Anyone got Steve Perry's number?
Wanted: Lead singer who can hit the high notes -- the really high notes. Must be into FM-friendly rock and long tours with like-minded bands from the 80s. Knowing all the words to "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'" is a plus.
That's right -- Journey needs a new lead singer. The band announced Tuesday that it has parted ways with Jeff Scott Soto, who joined last year when former singer Steve Augeri was ill. Soto's last performance was May 12 in Leesburg, Va.
"[Soto] did a tremendous job for us and we wish him the best. We've just decided to go our separate ways, no pun intended," guitarist Neal Schon said in a statement. "We're plotting our next move now."
No official word yet from Soto's camp on how things went down, but his website's blog says the official Journey announcement was "released without my involvement ... mine will be out soon."
The band's statement said the remaining members -- Schon, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, bassist Russ Valory and drummer Deen Castronovo -- would take the rest of the year off to hang with the families and write some new songs.
Five Journey songs that say "goodbye":
5. Too Late: "Yes it's time to make a change, yes it's time to rearrange."
4. The Party's Over: "What can this poor boy do?"
3. After The Fall: "A headstrong stubborn man only works it out the best he can."
2. Who's Cryin' Now: "Love will survive somehow, someway"
1. I'll Be Alright Without You: "There'll be someone else ... I keep tellin' myself."
Songs to get whacked by
Journey's "Don't Stop Believin'" is No. 21 on the iTunes best-sellers list right now, thanks to its surprise appearance on the finale of HBO's The Sopranos. Tony plays it on the diner jukebox in the final scene.
It's not the song's only recent appearance on the list. A few years ago, both MTV's "Laguna Beach" and Fox's "Family Guy" featured the song, sending Journey's 1981 signature tune to the Top 10.
It was also the unofficial theme song of the 2005 World Champion Chicago White Sox. Other places you can hear it: The closing credits of "Talladega Nights," "South Park," "Scrubs," "The Wedding Singer" and "Cold Case."
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
E-mail Steve Spears:
Well, well.
After sync-gate and Neal's best pal stepping in (and apparently being a perfect fit only a scant few months ago), who will be up next? (or, for a number of us who know the real recent history of this band, who cares?)
Maybe I should audition.
Or Monet.
Or some other impressionist.
Ross Muir
Author of 'A Personal Journey - From The Crest of the Soundwaves to The Syncing Ship 1973-2006'
Available on request.
pentland12@hotmail.co.uk
Posted by: Ross from Prestwick | June 13, 2007 at 07:49 AM
Sounds like the next reality show on FOX. I can hear the promo now "The Journey begins..."
Posted by: Hamptune | June 13, 2007 at 08:44 AM
What is it with classic rock bands and lead singers?
Van Halen can't keep a lead singer.
Toto's gone through, like, four or five of them.
The Doobies haven't been the same since Michael McDonald left.
Just FYI, Journey's bassist's name is ROSS Valory, not Russ. And yes, I cannot believe that I actually know that fact.
Posted by: Eric Deggans | June 13, 2007 at 11:17 AM
Don't forget Styx, the Cars, Chicago
Posted by: Hamptune | June 13, 2007 at 11:50 AM
You just can't replace Steve Perry.
Posted by: Christina | June 13, 2007 at 12:00 PM
Sammy Hagar is available.
Posted by: Dave P | June 13, 2007 at 12:09 PM
The reality show is an interesting idea. I'd actually watch that. Just so long as I don't see Sanjaya trying to sing "Faithfully". He does have the hair though.
Posted by: Spears | June 13, 2007 at 12:56 PM
I saw them live when Augeri was on board and I remember how great he was. Best Steve Perry next to actual Steve Perry. Would like to see him return, though I'm sure it's not likely.
Posted by: Fett | June 13, 2007 at 01:22 PM
Wow Steve.. I've missed the blog the last few days... Hmmmm, how bout that, yet another lead singer for Journey!
I love the bands music, I've been one step shy of obsessed with them since I turned 8 years old.... but I haven't really been a fan since they parted with Perry! And I have many friends who would disagree with me on this, but I'm sorry, Journey isn't Journey without "THE VOICE"!
Hey Perry, What'cha doing??? :)
Posted by: Carla | June 13, 2007 at 10:46 PM
Steve Perry sucks, anyone who likes Journey sucks, all of you suck!
Posted by: zipperboy | June 15, 2007 at 10:01 PM
I was disappointed when I heard this. I thought Soto did great when I saw them last year at the Ford Amphitheatre. I loved the stuff he did with Talisman and Yngwie Malmsteen.
Not sure where they go from here. Perry more than likely isn't coming back. It sounds like Journey wants a carbon copy of Perry.
Posted by: Eric S. | June 16, 2007 at 02:01 AM
Journey is clearing the way for MrPerry!
Posted by: BanjoMan | June 16, 2007 at 03:21 AM
What's the real story with Augeri? I guess I missed all that. I'm your typical 40 something that can relate a lot of my life to a Journey song along the way. The voice, back with Journey? Never say never in rock & roll!
Posted by: Summerborn | June 16, 2007 at 01:47 PM
Augeri have (what they say)a throat problem.Neal and Cain replace him last summer with Jeff Scott Soto ,only to fire him one year later after touring in US and Europe.Hope Perry is taking care of his hip.
Posted by: BanjoMan | June 16, 2007 at 05:42 PM
Journey is not Journey, without Steve Perry
Posted by: | June 19, 2007 at 04:59 PM
There is only on mr perry and they should put things aside and rmebr it was the fans who made them! COME BACK SEVE WE HE FANS WANT THE REAL JOURNEY!!!
Posted by: maryinaz | July 12, 2007 at 08:39 PM
Maybe they could ditch Cain, bring back Gregg Rolie and Michael Shrieve and return to their much more musically intersting pre-"Infinity" sound.
Posted by: Bob | September 07, 2007 at 01:22 PM
I only wish I had Steve Perry's number!
We can only dream that Steve and the boys could mend their fences. But don't hold your breath. Steve A. and Jeff Scott have good voices, but please, they don't sound like Steve Perry. There is only one Steve Perry! It was amazing what he could do. We have to be realistic cause if by the grace of God Steve did come back he is now pushing the corner on being a potential AARP card carrying member. I doubt that the vocals would be the same, but hey, I would pay just to look at him stand on stage. Steve, we're "Missing You". You're one in a million.
Posted by: Charlie | September 07, 2007 at 04:44 PM
In the "Beginning", Journey was a lonely bamd, living in a lonely world. We didn't stop believen because Steve Perry came under the Lights and Faithfully renewed Journey as a band , the Pary was definately not over. Unfortnately in 1997, the Party was over as Journey went their Seperate Ways. As the Journey continued, the band was not the same with the "Arrival" of their new lead singer Steve Augeria . My thoughts is that Journey needs Steve Perry. His voice is the best .... Come Back Steve
Faithfully a Journey Fan
Posted by: Janet | November 23, 2007 at 09:53 PM
OK, that last post took WAY too much effort. That's about 45 minutes on allmusic.com for me. And though they weren't an "80s" band necessarily, how can the topic of Journey's new singer (who looks kinda like a bus boy or a deli clerk) be on the radar when the Led Zeppelin reunion show is days away?
I like my cheese with a good white whine, so I'll always hope Steve Perry returns for the obligatory Farewell Tour. However, the stage right now belongs to Mr. Page and Co.
Posted by: Young Andrew | December 06, 2007 at 05:29 PM