Journey: A Very New Generation With Jeff Scott Soto

Journey has gone through a few changes over their time, but unlike other bands, they have continued their reign as one of the biggest and most popular rock bands in the history of Rock & Roll. Since around 1997\1998, Journey underwent a drummer (Deen Castronovo for Steve Smith) and lead singer change (Jeff Scott Soto for Steve Augeri), which in some people's minds would change their opinion greatly on the way the band would particularly sound or perform live. Obviously the job won't be easy for either person and people will naturally question the fact whether or not the new members of the band could carry on their popular name. The main thing that everyone should put into perspective is that these new members are giving die hard journey fans the pleasure of witnessing more concerts and albums. Like every band, the original lead singer is always going to be the main man, that's just the way it goes, and if the second or third lead singer change were the first, you'd feel the same way about them if they were replaced also. In 2006, Journey once again received a lead singer change to replace Steve Augeri. Augeri had a chronic throat infection while Journey was on tour with Def Leppard (one heck of a tour by the way), and had to leave. Neal Schon, who is a very talented and one of the best guitarists in the history of Rock & Roll brought in Jeff Scott Soto, with permission from the band of course, since he was a member of Soto's band back a while ago. Now the real question is, would Soto have the talent to carry on the lead singer position for Journey?

During the second half of the Journey\Def Leppard concert in 2006, Soto's performance efforts generated a lot of press, which could be viewed on (www.journeymusic.com) and the fact that after a third lead singer change, many people would still have the same opinion on Journey as they did with the original lead singer in Steve Perry. Now, is Jeff Scott Soto Steve Perry? No, not at all. But no one is going to be the exact same person as the original singer of any band, that's just the way it is. Any new lead singer would naturally bring his or her own taste of sound to the way the music is played, which is the beauty of this whole plan. Journey's road to continuing success has raved up such great reviews and as long as the fans are happy, they will continue to produce new albums and perform on tour at live concerts. Certain new hits that were created by former lead singer Steve Augeri include "Higher Place" and "All the Way", and a new album is in the making by new and current lead singer Jeff Scott Soto. Only a short time ago, Journey finished up their 2007 European Tour that sold out more than 50 % of the concerts, which is a huge accomplishment, this was also by themselves with no opening or other bands. Now i'm sure everyone is probably wondering whether or not Journey will be touring in the USA in 2007, but sources reveal that they will be creating an album and will be unable to tour this year. The next concert in 2007 is actually on May 12th and is in Leesburg, Virginia. It's a bit early to really tell whether or not Journey will be adding more concerts to their 2007 schedule, but you can certainly keep yourself posted by visiting their website (www.journeymusic.com).

Like every band that has underwent member changes, it always takes a little while to get used to. I am a die hard Journey fan and I am a huge Steve Perry fan, but Augeri and Soto have both added a certain feeling to the way the songs are sung and we can't forget about the band themselves, they still sound absolutely the same. All I have to say is "keep up the great work guys, you are all awesome!"