(PR) Due to a chronic throat infection, Journey's lead singer, Steve Augeri, has been forced to leave the band's current nationwide tour with Def Leppard. Jeff Scott Soto, who has previously performed with Journey guitarist Neal Schon, will assume the band's lead singer duties starting with the July 7th show in Bristow, VA. Steve Augeri's condition will be closely monitored by his physician to determine when he may be able to rejoin the tour.
According to Journey, "Steve's been suffering with an acute throat condition since before we kicked off the tour with Def Leppard. We were hoping he'd be in well condition to handle the rigors of the road but unfortunately it appears to be a chronic condition requiring total voice rest. We all wish Steve a speedy recovery."
Rant or Rave? Your turn, post your comments and thoughts on this news item. But hey keep it clean, we wouldn't want to have to wash your mouth out with Old Spice.
Posted by Ross in Scotland:
Well I understand the official statement regarding Augeri's (temporary?) departure and JSS stepping in, but having taken a lot of time to review the whole 'lip syncing' story and alleged proof of such (which followed hard on the heels of a successful UK and European foray), I have to put over my own opinion on a band that from 1975-1996 I championed to the hilt. This baby will not go away anytime soon. Look at it this way: The old 'the bigger the lie' the harder to believe / accept rule could be at play here. Churchill allowing German bombing runs during WWII(particularly over Coventry if my history info memory serves) so they did not know British Intel had broken codes; Bands using tapes/ lip syncing for numerous reasons.
I use an example prior to the current Journey woes as it is now known to be fact and - let's be honest - put's the vocal wars in to a fair bit of perspective. But it does make my point - it is hard to accept simply because it would seem inconceivable that such an act would ever be considered (particularly someone with the pedigree of Neal Schon). But it's a story that will run because like other 'theories' it has yet to be disproven, and some of the evidence is extremely damning. It's no secret that one gig under the microscope is 'available' (Manchester, UK) and if anyone wants to do some serious homework they can see/ hear just why the accusation is levelled at that gig plus Sweden and a host of US dates.
Here's the thing:
There are some vocalists who have a distinct style and are tagged as 'the greats' whether in range, histrionics, frontmen capability or simply have that indefinable 'something'. Perry is one, no question. Plant you recognise within first seconds, Jon Anderson couldn't be more different but has still got incredible pipes at, what, 60 years old? Now in a number of instances, a singer doesn't get the credit for just what a unique range, style and pitch he had/ has until someone else steps in. Classic case in point - the Freddie Mercury Tribute Concert from Wembley Stadium some decade and a bit more ago. Plant and Roger Daltrey were two notables who 'struggled' with trying to emulate. Even when David Coverdale was with Deep Purple you can hear him struggle with the Gillan songs such as 'Smoke'...no surprise Glenn Hughes helped out on that song and other shared vocal stints (similar in a way to Castronovo assisting Steve Augeri on some sections of selected numbers). So with Perry you have someone who possibly can never be copied or emulated, but Augeri has the job of doing just that. He has his own voice/ sound sure, but he is purposefully trying to sing these songs as close as he can to Perry in style, intonation, phrasing - and that for me could well be the source of the problem (Herbie Herbert may say Steve A now 'owns' these songs but that's not what I 'heard'). Journey over the last half dozen years have never toured as much or played more gigs - it has to be taking it's toll. 3 hour Generation shows - although interestingly this was when 'shared' vocals came into play. Also very curious that when 'new' songs were brought in from the back catalogue, other members took the vocal (last year 'Walks Like a lady' with Ross Valory, and more recently 'Just the same Way' with Jon Cain) I've never bought into the comment by Ross that they are all just finding their voice and having fun etc..its quite evident to me it was to assist Augeri, and Castronovo (ironically, the one guy who is a genuine Perry sound-alike) certainly carries a number of songs (I believe in some shows he took up to four songs on lead). Schon has said in the past Augeri has had vocal or throat issues, and it all comes about - for me - due to his job description. Doesn't automatically equate to lip syncing, but with the business of putting this cash cow out there to the masses it may mean - as incredulous as it sounds - that it was considered/ was being done rather than the financial suicide of cancelling and having to take valuable timeout to regroup, which they quite literally probably cannot afford to do. There are many instances of situations in many lines of business (entertainment or otherwise) where things get so critical, blinkered or 'too far down the line' that cracks are covered up by introducing activities that vary from a little dodgy to downright unethical. Just saying, is all...
The above is my reasoning why I believe Steve A picked up serious problems a year or more back - not just last month - which let's just say 'restricted' his performances - he has been singing out of his depth (or range) for too long. That comes over like a defence I guess, but let me state I don't condone it - I firmly believe the accusations to be true and it's a sickening scenario and as big a kick in the teeth as any current fan (or any fan of live rock music) could ever take. For me it's an unforgivable act - especially with the history, legacy and pedigree of this particular band.
And as I said at the top of this blurb - it will run - I honestly don't think we've heard the end of this and if the initial fan reports / reviews are true they are getting fairly mixed reports as to how they are sounding with JSS - some will love it, some will wonder what the hell is going on and others like myself will just hope they get the Leppard Tour over and put it to bed, leaving the legacy a little tarnished but intact based on past glories.
Oh, and contrary to what some may think knowing my passion for the band of the past, considering Steve P again would be gargantuan p.r. but may turn out to be no revelation. SP had lost a part of his range by the 'Medicine' tour (but jeez he could still deliver), and a further near-decade of retirement will not have helped the voice. Would any real fan want to see the 'classic' line up one more time if there was any chance of the boys not being able to recreate the magic? Well, yes, I would love to see it one more time but based on current activities and relationships (let alone could SP still cut it?) I think it's a teeny weeny bit improbable. That would be another story in itself, of course...
