Journey back on tour (still); Steve Perry back on the radio

Journey is still on its never-ending tour following their comeback Revelations album and hiring of singer Arnel Pineda.

A bunch of new dates have been added, including several in Florida (but none in Tampa Bay.) So local fans here will have to travel to Orlando for the Sept. 23 show at the Amway Arena. Opening for Journey is ... Night Ranger, marking at least the third time this year they've played Central Florida. For all I know, they're set up right now outside my apartment, reading to serenade me with Sister Christian on the way to work.

More interesting Journey news: Their former, iconic singer Steve Perry is being interviewed this week by the CBC, Canada's radio network, for a story on the enduring popularity of Don't Stop Believing. Also being interviewed: Yep, some schlep named Steve Spears of Stuck in the '80s. Supposedly, Perry will hear what I've said about the legendary hit song and react to it during the interview. And I wonder why I haven't been able to sleep for days now.

Hopefully I'll have an audio clip to post later this week. And yes, of course, I'm going to try to get Perry on the Stuck in the '80s podcast. Trouble is that I only have about 300 or so questions to ask him!

[Publicity photo]

Comments

[Marilyn M-T]

Steve Perry, where do I began. The memories of the concrete in Charleston W.V. in 1983, I was 27 and I took my 15 year old sister and it was a class act or the song When you love a woman. Ever time I hear it, it fills like my first kiss. I got butterflies in my stomach. there is not another man on earth that can delver a love song like he can. When I was a teenager I could be in the same room with my Mom and Dad and fill like I was 100 miles away. The generation gap was so big, I said then I would not let that happen to my kids and I did my best. A week or so ago me and my granddaughter was looking at youtub I showed her the Oh Sherry video and she said Steve is a sexy beast. She is 14 and I said you are to young to say that, and then I said I glad you fill free enght to say it. Thanks Steve for the memories and for helping bridging the generation gap.WE hope to hear you again soon love Marilyn

[Leah]

Sorry for the typos above!

[Leah]

Big question-For 3 years now, since the GQ interview, there have been reports that he is recording. He himself has said that is a perfectionist and doesn't want to put out a hackneyed, corporate comeback album-gotta respect that. Would rather have less music and have it be authentic Perry, reflecting his emotions, thoughts, and perspective at the time. In 2005 he said he wasn't even under management, and had 'shut the store down' completely (the Mother Father interview of 12/05). Any credible sources out there who have new reports about whether 2009 will actually be the year for some new releases? I know that the forums of hardcore fans wouldn't care if he sang gospel, country, reggae or the Star Spangled Banner-as long as it was Perry! I know I'd be thrilled to see something accompanied by a live performance-but hey, that could be a single filmed concert, webcast, whatever. He said that he hates having performances video taped because they make it less spontaneous, but it would be one solution to having to support an album with a whole tour. Any thoughts? Anyone with industry inside status who can put the fans' minds at ease that indeed, there WILL be something new? Was listening to some old songs like 'You're the Best Thing' by Gladys Night, 'If you Don't know me by now', etc. and was reminded of Perry's love of R&B, Sam Cooke, etc. An R&B album, or jazz in the Diana Krall style, his more mature, 'stepped down', slightly raspier voice from the late 1990's would be stunning with that kind of music. By the way, kudos to Ross Muir for the education on the Standard Concert keys-really learned something! And frankly, after much listening to Perry on Trial by Fire, FLOSM, etc.-really like his voice BETTER there-is more soulful, still has the same power, wonderful vibrato, even though I'm sure that some of the high notes are gone (Barbra Streisand freely admits those limitations due to age, as well). If he is even 1/10 as good as he was in the late 1990's-it still will be stupendous music. And considering how they toured him relentlessly, without a lot of the technology that can give singers a 'break' today-well, a missing note or two from the range is a miracle considering the punishment his voice has had to endure. Just hope that he realizes that people who really care don't want to pigeonhole him musically,or just do a memory lane nostalgia trip. Would love to see, through his music, where he is in both perspective, message, and musical emotion today-and would respect how vulnerable sharing himself would make him emotionally-and would applaud that can of authenticate, honest musicianship. Let the rumors be true!

[Monty Museitef]

We all know that Mr. Steve Perry have alot of new material out there ready and we're all waiting to here his voice again very soon. I'm sure that he remembers the promise he kept.
Monty.M

[Lattinah]

I heard Jian's interview with Steve Perry and it was WONDERFUL! You were mentioned twice Mr. Spears, and parts of your talks were used! Great stuff! Hope to hear from Steve Perry himself on your blog/podcasts!
From Lattinah - A Perry Sis!

[Greg L]

Follow-on #2 and wrap-up: Another Spearsy clip at 50 minutes in.

54 minutes in - Steve Perry talks about his mom and her support, and gets choked up. Kinda powerful stuff. Amazing.

.. and the segment goes right to the end of the show at the one hour mark, ending with them playing the song.

Quite a cool interview, very interesting. Great to hear you on the show Mr. Spears.

CBC posts podcasts of these shows in case anyone misses it live. The show is called "The Q".

[Spears]

I take that back: Having Debby Foreman call me at my desk is still No. 1. But hearing Steve Perry and myself on the CBC is a virtual tie.

[Spears]

Yep, that was me. It's so surreal hearing myself on radio in Canada from here in Florida and then hearing Steve Perry and the host talk about me afterward. Seriously, possibly the biggest thrill of my life.

[Greg L]

Follow-on: Spearsy clip at 45 minutes in. Spearsy, was that actually you? Didn't sound like it!? Maybe just in the translation to radio versus the podcast..... Anyways, there it is. Interview still going, 10 minutes in...

[Greg L]

Edit - I'm listening to the Atlantic time zone feed. They're just starting the segment now, so it appears to be about 35 minutes into the feed (i.e. 35 minutes after the hour). It is streaming, though, so timing is a little variable.

[Greg L]

Here's the link gang: http://www.cbc.ca/radio/

The Newfoundland feed is just starting now (9:30 am EDT) I believe, the other feeds will start every hour on the hour from 9:00 am. EDT feed starts at 10:00. Of course, there will also be Central, Mountain and Pacific feeds. The host is implying that Steve Perry is on very early in the show - be warned! Hopefully just a few minutes now!

[DerekT]

The Steve Perry story mentioned will be broadcast on the 20th, which is tomorrow.

[Marissa]

Whoa! Hold up. Anna Vogt? I knew an Anna Vogt back in high school days. Is it possible there are two?

[Anna Vogt]

this I want to hear!

[Spears]

BTW, the interview is set to run Monday on CBC. I'll get a link to it when it's available in digital form.

[Perry's woman]

Great Score on the SP interview Steve, I only hope that you are able to ask him if he is ever going to record his own music again?
I have been a Perry groupie since 1981 and still listen to his music everyday,I have herd and seen clips of innuendos that maybe he will record again soon...but soon never comes.
If he is officially retired then so be it but please let us know one way or another...I keep holding on that someday maybe....
A real good friend of mine recently sent out her best 8x10 SP picture to maybe get it autographed by him but it came back unopened..cry yeah we were heartbroken that maybe he just don't want fans bothering him anymore..or maybe we got the wrong address? Whatever the case I sure wish it would have came back signed.Please Steve would you ask him people to send us a few autographed pic's too Kelly and Jan?

[Steve Bin Laden]

I remember when just about any Journey song back in the 80's came on and people would say "Oh man, this sucks, this is corporate rock." Why is it suddenly so well loved? Is this what we can expect of Lady Gaga 20 years from now?

[Carla]

Ahhh, this blog is music to my ears!! No one who remembers me is surprised that THIS is the blog that brings me out of lurkdom!

Good luck Steve with getting Perry to do a podcast with you.... I will anxiously await to hear if you're able to get him to do the show.

My two favorite Steve's in one place at the same time... heaven! lol

[Jimbo]

Since he has your first name Steve, I don't know how he can refuse an interview ;-)

Actually, I agree with DerekT; cross your fingers for the podcast. He's supposedly a big baseball fan so maybe you can bribe him with a DRays jersey or something...

[Ross Muir, Prestwick, Scotland]

No-one can deny the impact/ resurgence JRNY had last year, but although they clearly took a step forward out of Perry's shadow in 2008, it's been a step back in 2009, or more accurately, a half step back...

JRNY09 are now performing in Eb tuning which is half a step down from Standard Concert E tuning. Don't see that in any of their interviews or comments when they and the hardcore bang on about Arnel being the equal of SP...
For the uninitiated or those not familiar with the ‘musicality’ of performance, this means performing a semitone (half a note) down from normal tuning which in turn assists vocalists as their top notes are reduced. It may not sound much but for some vocalists who sing in the higher registers, are older, or are constantly performing, it can be a vocal life saver - and in most cases it’s not even an issue as the vast majority of concert goers and fans will never notice, or could care less.
However the downside is it can leave the songs sounding a little ‘flat’, and for those with an ear or involved in music it can be quite noticeable. I personally find JRNY's songs, both musically and vocally, have less 'energy' in the different tuning and performance.
The one exception thus far to the 2009 Tour Eb rule was the Manila show which was in standard tuning, but this was Arnel Pineda’s ‘homecoming’ gig and was filmed for DVD, so it’s an absolute no brainer that you would want Pineda on his game, feeding off the home crowd, and be in standard tuning, especially with the show being recorded for official release. It makes perfect sense as regards fanbase and promotional potential, although a musician friend of mine saw this as almost ‘false advertising’ as regards the 2009 tour.
Journey have never compromised on stage and always performed in Standard E tuning – until now. It’s not impossible there were isolated instances of dropped tuning in the years and decades past, but no mention has ever been made of such, and it’s also not impossible that had they cut Steve Augeri some slack and performed half a step down on the tours and times he was struggling he may well still be with them - or at least saved them money on a hard drive, Pro-tooled CD, and a cable or two.
Whether they revert to Standard Tuning for the US leg or later tours remains to be seen, but once you hit Eb that's usually it - certainly live, and certainly for at least the full tour.
But it happens to the best of 'em...
Kevin Chalfant is the only singer I can truly listen to doing 'Classic Journey' other than Perry, and had they gone that way in '93 or post-Trial in '98 it would have been a natural 'evolution' what with Kevin's affinity to the band, genuine love of the songs, and his own tonality and ability.
Here's the kicker though - he too is now an Eb singer (certainly when doing a Journey) but that does not detract from his vocal because like Steve Perry he is an 'intelligent' singer who knows when to duck or carry the note, has nice phrasing, great lyrical interpretation, and emotive ability (Perry Lite).
And Perry himself of course was an Eb boy on the 'Medicine' Tour of 1994/95, but then he had been 'retired' from concert touring for over seven and a half years and was 45 when that tour started (passing his 46th year towards tour end). All in all, not too shabby a comeback.
Arnel Pineda had already turned forty when he started his Journey so it will only get harder vocally, not easier - but he does have a great set of pipes, has some great moments, can deliver great versions of some of the classics... but he is not one of the Greats, sorry.

[deedee]

Steve Perry is the voice of Journey. If anyone says differently, they're just kidding themselves. If he were to have been the vocals on "after all these years", bet that cd would have sky rocketed like Escape did. So many of us wish that Steve would come back. He's wonderful. By the way, "don't stop believin'" is one of the all time best songs. Sorry to burst a bubble or two, but that's a fact. If you say differently, you are out of touch with reality. In the state that I come from, that song is played everyday and several times a day on radio stations. I'm sure the same goes for several other states. And, nearly every Journey song that's played is from Frontiers and earlier. So, the thought must be unanimous, Steve Perry is the true voice of Journey. Have a great day and good luck to you, buddy.

[Old School]

Cool! Copngrats on getting some radio love.

[Marissa]

Awesome news, Spearsy! What a great score for you. I hope SP is feeling the love and agrees to the interview with you.

[DerekT]

Steve Perry will always be the true voice of Journey. Why do you think they picked one who sounds like him to replace him? I hope he comes with some new material soon, some online sites (none of them his) say he is working on a solo album. Cross your fingers. Good luck getting Steve Perry on a podcast, that would be the holy grail of interviews for it.