Jeff has departed from Journey

I’ve known Jeff Scott Soto for almost 7 years and in that time have followed him through thick and thin, helping out where I can becoming a family friend and trusted supporter with am huge following. He is an honourable man who loves music and he had a number of bands that became his heroes –with Queen, Prince and Sam Cooke all vying for top slot and Journey right up there with them.

When he got the call and called me it was like he had been given the keys to the candy shop and the opportunity to sing before the President, the Queen, the Emperor all rolled into one. He relished the opportunity and for the past 11 months had been singing the band’s praises wherever he can – doing what he could to ensure that the audiences of long-time, committed Journey fans continue to love the band he loves. And, in early 2007, he was announced as the new, PERMANENT, singer for Journey, permanence (like many English words) has a different meaning here.

But since the Virginia gig he felt increasingly isolated but threw himself into the organisation of the closing pages of one of the chapters that helped to make Jeff what he is today – the Talisman Farewell Tour. And alongside that he put most of his career on hold.

Imagine, then, seeing the rumours of his demise beginning on chat-boards and meeting a music industry acquaintance in a far-flung land to be told “Hi Jeff, sorry to here you’re not in Journey anymore!” and then at a hotel to be assured by a member of ‘management’ that “nothing was going on”.

I was woken last Monday night at around 11:30pm by a distraught Jeff with the simple phrase “I’m out…” Quite simply I couldn’t believe it – perhaps it was a bad-dream.

Does loyalty count for nothing?

Was the great gig at Hammersmith’s Apollo a figment of my imagination, the Paradiso in Amsterdam something that never happened, were the packed out UK tour and the full houses right across the US and Europe works of fiction?

So, what now? ‘Rock Star’ anybody!

Uncle heFTy

I just can´t believe what is happening right now!
Jeff saved them last year. I started to listen to Journey because Jeff joined the band, like many others here too.
Like Frank said: loyalty??????
But at least the people on this board know the meaning of the word, ´cause we will be JSS fans hopefully for the rest of our lifes.

Nath, don't apologize for being upset and dropping the F-bomb, I've heard Jeff likes that. I wasn't sure what the circumstances were in this situation, whether Jeff left, he was fired or it was a mutual decision. I was waiting to hear more about it before I let myself get too angry. If Journey did indeed use and abuse THE MAN, I share your sentiments of FUCK THEM! They don't deserve him!!! I have already taken all photos of Journey off of my Myspace page, moved them out of my top friends and edited my profile. I won't support a band that chooses to treat someone, who saved their asses, like this! I was only a slight Journey fan before Jeff, I liked the old Perry stuff and that was it. I will NOT be supporting them any longer, not after this! I'm a JSS girl, all the way!

This is for Journey!

I'm truly sorry for Jeff as anyone here and disgusted by the treatment the guys in Journey reserved to him...
No Uncle, loyalty doesn't count at all! That's the way it is!

He simply saved their asses when they were in need...

Useless to deny I expected it sooner or later... I've never seen Jeff as a "member" of Journey... I may be biased but that's what I've always felt...

Jeff.... just a simple thought for you because I understand you might be overflowed with messages....

YOU ARE THE ONE! You will rise again and soon!
We need your unlimited talent and we'll always be there to support you!!!!

We love you!
Stefy

Like Stefy....I never felt Jeff's talents lied with Journey(I'm also biased)....for me ...Jeff is Talisman, but thats my own humble opinion!!!!

My initial thoughts when he joined Journey was....(selfish this may sound on my part)...due to their large fan base this would be great exposure for Jeff as an individual and I also felt this may give lots of exposure to his other bands such as Talisman, I was then sorry to hear that the Journey slot was then going to call the end to the band I love...but at the end of the day, Jeff's happiness and career prospects was the first and foremost the most important thing, and if his happiness was with Journey then I did wish him well, even though I wanted Talisman to go on!

So for them to pull this stunt and announce this without his thoughts or feelings been taken into account, it is really sad and I feel for him deeply, he was 100% committed to them and gave alot and this is how he is repayed??? ....but he will rise from this.....I am sure along the way he has made many many more new fans, whom previous were not...and at the end of the day, Journey's loss is someone elses gain...cos he is awesome!!!!!!!
It sounds like he has been treat very unfairly...but lets wait for his words and statement on the events....

One further thing and I know I am going on....whatever Jeff decides to do in the future he has many very special fans out there whom will follow and promote his work...he is a lucky guy

Good luck Jeff....

S..x

I've just found out this morning when I logged on to MySpace, I'm disappointed, this was such a good opportunity for Jeff as he was finally getting the recognition he deserves... the press release does seem very fishy, and as it is the PR people obviously haven't done a good job because the fact that it seems odd has just turned a load of people against the band. Don't know how many of you are on the MR.com message boards but everyone is totally slating them on there.

I am the same as a few others on here - not a fan of Journey, only listened to them because of Jeff. They were fantastic live in Newcastle but I think that was only because of Jeff. To me, Steve Perry/Augeri are boring. Too smooth and sickly sweet for me.

So basically I'm going back to where I was before Jeff joined - not taking any notice of them. And from the looks of it they're going to lose a LOT of other fans too, even die-hard fans if the MR.com board is anything to go by!

I think we should look at this from a different angle - in the short time that Jeff has been with Journey he has gained thousands, possibly millions of new fans who will have gone out and bought his original material and Talisman material. All of those people will now follow Jeff in any other endeavours.

Hopefully Jeff will fill us in on what has actually happened here, but even if he doesn't I think the bulk of it is clear - he's been f*d over by the band. If the band don't want to try and rectify that then that's up to them, but I hope they realise exactly what they've lost - in terms of a fantastic singer and a lot of fans.

Is it bad that I'm quite happy to see so many die-hard Journey fans turn against them now?

It's great to see such support for Jeff!

Kimterp wrote:

OMG Kim.....that is beyond priceless.

WHAT THE HELL!?!

Siis on se jumalauta, tulee varsin hyvin mieleen mitä Schon teki SS aikoihin, sillon jo käväisi mielessä että mahtaako olla pojalla saostumat päässä ja kuva vahvistuu vain entisestään, saatana on sitten törkeästi tehty. Mutta jotkut vaan on tollasia kuraperseitä jotka eivät osaa arvostaa mitään muuta kuin omaa napaansa. Ihmettelen vain miten tonkin ikäinen ihminen on päässyt elämässään noin pitkälle tollasella VELLIPERSEASENTEELLA!!!


And no, I will not translate this, it's just some finnish cursing coming straight from the heart.

Nath wrote:

They needed Jeff, they used him and now they're throwing him away. What a way of treating someone who saved their fucking tour!!! Those guys are named Journey!! Fuck them!! (sorry for the F word but I'm really angry!). But the difference is that Jeff doesn't need them, he's got his own talent and we know how huge it is!!

Like some of you, I was not a Journey fan before Jeff joined. And I will never be!!! I'm proud to be a JSS fan and will always be!

We love you Jeff!

I agree with every word !!!
I just read the news and I notice that Nath has been able to express my exact way of feeling

JSS RULES!!!

Maura

One thing Jeff should take comfort in right now...someone mentioned above over the MR.com board....
well message boards all around are been hit with this topic....I frequently listen to an independant internet rock radio station and the debate is going on over there also......
JEFF....I dont think you realise how many people are behind you right now....people whom at first did not want to give you a chance in Journey 'the die hard fans'...well it would appear there is a large majority out there fighting your corner....you take comfort in knowing you have won over that section of fans, your talent, charm and personality won them over.....
I really dont think Journey will recover from this one.....they are getting a right hammering from all angles!!!!!!!!!!

S..x

Sam wrote:

I really dont think Journey will recover from this one.....they are getting a right hammering from all angles!!!!!!!!!!

What goes around comes around!

Now Jeff we just wanna hear your version!
We don't care of what the band stated... I'm sure you have something more to tell about the whole issue!

Love you!
Stefy

Sam wrote:

One thing Jeff should take comfort in right now...someone mentioned above over the MR.com board....
well message boards all around are been hit with this topic....I frequently listen to an independant internet rock radio station and the debate is going on over there also......
JEFF....I dont think you realise how many people are behind you right now....people whom at first did not want to give you a chance in Journey 'the die hard fans'...well it would appear there is a large majority out there fighting your corner....you take comfort in knowing you have won over that section of fans, your talent, charm and personality won them over.....
I really dont think Journey will recover from this one.....they are getting a right hammering from all angles!!!!!!!!!!

S..x

And it's so great to see!

I think they're stupid, it seems they've thrown away the chance to actually move on and progress from the Perry crap that people have been obsessing over for years. They seem to just want to clutch on to the remnants of Steve Perry so they can queeze every last penny out of those who obsess over him.

From JSS Promotions:

Rest assured that we will inform you of news as it evolves, as this is a great shock for us all, especially Jeff. Jeff appreciates your support and loyalty at this difficult time and is thankful to all the fans, old and new who have supported him over the years, especially during the recent Journey shows. He hopes to see you all on the road again soon.

An official Press Release by Jeff himself will be released shortly.

Richard

JSS Promotions

This is still a shock to me. I was up half the night on the MR boards venting and fuming over this. The way the band went about handling this shows a real lack of dignity and good judgement. They cut the man's picture and bio out of the site long before making any formal announcement, and they shut down the Backtalk boards so they wouldn't have to hear from the disgruntled fans (and we're talking a vast majority here). I still like Journey's music. Always have been, but Jeff made such an impact in the short time he was with them. Sounds like egos running amok in their camp, I suppose. This is just really bad timing, too, doing this while the whole Sopranos thing is going on. Nonetheless, I wish Jeff lots of love and support and look forward to whatever he does in the future.

I can't believe this !!!
I feel just the same way Nath does about the news! For years I WAS a Journeyfan but Generations was the last cd ever they sold to me.

JEFF : YOU DON'T NEED THEM !!! WE ALL LOVE AND SUPPORT YOU!!!

cARINA

I have the Greatest Hits and that was just so I'd know some of the songs when I saw them live with Jeff.

They ain't getting another penny outta me!

Can anyone PLEASSSSSSSSSE tell me how to change my avatar???

Thanks!

Carina

Carina wrote:

Can anyone PLEASSSSSSSSSE tell me how to change my avatar???

Thanks!

Carina

I'll send ya a PM and try to help ya out.
Start by keeping your eyes to the top right
of the page where it says profile.

I am so glad that Jeff can come over to this board and KNOW who his true fans are!!!!

Giosi

Actually, I want to burn something with Journey on it!

feel free to take