Happy New Year 2017 from WHEEL IN THE SKY - New Albums?

Happy New Year 2017 Journey fans!

Another year has passed. Both Journeys and Steve Perry were heavily active this year.

Steve Perry may or may not release an album this year! It was promised in 2016, but Steve being the perfectionist he is, has taken a bit longer than anticipated.

Although there has been no sign of another album from Journey, we can still hope...

Journey will be starting the 2017 Tour in Las Vegas at The Hard Rock Cafe this May. What will be very interesting is hearing two excellent albums back to back which would include songs they have never played in concert before!

HAPPY 2017!

Merry Christmas from Steve Perry 1984 Journey Force Christmas Card

In a year that was less about Journey and more about Steve Perry came the last Christmas Card...

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM WHEEL IN THE SKY

Journey's Steve Perry Sing-a-longs at the Giants Games in 2014 and World Series win

In 2014, Steve Perry became very active all of a Sudden. He first started showing up doing the Encore and a few EEL's shows in May and June. Then he starts bringing the crowds at the Giants games in October some extra excitement when he sings along with his own Journey songs, "Don't Stop Believin'', and "Lights", which was written about the San Francisco Bay.

Here is a compilation of edited videos of each of the sing-a-longs that Steve Perry participated in during the San Francisco Giants run for the World Series in 2014. First we see the Giants Video Introduction then the National League Division and Championship games that Steve was involved with. Then comes two World Series games sing-a-longs where Steve sings to both "Don't Stop Believin'", and "Lights". Finally the win and Steve meeting people at the Victory Parade on October 31, 2014...

Merry Christmas from Herbie Herbert and Journey 1983 Journey Force Christmas Card

Journey was as big as they ever got in 1983! They were the biggest band in America with sold-out shows all across the World! It looked like nothing could stop them, they were getting bigger and bigger, selling more and more records. Journey was constantly on television talk shows as well ad radio shows and interviews.

Between the years of 1981 and 1983, the three albums released, "Captured", "Escape", and "Frontiers" were their three biggest selling albums to date. It's no wonder that after these three years of grueling hard work that they would want to take a break. Who knows what could have been accomplished by 1985 had everything kept on track. They might have actually reached "Freedom". That's the name that was supposed to be the next album set for release in 1985. It probably would have meant Freedom from Columbia Records, Freedom to be on their own, Freedom to do whatever they wanted. 

This is the last of the original Christmas Cards sent to Journey Force members. I remember receiving this, the third year in a row. In a way, it had become expected by now and not quite as exciting. It's still a great treat to receive a Card every year from The Journey Force. This one shows what the stage show looked like during the "Frontiers Tour"...

Happy Holidays from WHEEL IN THE SKY

Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Picture Book, part 8

This week concludes the Steve Perry "For The Love Of Strange Medicine" Tour Book. A great Concert Program even though there wasn't much more than a bunch of pictures of Steve Perry. Steve Perry and his band didn't have any kind of a history. What it was though was a way to hear Steve Perry sing Journey songs live again!

For The Love Of Strange Medicine kept Steve busy from 1993-1995 while it looked for sure like the Journey was really over. All other members of Journey kept active during this time, yet they didn't have the voice that could only be heard at this show!

The last page of the Tour Book is an advertisement for Steve Perry's second solo album, "For The Love Of Strange Medicine" for without it, there would be no tour or this excellent Concert Program. The album ended up spawning two singles, "You Better Wait", and "Missing You" from the eleven songs on the original album.

The tour to promote the album lasted a full six months before ending in early 1995. By the end on 1995 Steve was already working again with Journey on a new reunion album called "Trial By Fire" that was released in October 1996.

The back cover of the Tour Book is a giant "Steve Perry" logo. It's a beautiful white lettering with the Strange Medicine design behind it in red, all with a deep rick black background. As of this date, there is rumor of a third Steve Perry solo album to be released in 2017 after many years of delay.

Another regret I have is never seeing this show. I have no idea why I missed this. I was a huge Steve Perry fan as I always have since 1980. I was upset at the whole "Raised On Radio" fiasco and the end of Journey, but I would have wanted to go I think. I was making enough money at the time, this was the 1990's when the Motion Picture Industry was still a great industry. Maybe I was just too busy working overtime, we may never know why...

Merry Christmas from Herbie Herbert and Journey 1982 Journey Force Christmas Card

Journey was everywhere by 1982! This was the first year since 1975 that Journey did not release an album. They couldn't, there wasn't any time.

The Escape album kept releasing singles into 1982. The Escape Tour was extended and by 1982, they were playing huge arenas and had video projection so anyone in the audience could see what was happening.

Again, It was a surprise and a delight to receive another Christmas Card from Journey! Although there is no picture of the band, there is a great representation ion what a show is like when way in the back. It sure looks like an exciting night!

Happy Holidays from WHEEL IN THE SKY

Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Picture Book, part 7

For The Love Of Strange Medicine

For The Love Of Strange Medicine is the name of the Steve Perry album released on July 19, 1994 and went on to become #15 on the Billboard charts. The album was certified gold in September 1994 selling over 500, 000 copies!

For The Love Of Strange Medicine is the name of the Band that Steve Perry worked with and toured with for 6 months on the road. The band consisted of Lincoln Brewster on Guitars, Todd Jensen on Bass, Moyes Lucas, Jr. on Drums, and Paul Taylor on Keyboards.

For The Love Of Strange Medicine is the name of the only Tour that Steve Perry did as a solo artist. The tour began in October 1994 and lasted until March 1995. There was a huge crew helping Steve and the band get to and set up for the shows.

The next couple of pages in the For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour Book is a bunch of candid photos of the band and backstage heroes...

Concluded next week...

Merry Christmas from Herbie Herbert and Journey 1981 Journey Force Christmas Card

Back in 1981, The Journey Force sent out these Christmas Cards to all members of The Journey Force. This was the first time I had seen this picture of the band at this building in Japan. There weren't many ways to find pictures of the band back in 1981, so getting one of these in the mail was great! The top half is upside down so that it was correct when folded.

Happy Holidays from WHEEL IN THE SKY

Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Picture Book, part 6

We continue the second half of the Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Tour Book with even more pictures of Steve Perry.

This week begins with an excellent full frontal shot of Steve singing his little heart out...

The next page features a picture of Steve carrying a bouquet of flowers that were thrown to him from the audience at one of the shows.

The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour lasted six months all across America!

TOUR DATES;

Oct. 21, 1994 - Riverside Theater. Milwaukee, WI - Sass Jordan

Oct. 22, 1994 - Minneapolis, MN - Sass Jordan

Oct. 28, 1994 - Taft Theater. Cincinnati, OH - Sass Jordan

Oct. 29, 1994 - Music Hall. Cleveland, OH - Sass Jordan

Oct. 30, 1994 - Arie Crown Theater. Chicago, IL - Sass Jordan

Nov. 1, 1994 - A.J. Palumbo Auditorium. Pittsburgh, PA - Sass Jordan

Nov. 3, 1994 - Fox Theater. Detroit ,MI - Sass Jordan

Nov. 5, 1994 - Stabler Arena. Lehigh Campus. Bethleham, PA - Sass Jordan

Nov. 7, 1994 - DAR Constitution Hall. D.C. - Sass Jordan

Nov. 10, 1994 - A.J. Palumbo Center. Pittsburgh, PA - Sass Jordan

Nov. 14, 1994 - Albany, NY - Sass Jordan

Nov. 15, 1994 - Massey Hall, Toronto, ONT - Sass Jordan

Nov. 16, 1994 - Tower Theater, Philadelphia Upper Darby, PA - Sass Jordan

Nov. 17, 1994 - Central Maine Civic Center. Lewiston, ME - Sass Jordan

Nov. 18, 1994 - Orpheum Theater. Boston, MA - Sass Jordan

Nov. 20, 1994 - Hershey Park Arena. Hershey, PA - Sass Jordan

Nov. 22, 1994 - Fox Theater. Atlanta, GA - Sass Jordan

Nov. 23, 1994 - Jacksonville, FL - Sass Jordan

Nov. 24, 1994 - Bob Carr Performing Arts Center. Orlando, FL - Sass Jordan

Nov. 25, 1994 - Sunrise Musical Theater. Sunrise, FL - Sass Jordan

Nov. 27, 1994 - Mahaffey Theater. St. Petersburg, FL - Sass Jordan

Dec. 2, 1994 - Municipal Auditorium. San Antonio, TX - Sass Jordan

Dec. 3, 1994 - Will Rogers Memorial. Forth Worth, TX - Sass Jordan

Dec. 7, 1994 - Aladdin Theater, Las Vegas, NV - Sass Jordan

Dec. 9, 1994 - Fort Worth, TX - Sass Jordan

Dec. 10, 1994 - Warner’s Theater. Fresno, CA - Sass Jordan

Dec. 12, 1994 - Speckles Theater .San Diego, CA - Sass Jordan

Dec. 16, 1994 - Pantages Theater. Los Angeles, CA - Sass Jordan

Dec. 17, 1994 - Pantages Theater . Los Angeles, CA - Sass Jordan

Dec. 18, 1994 - Pantages Theater . Los Angeles, CA - Sass Jordan

Jan. ??, 1995 - Seattle, WA - unknown

Jan. 11, 1995 - Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall Portland, OR - Sass Jordan

Jan. 15, 1995 - Abravanel Hall. Salt Lake City, Utah - Sass Jordan

Jan. ??, 1995 - Paramount Theater. Denver, CO - Sass Jordan

Jan. 19, 1995 - Memorial Auditorium.. Burlington, IW - Sass Jordan

Jan. 20, 1995 - Memorial Hall . Kansas City, Kansas - Sass Jordan

Jan. 22, 1995 - Veterans Memorial. Columbus, OH - Sass Jordan

Jan. 25, 1995 - Wings Stadium. Kalamazoo, MI - Sass Jordan

Jan. 27, 1995 - Shea's Performing Arts Center. Buffalo NY - Sass Jordan

Jan. 28, 1995 - Rochester Auditorium Center, Rochester, NY - Sass Jordan

Feb. 2, 1995 - Washington, DC - Sass Jordan

Feb. 13, 1995 - State Theater, New Brunswick, NJ - Opening "act" - guitar player from the local college.

Mar. 10, 1995 - Abraham Chavez Theater. El Paso, TX - Bone Pony

Mar. 11, 1995 - Mesa Amphitheater. Mesa, AZ

Mar. 13, 1995 - Bren Events Center. University of California. Irvine, CA - Bone Pony

Mar. 14, 1995 - Santa Barbara, CA - Bone Pony

Mar. ??, 1995 - San Francisco, CA

Mar. ??, 1995 - Warnors Theater. Fresno, CA

Mar. 22, 1995 - San Juan, Puerto Rico

Continued next week...

Don't Stop Believing: A Romantic, Upbeat, Musical Journey by Rowanna Green

Don't Stop Believing: A Romantic, Upbeat, Musical Journey;

This story is based on a musical I wrote many years ago, featuring twenty of Journey's best-loved hits. I had a week in hospital, recovering from an operation - what else was I gonna do? I wrote it originally with all songs taken from the Steve Perry heydays - from Escape, Frontiers and Raised On Radio. I spoke to Jon Cain after the Newcastle gig in 2008 and he suggested I could put some new songs in. So I re-wrote it with songs from Arrival and Revelations. It's kinda sat on the back burner since then, but I've thought about doing something like this many times.

ORDER NOW

A failing marriage. A union separated by distance. An accidental encounter. Can the Edinburgh Fringe Festival work its magic?

Kathy’s life is a mess. Sure, the job’s great and her home is to-die-for, but she spends way too much time on the midnight train to catch a few fraught hours with her musician husband, Jimmy. While he’s away, Dan-next-door looks dangerously attractive.

On paper, Jimmy has it all. A talented wife, a successful rock band and nights in smart hotels. The gig at Edinburgh’s hottest arts festival is the culmination of years on the road, but the lack of harmony in his marriage makes him feel like a failure. He and Kathy fight to stay together, but events conspire to break them apart as they interact with colourful characters drawn to the Fringe.

In this rock-music-inspired tale, three love stories intertwine as each player is forced to take stock of their lives and discover what is truly important.

Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Picture Book, part 5

We begin the second half of the Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Tour Book with more pictures of Steve Perry.

These are great photos of Steve Perry and I'm sure his women fans can't get enough of these pictures. I would have rather had maybe one less picture, like maybe the second one shown below, and had instead some information about the making of the album and subsequent Tour or how they prepare for each concert everyday or something. What we have are pictures of Steve because after all, this is the "Steve Perry" Tour.

The Tour began on October 21, 1994 at the Riverside Theater in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. The Tour swept all across America and ended on May 22, 1995 in San Juan, Puerto Rico.
It brought back Journey songs to the concert scene again. Sadly though this also cemented the truth to the World that Journey was definitely over...

To Be Continued Next Week...

The Journey Force Newsletter from April 1, 1987 part 3, Merchandise

The Final three pages of The Journey Force Newsletter from April 1, 1987 brings us PEN PALS.

Before the internet, before there even computers. Actually, before there were cars, there Pen Pals. With email, they have taken a whole new shape today. It was a way that people communicated over a long distance. If people moved to another State, someone you met at summer camp or on vacation, a distant relative, or whatever, it was the only way to communicate until the telephone came along. Long distance calls are more expensive so writing was the way to do it. It faded out as the years went on until email brought it back.

It looks like Journey is now offering a new "Raised On Radio" Jacket. I'm glad I passed on this one and very sorry I never got the "Tux & Tails" Jacket. I wish the merchandise wasn't only clothing, I wish they were more creative. The Car would have been cool. A Radio that played Journey songs and was a real radio would have really cool! Jewelry and things in the past were always great, but none this time around.

I no longer live at the address on the last page so I can't become your Pen Pal at that address...

Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Picture Book, part 4

This week in the Steve Perry - The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 - Tour Book we get two centerfold Posters. 

The first Poster right before the actual center of the Tour Program has a great poster collage of the "For The Love Of Strange Medicine" band;


Lincoln Brewster on Guitar and Vocals
Moyes Lucas, Jr. on Drums and Vocals
Todd Jensen on Bass and Vocals
Paul Taylor on Keyboards, Guitar and Vocals
and of course on Lead Vocals; STEVE PERRY

The second Poster, a centerfold of Steve Perry and Band on Stage;

Continued Next Week...

The Journey Force Newsletter from April 1, 1987 part 2, Bits and Pictures

Journey Tames the Last Frontier;

This week brings you pages 3, 4 and 5 of The Journey Force Newsletter dated April 1, 1987. We begin with "Bits and Pieces" which talks about Journey winning 4 out of 6 Bammie (The Bay Area Music Awards) Nominations.

The entire Road Crew was brought on Stage at the end of the last show of the "Raised On Radio" Tour in Anchorage, Alaska on January 23, 1987 at the Sullivan Arena. The three dates in Anchorage, Alaska marked the first time Journey ever played there.

The next two pages are full of pictures of Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain with other musicians including Eddie Van Halen. We end on a picture of the band with The Journey Force Members in a Post Card mock-up...

Concluded next week

Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Picture Book, part 3

The next two pages of the Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour Book are more great photos of Steve performing.

Following Journey's 1986-87 tour, Steve Perry disappeared. He vanished. Not only had Journey disbanded, but its frontman had become MIA.

"At the end of that tour, I honestly had to stop," he says, armed with the objectivity of one who has carefully observed these events from a safe distance of about seven and a half years. "I was suffering from serious fatigue, job burnout, and all sorts of other things happening in my personal life as the result of the 10-year burn." So, in essence, Steve Perry set out in search of Steve Perry. "I had to get off the merry-go-round," he admits. "And there is no easy way to get off when everybody else is on it with you. But it really felt that my life depended upon it."

In 1992, Steve hooked up with keyboardist/guitarist Paul Taylor, and things started to really click. "He had a sense of melodics in his chord changes that I had not heard before, and I liked a lot," Perry says of his new collaborator. A few months later, Randy Jackson (A VP/A&R at Columbia and himself an alumni of Journey) gave Steve a tape that had come across his desk. The demo was from a guitar player by the name of Lincoln Brewster.

In early 1993, Steve began recording the album. Perry and his band (along with a combination of Mike Porcardo, Larry Kimpel on bass, and Todd Jensen) entered the studio to begin recording For The Love Of Strange Medicine. It's his second solo outing, and ultimately comes 10 years after 1984's double-platinum Street Talk which produced four hit singles, including the #3 smash "Oh Sherrie" and "Foolish Heart."

"After eight years of absence from the music scene I must say that I never knew how much I loved something so much until I let it go. It feels good to be back." Back he was! The album, "For The Love Of Strange Medicine", was released on July 18, 1994, leaving him 3 months before this 6 month Tour would begin...

Continued next week...

The Journey Force Newsletter from April 1, 1987 - Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon Interview

Volume 1, Number 5;

the first two pages of the Journey Force Newsletter from April 1, 1987 is mostly an interview with Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain. They talk about the Tour and what is in store in their futures,

The Interview makes it sound like the "Raised On Radio Tour" ended on a high note and the band members are going to be very busy very soon. The truth is in fact, the tour never made it to Japan as scheduled, Steve Perry ended the Tour early after the North American comitments. The only excuse ever given was that he just wanted to stop.

The Interview goes on to say that because the band members will be so busy with their upcoming solo projects that there won't be any time for "Journey" projects. Huh, what? Well, that should tell you something is very wrong in the Journey camp. What do you "no time for Journey"? That's what this whole thing is all about in the first place! They make it sound like it's OK because each band member have exciting projects ahead, including Gregg Rolie.

Win The Shirt off Journey's Back. 

A simple contest where you can win one of the many shirts either Steve, Neal or Jonathan wore during the "Raised On Radio Tour". That would be one of the coolest Journey memorabilia items ever!

Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Picture Book, part II

The next two pages of the Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour Book are full page photos of Steve performing.

The album, For The Love Of Strange Medicine was released on July 18, 1994. It wasn't nearly as successful as Steve earlier album, 1984's "Street Talk". The album did reach "Gold" status

The album charted #15 on Billboard's chart, and was the last solo release from Steve Perry to date. The first single, single "You Better Wait", got a lot of radio airplay and made it into the top ten on Billboard's charts.

There is rumor of an album coming sometime in the future by Steve but I wouldn't hold my breathe.

Continued next week...

The Journey Force was also replaced by The Steve Perry Information Network in 1994

The very last issue of The Journey Force Newsletter was sent out in January 1994. This was the end of the 20 year Journey and all that was created around it.

The Merchandise portion of The Journey Force turned into Fan Asylum which was a merchandise outlet for many groups including Journey. Steve Perry was not part of it.

Steve Perry started the "Steve Perry Information Network", or "S.P.I.N." This was supposed to be  network of members that would work a lot like any fan club except the internet was beginning so the word "Network" got confusing. I don't exactly know how long it was in business or how well it did. My guess is that it died out after the excitement of Steve Perry's new album and tour was over.

Here is the postcard with all the sign-up instructions and what the $25 price will cover...

Steve Perry For The Love Of Strange Medicine World Tour Book 1994-1995

Journey suddenly stopped in 1987 while on the "Raised On Radio" Tour. Then Journey and Steve Perry vanished.

All the band members of Journey would be heard from during the late 1980's and early 1990's because they kept bouncing around in different bands and configurations. All except Steve Perry, who was hardly heard from at all.

Things started happening near the mid 1990's though. Steve Perry fired Journey's long time manager, Herbie Herbert in 1993 which led to the end of "The Journey Force" which was the name of Journey's fan club. 1994 saw the last edition to "The Journey Force Newsletter" which was really the only place to hear any news about Journey at all.

It was seven longs years that we went without hearing Journey songs live and finally Steve Perry released a new album called "For The Love Of Strange Medicine" and finally went on tour to promote it. The musicianship might not have been what we were used to, but the voice was undeniably Journey.

Here comes the Front cover and first two pages of Steve Perry's For The Love Of Strange Medicine Tour 1994-1995 Tour Book...

Continued next week

Journey's Live in Manila released on 2 CD's and DVD September 2016

Walmart released a new old Journey album, "Live In Manila" on 2 CD's and 1 DVD on September 9, 2016. There was no big announcement or anything. There's hardly any information about it. It's not even listed on the official Journey page.

It's the entire concert that was released in 2009 on 2 DVD's or one Blu-Ray. This is the first time that it is released on CD and only one DVD.

Originally recorded at the Mall Of Asia, Manila, Philippines on March 12, 2009. This Journey Concert was released on DVD and Blu-Ray only on October 2, 2009.

The new Live In Manila package can only be found at Walmart if you are lucky. I had to go to 3 different Walmart's before I found it. It's hard to find.

Here are the front and back covers as well as the cover of the inside Liner Notes Booklet.

Live In Manila Front Cover

Live In Manila Back Cover

Live In Manila Booklet Cover

Journey Force Newsletter dated January, 1987 - Part 3

The Journey Force Newsletter dated January 1987 Conclusion

The conclusion of the Jon & Neal interview is featured this week, but first, The Merchandise Page. The Raised On Radio Tour is in full swing by the time this went to press and yet there really isn't that much Raised On Radio Merchandise available. There is certainly nothing available with more than the three main members at the time, Steve Perry, Neal Schon, and Jonathan Cain.

The Journey Force announces they will only be putting out 4 editions per years from now on, starting with this issue. They are also raising the m,membership rates for the first time in a very long time.

Other tidbits in this issue include the Bammies that each member of Journey has won. There is the usual Pen Pal listings and the "Your Questions Answered" section end the Newsletter.

Steve Perry at the San Francisco Giants World Series Game 1 in 2012

Steve Perry again attended the San Francisco Giants Games in 2012.

Steve was found singing at the first World Series Giants Game in 2012 and led the crowd in a sing-along with his song, "Lights" at AT&T Park in San Francisco on October 24, 2012.

The World Series this year was The San Francisco Giants vs. The Detroit Tigers. The Series was only 4 games, with San Francisco winning all!

Here's a video put together from some different camera phones that night...

Journey Force Newsletter dated January 1987 - Neal & Jonathan Interview

Part 2 of the January 1, 1987 edition of the Journey Force Newsletter includes an interview with Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain.

Starting with some Bits And Pieces, We get a mention of Steve Perry's old band, "The Sullie's". The video for "The Girl Can't Help It" rises to #2 on MTV's countdown.

Steve Perry and Neal Schon were given a tour of the Harley Davidson plant in York, PA. There's a great picture of them on a couple bikes!

Then we get right into the first part of the Jon & Neal Interview which will be completed next week with the rest of the Newsletter. They talk about how the new members of the band have helped give the band new life. There is also talk about how they don't fight on this tour and everybody's having a great time. That's interesting because this tour never came to completion. It ended soon after this Newsletter was published, so I'm really excited to read the next one. 

Concluded next week...

Steve Perry at the San Francisco Giants World Series Games 2010

Steve Perry at the Giants Games 2010

Steve Perry attended the Giants Games 2010 and sang along with two of his songs.

On October 21, 2010, Steve sang along with the crowd to Journey's song "Don"t Stop Believin"" at the National League Championship Series Game 5.

The World Series Game 2 was held on October 28, 2010 at AT&T Park in San Francisco. Steve sang along with the crowd to Journey's song "Lights" from the Infinity album.

There is also an interview of Steve. I'm not sure exactly the date this was shot.

I've also included Steve's part in the Victory Parade on November 3, 2010. You can see him hanging out of the Cable Car during the Giant's World Series Victory Parade 2010!

Here is a video putting all those pieces together...

Journey Force Newsletter dated January 1987 has a Steve Perry Interview

An Interview With Steve Perry...

The first two pages of the Journey Force Newsletter dated January 1987 is all about Steve Perry! 

Continued next week...