling in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the U.S. tour with Def Leppard shortly after it began on June 23 due to illness.

“We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to Journey,” says Journey in a joint statement. “We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring.”

Steve Augeri states: “Singing for Journey these last eight years have been the most challenging and the most rewarding of my career. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the band, and especially the fans, for the privilege of being part of a musical legacy that has touched so many hearts and souls. I wish my fellow bandmates success and happiness as they continue to make great music in the future, as I will strive to do the same myself.”

Jeff Soto also adds, “With delight & pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with Journey now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour. I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping Journey continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive Journey into the next stage of this band's future.”

Since Soto's first appearance with Journey on July 7 in Bristow, VA, his performances have been garnering rave reviews. To wit:

“Right off the bat, Journey's new lead singer is fantastic. Jeff Scott Soto is a supremely talented vocalist who handled with ease the many sky-high notes and the mile-long range in Journey's repertoire. Steve Perry fans have never gotten over the original lead singer's departure from the band, but I'm here to tell you this guy rocks the role. And yes, if you close your eyes he sounds just like Perry, but -- dare I say it? -- maybe even more passionate and full of verve. Hits such as 'I'll Be Alright Without You' and 'Wheel in the Sky' showcased his mighty voice.” --Lorilee Craker, Grand Rapids Press

“The one-time Yngwie Malmsteen vocalist channeled (Steve) Perry flawlessly, nailing all the high notes and then some…Soto's got it going on.” --Christopher John Treacy, Boston Herald

“Could Soto cut it? Yes. And then some. His vocals and stage presence were impressive.” --Dave Ferman, Ft. Worth Star-Telegram

“Soto is a really strong vocalist, so instead of struggling to emulate (Steve) Perry's laser-beam vibrato, he can get away with a style that mixes grainy power with effortless key changes.” --Johnny Loftus, Metro Times Detroit

Steve Augeri is currently recording his debut solo album, In The Moment, due out the summer of 2007. He's also putting the finishing touches on the much-anticipated follow-up to the AOR classic Tall Stories album, launching early next year. For more info, visit www.steveaugeri.com.

Journey--Neal Schon (guitar), Ross Valory (bass), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Deen Castronovo (drums) and Jeff Scott Soto (vocals)—are currently mapping out plans for 2007.
WebLink: www.journeymusic.com.

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Jeff Scott Soto commenced his role with the band on July 7 in Bristow, VA. Following the July 6 announcement, I posted a detailed statement summing up the situation and introducing JSS to Journey fans. He has since done that himself, in person and in impressive fashion over this long US tour, but for a recap of my comments, click to: Journey - JSS Flies In.

The feature on my trip to Los Angeles in October to see the band live and interview the new line-up has been held up pending this announcement as the contents of the feature and the interviews within all contained details of what the band plans to do from here as well as various references to those plans in my diary. I'm sorry folks had to wait so long to read this and it is my hope that it was worth the wait!
The link to read the feature is below - take some time to read through everything and do let me know what you think!

[sparkle2]

Big surprise (not). Augeri was an embarrassment even before he blew out his pipes. I like JSS's solo stuff, but still... all together now "If it ain't Perry, it ain't Journey!"

sparkle

ps - if ya'll are going to MR to read more, check out that thread that someone wrote what the press release would say if Neal Schon wrote it - I was ROFL.

[perrynow]

The interviews... Let's start with Neal.
Head STILL in the clouds, reaching for elusive recognition with yet ANOTHER vocalist, trying to prove he doesn't need Perry. Neal claiming THIS line-up is better than the Perry line-up. Same b.s., different lead singer. He hasn't been happy with Augeri and their lack of chemistry. Neal tried too hard to make the point that he was NOT going to rock out on a new CD, as many feared he'd turn it into the Journey Circus. So, I see no significant change in the air for this line-up.

Now on to Cain....a million excuses, apologies, why another change in lead singers was not working at first, but then says Soto finally got it together and is great. Cain sounded VERY reluctant to claim that a change in singers is going to take Journey any further than an Augeri-fronted one. Cain would have preferred to keep Augeri and continue tape-gate? Everyone gave the p.c. speech about wishing Augeri well, but nobody talked to him since backstage at the N.J. show. If Augeri is recording a new solo CD, all his vocal troubles must be behind him...so SOON?
Cain gave Augeri credit for 3 songs. Not much of an 8 year "legacy" as a Journeyman, IMO. Cain didn't seem too terribly excited at the prospect of writing with Jeff, did he? It was mentioned that they'd all do separate studio tracks wherever they are and put them?
Soto....pretty confident that he is going to be the next Sammy Hagar for Journey. Sounds pretty strong vocally, but he needs to drop the Perry comparisons to himself if he wants to carve out his own niche. He has an ego as big as the state of Texas, IMO.

Lastly.... Deen. He says Perry is a vocal God, then goes on to say HE is the "Perry clone". Well, I've got news. There isn't one of those on the planet. I'm glad he wasn't lipping, but dragging fans backstage to prove your point is a bit much.
Bottom line for me after reading it......they learned NOTHING about how to gain new fans or keep the ones they had. Neal STILL talks about Perry as though he was nothing special to their success. There's so much about that Augeri situation that is being covered up, too. Neal has been planning to get Soto in since S.S. failed, IMO. Cain and Schon are at opposite sides of the creative spectrum. I see conflict over Neal and Soto wanting things a certain way and Cain wanting to keep things more in the realm of old Journey. They are not embarking on any new frontiers. They will play it safe, post tape-gate fiasco, trying to appease the Wigglers. They will continue to say they are as good or BETTER than the Perry era, all the while continuing to play mostly greatest hits at shows.
Does anybody know if it is true that Neal is writing his autobiograpy? I thought he wasn't allowed to do that, if it pertained to anything with Journey? Isn't that what Herbie claimed?

[sparkle2]

Sparkle ghostwrites Neal's autobiography :

1970s:
Dropped out of school & joined Santana. Don't remember much else.

1980's:
Can't talk about it, gag order. Go ask Herbie. Got married, had kids.

1990's:
Cracked stones, embarrassed self in lame cover band with prissy singer. Got married, had kids.

2000's:
Embarrassed self with lame cover band & Memorex. Got married, had kids.

The End

Kidding aside, his autobiography would probably be slightly biased to say the least!! Probably wouldn't even mention Perry.

Sparkle

[lecalla]

Omg, Sparkle!! You had me in stitches!!! ROFLMAO!!!

Oh, Neal's autobiography would mention Perry...as a fleeting notion in passing, along with a few select four-letter words to describe him...then he'll move on to himself again, as the unforgettable, built around him, fantastic leader-supreme of Journey Rock God...or Rock Dog as the case may be.

Usually, I despise the DMV...long lines, bored office personel, things to fill out in triplicate...but I gotta love them when they told Neal that a deity couldn't be put on a license plate...Rock Dog is what he settled for...too funny!

Hugs!!
Lee

[properry]

Well I've been critizised by some on another board (not mentioning the name of board) for not accepting JSS, they feel I haven't given him a fair chance,LOL... but I've listened to enough to KNOW for MYSELF that Perry is the ONLY one I want to hear singing those GREAT Journey songs.

And you know , I respect EVERYONES right to like what they like, I don't push "my own views" on anyone over there, saying that they should feel the same way as me, but I guess some feel that because THEY like JSS , I should too.

Perry made such a huge remarkable impact on me with his AMAZING SINGING abilities & Talent that for ME, NO ONE ELSE can do it!!! That's just the way it is for me!

Lori

[sexxymofo]

properry said:

Well I've been critizised by some on another board (not mentioning the name of board) for not accepting JSS, they feel I haven't given him a fair chance,LOL... but I've listened to enough to KNOW for MYSELF that Perry is the ONLY one I want to hear singing those GREAT Journey songs.

And you know , I respect EVERYONES right to like what they like, I don't push "my own views" on anyone over there, saying that they should feel the same way as me, but I guess some feel that because THEY like JSS , I should too.

Perry made such a huge remarkable impact on me with his AMAZING SINGING abilities & Talent that for ME, NO ONE ELSE can do it!!! That's just the way it is for me!

Lori

Hi Lori, I second everything you've said here. I hate when they tell you, you have no business here if you don't support the current line up.....what a load of crap! Journey is forever Perry whether some like it or not.Perry is what Journey is known for

[properry]

sexxymofo said:

properry said:

Well I've been critizised by some on another board (not mentioning the name of board) for not accepting JSS, they feel I haven't given him a fair chance,LOL... but I've listened to enough to KNOW for MYSELF that Perry is the ONLY one I want to hear singing those GREAT Journey songs.

And you know , I respect EVERYONES right to like what they like, I don't push "my own views" on anyone over there, saying that they should feel the same way as me, but I guess some feel that because THEY like JSS , I should too.

Perry made such a huge remarkable impact on me with his AMAZING SINGING abilities & Talent that for ME, NO ONE ELSE can do it!!! That's just the way it is for me!

Lori

Hi Lori, I second everything you've said here. I hate when they tell you, you have no business here if you don't support the current line up.....what a load of crap! Journey is forever Perry whether some like it or not.Perry is what Journey is known for

Hi sexxymofo,

Did you have a good Christmas? Just to let you know I wasn't told to leave there or that I couldn't post how I felt there. A few felt I NEEDED to listen to MORE of JSS solo material , and wait to hear what new music comes from HIM with Journey before making my mind up.

As I said before though, I already listened to some of his solo music, a few of his songs I liked, but not enough to win me over.

I just have a GREAT LOVE for THE WAY Perry SINGS all those Journey songs! That is basically what I was trying to get across to them. Like I said before, I still respect THEIR right to like who ever they like, that is fine.

Lori