Origin: San Francisco, California (USA)
JOURNEY
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| Jonathan Cain - Ross Valory - Neal Schon - Steve Perry - Steve Smith |
Departure - 1980 (with lyrics)
Escape - 1981 (with lyrics)
Frontiers - 1983 (with lyrics)
Raised on radio - 1986 (with lyrics)Notes:
- 1977 to 1980
Tickner was to be shown the door after 1977's 'Next' effort as JOURNEY's sound relied heavier on vocals with each successive release. For live work the band drafted vocalist Robert Fleischman, putting in a rash of February 1977 US dates with BLACK SABBATH and TARGET, but his contract was not renewed once the dates were over. In came vocalist STEVE PERRY. The amalgam of talent triumphed at their first try with 'Infinity' shifting over one million units as JOURNEY now flung themselves head on into mainstream AOR radio rock territory.
Perry, an 18 year old Californian of Portuguese descent, had been plucked away from ALIEN PROJECT, an act signed to CBS Records but in a state of flux following a fatal car accident took one of their members. Perry, originally a drummer, had travelled through such acts as THE NOCTURNS, DOLLAR BILLS, SULLIES, PIECES in 1976 and then ALIEN PROJECT. With the death of ALIEN PROJECT's bassist Perry had seriously considered quitting the business until the call came from JOURNEY.
Perry's inauguration came with an acclimatising trip with the band as they toured with EMERSON, LAKE & PALMER after which he was officially asked to join. The band partnered up with JOURNEY and VAN HALEN for US nationwide dates throughout March and April of 1978. Despite JOURNEY's rapid rise to fame Dunbar felt uncomfortable with the band's new found musical direction and defected to JEFFERSON STARSHIP. His substitute was found in 25 year old Steve Smith, the drummer being persuaded away from MONTROSE.
1979's 'Evolution' and 1980's 'Departure' continued the upward trend. However, Rolie decided to opt out but would suggest his successor, JONATHON CAIN of THE BABYS. -
1981 to 1983
1981 saw the release of the monumental top ten double live album 'Captured'. The only studio track on the record, 'The Party's Over' was issued as a single as JOURNEY entered the studio for writing sessions for what would turn out to be their biggest record ever 'Escape'. In the meantime the band had their soundtrack album 'Dream After Dream' issued in Japan. Noticeably, material included on this record would find STEVE PERRY singing in a different tone to his prior work, a shift to a lower register made all the more evident on subsequent releases.
In June new keyboard player JONATHON CAIN made his debut live appearance with JOURNEY at the Mountain Aire festival. JOURNEY were back in the charts with their contribution 'Open Arms' to the 'Heavy Metal' soundtrack album peaking at number 12 but all eyes were fixed on the release of 'Escape'. The precursor single 'Who's Crying Now' crashed into the Billboard charts hitting number 4. In August 'Escape' was issued and after a timid start soon climbed to the coveted number one spot. 'Don't Stop Believin' maintained the momentum giving the album it's second top ten single. By the end of the year both 'Captured' and 'Escape' passed the million sales mark.
1981 caught the individual JOURNEY men pursuing outside interests. Schon laid down an album with keyboard wizard Jan Hammer. Smith reunited with his ex SANTANA colleague Tom Costa as well as contributing to the SCHON/HAMMER outfit.
Valory meanwhile, with Schon's assistance, was nurturing a group titled THOUSAND LIGHTS comprising of ex JOURNEY personnel.
1982 started well with 'Escape's third single 'Open Arms' reaching number 2. 'Still They Ride' followed it into the charts as JOURNEY went on the road as special guests to THE ROLLING STONES. For headline shows JOURNEY employed two giant 60 foot video screens flanking the stage, the first time a band had used this visual aid.
Outside of JOURNEY Cain and Schon assisted the former's then wife TANE CAIN on her debut album. The resulting single 'Holdin' On' charted. Meantime Perry united with KENNY LOGGINS for the hit single 'Don't Fight It'. Schon also cut his second SCHON/HAMMER album 'Here To Stay'.
Even the Disney organization wanted a slice of JOURNEY's magic as the band contributed two tracks and incidental music to their high tech animated movie 'Tron'. Ever the pioneers JOURNEY could also lay claim to releasing the first ever band video game 'Journey Escape' to round off the year.
1983 had JOURNEY capitalizing on the success of 'Escape' with the more guitar orientated 'Frontiers'. The inaugural single 'Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)' provided a useful launch platform breaking into the top ten. 'Frontiers' itself remained steadfast in the Billboard album charts at number 2 for no less than 9 weeks, denied the top spot by MICHAEL JACKSON's 'Thriller'. A second single 'Faithfully' provided another useful hit and follow ups 'After The Fall' and 'Send Her My Love' followed suit.
Later in the year JOURNEY commit the song 'Ask The Lonely' to the movie soundtrack 'Two Of A Kind'. The album would give JOURNEY a further platinum award.
Away from JOURNEY operations Schon reunited with his former SANTANA colleague drummer Michael Shrieve to forge H.S.A.S. along with vocalist / guitarist SAMMY HAGAR and ex DUST bassist Kenny Aaronson. The resulting live album 'Through The Fire' scored well with the critics and fans alike. -
1984 to 1994
In 1984 New York's SCANDAL recorded their version of 'Only The Young' on their hit album 'The Warrior'. Although a JOURNEY track SCANDAL had beaten the band to the line by releasing their version first JOURNEY having removed the song from 'Frontier's running order at the last minute.
STEVE PERRY issued his highly anticipated solo album 'Street Talk' in April of 1984. The record sold over a million copies and provided a batch of hit singles including the number 3 'Oh Sherrie'.
Schon committed a track 'Can't Stop The Fire' to the 'Teachers' movie soundtrack sung by ERIC MARTIN. During 1983 ex vocalist Robert Fleischman made a return to the scene with his new act CHANNEL. 1985 found Cain and Jackson contributing to Australian AOR artist JIMMY BARNES self titled album. That year JOURNEY fans were finally rewarded with the inclusion of 'Only The Young' on the film soundtrack for 'Vision Quest'. Paired off with a SAMMY HAGAR track from the same movie 'Only The Young' broke the US top ten.
JOURNEY finally returned with the slick, yet much mellower, 'Raised On Radio', launched by the radio hit 'Be Good To Yourself'. By this stage the band had trimmed down to a trio minus Valory and Smith although the latter did add drums to the album along with Larry Londin. Studio bass was supplied by Randy Jackson and Bob Glaub. For touring the trio of Perry, Schon and Cain pulled in session drummer Mike Baird, a veteran of numerous acts including IRONHORSE, AIRBORNE, AIRPLAY and ANIMOTION. Bass was in the hands of Randy Jackson once more.
In 1987 Cain, Jackson and Schon lent their talents to JIMMY BARNES once again, this time on the 'Freight Train Heart' album.
With JOURNEY on hold Cain reunited with some his former colleagues in THE BABYS, pulling Schon along with him, to create BAD ENGLISH. This JOHN WAITE fronted act scored a huge hit with their 1989 debut album, including a number 1 single with 'When I See You Smile'. Unfortunately the band's second effort 'Backlash' proved a drab affair and the band folded in 1991.
Rolie, Smith and Valory meanwhile forged another welcome diversion for JOURNEY fans with their new band THE STORM fronted by ex-707 vocalist Kevin Chalfont for an eponymous record. NEAL SCHON created HARDLINE with former BRUNETTE members, BAD ENGLISH drummer Deen Castronovo and DAVID LEE ROTH bassist Todd Jenson. The ensuing album 'Double Eclipse' rapidly became a much sought after classic. -
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