A Journey to the Stage: The Band’s Uphill Battle for a Biopic
Journey, the iconic American rock band, has been a staple of competitive singing programs and karaoke nights for decades. Given their rich history and dedicated fan base, it’s no surprise that a musical or biopic based on the band’s journey (pun intended) seems like a natural fit. In fact, creator Anthony Zuiker of TV’s CSI franchise reportedly expressed interest in developing a Journey-themed show. However, there’s a significant roadblock standing in the way of making this project a reality.
The Main Obstacle: Steve Perry’s Unwillingness
According to Jonathan Cain, Journey’s keyboardist and founding member, the band worked with Zuiker on an initial concept for a stage musical. Cain, along with co-founder Neal Schon, sold their ownership interests to Hipgnosis in June 2019 and February 2020, respectively. As a result, Steve Perry, the band’s original lead vocalist and co-founder, retains all rights to their songs. Cain reveals that Perry rejected the initial concept, citing his hesitation to have his songs used without his permission.
The Long History of Song Rights
In an interview with Billboard, Cain confirms that, without Perry’s permission, the use of their songs is out of the question. The band is currently on tour with Def Leppard and Steve Miller, with no concrete plans to record a follow-up to their 2022 album Freedom. Cain does mention, however, that the band has recorded material beyond what was released on the album, so there may be more music in the future.
A Cirque du Soleil-Style Project?
The team’s interest in a Journey-Cirque du Soleil project is still alive. Zuiker approached Cain with this idea, and they were set to work on it with Netflix. Unfortunately, the fate of this project rests in Perry’s hands once again.
Conclusion
Given the obstacles, it’s unclear when or if a Journey biopic will become a reality. The band members seem open to exploring new musical ventures, but Perry’s reluctance to lend his iconic vocals and songwriting skills might mean that a stage production will remain elusive. However, as the band continues to tour and potentially create new music, there’s still a chance that their story might find its way to the stage or screen.
FAQs
- Has the band explored other song rights options?
While the band members have sold their ownership interests to Hipgnosis, Steve Perry still retains all rights to the songs. Without his permission, any stage production or biopic that features their music would be impossible to develop.
- Will Journey tour again in the future?
Although the band is currently on tour with Def Leppard and Steve Miller, there are no concrete plans for a follow-up album or tour beyond their current trek.
- Can the band record new music without Steve Perry?
While Cain mentions the existence of unreleased material, Journey has not officially announced any new recordings or plans to continue creating music with Steve Perry. The band might focus on live performances and merchandise in the meantime.
- Will a Journey-Cirque du Soleil project still happen?
Anthony Zuiker’s interest in developing a Journey-Cirque du Soleil show remains active, but the project’s fate lies in Steve Perry’s hands. If the creator can secure his permission, the project could come to life.
