You have been so great about answering our never ending questions about Journey/Steve Perry. I don't recall seeing this before so maybe you can address it.  Why do you think Journey has never received much praise from the critics/industry? I know they have one of the best selling catalogs for Sony, that should say something. Rock & Roll Hall of Fame induction doesn't seem to be happening either.  Yet they were inducted into the Bammies Walk of Fame in San Francisco. Much smaller scale I know but, still it's great to have their work recognized. I was just hoping you would care to share your opinion or any facts if you can. Thank you as always.

The consumer rock n roll press are a bunch of clueless snobs who can't do anything else except write their stupid little articles about bands that most people don't care to buy.  They have always diminished the influence and popularity of Journey and that has made an impact in the perception of the people in the music business.  Most of the Journey fans are not active in writing to the Rock 'N Roll Hall of Fame or even Columbia Records about their thoughts.  It's true that Journey has one of the best selling catalogs for Columbia Records but it's really hard to say how Journey will get the proper respect from the Rock 'N Roll community, even though it's obvious that many, many people still listen to and buy their music.  I'm sure the DVD compilation of their greatest hits, plus a few live performances, that Steve Perry and I are working on, will again show the popularity among consumers for this band.

I've been hearing rumors that Steve Perry is to release a new CD next January or February called Timeless... Can you give us the scoop?

Timeless is a good title, but to my knowledge, Steve is not making a CD of that name.  I've been speaking to him daily about the DVD project and he hasn't mentioned that he's working on any new collection of music.  I wish he was.

Question for you regarding the GREAT Neal Schon.. A while back he was working on some solo CD projects..  Just wondering if you knew about the progress at this time?  Especially his GH package that you were working on earlier this year??   And I read where you joined STYX/REO and Journey for one or two of the Main Event tour..  Could there be some DVD projects or LIVE CD project in the works there?

I still think the Neal Schon Greatest Hits package is a viable idea, I just haven't had the opportunity to really work on it yet.  Hopefully in the upcoming year we can focus on it again.  There is a possiblity for DVD projects for all of these bands, but nothing definite yet.  I'm probably going to work with Styx on their next album and DVD, sometime early next year.  

(updated Wednesday, September 3rd, 2003)

I am writing a piece about the recording - and impact -  of Dream On. Given your involvement with Aerosmith later in their career, I was hoping that you could please make some comment on what you thought when you first heard the song, how it made the power ballad a rock staple and how it compares to what they have done during your time with them. Or, indeed, anything else you'd like to say on the subject.

It's one of the greatest rock power ballads of all time and it's very interesting that it was released twice before it hit.  It really shows Tyler's interesting and innovative piano playing.  It was an important staple of 1970's and 1980's FM rock radio. 

A while ago, you mentioned that you would love to release a 'Best of Joe Perry' or an "Essential Joe Perry" album that would cover the highlights of his solo-albums. I was wondering how receptive are you to the idea of using live material to make the disc(s) worthwhile to fans who already have the solo albums on CD. On the other hand, wouldn't it be just as good an idea to remaster the solo albums and reissue them with improved packaging and liner-notes? As you may know, Joe recorded two albums for Columbia and a third for MCA. Would it be difficult for you to obtain the master recording rights for that third album? I'm really eager to hear your thoughts on this "Essential Joe Perry" concept!

It would be difficult to get that solo record from MCA, but it could be done.  Probably a compilation of all the three solo records, plus maybe a few new tracks or a few live tracks would be great.  I'm ready to it whenever Joe Perry is ready - it would be my pleasure.  He would have to give the okay to proceed with the project so it doesn't interfere with Aerosmith business.

My favorite band of all time is Aerosmith.  The three record's they recorded with Bruce Fairbairn (especially PUMP) are excellent recorded songs with interesting sounds and gadget's between tracks.  I was wondering how did you meet Bruce and what have you missed since his passing. For me it is the quality of production that he had in producing artist's albums.  I think Aerosmith  has done some great work recently but I think there missing the Fairbairn touch.

I met Bruce in the late 1970's when we worked on Ian Lloyd's "Goosebumps" record for Scotti Brothers Records.  I used him to produce some Black and Blue albums in the early 1980's, a band that was before their time.  Then he went on to produce  "Slippery When Wet" and then I hired him to produce the three huge Aerosmith albums, "Permanent Vacation", "Pump" and "Get A Grip."  He was very creative, a great musician and a great task-master, in fact, the band used to call him the schoolteacher.  He was one of the greatest producers of the rock era and his creativity and input will be missed by all the bands he would have worked with.

What do you think of Nora Jones?  I was listening to Morning Becomes Eclectic on KCRW the other day and they mentioned that the first  time she ever appeared on the radio was on that program.  Do you listen to that program or have subordinates listen for new bands to discover? They have a lot of unsigned artists that perform.  Just curious.

I've never listed to KCRW in my life.  Nor do I have anyone else listen to it for me.  In fact, their ads at the art movies that I go to see offend me.  But, of course, to each his own.  Norah Jones is produced by one of my heroes and teachers, Arif Mardin, one of the greatest producers who ever lived.  But, I really do not enjoy her music, it's just not my taste.  And it's certainly a mystery to me how "I Don't Know Why" became such a huge hit, but I'm glad because Arif then has been able to have hits in the '60's, '70's, '80's, '90's and '00's - which is a great achievement.  I listen to mainstream radio, although there's hardly any left in Los Angeles and most other cities because of the monopoly that Clear Channel has.  So, maybe XM and Sirius satellite radio will open up new venues to hear different kinds of commercial music on the radio.

I must give you great respect for all that you have done in the music industry. Thank you for bringing so much good music for us to hear. If I could do anything to make a living it would be similar to what you do.  I am putting together a Music Management./Promotion Company for local talent - but only in the research phase.  Question:  Do you think I have lots of competition here? (Trying to bring a stale market into fruition blossoming with great musicians/bands and get some recognition here)  Also I am reading Donald Passman's book as the basis for my venture, do you recommend any other material? I would appreciate your reply as your words are regarded very highly.

I think you're correct - there's not a lot of competition in your area and you could do well.  There probably is a scene that could be developed.  The Don Passman book is a great reference, and also "This Business of Music" is another good book.  You should go to clubs, try to organize some kind of night for developing bands, organize meetings to get together upcoming musicians at a club or bar, and try to find a young attorney who is interested in entertainment law (in your area) to work with.  Best of luck!

(updated Tuesday, September 2nd, 2003)

I'm of the understanding that you are a John Lennon fan (not sure if that would be the best way to phrase it). I was wondering if you know anything about his last day. I have heard, more than once, that the day he passed that he had been in the New York Record Plant and that he had given an interview sitting at the console. I have the Trident TSM 56 that was in the control room at the New York Record Plant at the time and I believe the engineer at the time was Jack Douglas. I'm trying to get info regarding this and confirmation of anything I've been told.

As far as I know he was in the Record Plant Studio in New York City with producer Jack Douglas.  I think he may have done an interview, but I'm not sure on that point.  He was supposed to go to dinner that night with David Geffen at a Chinese restaurant after working at the Record Plant.  That's all I know for sure and I hope it's some help to you.

What, if I may ask, happened to or with the "super group" of C.C. Deville, Jack Russell, Jack Blades, and The Blotz? I heard that they have already written many songs together. Is there any chance of us hearing them later down the road? The idea is superb! I would buy every album released.

The group just never happened because of the demise of Portrait Records and the musicians trying to make a living touring with their own respective bands.  It was a great idea, but the time just wasn't right for it to happen.