Kevin wrote:

of course, that was what was said when Peter Gabriel left Genesis to be replaced by the drummer of the band--some unknown named Phil Collins. Or when Sammy Hagar replaced David Lee Roth in Van Halen. It HAS happened before that a band can change lead singers and continue on.
Yes this is true...
But how many bands that are viewed as "has-been' 80's bands" have had much success on the tour scene or album sales-wise with different lead vocalists?
Case in point-
VH with Cherone...
Foreigner with Johnny Edwards..
Styx with Gowan...
Survivor...I won't even start..*grin*
TOTO with anyone but Kimball...
Genesis with...whoever that guy was that replaced Phil Collins..
Here's a good example:
After Brian Howe left Bad Company, the band decided they wanted to get back to the classic Bad Co. sound. They hired a guy (Robert Hart) that sounded almost exactly like original singer Paul Rodgers. THey released two great CDs with Hart as their vocalist. Both albums are probaly in bargain bins everywhere, and when I caught them live while they were touring to promote 'Company Of Strangers' they were playing in a 300 seat capacity bar!!
Last year I caught Bad Company live again with Paul Rodgers this time singing. Needless to say, It was in a huge arena that was pretty much packed. (Ironically, David Lee Roth and his circus act were the opening act). The new songs that Paul Rodgers and Co. recorded were pretty poor compared to the stuff Bad Company was doing with Howe or Hart....
So in a way it really doesn't matter how good the new Journey CD is..it simply will not sell as well as an album featuring Perry...it's all perception unfortunately...
For the record, if Bad Company came out with a new CD featuring Howe or Hart I would buy it....as for the new Journey CD...I'll probally buy it too.....
If Journey wants to ever have a hit album ever again they NEED Steve Perry. This other Steve may sing his ass off and the songs on the new CD will probaly be great...but it will not sell as well as any previous Journey CDs...mark my words...
Of course I've been wrong once or twice before...but I'm pretty sure of this..I guess we'll see...