Journey’s Neal Schon says he doesn’t care if the band are ever inducted into The Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame after the recent Steve Miller controversy.
Miller sparked uproar following his induction after he launched a tirade against the ceremony, claiming that his bandmates were asked to pay $10,000 to attend, and slammed the music business.
Black Keys duo Dan Auerbach and Pat Carney inducted Miller but later said they wish they hadn’t after the music veteran “made no effort to figure out who they were.”
Now Schon tells Billboard: “After reading and talking to Steve Miller about what went on with him and how it was not a good experience, I don’t really care right now one way or the other
“I’d have to see what the situation is for real. I’m not about to pay money to anybody to get in anywhere – I would never do that. And at this point, there’s so many people in there that are not even rock’n’roll, I don’t really care about being in there at all.
But Schon says there are indications that Journey may well get the nod in 2017 – even though inductees are due to be revealed around December.
He adds: “I think there always has been an opening for us. Basically former vocalist Steve Perry has not wanted to do it. I think he probably wants to wait until he releases his solo record, which is supposed to come out this year – and is probably why I’m hearing that we’re supposed to get in this year.”
Schon, who also reunited with Carlos Santana for this year’s Santana IV, says he’d like to record the follow-up to 2011’s Eclipse – but he’s meeting some resistance from his bandmates.
He continues: “I’ve been trying to get new stuff going and certain people in the band are like, ‘Man, there’s no reason to do it. Nothing is going on in records and you’ll never sell any records and you won’t get played on the radio.’”
“Well, everything they said has been proven wrong with this Santana record, so I’m back on the path of, ‘Let’s get moving here. Let’s move forward.’”
Journey are currently on the road with The Doobie Brothers – a run of shows which continues until September.
Neal Schon ready for double duty with Santana and Journey
Journey 2016 tour dates
May 12: Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre, CA
May 14: Phoenix Ak-Chin Pavilion, AZ
May 15: Albuquerque Isleta Amphitheatre, NM
May 18: Austin 360 Amphitheatre, TX
May 20: Dallas Gexa Energy Pavilion, TX
May 21: Woodlands The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion, TX
May 23: Wichita Intrust Bank Arena, KS
May 25: Memphis FedEx Forum, TN
May 28: Kansas City Sprint Center, MO
May 31: Rogers Walmart AMP, AR
Jun 02: Pelham Oak Mountain Amphitheatre, AL
Jun 04: Charlotte PNC Music Pavilion, NC
Jun 05: Raleigh Coastal Credit Union Music Park, NC
Jun 08: Atlanta Aaron’s Lakewood Amphitheatre, GA
Jun 10: Tampa Midflorida Credit Union Amphitheatre, FL
Jun 11: West palm Beach Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre, FL
Jun 22: Bangor Darling’s Waterfront Pavilion, ME
Jun 24: Bethel Woods Center For The Arts, NY
Jun 25: Holmdel PNC Bank Arts Center, NJ
Jun 27: Wantagh Nikon At Jones Beach Theater, NY
Jun 29: Cuyahoga Falls Blossom Music Center, OH
Jul 02: Bristow Jiffy Lube Live, VA
Jul 05: Saratoga Springs Performing Arts Center, NY
Jul 07: Toronto Molson Canadian Amphitheatre, ON
Jul 09: Corfu Darien Lake Performing Arts, NY
Jul 10: Mansfield Xfinity Center, MA
Jul 13: Syracuse Lakeview Amphitheatre, NY
Jul 15: Camden BB&T Pavilion, PA
Jul 16: Burgettstown First Niagara Pavilion, PA
Jul 18: Gilford Bank Of NH Pavilion, NH
Jul 27: Nashville Ascend Amphitheatre, TN
Jul 29: Cincinnati Riverbend Music Center, OH
Jul 30: Maryland Heights Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, MO
Aug 02: Grand Rapids Van Andel Arena, MI
Aug 04: Clarkston DTE Energy Music Theatre, MI
Aug 06: Omaha Century Link Center, NE
Aug 07: Des Moines Wells Fargo Arena, IA
Aug 09: Saint Paul Xcel Energy Center, MN
Aug 11: Sioux Falls Denny Sanford Premier Center, SD
Aug 13: Tinley Park Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre, IL
Aug 16: Oklahoma City Chesapeake Energy Arena, OK
Aug 17: North Little Rock Verizon Arena, AR
Aug 20: Denver Pepsi Center, CO
Aug 21: West Valley USANA Amphitheatre, UT
Aug 23: Auburn White River Amphitheatre, WA
Aug 25: Ridgefield Amphitheatre, WA
Aug 27: Las Vegas Mandalay Bay Events Center, NV
Aug 28: Inglewood The Forum, CA
Aug 30: Chula Vista Sleep Train Amphitheatre, CA
Sep 01: Santa Barbara Bowl, CA
Sep 02: Wheatland Toyota Amphitheatre, CA
Sep 04: San Francisco AT&T Park, CA
