In Defense of James LaBrie: A Manifesto

[crystalstars17]

But I wouldn’t be adverse to bringing in someone who was different. Someone who had their own style, but was perfectly capable of performing old material with his own spin. 

But ONLY if they also kept James!!! Why not have two singers, like Helloween. The one who can step in gracefully and sing old songs in his own style, AND the original!

This way James could get much-needed breaks, and we wouldn't lose anything, but gain a second great singer who has his own style and is NOT just a mimic.

I think this is the only way I would accept a "new" singer in DT.

[DAYAFTERDAY]

It worked pretty great with Devin doing the hard bits in TSCO last tour. Ultimately I’m happy with James as long as he’s at least as good as 2019/2020. The 22/23 shows there was definitely something really wrong beyond the usual struggles with the higher sections. But I’m hoping it was just a blip.

If they ever got a new singer it would feel like a DT cover band. I know queensryche with Todd is popular around here judging from the QR thread but for me they just aren’t queensryche anymore without Geoff. The same goes for DT, JLB is too unique to be replaced.

[MirrorMask]

But ONLY if they also kept James!!! Why not have two singers, like Helloween. The one who can step in gracefully and sing old songs in his own style, AND the original!

Because in Helloween the two singers are the classic one, and the guy that carried the band for 20 years after the classic guy was fired.

Bringing another singer now would be basically saying "our singer can't cut it anymore so we need a younger one to help out".

True, some bands did hire a backup singer - usually it's Michele Luppi - but it's that, a backup singer, and I believe he plays keyboards in Whitesnake as well, off the top of my head I can't remember any other band that brought along a younger singer 'cause the oldest one has difficulties with performing a whole set.

[crystalstars17]

Bringing another singer now would be basically saying "our singer can't cut it anymore so we need a younger one to help out".

I was never the one who said he'd have to be "younger".

I meant two equally capable, equally seasoned singers. Nothing else would work.

[DTwwbwMP]

I just want a quality singer who won't change the DT sound BUT CAN ACTUALLY SING THE SONGS PROPERLY ON STAGE! Why hold on to someone that obviously can't hack it anymore? I'd love for JLB to prove me wrong, but I just don't think he can do it any longer.

[TAC]

I just want a quality singer who won't change the DT sound BUT CAN ACTUALLY SING THE SONGS PROPERLY ON STAGE! Why hold on to someone that obviously can't hack it anymore? I'd love for JLB to prove me wrong, but I just don't think he can do it any longer.

So, then they become Journey?

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

I just want a quality singer who won't change the DT sound BUT CAN ACTUALLY SING THE SONGS PROPERLY ON STAGE! Why hold on to someone that obviously can't hack it anymore? I'd love for JLB to prove me wrong, but I just don't think he can do it any longer.

I think we should wait to hear what happens on DT16 tour before concluding anyone is done, but in answer to your question: friendship and loyalty. If there is no meaningful improvement next time then, I think we'll have to concede your point.

[TAC]

I think we should wait to hear what happens on DT16 tour before concluding anyone is done, but in answer to your question: friendship and loyalty. If there is no meaningful improvement next time then, I think we'll have to concede your point.

Right. I mean, he surely had a bad run to finish out the View tour, but he's been known to rebound.

[crystalstars17]

So, then they become Journey?

For the love of all that is ethical, I pray we never see that day. 😔

[Dream Team]

Have you seen the Big Chungus video? Evidence he must be running nearly ten or more kilos a day

Well you would know better than Scotty after all.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

Well you would know better than Scotty after all.

thank you

[Schurftkut]

I can't remember any other band that brought along a younger singer 'cause the oldest one has difficulties with performing a whole set.

Mr.Big had help for Eric this current tour: https://youtu.be/tSvzhT65mHY?t=51

[TAC]

Mr.Big had help for Eric this current tour: https://youtu.be/tSvzhT65mHY?t=51

Right, that's Michele Luppi, who does the same thing for Whitesnake. It's embarrassing for a band to have to do this.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

it's definitely embarrassing which is why DT will never stoop to the level and do it. Our guys are better

[crystalstars17]

Our guys are better

Correct!

[wolfking]

Have you seen the Big Chungus video? Evidence he must be running nearly ten or more kilos a day

I run around 10 kilos a day too!  Would love to go for a run with James. 

[jimgolf]

James isn’t running 6+ miles a day - cmon 

[wolfking]

Great post, Dark Lialink. The only thing I would say is that while I agree his timbre is unique and special and one of the draws of him, don't let it cloud the understanding of how hard JLB works to keep his voice good. Timbre isn't really something you have any control over, it's just naturally how you sound, but his energy, his stage banter, and the accuracy of his singing night after night, song after song, come from his dedication to his craft and his desire to keep himself in good shape. I remember on the bonus DVD for the Chaos in Motion DVD he mentioned running 5 kilos on the treadmill every day. I bet he's kept that up and is even in more shape now, if he was doing 5 kilos in 2009, imagine how much the man must run before the show each night in 2024?? Probably 15 kilos or more. Such dedication to his body and to us, the fans.

You obviously don't run but if James is running 15kms before each show, then it's no wonder why he is sounding the way he is these days.

[Rob24]

Day 647736644 of you guys still not noticing that Hovering Sojourn is a troll, and crystalstars is an insufferable toddler.

[crystalstars17]

that Hovering Sojourn is a troll, and crystalstars is an insufferable toddler.

Oh go look in the mirror.

[Animal]

Day 647736644 of you guys still not noticing that Hovering Sojourn is a troll, and crystalstars is an insufferable toddler.

No need for that kind of a smartboy pose. Everyone here is fully equipped to make their mind on other posters and read/skip or engage/not engage with their posts accordingly. As easy as that. An example to help you understand this concept: I usually don't engage with HoJo's posts, as I don't see them generating a kind of discussion to which I can contribute in any meaningful way. But I do read them - I find quite a few of them amusing. If I didn't, I would just skip them.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

You obviously don't run but if James is running 15kms before each show, then it's no wonder why he is sounding the way he is these days.

You're right, I don't run. I thought there were more kilos in a mile too After double checking the conversion rate you're right lmaoo

[hefdaddy42]

So, then they become Journey?

God, I hope not

[crystalstars17]

No need for that kind of a smartboy pose.

Oh his antics are nothing new. He posts nothing at all for several months and then comes back with a useless quip like this. He's simply a troll.

The one-week bans are obviously not working in this case, mods... 🙄

[hefdaddy42]

Day 647736644 of you guys still not noticing that Hovering Sojourn is a troll, and crystalstars is an insufferable toddler.

Please stop.  This is your warning.

[Trav86]

Right, that's Michele Luppi, who does the same thing for Whitesnake. It's embarrassing for a band to have to do this.

See, I don’t see this as being that bad. If the singer is struggling, I would much rather have someone that helps with difficult parts. It’s that, listen to them struggle through it, using backing tracks or replace the lead singer. I think having a helper is the best of those options.

[Skeever]

Day 647736644 of you guys still not noticing that Hovering Sojourn is a troll, and crystalstars is an insufferable toddler.

I would like to know why somebody with an account that was pretty much dormant for over a decade suddenly feels the compulsion to log on to insult users he doesn't like.

[crystalstars17]

I would like to know why somebody with an account that was pretty much dormant for over a decade suddenly feels the compulsion to log on to insult users he doesn't like.

I think he just hates James, and his compulsion is to mindlessly insult his defenders.

Surely it's time for him to go and find a better use for his time.

[Setlist Scotty]

See, I don’t see this as being that bad. If the singer is struggling, I would much rather have someone that helps with difficult parts. It’s that, listen to them struggle through it, using backing tracks or replace the lead singer. I think having a helper is the best of those options.

I beg to differ on that. None of the options you've listed work, IMO (never been a fan of touring musicians to augment a band's sound, nor backing tracks). Best for the band to be more selective in the songs played, to down tune them, and to alter the vocal melodies to something that the vocalist can do, as well as for the vocalist to seek out help to figure out their weaknesses so that they can be addressed.

[TAC]

I beg to differ on that. None of the options you've listed work, IMO (never been a fan of touring musicians to augment a band's sound, nor backing tracks). Best for the band to be more selective in the songs played, to down tune them, and to alter the vocal melodies to something that the vocalist can do, as well as for the vocalist to seek out help to figure out their weaknesses so that they can be addressed.

Right. There's no reason that James can't find a pocket for each song in which to operate, unless he truly is toast.

[wolfking]

You're right, I don't run. I thought there were more kilos in a mile too After double checking the conversion rate you're right lmaoo

1 mile equates to 1.6 kms.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

1 mile equates to 1.6 kms.

yeah i had it backwards lol maybe he's only running a few kilos a day..

[TAC]

I run zero miles per day, which somehow equates to zero kgms.

[TheHoveringSojourn808]

I run zero miles per day, which somehow equates to zero kgms.

[TheBarstoolWarrior]

Hopefully JLB makes a big comeback later this year and we can all put the issue and the thread to bed.