Journey Album Retrospective: "NEXT", Released in February 1977

JOURNEY: Next

Album Cover - Front

Gregg Rolie..........Keyboards, Lead Vocals
Neal Schon...........Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Lead Vocals
Ross Valory...........Bass, Background Vocals
Aynsley Dunbar......Drums, Percussion

Album Cover - Back

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

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

Management and Direction.....Walter “Herbie” Herbert

Produced by Journey for Nightmare Productions, Inc.

Recorded and Mixed at His Master’s Wheels, San Francisco, CA

Recording and Mixing Engineer..........Smiggy

Mastered at Capitol Recording Studios, Hollywood

Mastering Engineer.....Bruce Botnick  (Thank You, Mike Dilbeck)

Art Direction and Photography for Journey.......Bruce Steinberg

Album Design......Bruce Steinberg and Ellie Oberzil

Sleeve Art..........Mansfield

Album Liner - Side One

Release Date............February, 1977

Chart Rating............#100

Number Sold...........-500,000

Certification............None

Catalogue Number.....PC34311

Genre....................Progressive Rock, Jazz Fusion

Album Liner - Side Two

TRACKS:

Number of Tracks........8;

Side 1;

1. Spaceman..............4:00

2. People..................5:20

3. I Would Find You......5:53

4. Here We Are...........4:16

Side 2;

1. Hustler.................3:14

2. Next....................5:26

3. Nickel & Dime.........4:13

4. Karma..................5:08

LINER NOTES;
Special Thanks to everyone at CBS Records and to these special friends:
Gary Jackson (financial direction)
Brian Rohan (attorney-at-peace)
Bruce “One-Stop” Steinberg (overtime)
Ray Arbuckle
Ron Bennett
Carol Bork
Jonathan Coffino
Charley Coplen
Mike Dilbeck
Don Ellis
Sam Hood
Mark Hyman
Bruce Lundvall
Rob Oberman
Frank Shargo
Peter Starr
And to Bill Graham and the FM Productions staff

Extra special thanks to our loyal and dedicated staff:
Gloria “Glo” Calbreath, secretary
Juan “Zopilote” Vallanueva, office manager
Patrick “Bubba” Morrow, road manager
Ken “The Duke” Mednick, lighting designer
Greg “Michelin Man” Schafer, axes & lamps
Chris “Biff” Uryevick, drum roadie
Ed “The Hit Man “Simeone, house engineer

Thank you, Herbie for your oneness, dedication and concern

Journey Fan Club;
Send self-addressed envelope to
P.O. Box 404, San Francisco, California  94101

(John Vallanueva, road manager)

Album Label - Side One

Album Label - Side Two

SINGLES:

Number of Singles 1;

Spaceman / To Play Some Music

Spaceman Promo Single Mono Side

Spaceman Promo Single Stereo Side

Spaceman Single - Side One

Spaceman Single - Side Two

WHEEL IN THE SKY REVIEW:

Album Review
Journey's third album, Next, makes it perfectly clear that these guys would become hugely popular the moment they would streamline their sound. They really were excellent songwriters as well as players. There isn't a weak song on the album. Neal Schon really knew how to infuse everything with exciting guitar solos back when he was still learning how to be a great showman.


As Journey was shifting to a more of a pop sound while keeping the roots of Rock and Roll intact over the period of these first three albums, it presents itself pretty clearly here that they have what it takes to make it big. The sound on this album is still dense and earthy while making the shift to a more pop sound, although Rolie’s vocals tend to be a bit more rough and soulful than what Journey would become on their next album.

I do love “Spaceman.” It is the first of many Journey power ballads, even if it's obvious they took a lot of hints from “Rocket Man.” Also, the melody is gorgeous as the album opener. The follow-up songs start to actually seem like a classic Journey songs, as they sport a tighter, more streamlined sound. The only thing missing here are the flamboyant vocals. The album does create a quite compelling atmosphere.

There isn’t a song over 6 minutes on this album while they average about 4-5 minutes. This album is four minutes shorter than Look Into The Future. That was precious time that could have been used to extend the album's terrific closer, the dark and powerful “Karma.” ...Come on! Doesn't a song like that need an extended jam session? I'm not even a jam guy, but considering how entertaining it has been hearing Schon and Rolie go at it in the previous Journey albums, why not bring it here?

Gregg Rolie’s vocals, as great as they are, do call for something more. If only Journey was able to bring that perfect voice to offset Gregg’s powerful voice, the possibilities seem endless. Although this album might not thrill me like Journey's previous ones did, it's still nonetheless among the group's finer releases. 

The cover art front and back are full color pictures of the band, the inner sleeve does contain the first incarnation of some feathered wings artwork, but it’s bitmapped black and white.


Spaceman (A Song For Hang Gliders)
Lyrics by Aynsley Dunbar and Gregg Rolie
Music by Gregg Rolie
It's hard for me not to want to compare this directly with the song that opened Look Into the Future, which was a bouncy and fun Supertramp-ish pop tune. This is also a pop tune but a ballad and kind of a good first power ballad that Journey would become famous for.

Actually this song seems to take a lot of obvious hints from Elton John's “Rocket Man.” Somehow that's not at all because of the similar song titles. It's Rolie's vocal performance, which adopts Elton John's mannerisms. (Hear how Rolie songs “Ooh, I'm not a spaceman, no, no.” I mean, the instrumental textures are engaging and the melody is gorgeous. What more do you need?

People
Lyrics by Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie
Music by Aynsley Dunbar and Gregg Rolie
This is the closest thing we get to the classic Journey sound in this pre-Steve Perry trilogy. All that's missing is flamboyant lead vocals, as Rolie's vocals here are more or less flat and less involved. It's that smooth and tight atmosphere they create here, really providing a nice texture for the ears to sink into. Midway through the drama picks up where we get that zippy synthesizer solo and probably the most crowd-pleasingly flashy electric guitar solo Schon has ever done so far! I believe this song shows Journey gearing up for their commercially successful days yet to come!

I Would Find You
Lyrics by Neal Schon and Tena Austin
Music by Neal Schon
Lead Vocals by Neal Schon
Here’s a good six minute song. Whereas lengthy songs like that had me positively excited in the previous album, this song isn’t the one to extend that extra 50 seconds. Though I do like that mystical, Middle Eastern-like bendy synthesizer solo that starts this off. After that, all we get is a heavy and very slowly developing filler. Some buzzy and bendy electric guitar chords do lend it a foreboding flavor, and there's a little bit of soloing toward the end that's nice, but it's ultimately a bit boring. Overall a good effort but this would need that perfect voice to supplement what Gregg is trying to do here.

Here We Are
Music and Lyrics by Gregg Rolie
This song starts out with heavy, dreamy, and dreary, pure synthesizer chords. What happened to Gregg’s Hammond organ? The song develops very slowly and really needs a soaring voice to take this song to it’s fullest potential, apart from its very last minute when some momentum finally starts to pick up. Schon is also far too absent throughout this, his electric guitar is kept merely in the background.

Hustler
Lyrics by Aynsley Dunbar
Music by Gregg Rolie
Well this is definitely more like classic early! It starts out right away with some lightning-fast electric guitar licks, before delivering a heavy riff. There are lots of things to listen to here. Though it doesn't quite have that gradual, flawlessly developing momentum that some songs in their previous album had. The riff isn't really that catchy, but this thing is littered with Neal's show-offey electric guitar licks, which is pretty cool.

Next
Lyrics by Aynsley Dunbar, Gregg Rolie, and Heidi Cogdell
Music by Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie
There are power-chords. Is this album leading into Infinity or what? ...I mean, this song is muddy, gritty, and ugly--making it totally unlike the glistening studio magic of Infinity--but still…I have to say that Gregg spends so much time singing in this and Neal is more reduced to licking away faintly in the background, regrettably, until the final minute when the groove gets quicker and heavier, and Neal starts going to town. The vocal melody is pretty good, Gregg does a great job with the vocals. Quite good as a whole, but was elevated tremendously in the live shows when Steve Perry added his voice to the song. If the album had a second single, this might have been it!

Nickel and Dime
Music by George Tickner, Ross Valory, Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie
An excellent instrumental! It's a backdrop to so many Journey documentaries. The song gives Neal and Gregg the excuse to noodle around exclusively throughout this. Gregg is using a synthesizer here instead of the Hammond organ he would have used in the previous two albums. Unlike the previous albums they're playing a bit flashy here, as opposed to a bluesy sound. They had proven to be excellent blues soloists in the past. This is an excellent instrumental which would be the last for a few years coming.

Karma
Lyrics by Aynsley Dunbar
Music by Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie
Lead Vocals by Neal Schon
This is an appropriate send-off to pre-Perry Journey if there ever was one, and these kind of jams will be missed. Neal Schon takes lead vocals on this one and kills it! This is the roughest, muddiest, grittiest, and heaviest Journey song of all time. Just listen to this song and try to refrain from bobbing your head righteously to it. This riff is very catchy. Well, this is Journey, after all. This song really called for 9 minutes of blistering jamming! But all they give us is 5!

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.

Journey's unofficial Guitar and Amps Album from 1978

In 1980 I found my very first unofficial album of Journey. It was called "Guitars and Amps" and I thought I found gold! It was recorded in August, 1978 and it has one of the first live recordings with new member, Steve Perry on vocals! (He is not listed in the liner notes)

This in area that I have kept out of until now. Bootleg albums. Journey has many and this is just one of them. This one was actually pressed to vinyl. This will also serve as my unofficial fist "Retrospective" that I do.

Front Album Cover

Rear Album Cover

Liner Notes;

Journey

Gregg Rolie vocals, keyboards, guitar

Neal Sehon guitar

Ross Valory bass

Aynsley Dunbar drums

            Formed in late 1973, Journey made their debut at San Francisco Winterland on New Year's Eve that year, followed by New Year's Day second gig before 100,000 audience at annual Sunshine Festival at Diamond Head Crater, Hawaii. Not that such sizeable gatherin~ were strange territory to at least three members of this minor-supergroup.

            Rolie and Schon were both members of San Francisco's massively successful Santana (è); indeed Rolie was co-founder of that group with guitarist Carlos Santana in 1967. He played on four platinum-selling albums and was primarily responsible for band arrangements and vocals before Carlos' moves towards jazz caused conflict of opinions.

            Schon was something of teenage guitar protege, encouraged by Carlos Santana after declining Eric Clapton's offer of gig in his Derek and Dominos group at age 16. He cut two albums with Santana band, as well as appearing on Carlos Santana and Buddy Miles live album. Before Journey, played briefly, with Graham Central Station (è).

            Drummer Aynsley Dunbar, born in Liverpool, England, has similarly illustrious credits. He first came to attention as highly accomplished drummer with John Mayall's Bluesbreakers, subsequently forming own band Retaliation and later the ambitious Blue Whale, using large brass section. Arrived in America to join Mothers Of Invention (è), cutting four albums and touring extensively with same. When Flo & Eddie (è) left Mothers to gig on own, Dunbar accompanied them. Numerous session credits include work for Jeff Beck, Bonzo Dog Doo Dab Band, Lou Reed, David Bowie.

Recordings:

Journey (Columbia/CBS)

Look For The Future (Columbia/CBS)

Next (Columbia/CBS)

Nice Guys Dept:

Despite their grueling tour schedule of 178 dates in six months (that's almost One a day. folks), Journey found time to do a benefit for San Mateo'. Burrell Junior High School recently. The hard working rockers raised $6,000 towards new uniforms for the school band.

After working together for five years, drummer Aynsley Dunbar and Journey have gone separate ways because Dunbar's drumming style was more suited to jazz, than rock and roll, according to reliable sources within the band. Steve Smith, who has drummed for Jean Luc Ponty and more recently with Montrose, will replace Dunbar. The band plans to play gigs in redding on October 14, and in Santa Clara on October 22, to prepare Smith before they begin a world tour that starts New Year's Eve in Oakland. Meanwhile, they'll be working on an album that's due out by early February.

Rumors were flying that Dunbar would join The Who as a replacement for the late Keith Moon. However, sources close to that band say that only session drummers will be used, so perhaps the rumor that Dunbar is starting his own group is more likely. When asked about his plans for the future, Dunbar says that "things are up in the air" and that he's still "deciding" about what to do. As always, he says, he's available for session work, and now he'll have more time since Journey's grueling tour schedules are a thing of the past.

For more information about these sort of Journey recordings please visit the links below;

Bootradr's Blind Boot Blog

Dixie Highway

THE JOURNEY RETROSPECTIVE - Album History, Photos, Liner Pages and Artwork

Starting today, there will be a new feature posted every couple months or so. This will be called the Journey Retrospectives and they will post only on Thursdays. I will show all original vinyl album artwork and write a retrospective about the album and each of the songs.

Today I am starting with a full Journey Career-Spanning Retrospective. This is a full 9 page history...

JOURNEY: Retrospective

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

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

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

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

Prairie Prince.............. Drums

Aynsley Dunbar.......... Drums

Robert Fleischman.... Lead Vocals

Steve Perry................... Lead Vocals

Steve Smith................. Drums

Jonathan Cain............ Keyboards, Piano, Guitar

Bob Glaub................... Bass Guitar

Larrie Londin.............. Drums

Randy Jackson............ Bass Guitar

Mike Baird.................. Drums

Steve Augeri................ Lead Vocals

Deen Castronovo....... Drums

Jeff Scott Soto............. Lead Vocals

Arnel Pineda............... Lead Vocals

Omar Hakim................ Drums

Herbie Herbert........... Manager 1973-1993

Irving Azoff.................. Manager 1993-Present

Journey, my favorite band since High School, but I didn’t really know them until 1980’s Departure. 

They are a band that started in 1973 by a group of friends who wanted to jam. They became way too famous and started to implode just 10 years later. Success didn’t come easy but did get thrown away once it was gained.

How did what started as a mostly instrumental progressive rock band become America’s #1 pop group in the 1980’s and then disappear altogether? “Oh, Sherrie.“

But let’s first look back at the Journey through the years…

“Whose band is this”? That’s probably the most important question there is. By looking at the number of members of the band, it isn’t a simple question. It’s been many people’s band over the years, but we’ve always been told they run it like a democracy. Today one would assume it has always been Neal Schon’s band.

Walter James (Herbie) Herbert started the band with Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon from “Santana”. Herbie was a roadie for Santana and wanted to start his own band. In 1973 Herbie, Gregg, and Neal, along with Ross Valory and George Tickner from “Frumious Bandersnatch” formed “The Golden Gate Rhythm Section” with Prairie Prince as drummer. Prairie Prince, left soon after and was replaced by Aynsley Dunbar. Roadie John Villaneuva suggested the name “Journey” and that’s the name they went with.

On February 5, 1974 Herbie Herbert, Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Ross Valory, George Tickner and Aynsley Dunbar had secured a recording contract with Columbia Records. Over a year later, on April 1, 1975, the self-titled album, “Journey” was released.

Before the band was able to record their second album, 1976’s “Look Into The Future”, George Tickner left the band to attend Stanford Medical School on a full scholarship, leaving Neal to execute all Guitar playing for the band. They toned down the progressiveness of the first album in favor of a more focused approached but the album still retains some of the experimental jams of the first album.

“Next” was the title of the 3^rd album with Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Ross Valory and Aynsley Dunbar once again. The pressure from Columbia about expanding the vocals was showing as Neal sings lead vocals on two of the songs on the album. After the release of the album, Robert Fleischman was brought in as lead vocalist to share lead vocal duties with Gregg on the live tour. Things were about to change for the band.

At this point after releasing three albums and Columbia Records losing faith in Gregg’s voice makes Herbie Herbert the person whose band it is at this point. Herbie named the albums with positive forward thinking titles, but he needed to expand on that plan to sell more records. While coming up with a plan for the future of the band, a tape from Columbia Records from a band called “Alien Project” was sent to Herbie. 

Herbie had a meeting with Gregg and Neal and told them that Steve Perry was going to be the next lead singer of the band. They disagreed but finally had to give in, showing that Herbie is the one in charge of the band, it is indeed Herbie Herbert’s band.

Steve Perry joined the band and made his first public debut on October 28, 1977 in San Francisco to a mixed reception. Herbie hired artists Anton Kelley and Stanley Mouse to design the cover for the next album titled “Infinity”. A whole new era for Journey is about to begin. Steve Perry takes over lead vocals but the duets with Gregg are what shine. The blending of those two voices are expanding the already great sound of Journey to a new audience. “Infinity” reached number 21 on the album charts. The album was certified platinum and had two hit singles, “Lights”, and “Wheel In The Sky”.

In late 1978 Aynsley Dunbar is let go from the group and jazz drummer Steve Smith joins the band.

Their momentum continued with 1979’s release of “Evolution”. Steve Perry writes or co-writes every song on the album, it’s obvious his influence on the band is starting to take over. Gregg only sings co-lead vocals on one song, “Just The Same Way”. The album reaches number 20 on the album charts while the single “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’” is the bands first top 20 hit, written by Steve Perry.

To capitalize on the new success the band was having, the first “Greatest Hits” compilation double album titled “In The Beginning” is released in November 1979, just in time for Christmas. This album compiles the best songs from the first three albums, Steve Perry does not appear on any of these songs. Again Anton Mouse and Stanley Kelley created the artwork for the album cover which is based on the “Evolution” album cover.

The next Studio album, “Departure” becomes the bands highest charting album to date, peaking at number 8. Released on March 23, 1980, the album has an edgier sound than “Evolution” did. The album spawned three singles, “Any Way You Want It”, “Walks Like A Lady”, and “Good Morning Girl/Stay Awhile”. Both Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon sing co-lead vocals on one song each. Nineteen songs were recorded for the album, but the album was released with only 12 of them. Anton Kelley designed the Album Cover artwork, which features a scarab for the first time. Stanley Mouse created the lettering and logo. The related “Departure tour” was the longest and biggest selling tour Journey’s ever attempted ending in Japan.

After the tour, while the band was in Japan, they recorded an album to serve as the soundtrack for a film titled “Yume, Yume No Ato,” or “Dream, After Dream” in English. The album was very hard to find as it was an import only at the time and wasn’t noticed by the general public. This was the last Studio album to feature founding member Gregg Rolie. “Dream, After Dream” was released on December 10, 1980 in Japan. “Little Girl”, the ballad from the album was released as a single in Japan.

Journey’s first live album, “Captured”, serves as the “Greatest Hits” of the second three albums released by Journey featuring Steve Perry as lead vocalist. “Captured”, a double live album was released in February 1981 and fast became the fourth “Journey” album to be certified platinum. Due to the many years on the road with “Santana”, “Journey” and probably the growing popularity of Steve Perry, Gregg Rolie retired from the band and was replaced by Jonathan Cain, the keyboard player from the band “The Baby’s”. Stanley Mouse designed the album cover art while the entire package design was by Jim Welch who now takes over all art design for next few years.

It has been said that Herbie Herbert came up with all of Journey’s album titles before Steve Perry was hired. Infinity, Evolution, Departure, Captured, Escape, Frontiers, and Freedom. With Gregg Rolie retired, the answer to “whose band is it?” is getting fuzzy, the public would say it’s Steve Perry’s band.

Journey’s biggest selling album, “Escape” is released on July 31, 1981. Jonathan Cain and Steve Perry write every song with Neal collaborating on all but two. Stanley Mouse designs the album cover artwork while Jim Welch again designs the whole package.

During the week of September 12 thru 18, 1981 the “Escape” album was number one in America. Four singles were released from the album between 1981 and 1982.

1982 marked the year that “Journey” became bigger than anyone could ever imagine. They embarked on another tour that year filling huge stadiums and arenas.

Herbie Herbert branched out another company from Journey’s Nightmare Productions. Nocturne was created to take care of Journey’s Stage and Lighting needs. Journey was the first band to use giant video projection. The first ever Rock and Roll video game was released by Atari and was called “Journey Escape”. It featured all five members of the band and an electronic version of the song “Don’t Stop Believing”.

Also in 1982 Journey contributed to another movie soundtrack. They wrote and performed two songs titled “1990’s Theme’ and “Only Solutions” for the soundtrack for the Walt Disney Productions movie, “Tron”. Neal Schon released his second solo album with musician Jan Hammer as the duo “Schon & Hammer”. Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain helped write a couple songs on Neal’s album while the rest of Journey lend a hand including Steve Perry’s backing vocals on the song “Self Defense”.

Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” album kept 1983’s “Frontiers” out of the number one spot. Frontiers was released on February 22, 1983 and peaked at number 2. Jim Welch did the entire package design again without a scarab. This album is the first to let show that Journey didn’t have to try very hard anymore. It’s got some great some songs but two shiners on the album were pulled at the last minute and replaced with out-takes. “Ask The Lonely” and “Only The Young” were replaced with “Troubled Child” and “Back Talk”. Who knows what heights this album could have achieved if it wasn’t cut short.

During the “Frontiers Tour”, Steve Perry no longer travelled with the rest of the band. He was a star and travelled alone or with his girlfriend, Sherry Swafford, which started to tear a thread in the band. The road was starting to get to Steve and he wanted a break. The break came after the tour when the band took a vacation. The problem was, they didn’t actually take a break, everyone was doing their own solo project. This is death to any band. Neal was part of a band called “HSAS”. Steve Smith was off with his “Vital Information” jazz band. Jonathan was producing his wife’s band Tane Cain and “Tryanglz”. Ross Valory was doing his thing, as he was always involved in other projects.

At the top of their game, bigger than any other band at the time, they all decide to do solo projects and put “Journey” on hold. All that could have worked out had the “Journey” kept going like it always had. What happened was that it gave Steve Perry an opportunity to do a solo album. “Street Talk” was released in April 1984 and was a huge success, earning a platinum certification and gave the face of “Journey” a name, Steve Perry. The album, especially the song, “Oh, Sherrie” sounded like a Journey album and confused people into thinking “Journey” was breaking up. Steve was even invited to sing along with the “USA for Africa” recording of “We Are The World”.

Steve Perry was at the top and if he wanted he could continue to make solo albums. Steve Perry’s mother was very sick and such a huge part of his life that he asked her what he should do next and her answer was a “Journey” album.

There were a lot of behind the scenes struggles throughout 1985 with Journey. It had been two years since Journey released an album but luckily they had the songs “Ask The Lonely” on the “Two Of A Kind” soundtrack in late 1983 and “Ask The Lonely” on the “Vision Quest” soundtrack in 1985 to keep the “Journey” name alive in the public.

Had the band been Neal Schon’s band, he could have stopped what was to happen next. It wasn’t Neal’s band, it was Herbie Herbert’s band, but Steve Perry was butting heads with him over control and won out. Too much success led to Steve taking complete control over everything. “Journey” was now Steve Perry’s band and there was no stopping him. Steve claims to have needed a particular sound and he would stop at nothing to get it. That completely contradicts what he does next when he fires Ross Valory and Steve Smith in favor of a drum machine.

Finally on May 27, 1986 “Raised On Radio” was released and was a cross between a Journey album and a Steve Perry solo album. “Journey” was now a three-man band. Herbie Herbert’s idea for “Freedom” never came, although an out-take from the album is called “Liberty”. “Raised On Radio” did go platinum, but nowhere near the success of “Escape” or “Frontiers”. Prairie Prince and Michael Cotton designed the album art. The album cover art was modeled after the studios and antennas for KNGS in Hanford, California, which was owned by Steve Perry’s parents, Ray and Mary Perry.

When it came time to tour in 1986, a couple of studio musicians, Randy Jackson and Mike Baird, who also worked on the album, were hired to tour with them. The tour itself wasn’t as successful as the “Escape” or “Frontiers” tours. Then on February 1, 1987 in Anchorage, Alaska, Steve Perry decided it was time to stop and the rest of the tour was cancelled. This would be the last we would hear from Journey until 1991 when the three members of “Journey” rejoined to play a couple songs at the “Bill Graham Tribute” called “Laughter, Love and Music” in San Francisco on November 3, 1991 at the Civic Auditorium.

November 15, 1988 marks the day we knew the Journey was over. “Greatest Hits” was released and if that wasn’t enough, a three Disc box set full of hits and unreleased songs titled “Time3” was released on December 1st, 1992. “Greatest Hits” has been the biggest selling “Journey” album ever since spending 330 weeks on the Billboard top 200 album chart. “Time3”  is an excellent box set with songs in more or less chronological order. There are so many unreleased songs missing, but a great package with a great booklet. “Greatest Hits” peaked at number ten, while “Time3” only made it to number 90 on the charts.

Both Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain got involved with a band named “Bad English” from 1987 to 1991, then Neal Schon got involved with a band called “Hardline” in 1991-1992. The other members of “Journey”, Ross Valory, Steve Smith, and Gregg Rolie, formed a band called “The Storm” from 1990 through 1996.

In 1993 Steve Perry wanted out of his contract with manager Herbie Herbert and fired him. Steve’s next move was another solo album titled “For The Love Of Strange Medicine” which was released on July 19, 1994. This time Steve toured in support of the album that lasted into 1995. The album was not a huge success and it became the last solo album Steve Perry ever did.

October 22, 1996 marks the return of “Journey” and a Grammy nomination! The album, “Trial By Fire” was a change in maturity for the band with many of the songs reflecting a more overt spirituality in lyrical content. Steve Smith and Ross Valory came back for the reunion. Steve Perry made sure that Herbie Herbert was not involved and a new manager named Irving Azoff who also manages many other bands so his attention isn’t all there, was brought in, leaving the band in Neal Schon’s hands.

The album reached number three and was awarded platinum status, and the song “When You Love A Woman” was nominated for a Grammy Award, so Steve Perry didn’t see a need to tour. Originally a tour was scheduled for Summer and Fall of 1997, but Steve Perry injured his hip on hike in Hawaii. It was something that needed surgery and Steve prolonged it so long that the rest of the band let him go. Steve Smith didn’t see any point in continuing “Journey” with Steve Perry so he decided to leave the band.

Due to poor sales on “Trial By Fire”, Columbia Records released Journey’s “Greatest Hits Live”. This is just a collection of Journey’s Greatest Hits from live recordings, but the audience tracks has been lowered taking the “Live” out.

Now in 1998, we are left with a “Journey” without its singer. Neal Schon, who would be better at selling Italian Ladies Shoes than managing a band, starts looking for a replacement. Neal thought that because there was a “Journey” before Steve Perry that there could be a “Journey” after Steve Perry. The problem was that it really was Steve Perry’s band and the only way to move on is to just move on. Neal didn’t move on and found a sound-alike in the name of Steve Augeri found by Neal Schon’s wife at the time.

The soundtrack for the movie “Armageddon” is released and there’s a song titled “Remember Me” by Journey. The new line-up, Neal Schon, Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain, Deen Castronovo and Steve Augeri as Lead Singer. They embarked on the “Vacation’s Over” tour in 1998 and the “Under The Radar” tour in 1999. Neither of these tours really promoted the album “Trial By Fire”. After two years of touring, the band went into the Studio to record their first album with singer Steve Augeri.

“Arrival” was the name of the next album. Neal did get something right by going back to the one-word titles. The album was released in Japan in December 2000, but Columbia Records wanted changes to the album so the release was pushed to April 3, 2001 for the U.S. Two harder rock songs were added and one softer song was dropped because Columbia was looking for something more with an edge. The album cover was changed a bit to resemble the earlier album covers. The album peaked at #56, barely selling at all. Columbia Records quickly dropped “Journey” and for the first time since 1973 didn’t have a record label.

November 26, 2002 “Journey” released an EP titled “Red 13”. It was an experiment produced by Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain with money they’ve obviously made from all the “Journey” compilation albums that have been released to date. “Red 13” was first offered through the Journey website, but when it was released to the public, they changed the album cover artwork to one resembling older Journey album covers. The EP only had four songs and didn’t chart at all.

For the “Journey’s” 30^th Anniversary they decided to do more damage to the legacy of “Journey” than thought possible. During the “Generations” tour of 2005, the band decided to give away the new album “Generations” for free to anyone who attended the concerts. The album was then officially released in a proper CD jewel case on August 29, 2005. The album peaked at only 170 proving that no one needed to buy the thing if given away for free. Every member of the band had a turn at singing lead vocals. Why would a band that is trying to match its iconic voice let every member take the lead vocals on at least one song? The answer is given away during the next tour.

The “Journey Tour 2006” began on June 2, 2006 and ran until September 23, 2006. It was during this tour that Steve Augeri lost his voice and was diagnosed with throat cancer. Other members of the band, especially Deen were able to help get through the shows but the second half of the 2006 Tour and the entire 2007 Tour the lead vocals were given to Jeff Scott Soto. The 2007 Tour ended on May 12, 2007 and it seemed as if Journey had a new singer, the problem was he didn’t sound like “Journey” and some fans were complaining about that. So what does a band with an iconic voice do when they lose that iconic voice twice? They search the Internet.

One night Neal Schon’s wife at the time was searching the Internet and somehow came across a guy by the name of Arnel Pineda. Not only did he sound like Steve Perry, but he ran and jumped around the Stage giving an exciting performance like Steve Perry used to do. Arnel was singing with a band called “The Zoo”, but the problem was he lived in the Philippines. Neal immediately got a hold of Arnel and probably violated every international customs law to get Arnel to San Francisco for an audition. To prove to customs officials in Manila that Arnel Pineda really was going to America to try out for the lead singer in “Journey” he had to sing “Wheel In The Sky” right there in their office.

Neal couldn’t resist the publicity “Journey” would get with hiring a man from the Philippines, including new fans in the Asian Countries, so Arnel was announced as the next lead vocalist for “Journey”. Arnel first appeared live in concert with the band on February 21, 2008 in Vina del Mar, Chile at the Vina del Mar International Song Festival held at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater. The band toured Europe and then returned to The United States for a few concerts in Las Vegas before the next album was released.

Finally “Freedom” has arrived. Wal*Mart distributed Journey’s next album, “Revelation”. “Journey” is back with a great album with some great songs. It’s the first “Journey” album to achieve Platinum status since “Raised On Radio” in 1986. The second disc in the package was a re-recording of 11 of “Journey’s” greatest Steve Perry era songs. This disc is a better coaster than music CD. We have the excellent sounding originals with Steve Perry’s voice so it doesn’t make any sense to listen to lesser recordings with a different voice. The third disc in the package is a DVD of the performance in Chile on February 21, 2008 that makes a nice addition to the CD. Neal hit a home run with this release and the band was running with it!

The Revelation Tour started on February 23, 2008 and didn’t end until October 2009. The band was in top form and finally having that new beginning they’ve always needed. The problem was that the only songs radio was playing were the ones from the Steve Perry era. You didn’t hear any of the new Journey songs even though they were good. The “Live In Manila” DVD was released on October 2, 2009 recorder March 14, 2009 at The Mall Of Asia. This was a much more exciting performance than the DVD that came with the “Revelation” CD.

Then, “Journey” agreed to do a “concert” during NBC’s “The Today Show” on July 29^th, 2009. This did more damage as Arnel’s voice was completely shot. It was seen by millions of people all over the World and they couldn’t keep it in key. Arnel had a hard time remembering the lyrics.  The host of the show didn’t even get Neal’s name right or care that he got it wrong. This was a disaster.

“Journey” was back but they knew they were pushing Arnel’s voice too hard so they took most of 2010 off to relax and let Arnel’s voice strengthen. Since none of the new songs were on the radio, it didn’t take long for the novelty of a singer from the Philippines to start to wear off, people still yearned for their Steve Perry.

The anticipation for a new album was growing and finally in 2011 “Journey” releases that new album. In an interview in 2011, Neal Schon describes the album as “Journey on steroids”. I don’t know why he thinks we want that. “Eclipse” is released on May 24^th, 2011 to a waiting audience who gobbled it up at first helping it reach it’s peak at number 13 in the charts. There was a huge campaign for the release of the album. It was even released on vinyl. It soon started falling fast because of it’s departure from what people know as Journey. It was a hard rock, guitar oriented experiment that didn’t go as planned.

Throughout the past couple years, Ramona S. Diaz was shooting and collecting footage of Arnel and Journey for a documentary she was making called “Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey. The film was released on March 8, 2012. It’s a good docu-musical that is essentially a modern day rags to riches story. I wish they had gotten into the struggles that Arnel must have been feeling after the years of touring as the lead singer of “Journey”. I’m sure the stress was intense and that would have been more interesting to me.

During the next two years after the release of “Eclipse”, Journey kept touring. The shows had completely become a “Greatest Hits” show as they weren’t really playing anything off the later albums. The live shows were even advertised on the radio using the recordings with Steve Perry as vocalist.

On December 15, 2013 there was special pay per view live showing of “Neal & Michaele Forever”. This was Neal Schon and Michaele Salahi’s wedding with special guest drummer Steve Smith. It was a 3 hour event that I was unable to watch. I have never seen a video or DVD of this. It would make a great home video release. Neal Schon billed this as “The Celebrity Wedding Event of the Decade”. Really? Apparently Neal thinks very highly of himself and as the leader of the band.

Journey 2014: Don’t Stop Believin’ was an event on Public Television. This special included excerpts of the documentary "Don't Stop Believin": Everyman's Journey", concert footage from "Live in Manila", and more. Yes, even six years later Neal was still pushing the whole “Journey’s new lead singer was found on the internet and came from the Phillipines” thing. Give it up Neal, and give us some new music!

On May 25, 2014 Journey fans had their prayers answered when for the first time in 20 years Steve Perry sang once again. Steve Perry took the stage with a band called “Eels” and showed the World that he still has it. Steve went on Stage again with “Eels” on May 31st and June 12th. The internet lit up and YouTube had tons of postings for these events. It also shows that even after all these years who is the leader of “Journey”.

There have been many speculations and reports of Steve Perry getting back with Journey. Even Arnel has been welcoming that for many years as he’s been showing that he’s getting tired of it all. It isn’t all that simple. Steve Perry is still with Columbia Records who have a bad relationship with Neal and Jonathan. There are many legal and personal battles which have to be dealt with before anything can happen.

Steve Smith has re-joined Journey and will first play together in April 2016 when the Journey San Francisco Fest 2016 begins. Also Gregg Rolie will play with the band for three dates in April 2016. A dream come true indeed!

I can guarantee a multiplatinum album and sold out tour if ever Steve Perry ever returns as Lead Singer. Who knows what the future holds, but one thing is for sure and that is it’s time for a change of some kind in the band. The Stage is set and the World awaits to continue the Journey…