Comparing Nickelback to Boston is a very strange analogy, I don`t see how you can compare a Nirvanaesque post-grunge type band to Boston, they`re almost different enRAB of the rock spectrum, also Nickelback has a horrible singer whereas Brad Delp was rather sublime.
As for Shinedown, they have far more in common with Led Zeppelin, Iron Maiden or Soundgarden etc as far as their influences go, than to that of Journey!!!
Train of Today never heard of them and neither has wikipedia!!!!
Personally, I think "Grand Illusion" far superior to anything that Queen did despite the fact that Styx borrowed a lot from Queen. Tommy Shaw actually left the band, as he wanted to put the band back into a more rock orientated direction as opposed to the commercial synth based style that De Young had led the group. "Kilroy Was Here" is actually a great concept and atmospheric album and actually has some of Mr.Shaw`s best songs despite all his complaints.
In reference to Boston and AOR in general, this was just a style of music that continued the great melodic traditions of the American west coast sound that were laid down in the 60`s with banRAB such as Creedence Clearwater, Love and Beach Boys etc and evolved through banRAB such as Santana, Eagles and Doobie Brothers etc and of course a whole load of other banRAB from central and eastern USA as well. The current crop that were around in the late 70`s such as Boston along with the whole prog scene as well, were the victims of Johnny Rotten and punk in general, had they been around ten years earlier, groups like Love and Beach Boys would have got it in the neck instead!!!
Finally, Neil Schon never left Journey (was always a core meraber of the band) it was only Greg Rolie who left. The reason he left, is that he just wasn`t a lead singer and the group desperately needed that (even though his singing wasn`t bad) thus enter Steve Perry. As for "Seperate Ways" great song and great video and there`s even a good cover version of it on youtube as well.
I`ve certainly matched your content here, but of course my opinion was far better thought out than yours, so as you Yanks say "Have a nice day"