LETS GET PATTI RUSSO BACK IN THE NEVERLAND EXPRESS!

[nightinr]

After Patti's post on facebook last week it is clear she isn't loving life at the moment. I'm guessing at least some of this is down to her leaving the Neverland Express.

Wouldn't it be great if she made a comeback as lets face it Patti gives the show and any record a real edge.

Meat confirmed he wasn't happy about her leaving so lets hope there is a chance that they can come to some agreement to get her back where she belongs.

[Evil One]

What about the ladies currently in the Neverland Express? Should they lose their job through no fault of their own?

[knockknock1997]

I have nothing against Stacey and Lisa but Patti is much better. She gave the performance of her life when I saw her in April. It's got to be the best non meat loaf concert I've ever been to. Meat if you can see this. Please do the right thing and bring Patti back to the band.

[renegadeangel]

Never going to happen

[LucyK!]

The above posts make it sound as though a series of blunders led to Patti ending up no longer being in the band and it was all a terrible misunderstanding - it wasn't.

What happened was a very conscious decision, and whilst it was immensely difficult for those involved I really do believe it was the best decision for everyone.

Patti is phenomenal - as good as it gets in my opinion - but having seen both her and Meat this definitely was (like it or not) the right thing to do.

[Yevonda]

I agree with Evil One on this. Stacy and Cian are both phenomenal ladies. I have heard them both sing on several occasions and they are both sweethearts.

What ever happened between Meat, the band and Patti is their business and it is not my place to question the decisions they make. If they all agreed that it is for the better to part ways, then I think the best thing to do is to accept the decision for what it is and to move on with a bright outlook on the music and adventure that is yet to come!!

[NightAngel]

I agree with the above posters. Both Stacy and Cian are wonderful performers. I saw them several times with Meat and the band and they are awesome all of them.

Of course Patti is too, that is undeniable and I wish her all the very best but there is no way I could or ever would tell, advise, insist or state what Meat or The Band (or anyone for that matter) should do in their business. It is their business and there are reasons for all decisions made ...and in my view it really is none of my business!

[Evil Ernie]

Why don't people actually link to the quote or simply copy/paste it?

[Wario]

Patti will get out of whatever she's down about she has the talent to do so.

There was obviously a reason she was fired, and I say it was a good call. She's now her own entity.

The two girls, by all accounts, are more than good replacements.

[stretch37]

Originally Posted by Evil Ernie

Why don't people actually link to the quote or simply copy/paste it?

It would make it easier to discuss wouldn't it?

[LucyK!]

Which quote?!

[Wario]

the quote doesnt need to be posted, take their word.

[JennaG]

Originally Posted by nightinr

After Patti's post on facebook last week it is clear she isn't loving life at the moment. I'm guessing at least some of this is down to her leaving the Neverland Express.

Wouldn't it be great if she made a comeback as lets face it Patti gives the show and any record a real edge.

Like several others here, I agree with Evil One. I personally have not seen Cian's performance or heard her voice but I'll take the word of those who have and I don't think they deserve to lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

There were reasons behind Patti's departure and I think it was for the best. Her solo career didn't get off to a great start and that's a shame but unfortunately that's life. It doesn't always go the way we want it to.

[CarylB]

I agree with Evil also, and with Lucy. Meat has recruited two great female vocalists. Patti is a great performer, and I hope she builds from her solo tour and continues to have every success. However, Meat's decision was always his to make, he will have had his reasons and that he keeps them to himself is honourable and proper.

It is not up to any of us to "get Patti Russo back in the NLE"; not our call, and as Lucy says, it was undoubtedly a difficult decision, but it was made and it is now history. Meat has moved forwards and been giving wonderful shows, is working hard on a new album, and will be giving us more wonderful shows. I am looking forward to them

[Smithie]

Originally Posted by JennaG

I personally have not seen Cian's performance or heard her voice but I'll take the word of those who have and I don't think they deserve to lose their jobs through no fault of their own.

I don't think anyone in the band (past or present) "deserved" to lose their jobs. Lyssa did a good job, but she was replaced by Cian. Imo, it should always be the best performer- whoever sounds best with Meat & has the best chemistry.

[stretch37]

Originally Posted by LucyK!

Which quote?!

What Patti said that made everyone concerned that she was upset. I even saw someone tweet to her on twitter asking if she was ok...Something must have happened, and I suppose she wouldn't appreciate her status being shared on here since her facebook is closed to friends only (same as twitter). So it remains that we're discussing something we don't know anything about

[JennaG]

Originally Posted by Smithie

I don't think anyone in the band (past or present) "deserved" to lose their jobs. Lyssa did a good job, but she was replaced by Cian. Imo, it should always be the best performer- whoever sounds best with Meat & has the best chemistry.

I'm a little bit confused why you've chosen to quote me in your reply rather than Evil One who had originally said it?

I can see your point but should someone else basically be 'fired' when they were doing a good job because someone 'better' than them comes along?

Originally Posted by stretch37

What Patti said that made everyone concerned that she was upset. I even saw someone tweet to her on twitter asking if she was ok...Something must have happened, and I suppose she wouldn't appreciate her status being shared on here since her facebook is closed to friends only (same as twitter). So it remains that we're discussing something we don't know anything about

There was something posted on her public Facebook page which said that this year had not been one of her best. I'll post the link to it if it's allowed but until then I don't want to be getting into any kind of trouble.

[Evil One]

Originally Posted by JennaG

There was something posted on her public Facebook page which said that this year had not been one of her best.

I'm sure this will go down like a lead balloon with some people here, but I don't have a lot of sympathy for her. She had one of the best jobs in the world, got paid for doing something she enjoyed and travelled the globe at someone else's expense for twenty years. Not many people can say the same.

If I lost my job I doubt anyone would give two hoots and I'm certain nobody would start an internet campaign to get me reinstated.

Patti's contributions to Meat Loaf's work are fantastic, but everything must eventually come to an end. The Neverland Express existed long before Patti appeared, and it continues to exist without her.

[stretch37]

Originally Posted by JennaG

I'll post the link to it if it's allowed but until then I don't want to be getting into any kind of trouble.

Yeah i feel ya...Probably best not to given what's happened in the past

[CarylB]

Originally Posted by Evil One

Patti's contributions to Meat Loaf's work are fantastic, but everything must eventually come to an end. The Neverland Express existed long before Patti appeared, and it continues to exist without her.

I agree. And whilst we are not privy to the reasons for ending her contract, I think it's safe to say it wasn't because she couldn't sing and perform on stage, nor did Meat wake up one morning and think .. "What can I do today .. Oh .. I know .. I'll end Patti's contract!" Whatever reasons led to the decision are unlikely to have changed, so why should we expect the decision to be reversed?

The NLE has two new members who give great performances, just as Meat brought in a superb piano player and a great bass guitarist who do the same.

If I lost my job I doubt anyone would give two hoots and I'm certain nobody would start an internet campaign to get me reinstated.

And until one of us is paying the salaries, it is really not up to us imo

[renegadeangel]

Whatever happened happened. Its in the past and everyone is moving forward. People make decisions and sometimes regret them.
As far as bringing anyone back to the NLE I would rather see the Goff sisters.

[JennaG]

Originally Posted by Evil One

I'm sure this will go down like a lead balloon with some people here, but I don't have a lot of sympathy for her. She had one of the best jobs in the world, got paid for doing something she enjoyed and travelled the globe at someone else's expense for twenty years. Not many people can say the same.

If I lost my job I doubt anyone would give two hoots and I'm certain nobody would start an internet campaign to get me reinstated.

Patti's contributions to Meat Loaf's work are fantastic, but everything must eventually come to an end. The Neverland Express existed long before Patti appeared, and it continues to exist without her.

Thank you!

I agree entirely with what you say and it's something I've not been able to put into any kind of sensible wording myself.

As Caryl has quite rightly said, whilst we don't know the exact reasons for Patti's departure it's not going to be because she couldn't sing any more and these reasons are unlikely to have changed. Should Meat just ignore those reasons and terminate the contracts of two perfectly good vocalists just because Patti Russo happens to be unhappy about something?

I know that a lot of people loved Patti but she's not irreplaceable and nor does the NLE revolve around her.

[lorenzoduke]

I think it's pretty presumptuous to surmise that because Patti says she's not feeling great lately it must be because the NLE has left some great void in her as if that's the be all and end all in her life. Unless I'm mistaken she hasn't said anything at all to indicate that she wants to be back in the band. Given that the split didn't exactly seem to be on good terms, a reunion may very well be the last thing either Patti, Meat or both of them would want. If that's the case I've no wish to go see two people who no longer get along share a stage together.

Besides which, she's a grown woman and if that is what she wanted, I've little doubt she would approach the people who could make it happen herself. She's not exactly known for being timid, shy and reserved. As much as I'd like to see her on stage with Meat again, it's not really our place to project our wishes on to her or speak on her behalf.

Originally Posted by Evil One

What about the ladies currently in the Neverland Express? Should they lose their job through no fault of their own?

I'm meaning this as a clumsy analogy rather than a comment on the current line-up, but to me that would be no more egregious than a football team buying a replacement striker who has form for scoring more goals than the current one. It's the end result that matters. Musicians get replaced all the time, for chemistry reasons, a change in direction of sound...That said of course there will always be contracts in place to be honoured one way or another.

Caryl said 'why expect the decision (to terminate Patti's contract) to be reversed'. The only rationale I can think of is because it has happened once before. Meat knows how much Patti means to the fans, so much so that he announced her previous return on national TV - as far as I can tell, a pretty unprecedented move, that showed that he is well aware of what a key element she brought to the shows. That said, the chances of it happening again seem slim at best.

I also don't think Meat has made his decisions lightly. I think he knows that the majority of fans who've been coming to the live shows for years like to see him with Patti. We know how much Meat cares about his audience and putting on the best show he can, so I can only assume whatever the reason is for them no longer working together, it must be a big one that he sees as insurmountable.

[Adje]

Originally Posted by Evil One

I don't have a lot of sympathy for her.

If I lost my job I doubt anyone would give two hoots and I'm certain nobody would start an internet campaign to get me reinstated.

So basically you're saying that you don't have any symphathy for her because people don't care about you. Did you ever think that this may be the reason why...

[Dave]

Originally Posted by CarylB

And until one of us is paying the salaries, it is really not up to us imo

And what the hell as the consumer of the product known as the artist doing business as Meat Loaf are we doing??? Consumers purchase product generating the revenue behind the brand.