Producer Kevin Shirley On JOURNEY - "I Always Miss Steve Perry In The Equation"
December 2, 2006, 17 years ago
Producer Kevin Shirley (IRON MAIDEN, LED ZEPPELIN, RUSH) received an email from a fan in Ireland recently regarding JOURNEY. "I was just wondering would you work with Journey again.. the band are still a big draw in the states but their recording has gone very below average and they really need to make a quality recording next time...."
Here is Shirley's response:
"Well Frank, I'm glad you said it. I would love to - although I haven't heard the new singer yet, but when Jon Cain (keyboards) and Neal Schon's (guitar) talents combine, I think they're pretty spectacular. I always miss Steve Perry (singer) in the equation, but that's all water under the bridge now. Actually, Steve won't talk to me these days.... well, I tried to about a year or so ago, but to no avail. I hear through the grapevine that he's annoyed at me for something, possibly about a live mix (although I'm really not sure!), but I honestly have no idea why! Anyway, that's what you get for working with artists - I wish I could say that was the first time...That's Jon, Neal, me and Steve (click left) - as Steve wins the award for being the Primadonna of the Trial By Fire sessions! :) - was all in good fun and I really enjoyed it. I garnered one vote (his), but he got all the rest! No one else even had a shot, although Neal was close in my vote!"