The unexpected Journey of Jeff Scott Soto

Few people have seen the ultimate highs and disappointing lows in the rock business as Jeff Scott Soto.

Soto had served as the lead vocalist for Yngwie Malmsteen's first two albums before taking over lead vocals for Journey in January 2007. Six months later, the band announced Soto was out.

Oddly enough, it's not an entirely unfamiliar story for Soto. The Los Angeles-based rocker (who has band members living in Tampa Bay) was hired to handle the singing duties for the fictional "Bobby Beers" of "Steel Dragon" in the 2001 movie Rock Star, the story of how a tribute-band singer (Mark Wahlberg) took over the lead vocals job from a legendary but aging rocker.

Six years after the movie, Soto firsthand felt the incredible rush (and later the disappointment) when he took over the singing duties for a band once fronted by the legendary Steve Perry.

Still, Soto doesn't seem to hold any lingering resentments about his unexpected dismissal from the band.

These days, Arnel Pineda does the fronting for Journey, and Soto has returned to a solo career, complete with a new album. He recently chatted via e-mail with Stuck in the '80s about the ups and downs of life with Journey.

How did you land the gig fronting Journey?

"It's pretty widely known by now, the predecessor to Steve Perry, Steve Augeri, had some throat problems right as they were beginning a huge tour with Def Leppard in the U.S. I had already worked with Neal Schon in a band called Soul SirkUS and he knew not only was I heavily influenced and weaned on Journey's legacy but that he could count on me in a huff."

How much time did you get to prepare?

"I got a day's notice. I met them in D.C. on a day off, met them at the lobby to say hello. We got on the bus with a setlist to discuss how some songs go into others or are extended from the studio versions. We basically got a 10-minute sound check and an hour later, I was onstage in front of 20,000 people!"

How did the crowd react to you?

"It was a dream mixed with a nightmare actually. Some people didn't even pay attention, know or realize Steve Perry wasn't in the band anymore -- this after 10 years since his departure, 20 years since his last show with them!''

"So out comes this tall Puerto Rican dude belting out the hits! The pressure of knowing you are being judged, compared or rated against one of the greatest singers of all time while doing HIS songs, is not an easy thing. I am pretty bulletproof to criticism or people just not getting it, but it can be hurtful to not be accepted by die-hards who simply don't want to know about it."

Did Steve Perry influence you as a singer when you were getting started?

"It was more than words can describe to do all these songs I had done in previous high school bands or simply singing in the car for so many years. Perry helped shape much of my early years as a singer mainly because we were both influenced by so many of the same singers: Sam Cooke, Jackie Wilson, the whole Motown thing."

Did you get to witness any crazy rock star moments?

"There really aren't any crazy stories to tell. These guys are up there in their years so they play it safe when it comes to activity off the stage. They're all pretty mellow and family oriented so it was a chill environment, almost too chill for me."

So what's your side of the breakup story?

"It's difficult to truly tell my side as we do have confidentiality agreements with each other, so I don't know just how much of my departure/side sounds negative or explanatory.''

"All I can say is I put my whole life and dedication to continuing with them after I was officially deemed a permanent member of the band. I had no idea there were any issues, concerns, discussions or plans otherwise nor was there any given to me prior to my dismissal. I wish I could say it was amicable but I can't."

Have you heard Arnel Pineda's vocal work with the band yet?

"Of course I paid attention to their next move, how could I not? It's like looking to see who your ex is dating next after she dumps you. I love his voice -- it's organic, natural and sounds like he does it with ease most of the time.''

"My opinion about him being a Perry clone is a bit different than others'. He emulates the songs very well, but there's a sense of the 'feeling' that is missing for me, which is a good thing because it helps him retain his own identity. Perry had this very soulful swagger to his singing that is something more felt than emulated."

"Perry is a master, often imitated, never duplicated. I don't want this to sound negative in ANY way, Arnel is an AMAZING singer and I give him much respect for his position now!"

So what's next for you? I hear there's a new album in the works.

"The best way to get through a course of JSS 101 is to visit www.jeffscottsoto.com or even www.myspace.com/sewtoe."

"My new album, Beautiful Mess, was just released on iTunes and many other digital outlets two weeks ago and the video for the first single, 21st Century (shot entirely in Tampa!), launches (Sept. 15) on, well you guessed it, YouTube! (Click here to see it.) I'm also touring with the world-renowned Trans-Siberian Orchestra this winter as well so between album releases and touring on my own, I keep quite busy."

[Publicity photo]

Comments

[Markfan]

Go to Rip off Report and read about Jeff Soto. You will see why perhaps Journey never even said goodbye There is another side to Jeff. Oh ooo Woe My My My oh oh oh oh oh. Seems Soto's pr team does a lot of covering for him . I do not think he was a good fit for journey, His voice has a husk to it. His demeanor is heavier and Niel Schon was not happy with his preformances i know Neal and he is really stricy when it comes to pitch. I have recently heard many preformances where Jeff Scott Soto has pitch problems.

[danriv]

heloo.

[journey fan]

jeff criticizing arnel for his vocals? he must be kidding, he's not even in the same league :(

[journeycult]

the caveman is here!!!

[AR]

Jeff has obviously put a lot of time and effort into this new release and it shows. My favorites on this release are Broken Man, Our Song and Gin and Tonic Sky.

Unlike his former bandmates who just recorded a safe "by the numbers" parody of former releases, JSS has taken a chance here and I think it's really paid off artistically.

Hope to catch him at the Mohegan Sun with Scrap Metal next month!

[TitoLovesSoto]

Would the REAL Tito please stand up (and stand still in front of my crosshair ? )

Reardon/SaintJohn , It IS Tito posting here since he cant post over at Melodic right now.

[wuangie99]

This is to John P...LOL...thumbs up to you! I saw nothing wrong with the statement JSS made about the band members being up in years...hell, it's true,lol

[wuangie99]

I agree with most of the other comments posted here-JSS is truly a class act and he's an extraordiary talent that does not get the recognition I think he derserves here in the States. I have been a long time JSS lover and he will always have my support in anything he does. 'Beautiful Mess' is one of few CD's that you can play and pretty much find SOMETHING on there for everyone-not many artists can do that.

[Reardon]

Anyone with half a brain could probably surmise that it's not really Tito posting here. Just someone trying to stir the pot for him whilst he's banned from MR.

[John P]

Marathon tours? Come on Titto (yes, I spelled it with 2 't's so it sounds like TITT), anyone can handle the 'vigors' of a 4 month tour in a coach that's better than some homes, on wheels, 1st class accommodation, 5 star hotels, people at your mercy night & day & earning a smooth $1M from it. Well even I can do it for a year straight for half that!

And yes, they are up in their years, unless you yourself is 54-59 & consider that an insult, Soto is something like 41 or 42, I'm sure even he doesn't party like a banshee so where's the surprise he's not revealing stories about them snorting coke & hanging off chandeliers like rock stars do when they're young?

You're a Soto hater from other boards so it's no surprise you have to seek him out whenever you catch a breath from your head being up Jon Cain's rear to share your stupidity. Just because musicians write great songs don't make them great people but you can sift them out from their words and actions!!

[TitoSucks]

Stip stalking Soto you psycho

[q]

how about arnel & jss collaboration?

[Dirtideed]

Class act indeed. Took the high road,not dissing the other frontman.

[SRob]

Jeff Scott Soto is a class act - and 'Beautiful Mess' is a great album! Love Jeff's voice, and his range (not just vocal - style - the man can sing anything).
While the departure from Journey must have been a major disappointment, he just keeps rockin' on.
The first video (21st Century) from 'Beautiful Mess' is great - Gary Schutt did a tremendous job with it.

[CHAD]

i dont have any jss material. what i do have is the sould sirkus cd. what a cd that is. its jaw droppingly great. i can honestly say, its one of the best hard rock cds of the last 10 years. jeffs voice is hard to explain. it weaves in and out of different sounds and styles. it is unfortunate about his termination from journey. i would have loved to have heard a cd with him at the helm.

[Jenay]

Nice interview!! I agree with JSS that Arnel is not a Perry clone and SP can't be duplicated. But I will say that I think that Arnel, particularly live in concert, does sing the classic songs with "feeling" all his own. When he sings "Faithfully" for instance, when I saw him in concert recently he looked like he was thinking of his lady back home and missing her and his family so much. I think he is able to relate his personal life experiences to many of the classic songs and he's able to touch the audience with his feelings.

[kitkat]

i admire his attitude a true gentleman.
as i have read arnel is also a big fan of perry.

salute to you JSS

[Kathy Helms]

You were a pure joy to watch live, and I sure look forward to seeing you on stage again. Not to mention on Hell of a voice. Thanks for being so professional, you are a true mentor.

[S]

oh come now jeff you had the bands tracks in the summer of 2005 and you were doing solo shows that included journey songs that fall. you were well prepared to step on augeri as soon as they called.

[Tito]

Still, Soto doesn't seem to hold any lingering resentments about his unexpected dismissal from the band.

Really?

"All I can say is I put my whole life and dedication to continuing with them after I was officially deemed a permanent member of the band. I had no idea there were any issues, concerns, discussions or plans otherwise nor was there any given to me prior to my dismissal. I wish I could say it was amicable but I can't."
--------------------------

"So out comes this tall Puerto Rican dude belting out the hits! The pressure of knowing you are being judged, compared or rated against one of the greatest singers of all time while doing HIS songs, is not an easy thing. I am pretty bulletproof to criticism or people just not getting it, but it can be hurtful to not be accepted by die-hards who simply don't want to know about it."

His songs? Were you singing Street Talk songs? They're Journey songs.
-------------------------------

Bulletproof to criticism? LOL! I don't think so.
--------------------------------

"There really aren't any crazy stories to tell. These guys are up there in their years so they play it safe when it comes to activity off the stage. They're all pretty mellow and family oriented so it was a chill environment, almost too chill for me."

Up in there (sic) years? They seem to handle the marathon tours well. Also, how old are you? You're getting up there yourself.

[~Twilight~]

Jeff is and always has been a very multi-talented singer with many influences. 'Beautiful Mess' is a wonderful blend of all of them. This is one of the best releases I have heard in years!

Great job on the video production by Gary Schutt. '21st Century' is very engaging, heightening your visual senses. Makes you stop and look at the the beautiful mess we have created in this 21st century!

[Bassnote]

It is unfortunate that he was dismissed from Journey the way he was, but I'm glad to see he is not taking out his anger on Arnel. Jeff seems to be a very classy guy.

I was at that concert at Nissan Pavillion that he talked about.

[ARod]

Heck yes! Rican talent!

[rockachic]

I think Jeff is so good! Wish I could see more of him

[Chaz]

Jeff Kicks A** always has always will