Journey

50th Anniversary Celebration magazine

Front Cover

A Fantastic magazine with lots of pictures and information! The magazine is about 1/8 inch think and takes you on a full tour of the band's history. This magazine takes you from the beginnings of the band in the early 1970's through their entire story and line-up changes. Everything you need to know about how we got to where we are! You might need to buy 2 of these so you can cut the pictures out of one of them.

Back Cover

Wheel In The Sky goes to Journey's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

I take a Journey into Hollywood to find the Star. Journey received a Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and went to see it, to clean it, to be it. You'll see the whole Journey, from the driving to the Star to walking to the Star, to finding the Star, to cleaning the Star, to driving home from the Star.

One of the hottest summer days in 2016. Footage was lost, but I was able to cobble together a video of the trip!

Come check out the Wheel In The Sky YouTube channel!  Click below to watch the video!

Journey's Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame

The Final Journey Force Newsletter, January 1994 - Steve Perry Back In The Groove

This is the final edition of the Journey Force Newsletter. This was the last word on Journey. This newsletter made it clear to all the fan club members that all the rumors have been true, Journey was truly over. Starting in 1978, the Journey Fan Club has been answering the fans' questions, sending out newsletters, stickers, photos, and membership cards. This 1994 edition of the Journey Force Newsletter was the saddest newsletter of them all.

Steve Perry was hard at work at the time on his forthcoming album, For The Love Of Strange Medicine. Steve does an interview with Journey Force staff member, Lora.

This edition is here in it's full. There are eight fantastic pages full of information, photos and memories. You'll find a reunion photo of the original members of Journey.

Thank you JOURNEY;
Walter "Herbie" Herbert
Gregg Rolie
Neal Schon
George Tickner
Ross Valory
Aynsley Dunbar
Robert Fleischman
Steve Smith
Jonathan Cain

"You'll never find a group of people like Journey fans. there is such a devotion there"

- Steve Perry -

Like a photograph, that time won't erase...

Castles Burning, The Herbie Herbert Interview with Matthew Carty 2001

In 2001 Matt Carty interviewed Walter J. (Herbie) Herbert, Journey's Manager from 1973-1993.

Herbie Herbert was the mastermind behind it all. He got Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, and Ross Valory together to create a band that would catapult into superstardom and fizzle out in a flash. He came up with the album names and artwork.

This is the very hard to find interview from 2001 called "Castles Burning". He tells it like he saw it, and felt it.

CASTLES BURNING

Journey with Robert Fleischman WHEEL IN THE SKY (demo) UPGRADED SOUND

I've updated my video for the Wheel In The Sky (demo) with Robert Fleischman as lead vocalist with significantly better audio quality. This one does not sound muddy. 

If you've never heard Robert Fleischman singing "Wheel In The Sky" with Journey, you are in for a treat! As Journey was recording songs with their new singer/songwriter there are a few demo's floating around from 1977. Of course, Herbie Herbert pushed Robert out to make a place for Steve Perry, but Robert's pop songwriting and singing style helped prepare the band for making rock and pop hits. Robert co-wrote this song as well as others on the "Infinity" album. Without Robert's contribution, "Infinity" might not have been "Infinite".

Sit back and taste a piece of Robert's magic...

I found Robert Fleischmann's side of the story. There's a great in-depth interview by Dave Golland with Jrnydv.com. For any Journey fan of the Gregg Rolie days, this is a must read!

Robert Fleischman Interview 1-08-2003

Journey Album Retrospective: LOOK INTO THE FUTURE, Released January 1, 1976

Here's a look back at Journey's second album, "Look Into The Future"...

JOURNEY: Look Into The Future

Original Album Cover Front

Gregg Rolie.....................Keyboards, Lead Vocals

Neal Schon.....................Guitars, Background Vocals

Ross Valory.....................Bass, Background Vocals

Aynsley Dunbar................Drums, Percussion

Original Album Cover Back

Main Release Format.................Vinyl Album (LP)
Label.......................................Columbia Records
Album Cover Photos...................A. Louis Bramy Photography
Album Cover Design..................Spreadeagle Productions

Band Management.....................Walter J. Herbert, A. Louis Bramy
Road Manager...........................John Villanueva

Produced by Journey for Spreadeagle Productions, A division of Herbert & Bramy, Inc.
Associate Producer.....................Glen Kolotkin
Recording Studio.......................CBS Studios, San Francisco, CA
Recording Dates........................August-October 1975
Recorded By.............................Mark Friedman
Engineer..................................Glen Kolotkin
Mastered By.............................George Horn at CBS Studios, San Francisco, CA

Original Inner Sleeve Front

Release Date......................January 1, 1976
Chart Rating......................#100
Number Sold......................-500,000
Certification.......................None
Catalogue Number..............PC33904
Genre...............................Progressive Rock, Jazz Fusion


NO LINER NOTES

Original Inner Sleeve Back

TRACKS:
Number of Tracks...........8;

Side 1;
1. On A Saturday Nite................3:58
2. It’s All Too Much....................4:03
3. Anyway................................4:10
4. She Makes Me (Feel Alright)....3:11
5. You’re On Your Own...............5:53

Side 2;
1. Look Into The Future..............8:10
2. Midnight Dreamer...................5:15
3. I’m Gonna Leave You..............6:58

Original Disc Label, Side 1

Original Disc Label, Side 2

SINGLES:
Number of Singles...........2;
On A Saturday Nite / To Play Some Music
She Makes Me (Feel Alright) / It’s All Too Much

Original Single

Original Promo Single

Wheel In The Sky Review
Journey's second album, Look into the Future, is a very promising follow-up to the classic self-titled debut album. The band toned down the overt progressiveness a bit at first in favor of a more focused, commercial approach. This resulted in shorter songs with a more lyrical touch, although the band still placed much emphasis on instrumental passages. As the album progresses along it still retains some of the experimental approach and sound of the debut. This is a solid album that incorporates many jazz themes. It is distinctly different from most accessible albums.

George Tickner had left the band to attend Stanford Medical School on a full scholarship leaving Neal Schon to fill both lead and rhythm guitars. Neal blazes though this album, offering world-class riffing and soloing throughout while there’s still great influence from Bass player, Ross Valory. Aynsley Dunbar’s drumming is again a superb backdrop to Gregg Rolie’s haunting vocals. Unfortunately the album was only slightly more successful than the debut album, and was never fully appreciated beyond Journey’s hometown, the San Francisco Bay area.


On A Saturday Nite
By Gregg Rolie
Right away, it seems there was already a push to give a pop spin to Journey’s sound. The piano is bouncy and the involved vocal melody is certainly terrific and catchy. This new approach leaves Neal Schon's electric guitar playing merely in the margins (until during the fade out when it is allowed to go nuts). This is the beginning of the sound that will take this band well into the future.

It’s All Too Much
By George Harrison
Journey’s only cover song. Journey does The Beatles better than The Beatles. The song is not quite as catchy as “On A Saturday Night” though it does still have a decent hook. The song emphasizes Neal Schon's guitar harmonies more than anything else, but it also makes great use of Gregg's keyboards, keeping the rhythm in line. Gregg might not have the chops to take this song to its limits, but his voice could surely soar. The backwards ending is both haunting and inspiring.

Anyway
By Gregg Rolie
This is an atmospheric and rather heavy ballad, and not nearly as popular as the power-ballads that Journey would come to be famous for, but certainly a solid foundation for what was coming in the later years. The musicianship here is amazing. That spooky, slide guitar in the background sends shivers, and that melody, once again, is fantastic.

She Makes Me Feel Alright
By Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie,  Alex Kash
This one has a heavy riff that's insanely catchy. This song is a hard rocker, one of Journey’s hardest. Just a short song (three minutes) that packs enough of a punch that you can’t ignore it. Schon's guitar solo in the final third is very fast 'n' flashy while Aynsley slays on the drums. Gregg has the perfect voice for a song like this.

You’re On Your Own
By Neal Schon, George Tickner and Gregg Rolie
A fabulous song considering how obvious it is that this was modeled after The Beatles' “I Want You (You're So Heavy),” being faster and containing some really energetic grooves. It may be more fun for some listeners for that reason, though it doesn't have near the psychological impact. Gregg has an awesome keyboard solo in the song that really makes the song fly. Neal just kills on the guitar throughout. This is the song where all the members show their talents and creativity on this album.

Look Into The Future
By Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, Diane Valory
This song is really amazing. It's an eight minute long extended ballad with plenty of dreamy Hammond organ and dramatic crescendos galore. The riffs do get a bit droney at times, but the crescendos help give the song quite a lot of development. A mostly instrumental song, but the vocal melody when it surfaces is soulful, and Rolie's vocals fantastically wrap around Diane Valory’s poetry. What really shines here the most is Neal Schon's electric guitar playing, which very well may be the best he's ever done. What a great epic ballad!

Midnight Dreamer
By Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie
What needs to be said about a song that is allowed to use a cowbell to it’s full potential? This song has a fast-paced, killer riff, energetic and frantic lead vocals, and it’s just another thrill-ride. This song is probably better suited for Santana fans rather than Journey fans. The song develops in a rather complex manner such that it crescendos flawlessly throughout. The grooves are endlessly entertaining, and the electric guitar solos are fantastic. This song is mainly Gregg Rolie's spotlight.

I’m Gonna Leave You
By Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, George Tickner
The final song of the album is yet another solid one. That makes this possibly the most consistent Journey album on the planet. This is another heavy and fast-paced groove-song, seven-minutes long, containing some absolutely blistering organ and electric guitar solos. Lots of catchy riffs are thrown in here to help keep this addicting for its entire duration. Once again Rolie's vocals are heavy and this time maybe even a bit glammy. Overall, this is a great closer to the album, and a satisfying progressive rock song.

Journey's first Album Retrospective "JOURNEY" released April 1, 1975

Journey Retrospective: JOURNEY

JOURNEY - Front Album Cover

Gregg Rolie...............Vocals, Keyboards

Neal Schon................Lead Guitar

George Tickner.........Rhythm Guitar

Ross Valory...............Bass Guitar

Aynsley Dunbar........Drums

JOURNEY - Back Album Cover

Main Release Format..........Vinyl Album (LP)

Record Label.......................Columbia Records

Album Cover Photo.............Steven Silverstein

Album Cover Design...........Nancy Donald

Inside Sleeve Photo............Baron Wolman

Band Management..............Walter J. Herbert, A. Louis Bramy
Road Manager....................John Villanueva

Recording Studio................CBS Studios, San Francisco, CA

Recording Dates.................November 1974

Producer.............................Roy Halee

Recorded By..................... .Mark Friedman
Engineer.............................Roy Halee

Mastered By.......................George Horn

JOURNEY - Front Inner sleeve

Release Date April 1, 1975

Chart Rating #138

Number Sold -500,000

Certification None

Catalogue Number PC33388

Genre Progressive Rock, Jazz Fusion

LINER NOTES:

We suggest that you play this record at the highest possible volume in order to fully appreciate the sound of Journey.

JOURNEY - Back Inner sleeve

TRACKS:

Number of Tracks 7;

Side 1;

1. Of A Lifetime 6:49

2. In The Morning Day 4:24

3. Kohoutek (Instrumental) 6:47

Side 2;

1. To Play Some Music 3:16

2. Topaz (Instrumental) 6:10

3. In My Lonely Feeling/Conversations 4:59

4. Mystery Mountain 4:26

JOURNEY - Album Label - Side 1

JOURNEY - Album Label - Side 2

SINGLES:

Number of Singles 2;

Kohoutek/Topaz (released in 1974 as a promo only)

To Play Some Music/Topaz (released in 1975)

Kohoutek / Topaz Promo Single - released 1974

To Play Some Music / Topaz Promo Single - released 1975

WHEEL IN THE SKY REVIEW:

Album Review

Journey's self-titled debut is an amazing album. It's a perfect example of classic fusion rock crafted with a variety of unique twists and sounds. First off, Neal Schon's guitar work is not only powerful and energizing, but also intensely melodic. Neal's ground-breaking technique, mixed with screeching power chords, results in a musical thunderstorm that is sure to echo in one’s mind long after the final note has been played. Next up, we have the relentless and muscular drumming of Aynsley Dunbar. His solid rock ’n roll purist-style, works seamlessly with Schon's lightening-fast guitar work. Then of course, the dynamic duo of Ross Valory’s bass and George Tickner’s rhythm guitar, laying out a solid foundation from underneath. And finally, floating above it all, the soulful vocals of Gregg Rolie. Not only is he an accomplished keyboardist, but his velvet tones and catchy melodies gel perfectly with the rest of this highly talented band.

Of A Lifetime

By Gregg Rolie, George Tickner, and Neal Schon

This song is used in almost every Journey documentary. There is so much identity from Gregg Rolie in this song. Driven by Neal Schon’s Guitar, this song makes a great opener to the album. The song has soft melodic parts and hard driven progressive rock in others. It’s also got some excellent instrumental jams. Gregg’s vocals are an essential part of the musical arrangement here. This one song encompasses everything that Journey as a band has to offer.

In The Morning Day

By Gregg Rolie and Ross Valory

This starts out as a very nice vocal song that changes to a hard hitting instrumental half-way through. This has one of Journey’s most recognizable instrumental hooks from the early days. The song showcases Gregg’s stabbing electric organ ending with Neal’s fast and ripping solo.

Kohoutek

(Instrumental) By Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie

This song was released as a demo single in 1974 and could be considered the band’s first single. The song is a journey itself taking you through different passages, feelings and moods. It starts as a nice piano song which quickly becomes a strong instrumental using every instrument to it’s fullest potential travelling through the different jams and solos. 

To Play Some Music

By Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon

This song was the only official single from the album. A great song that was destined to be on the radio. It’s got a catchy hook and Gregg’s vocals shine throughout. Gregg’s organ playing takes over a bit until Neal’s Guitar playing is flawlessly highlighted. While Aynsley, Ross and George keep the rhythm grooving.

Topaz

(Instrumental) By George Tickner

This song was the “B” side to the “To Play Some Music” single as well as the “Kohoutek” promotional single. This is a very guitar driven instrumental that starts out as a very nice guitar song that rapidly becomes a back and forth between hard rocking progressive rock and soft melodic moments. A fast bass rhythm eventually pipes up and it becomes one huge jam session between the guys.

In My Lonely Feeling / Conversations

By Gregg Rolie / Ross Valory

This song is based on some pretty heavy power chords and we hear some more truly excellent electric guitar playing from Neal Schon. A perfect blend between Gregg’s vocals on the slower moments creating a “mystifying atmosphere” and some hard rockin’ progressive jams.

Mystery Mountain

By Gregg Rolie, George Tickner, and Diane Valory

The album ends with a great punch. The drumming stands out on this one. Gregg’s strong vocals somehow find their way through one of the heavier groove jams on the album.

Steve Perry takes the spotlight at the 1980 Bammie Awards

Steve Perry wins Best Male Vocalist at the Third Annual Bammie Awards!

Steve Perry has been getting all the spotlight since he joined the band in 1978 and that's no different at the Bay Area Music Awards as shown in the paragraph about Journey;

Journey closed the show with a powerhouse rendition of the band's hit, "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'," that blended the Sounds of Delight into Journey's basic five-pice sound, while vocalist Steve Perry dragged various vocalists - from Eddie Money to rank amateurs - onstage to sing the final choruses.

Aynsley Dunbar also wins Best Drummer / Percussionist as part of Jefferson Starship!