Journey Puts Hit On "Sopranos," Axes Soto

Arena Rockers Drop Lead Singer, But Won't Stop Believin'

(CBS)  There was only one hit in the final scene of the series finale of "The Sopranos" — but it wasn't the kind that would have killed Tony Soprano.

Instead, as the mob boss shared a plate of onion rings with his wife and son at a local diner, the 1981 Journey hit "Don't Stop Believin'" joyfully blared in the background.

Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain, who shares songwriting credit with singer Steve Perry and guitarist Neal Schon on the anthemic power ballad, says that the show's producers couldn't have picked a more appropriate song.

"I always imagined 'Don't Stop Believin' as a street song," he told The ShowBuzz. "You know 'streetlight people/living just to find emotion/hiding somewhere in the night.' That sounds like Tony and his family."

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Photos: Musicians In Concert

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"In a nutshell," he continued, "I think that Tony needed a feel-good song for the moment. The way I read it was his family meant a lot to him and as he was waiting there in the diner that's a feel-good moment."

Cain acknowledges that despite the "feel good" sentiment, there is tension in the song that reflects Tony's troubles.

"The lyrics 'some were born to sing the blues' was something he seemed to be doing a lot to his shrink," he said.

When Cain learned that the song would be used on the show, he decided to keep it a secret from his family and friends so they would enjoy the surprise on finale night.

"They absolutely freaked out — they were jumping up and down!" he said. "We were just riveted to the screen. It couldn't have been more of a dramatic moment in the series for us."

The band had its own dramatic moment Tuesday with the announcement of a parting of the ways with their lead singer, Jeff Scott Soto.

"We wish Jeff the best of luck," Cain said. "We just wanted to move in a different direction sonically. We're interested in our legacy right now. We want to sound like our records and we want to sound like the 65 million units that are out there."

Cain praised Soto for stepping in for Steve Augeri whose throat problems forced him to stop performing in the middle of the Def Leppard tour last July. The band named Soto their permanent lead singer in December.

"Soto came in," said Cain. "We were grateful for his energy and his time and his talent. We had a good 11 months with him."

Cain said that the band will be taking some time off and will begin their search for a new singer at the end of the year.

In the meantime, they're enjoying the additional popularity from their big night on "The Sopranos." On iTunes, the boost from the mob hit lifted "Don't Stop Believin'" to No. 19 in number of downloads, as of Wednesday.

[escape1981]

Journey is looking at Jeremey Hunsicker from what everything looks like now. He sings in the JRNY tribute band FRONTIERS from Va. I was skeptical big time till I just saw their videos. Especially "Faithfully" at the end where the big high notes are. He nails them! Even better than Augeri I think. I would definitely buy a new cd from this lineup! His website is www.jeremeyhunsicker.com Pullup the youtube videos. They are really amazing and I am a diehard VERY hard to impress. Of course Perry would be the best but I honestly believe he can't do it anymore. I'd still be first in line though to see them if he did!

[jrnybratt]

I can assure you that the hitman IS NOT Steve Perry. The final episode was already filmed, and they just added DSB after Steve gave his permission. He had to view the last episode to make sure that Tony didn't get "hit" during the playing of the song before he would give his final approval. Thanks to On Demand, Freeze Frame, and Zoom...I can verify that the hit man is NOT Steve.

[silvrbrd54]

I think Neal Schon is the real problem behind Journey. He a great performer but he had ego problems. BRING BACK STEVE PERRY and Journey will rise again.

[zoffa1]

Looking forward to a Perry Journey. Bring back The Voice!

[thisandthat1]

A little twist that David Chase worked into the last scene....the "would-be" hit man who enters the restaurant at the same time as AJ, sits at the counter and then goes to the bathroom is none other than Steve Perry himself (as his song plays on the jukebox! lol). Go back and look at the facial features. There's no doubt it's him. Another stroke of genius by David Chase. Love it!

[CingularBabe]

Ummmm, lemme think .... WHO would be a good lead singer for Journey??? Let's see ...... hmmmmmm. Can't think of anyone ... WAIT!!!! I've got it! How about, um, i dunno, STEVE PERRY???? Sheesh. Can anyone say "DUH?"

[donnaplease]

Jonathon Cain is full of **it!!! Journey has become a joke to the loyal fans that have followed them though so much. They continue to prove their lack of integrity. Their treatment of Jeff Scott Soto will come back to bite them~you can rest assured of that. So they want to sound like their records, huh? How cheesy is that? They have become a tribute band, paying tribute to the one person who put them on the map in the first place~Steve Perry. How pathetic.

[jetranger7]

I GUESS ELVIS WAS OUT OF THE QUESTION, OR WAS HE OUT OF THE BUILDING ?????? OHHHH-WELL !!! FER-GET-BOUT-IT !!!!

[neobrian-2009]

All the Great music Chase used throughout,then to end with " Journey " REALLY SUCKED!!!!"UGH!!!