http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news/steve-perry-wants-to-rejoin-journey/

Quote:

Former Journey frontman Steve Perry has amazed his former bandmates by asking to rejoin the group. (Don’t Stop Believin’? More like: would you believe it?) Perry left the Bay Area AOR legends for good in 1998 to embark on a solo career. He was replaced by Steve Augeri and then Jeff Scott Soto. Filipino singer Arnel Pineda took over vocal duties in 2007. Journey have since enjoyed renewed success after Don’t Stop Believin’ was featured in The Sopranos and covered by the cast of hit TV musical Glee. Don’t Stop Believin’ also won a gong at this week’s Classic Rock Roll Of Honour. Now Perry wants to rejoin Journey, according to guitarist Neal Schon. Schon told The Daily Star: “He [Perry] seems to be enjoying the spotlight a little too much. The fact is he’s no longer the lead singer. He walked out.”

Perry back in the group would mean big business. They've always been lucky enough to have great vocalists post-Perry but there's nothing like the original. I'm surprised Schon would say that. How long until he gives in?

I am sure that it will happen but I do not see the band rushing to do so, it took them a long time to rebuild Journey's success, and I think a reunion with Steve Perry would be a one shot reunion tour.

I agree with manny and exact..... They have spent too many years rebuilding Journey just to throw it all away for one album and tour with Perry.


Oh.... Who knows the repercussions that it would have on them in the Phillipines if they dumped Arnel..........

Don't do it Neal. Yeah, it would probably be a huge tour but do they really need the money?

I didn't realize Journey already had a follow-up to Revelation. From what I've found, it'll supposedly come out in early 2011. And Revelation went platinum. Good for them. The power of Walmart!

The REAL problem is that Arnel's impression of Steve Perry is so good that Perry feels the need to prove himself all over again. I'm not slamming Perry, I just think it would be very difficult to hear your old band with a new singer that sounds so much like you. The same thing happened to Judas Priest with Ripper, Halford couldn't stand it that they were doing so well without him and with a guy who sounded like Halford in his prime. Again, NOT a slam, just an observation.

They have revived themselves with Arnel, stick with him.

I can't help but salivate over the news that this could POSSIBLY take place, BUT, I also understand why Neil Schon would want no part of it, based on what can only be considered a very strained relationship. These guys traveled in separate tour buses since 1983, because Steve didn't gel with the band. I kind of wonder how Ross Valory feels about the situation as well? Steve, basically had both he and Steve Smith bounced from the band while the recording for "Raised on Radio" was going on. Funny enough, Smith has always stated w/out Steve Perry in the band; he had no interest in staying with Journey. I give credit to the man, since Perry treated him like garbage. If this were going to happen, does that mean there would be a full on reunion, bringing back Steve Smith as well???

I think Neil could cave to the pressure of this possible reunion, as nobody is getting any younger, and when money talks, well, we all know what happens...Just ask the Eagles!

Hey about this have both Arnel & Steve in the band together and make the concerts twice as long with each singer doing the songs as part of their own set. But make sure each singer sings the same song, mindblowing don't ya think?

Wargod51

I think it would be a big mistake, in the short run they would make lots and lots of money but once the tour ends and Steve Perry leaves again, then Journey have to start all over again like they did when Perry left after their first reunion.

It took Journey several years and three vocalist for them to be able to rebuild their career and credibility like they have with Arnel.

Boston, Foreigner, Survivor, have all tried and are currently touring without their original vocalist and all are touring the oldies circuit, only Journey ( in the current incarnation) have managed to avoid this and have worked very hard to get to where they are today.

The new guy sounds EXACTLY like him....it would of course be epic to have Perry back but I can see why the band wouldn't want a guy who walked out on them to come back. The new guy is great.

So let me see if I gotthis right.

Steve tells Journey to slag off. Journey finds a replacement and had great success playing older material and selling new albums and presumably making some cash while Steve sits home with his cats. And now he wants back in?

Does Steve Perry even sound like Steve Perry anymore? Might as well stick with the new guy.

Sadly, they'll probably do the reunion with Steve for the quick cash grab. "Steve Perry Back in Journey" makes a better marquee title. Then he'll flake out again and Journey will fade back into obsurity trying to find another lead singer on YouTube, thus losing any momentum they built in the last 3 or 4 years.

Here's the thing, how long does Journey plan to go on? Father time comes into play at some point. Ross Valory (61), Jonathan Cain (60), Neil Schon (56), and Steve Perry (61). Even if Neil Schon sees bigger and better things with Arnel (43), how long do Ross and Jonathan want to keep this thing going (since they're on average 5 years older than Neil)?

I certainly don't want to see Journey become the next Lynyrd Skynyrd with only one original member on stage (even if it is the great Neil Schon). I guess my view is this, Steve Perry has a huge ego, probably is a pain in the ass, but I hope it happens. I would be one to go see Journey, and would pay handsomely to say I was able to see this lineup. I would hope that Steve Smith would also be asked to come back, though I would have no problem having Dean Castronovo behind the kit. It would be nice to if they could get Gregg Rolie to come join them for a couple of gigs.

Well, if someone like Keith Richards can still manage to do.....well, anything, I think these guys can manage.

I can resist no longer.

One of my most hated bands threatening to once again inundate the world with their AOR, chick-drivel is certainly a sign of the apocalypse.

It's Mecha-Journey unleashing their wrath on an unsuspecting world....