Journey (band)

Journey is an American rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1973. At that time it was composed of former members of Santana, namely guitarist Neal Schon, who has remained with the band since its inception, and keyboardist Gregg Rolie, who served as primary lead vocalist for the band's first three albums, and Frumious Bandersnatch, most notably bassist Ross Valory, who was with the band until 1985 and since 1995. In 1978, Steve Perry joined to serve as lead vocalist, and in 1980 Jonathan Cain replaced Rolie as keyboardist, and has remained a constant member since. The band's strongest commercial success occurred between 1978 and 1987 at which time Perry departed.

Journey
Journey in 2013
Background information
Also known asGolden Gate Rhythm Section (1973)
OriginSan Francisco, California, U.S.
Genres
Years active
  • 1973–1987
  • 1991
  • 1995–present
Labels
Associated acts
Websitejourneymusic.com
Members

‡Pending resolution of lawsuit.

Past members

During Perry's tenure, the band released a series of hit songs, including "Don't Stop Believin'", which in 2009 became the top-selling track in iTunes history among songs not released in the 21st century.[7][8] Its parent studio album, Escape (1981), the band's seventh and most successful, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 in 1981 and yielded two their other most popular singles, "Open Arms" and "Who's Crying Now". The 1983 follow-up album, Frontiers, was almost as successful in the United States, reaching No. 2 and spawning several successful singles; it broadened the band's appeal in the United Kingdom, where it reached No. 6 on the UK Albums Chart. Journey enjoyed a successful reunion in the mid-1990s and have since regrouped twice; first with Steve Augeri from 1998-2006,[9] then with Arnel Pineda from 2007 to the present.[10]

Sales have resulted in twenty five gold and platinum albums, in addition to the fifteen-time platinum RIAA Diamond Certified, 1988's Greatest Hits album.[11] They have had nineteen Top 40 singles in the U.S. (the second most without a Billboard Hot 100 number one single behind Electric Light Orchestra with 20), six of which reached the Top 10 of the US chart and two of which reached No. 1 on other Billboard charts, and a No. 6 hit on the UK Singles Chart in "Don't Stop Believin'". In 2005, "Don't Stop Believin'" reached No. 3 on iTunes downloads. Originally a progressive rock band, Journey was described by AllMusic as having cemented a reputation as "one of America's most beloved (and sometimes hated) commercial rock/pop bands" by 1978, when they redefined their sound by embracing pop arrangements on their fourth album, Infinity.[12]

According to the Recording Industry Association of America, Journey has sold 48 million albums in the U.S., making them the 25th best-selling band. Their worldwide sales have reached over 80 million records globally, making them one of the world's best-selling bands of all time.[13] A 2005 USA Today opinion poll named Journey the fifth-best U.S. rock band in history.[14][15] Their songs have become arena rock staples and are still played on rock radio stations across the world. Journey ranks No. 96 on VH1's 100 Greatest Artists of All Time.

Journey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with the class of 2017. Inductees included Perry, Schon, Rolie, Valory, Cain, and drummers Aynsley Dunbar and Steve Smith.[16]

History

1973–1977: Formation, Journey, Look into the Future and Next

The original members of Journey came together in San Francisco in 1973 under the auspices of former Santana manager Herbie Herbert. Originally called the Golden Gate Rhythm Section and intended to serve as a backup group for established Bay Area artists, the band included Santana alumni Neal Schon on lead guitar and Gregg Rolie on keyboards and lead vocals. Bassist Ross Valory and rhythm guitarist George Tickner, both of Frumious Bandersnatch, rounded out the group. Prairie Prince of The Tubes served as drummer. After one performance in Hawaii, the band quickly abandoned the "backup group" concept and developed a distinctive jazz fusion style. After an unsuccessful radio contest to name the group, roadie John Villanueva[17] suggested the name "Journey".[18][19]

The band's first public appearance came at the Winterland Ballroom on New Year’s Eve, 1973 to an audience of 10,000, and the following day, would fly to Hawaii to perform at the Diamond Head Crater to a larger audience. Prairie Prince rejoined The Tubes shortly thereafter, and on February 1, 1974, the band hired British drummer Aynsley Dunbar, who had recently worked with Frank Zappa. On February 5, 1974, the new line-up made their debut at the Great American Music Hall in front of Columbia Records executives and secured a recording contract with the label following the performance and later performing at venues around Bay Area.[20]

Journey went into CBS Studios in November 1974 with producer Roy Halee to record their debut album. Their eponymous debut album was released in April 1975 peaking at number 138 on the US Billboard Album Chart. The only other country on which the album charted was Japan where it peaked at number 72. Tickner left the band due to the amount of heavy touring the band was doing in promoting the album requiring Schon to take on rhythm guitar duites in addition to lead guitar duties. The band entered the studio again in late 1975 to record Look into the Future which was released in January 1976, which rose to number 100 in the US and made the top 60 in Japan. The band promoted the album with a two-hour performance at the Paramount Theatre in Seattle, which later aired on the radio as touring continued to promote their second album.[21]

From May to October 1976, the band went to His Master's Wheels Studios to record their third studio album, Next, and just like the previous album, was produced by the band themselves. They brought in a much more commercial sound while keeping their jazz fusion and progressive rock roots.[22] Following a performance at the San Diego Sports Arena on New Year's Day in 1977, the album was released in February and peaked at number 85 in the US[23] and made the top 50 in Sweden. Sales had not improved so Columbia Records was on the verge of dropping the band.[24]

1977–1980: New musical direction, Infinity, Evolution and Departure

I still think some of the stuff we did then was great. Some of it was self-indulgent, just jamming for ourselves, but I also think a lot of other things hurt us in the early days. It took a while for the politics to sort of shape up.
— Neal Schon[23]

Columbia Records requested that Journey change their musical style and add a frontman who would share lead vocals with Rolie.[24] The band hired Robert Fleischman and made the transition to a more popular style, akin to that of Foreigner and Boston. Journey went on tour with Fleischman in 1977, opening for bands like Black Sabbath, Target, Judas Priest and Emerson, Lake & Palmer. Fleischman and the rest of the band began writing and rehearsing new songs, including the "Wheel in the Sky".[24][25] During a performance before approximately 100,000 at Soldier Field in Chicago, the band was introduced to Steve Perry. Differences between Fleischmann and manager Herbie Herbert resulted in Fleischman's departure from the band within the year.[26][27][28]

Journey hired Steve Perry as their new lead singer. He made his live debut with the band at the Old Waldorf in October 1977, going into His Master's Studios and Cherokee Studios from October to December. Herbie Herbert, the band's manager, hired Roy Thomas Baker as producer to add a layered sound approach similar to that of Baker's previous band, Queen.[29] With their new lead singer and new producer, the band's fourth studio album, Infinity, released in January 1978, peaked at number 21 in the US[30] eventually being certified triple platinum. It also become their first album to chart in Canada, peaking at number 22 there,[31] while doing slightly better than Next had in Sweden, reaching the top 40 there. "Wheel in the Sky" became the group's first song to chart in the US and Canada making the top 60 in both countries,[32] while the slow-tempo single "Lights" also charted in both countries.

According to the band's manager Herbie Herbert, there were tensions between Aynsley Dunbar and the band due to the change in music direction from the jazz fusion sound. Neal Schon reflected on the tensions: "We would talk about it, and he'd say he'd be willing to simplify things. But we'd get out there, and after five shows he wasn't doing that at all." Dunbar started playing erratically and talking derogatorily about the other members, which later resulted in Herbert firing Dunbar after the Infinity tour. Dunbar was replaced by Berklee-trained drummer and Montrose member Steve Smith.[33][34]

Perry, Schon, Rolie, Smith and Valory entered Cherokee Studios in late 1978 to record their fifth studio album Evolution which was later released in March 1979, peaking at number 20 in the US eventually being certified triple platinum. It also reached the top 40 in Canada[35] and Sweden and returned Journey to the top 70 in Japan where their previous two albums had not charted. The album was a milestone for the band as it gave them their first Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 single, "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'", peaking at number 16.[36] It was also their first big hit in Canada, where it ascended to number 12,[37] and was their first top 40 hit in New Zealand.

Following the tour in support of Evolution, the band expanded its operation to include a lighting and trucking operation for their future performances as the tour had grossed more than $5 million, making the band as popular as it had ever been in five years.[38] The band entered Automatt Studios to record their sixth studio album Departure which was released in March 1980, peaking at number 8 in Billboard; however, it was less successful than Evolution in Canada and Sweden. The first single off of the album, the hard rocking "Any Way You Want It", peaked number 23 on the Billboard Hot 100 in 1980[39] and made the top 50 in Canada.[40]

Keyboardist Gregg Rolie left the band following the Departure tour to start a family and undertake various solo projects. It was the second time in his career he had departed from a successful act.[41] Keyboardist Stevie "Keys" Roseman was brought in to record the lone studio track, "The Party's Over (Hopelessly in Love)", on the band's live album Captured.[42] Captured was very successful peaking at number 9 in both the US and Canada, eventually reaching double platinum in the US; it was not as successful overseas. "The Party's Over (Hopelessly in Love)" peaked at number 2 on the new US Album Rock Tracks Chart while making the top 40 on the Hot 100 and in Canada. Rolie suggested pianist Jonathan Cain of The Babys as his permanent replacement on keyboards. With Cain's synthesizers replacing Rolie's organ, Cain had become the new member of the band.[43]

1981–1983: Height of popularity, Escape and Frontiers

With Cain joining as the new keyboard player, and joining Perry and Schon as the main songwriters, the band entered Fantasy Studios in Berkeley, California, in late 1980 to record their seventh studio album, Escape, which was then released in July 1981. Escape became their largest selling studio album, ascending to number 1 in the US and number 6 in Canada, eventually being certified 9x and 3x platinum, respectively, in those countries. It also became their first album to make the top 40 in Japan, the UK and New Zealand, and their first to chart in Germany where it reached the top 60.

The album had trio of hit singles starting with the lead single, "Who's Crying Now", which became their biggest hit to date in both the United States and Canada, peaking at number 4 and 3, respectively. It was then surpassed by the third single, the power ballad "Open Arms", which ascended to number 2 in both countries, spending 6 weeks at that position in the US. "Who's Crying Now" also reached the top 50 in the UK and "Open Arms" reached top 50 in Australia and New Zealand. The second single, the now iconic "Don't Stop Believin'", actually charted lower than those two singles in most markets at that time, such as peaking at number 9 in both the US and Canada. Then, in 2007, the song gained press coverage and a sharp growth in popularity when it was used in The Sopranos television series final episode[44] prompting digital downloads of the song to soar.[45] In 2009 "Don't Stop Believin'" became the top-selling song on iTunes amongst those released before 2000.[46][47]

The band began another lengthy yet successful tour on June 12, 1981, supported by opening acts Billy Squier, Greg Kihn Band, Point Blank, and Loverboy, and then opened for The Rolling Stones on September 25. MTV videotaped one of their two sold-out shows in Houston on November 6, 1981, in front of over 20,000 fans, later released on DVD.[48][49]

Following the success of the 1981 tour, the band's full establishment as a corporation, and the formation of a fan club called "Journey Force", the band released "Only Solutions" and "1990s Theme" for the 1982 Disney film, Tron. Schon had also made time to work with Jan Hammer on a few albums.[50] Journey continued touring in 1982 with shows in North America and Japan.[51]

Journey entered Fantasy Studios again in the middle of their 1982 tour to record their eighth studio album, Frontiers. Released in February 1983, it became the band's second biggest selling studio album in the US with over six million copies sold, peaking at number 2 on the Billboard Album Chart. Frontiers was their highest charting album in several countries, as it reached numbers 3 and 6 in Japan and the UK, respectively (their first top 20 album in both countries), as well as number 12 in Norway (their first ablum to chart there), number 21 in Sweden, and number 30 in Germany, while doing respectfully in Canada, where it peaked at number 10. It spawned the hit singles "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)", a hard rocker that went to number 1 on the US Album Rock Tracks Chart, number 8 on the Hot 100 and number 11 in Canada, and "Faithfully", a power ballad that rose to number 12 in the US, although only reaching the top 40 in Canada. "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" was also successful in Poland and South Africa as it made the top 20 in both of those nations. As well, the singles "Send Her My Love" and "After the Fall" made the top 25 on the Hot 100.

Journey began the Frontiers tour in Japan, and continued in North America with Bryan Adams as opening act.[52] During the tour, NFL Films recorded a video documentary of their life on the road, Frontiers and Beyond, shooting scenes at JFK Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania with more than 80,000 fans in attendance.[17]

1984–1987: Raised on Radio and more personnel changes

After the Frontiers tour, the band took some time off. Lead singer Steve Perry and guitarist Neal Schon both pursued solo projects between 1982 and 1985. Steve Perry, with the help of the band's manager, Herbie Herbert, went off to record and release his first solo album, Street Talk, in 1984. Schon toured briefly with his supergroup band HSAS, in which the only album, Through the Fire, was released in 1984 via Geffen.[53]

When asked if Journey was over due to the selling of their properties at the end of 1984, Neal Schon commented, "No way Journey's ending. We're all too committed to this band to ever let that happen. In fact, one of the reasons we decided to go off in separate directions for a while was to keep the band as strong as ever."[53]

Following a phone call between Cain and Perry, Journey returned to Fantasy Studios in late 1985 to record their ninth studio album Raised on Radio, but with Perry taking the role as the album's producer. Tensions within the band were shown when Herbert and Perry fired both bass player Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith for musical and professional differences a few months into the recording sessions for the album, though Valory later admitted he left the band on his own accord.[34][54] Bassist and future American Idol judge Randy Jackson, bassist Bob Glaub, and established drummer Larrie Londin were brought in to continue the album's recordings.[55] Raised on Radio was released in May 1986, peaking at number four on Billboard's album chart and being certified 2x platinum in sales, thereby underperforming compared to the band's previous two efforts.[56] It yielded five singles: the top ten Hot 100 and number 2 Rock Track Chart hit "Be Good to Yourself"; along with "Suzanne", "Girl Can't Help It", and "I'll Be Alright Without You", all of which reached the Top 20 on the Hot 100; plus, "Why Can't This Night Go On Forever?".[57] None of the singles reached the top 40 in any other countries, not even in Canada, usually their second highest-selling market. Raised on Radio peaked at number 4 in Japan and made the top 20 in Sweden and the UK, but had disappointing sales compared to Frontiers in Canada, only reaching the top 40 there, and in Norway, where it failed to chart.

The Raised on Radio tour began at Angels Camp in August 1986 and would perform sold-out shows throughout the US before concluding with two shows in Anchorage in early 1987, with selected dates supported by Honeymoon Suite, The Outfield, and Glass Tiger. The tour would feature both Randy Jackson on bass and Mike Baird on drums, and was videotaped by MTV for a documentary that included interviews with the band members which was called Raised on Radio, the same as the album title.[58]

With tensions between Perry, the band and the band's manager Herbie Herbert at an all-time high following the tour's conclusion, Perry was unable or unwilling to remain actively involved and was tired of touring as it was affecting his health and his vocals.[59][60][61]

I called Jon and Neal together. We met in San Rafael, we sat on the edge of the marina, and I just told them, 'I can't do this anymore. I've got to get out for a while.' And they said: 'Well, what do you mean?' And I said: 'That's exactly what I mean, is what I'm saying. I just don't want to be in the band any more. I want to get out, I want to stop.' And I think Jon said: 'Well, just take some time off, and we'll think,' and I said: 'OK, fine.' And I just sort of fell back into my life. I looked around and realized that my whole life had become everything I'd worked so hard to be, and when I came back to have a regular life, I had to go find one.
— Steve Perry[61]

1987–1995: Hiatus

The band went into a hiatus following the Raised on Radio tour. Columbia Records released the Greatest Hits compilation in November 1988, which became one of the biggest selling greatest hits albums, shifting over 15 million copies and continuing to sell half a million to a million copies per year. The compilation spent 750 weeks on the Billboard album charts until 2008.[62][63]

While Perry had retreated from the public eye, Schon and Cain spent the rest of 1987 collaborating with artists such as Jimmy Barnes and Michael Bolton before teaming up with Cain's ex-Babys bandmates John Waite and Ricky Phillips to form the supergroup Bad English with drummer Deen Castronovo in 1988, releasing two albums in 1989 and 1991. Steve Smith devoted his time to his jazz bands, Vital Information and Steps Ahead, and teamed up with Ross Valory and original Journey keyboardist Gregg Rolie to create The Storm with singer Kevin Chalfant and guitarist Josh Ramos, along with Herbie Herbert as the band's manager as he did with Journey with Scott Boorey.[62]

On November 3, 1991, Schon, Cain, and Perry re-united to perform "Faithfully" and "Lights" at the Bill Graham tribute concert 'Laughter, Love & Music' at Golden Gate Park, following the concert promoter's death in a helicopter accident.[64] In October 1993, Schon, Rolie, Valory, Dunbar, Smith, and Cain reunited and performed at a private dinner for their manager Herbie Herbert at Bimbo's in San Francisco, with Kevin Chalfant on lead vocals.[65][66]

After the breakup of Bad English in 1991, Schon and Castronovo formed the glam metal band Hardline with brothers Johnny and Joey Gioeli, releasing only one studio album before his departure. Neal would later join Paul Rodgers in 1993 for live performances, alongside Dean Castronovo.[67] In 1994, Steve Perry had released his second solo album For the Love of Strange Medicine, and toured North America in support of the album, though his voice had changed since the last time he had performed.[68]

1995–1997: Reunion and Trial by Fire

Perry made the decision to reunite with Journey under the condition that Herbie Herbert would no longer be the band's manager. The band hired Irving Azoff, longtime Eagles manager, as the new manager for the band in October 1995. Steve Smith and Ross Valory reunited with Journey and the band started writing material for their next album, with rehearsals beginning that same month.[69]

The band began recording their tenth studio album, Trial by Fire in early 1996 at The Site and Wildhorse Studio in Marin County and Ocean Way Recorders in which they would record under the producer Kevin Shirley.[70] It was later released in late October that year, peaking at number three on the Billboard album charts. The album's hit single "When You Love a Woman", which reached number 12 on the Billboard charts, and was nominated in 1997 for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal.[71] The album also produced three top 40 mainstream rock tracks, "Message of Love" reaching number 18, "Can't Tame the Lion" reaching number 33, and "If He Should Break Your Heart" reaching number 38.[72][73]

Plans for a subsequent tour ended when Perry, troubled by pain while hiking in Hawaii on a ten-day break in August 1996, discovered he had a degenerative bone condition and could not perform without hip replacement surgery—which for some time he declined to undergo, later admitting he had other physical issues. The accident resulted in the album's release date being delayed.[74][75][76]

The album upon its release was considered the worst selling album that failed to match up to the charm of the band's previous work. Schon would later admit that the album had too many ballads and fans just wanted to hear a rock sound: "Even on our last record, the Trial By Fire record, a lot of the rock stuff just got shelved and ended up being like twenty ballads, I don't know how many ballads." The band would take a break following the album's release to work on solo projects, waiting for Perry to make up his mind on if he wanted to tour. Schon would release his solo album Electric World in 1997, later creating Abraxas Pool with former Journey member Gregg Rolie, drummer Michael Shrieve and a few former Santana members. Cain would release his two solo albums, Body Language in 1997, and For A Lifetime in early 1998.[77]

1998–2007: Lead singer and drummer replaced, Arrival and Generations
Journey in 2002: Steve Augeri, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory, Deen Castronovo and Neal Schon

Following the reunion album's release, the band was becoming restless of waiting for an answer from Perry regarding touring. Following a phone call between Cain and Perry, Perry would later announce that he would be departing from Journey, releasing himself from the band's contracts and making the decision to semi-retire from the music business, disappearing from the public eye again. Steve Smith would later exit the band, citing that Journey would not be Journey without Perry, and returning to his jazz career and his project Vital Information.[78]

The band hired drummer Deen Castronovo, Schon's and Cain's Bad English bandmate and drummer for Hardline, to replace Steve Smith. After auditioning several high-profile candidates, including Geoff Tate, Kevin Chalfant and John West,[79] Journey replaced Perry with Steve Augeri, formerly of Tyketto and Tall Stories.[80] The band would later record the song "Remember Me" which would be featured on the Armageddon soundtrack for the 1998 film. Upon the song's release, the song had shown fans that the band made the right decision in hiring Augeri.[81]

Following a rehearsal with Augeri and Castronovo, the band went to Japan to perform four gigs, which was a known stronghold for the band's performances. When asked how he felt about touring again in over a decade, Schon commented: "It's a little like we are reborn again." Journey embarked on a tour in the United States titled Vacation's Over which began in October and concluded at the end of December in Reno. They would continue the tour with another leg in 1999, beginning in Minnesota in June and concluding in Michigan in September.[82]

From March to August 2000, the band entered Avatar Studios to record their next studio album, Arrival with producer Kevin Shirley. The album was released in Japan later in the year. A North American release of the album followed in April 2001. The album had peaked at number 56 on the Billboard charts. The album's single "All the Way", failed to boost sales for the album which was considered a disappointment with mixed opinions regarding the album, resulting in Sony dropping the band from their label. Upon the album's completion, the band embarked on a tour in support of the album in Latin America, the United States and Europe.[83]

During the events of September 11, 2001, in response to the attacks in New York City, the band joined various bands at a major fundraising event to help the victims and families of the attack held on October 20 and 21 at the Smirnoff Music Centre in Dallas, Texas. The event raised about one million dollars.[84]

Activity in Journey was quiet in 2002, Schon would form Planet Us with bandmate Castronovo, Sammy Hagar and former Van Halen bassist Michael Anthony until 2004 when the band had disbanded. Schon would also co-write songs alongside the band Bad Company, while Cain released another solo album. Having made some recordings between 2001 and 2002, the band released a four-track EP titled Red 13 in November under their new label "Journey Music", with an album cover design chosen through a fan contest with the online cover designed by Kelly McDonald while the retail cover which was only made available at the band's performances was designed by Christopher Payne. The band only performed one club gig in support of the EP, but later began another tour of the United States from May to August in 2003. The band continued touring the following year with another summer tour titled Summer Detour which began from June and concluded in September 2004. In November, Journey would later join both REO Speedwagon and Styx for a tour around the Caribbean aboard the Triumph cruise ship.[85]

On January 21, 2005, the current members of Journey were inducted into the Hollywood Walk of Fame alongside former members Perry, Dunbar, Tickner, Smith and Fleischmann. Rolie was the only member who did not appear at the ceremony. Surprised to see Perry joining them to accept the induction with the band, Valory commented on the wonderful things Perry had to say in which he looked to be in fine shape, and that it was a pleasant surprise to see him.[86]

Following their accolade on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, the band began recording at the Record Plant in Sausalito, California for their twelfth studio album, Generations which would feature producer Kevin Elson who collaborated with the band before. The album was released on August 29 in Europe with a North American release following on October 4. The album peaked at number 170 on the Billboard charts. To promote the album and celebrate the band's 30th anniversary, the band embarked on a tour starting in Irvine, California in June and concluding in Phoenix on October. Each concert on the tour was three hours long with an intermission and featured many of their classic hits as well as the inclusion of the new songs from the album.[87]

In 2006, the band toured in Europe and then joined Def Leppard in a North American tour. During the tours however, there were suggestions that Augeri was not singing but was using backing tracks to cover up his deteriorating vocals, resulting in him getting attacked by the fans. Augeri had been suffering from vocal attrition problems before the band began the tour with Def Leppard and Journey had been accused of using pre-recorded lead vocals,[88] an accusation that former manager Herbie Herbert insists was true.[66] Valory denied the accusations, stating that it was an urban myth, and that Augeri's vocals did give out. In a press statement, the band later announced that Augeri had to step down as Journey's lead singer and leave the tour to recover. Auguri performed his last show with Journey on July 4 in Raleigh.[89]

With the successful tour still happening, the band were quick to hire Jeff Scott Soto from Talisman as their lead vocalist. He performed as Journey's vocalist for the first time on July 7 in Bristow. The tour, by its success and popularity would later be extended to November. Soto would later be officially announced as the band's new vocalist in December 2006.[90] Following tours of Europe and the United States in 2007, the band announced on June 12 that Soto was no longer with them.[91][92] In a statement, Schon stated: "He did a tremendous job for us and we wish him the best. We've just decided to go our separate ways, no pun intended. We're plotting our next move now."[93]

2007–2019: Lead singer replaced again, Revelation and Eclipse
Journey in 2008: Valory, Cain, Pineda, Schon, and Castronovo.

Following Soto's departure, the band was without a lead vocalist again. Neal Schon began searching YouTube for a new lead vocalist. The band had considered hiring Jeremey Hunsicker of the Journey tribute band Frontiers, with whom they wrote "Never Walk Away" together.[94][95] Schon later found Filipino singer Arnel Pineda of the cover band The Zoo, covering the song "Faithfully". Schon was really impressed that he contacted Pineda to set up two days of auditions with him which went well, and later naming him the official lead vocalist of Journey on December 5, 2007.[96][97]

Although Pineda was not the first foreign national to become a member of Journey (former drummer Aynsley Dunbar is British), nor even the first non-Caucasian (bass player Randy Jackson is African-American), his recruitment resulted in some fans of Journey making racist comments towards the new vocalist. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain responded to such sentiments in the Marin Independent Journal: "We've become a world band. We're international now. We're not about one color."[98][99]

In November 2007, Journey entered the studio with Pineda to record the studio album, Revelation. The album was released on June 3, 2008. It debuted at number five on the Billboard charts, selling more than 196,000 units in its first two weeks and staying in the top 20 for six weeks, becoming a successful album.[100] As a multi-disc set (2-CD) each unit within that set counts as one sale.[101] Journey also found success on Billboard's Adult Contemporary chart where the single "After All These Years" spent over 23 weeks, peaking at number 9.[102][103]

On February 21, 2008, Pineda performed for the first time with Journey in front of 20,000 fans in Chile.[104] The band began the Revelation tour in the United Kingdom in June, continuing the tour into North America, Asia, Europe and South America. The 2008 leg concluded in October.[105] Receipts from the 2008 tour made Journey one of the top-grossing concert tours of the year, bringing in over $35,000,000.[106] On December 18, 2008, Revelation was certified platinum by RIAA.[107][108]

The band performed at the Super Bowl XLIII pre-game show in Tampa on February 1, 2009. The band continued their Revelation tour in May and concluded it in October 2009. The band had also performed in Manila to 30,000 fans which was recorded for a live release, Live in Manila.[109]

The band entered into Fantasy Studios on 2010 with Pineda to record their studio album, Eclipse.[110] The album was later released on May 24, 2011, and debuted at number 13 on the Billboard 200 charts.[111] The band later toured the United Kingdom in June 2011 with Foreigner and Styx.[112] Journey was awarded the prestigious "Legend of Live Award" at the Billboard Touring Awards in October.[113] The band later released Greatest Hits 2 in November.[114]

In June 2015, Deen Castronovo was arrested following a domestic altercation.[115][116] He was fired by Journey in August[117][116] and was ultimately replaced by Omar Hakim on the band's 2015 tour.[115] In 2016, Steve Smith again returned as Journey's drummer, re-uniting all of the members of the Escape-Frontiers-Trial by Fire lineup except lead singer Steve Perry.[118] In 2018, during the North American tour with Def Leppard, Journey topped the Billboard Hot Tours List for grossing more than $30 million over 17 shows.[119]

2020–present: Contested lineup changes, lawsuits and potential new album

On March 3, 2020, Schon and Cain announced that they had fired Smith and Valory and were suing them for an alleged "attempted corporate coup d'état," seeking damages in excess of $10 million. The lawsuit alleged Smith and Valory tried to "assume control of Nightmare Productions because they incorrectly believe that Nightmare Productions controls the Journey name and Mark" in order to "hold the Journey name hostage and set themselves up with a guaranteed income stream after they stop performing." Valory and Smith contested the firings, with the support of former manager Herbie Herbert and former lead singer Steve Perry. Court filings revealed that Steve Perry had been paid as a member of the band for years despite not performing. In an open letter dated that same day, Schon and Cain stated Smith and Valory "are no longer members of Journey; and that Schon and Cain have lost confidence in both of them and are not willing to perform with them again."[120][121] Valory counter-sued Schon and Cain, among other things, for their partnership's claim of owning the Journey trademark and service mark (collectively known as the mark), when that partnership, Elmo Partners, was only the licensee of the mark from 1985 to 1994, when the license was terminated by Herbie Herbert of Nightmare Productions, owners of the mark and name. Valory also sought protection against Schon from using any similarities of the Journey mark and name for his side project, Neal Schon – Journey Through Time.[122] That May, Schon and Cain announced that bassist Randy Jackson would rejoin alongside drummer Narada Michael Walden and additional keyboardist Jason Derlatka as members of Journey.[123]

On June 17, 2020, Schon posted on his Instagram page that a new album with Jackson and Walden was "starting to take shape".[124] On July 22, he further reiterated the album's progress, and confirmed on October 24, 2020 that they would be releasing new music in early 2021.[125][126] On January 7, 2021, he announced that a single would be released in February 2021, with a possible worldwide tour to follow later in the year.[127][128]

Band members
Main article: List of Journey band members

Current members

  • Neal Schon – lead guitar, backing vocals (1973–1987, 1991, 1995–present)
  • Ross Valory‡ – bass, backing vocals (1973–1985, 1995–present)
  • Steve Smith‡ – drums (1979–1986, 1995–1996, 2015–present)
  • Jonathan Cain – keyboards, backing vocals, rhythm guitar, harmonica (1980–1987, 1991, 1995–present)
  • Randy Jackson‡ – bass, backing vocals (1985–1987, 2020–present)
  • Arnel Pineda – lead vocals (2007–present)
  • Jason Derlatka – keyboards, backing vocals (2020–present)
  • Narada Michael Walden‡ – drums (2020–present)

‡Pending resolution of lawsuit.

Trivia

Over the years, Journey songs have been heard or referred to in numerous films, television series, video games, and even on Broadway. The band's songs have been covered by multiple artists and adopted by sports teams. In particular, "Don't Stop Believin'" was heard in the final episode of The Sopranos, adapted by the television series Glee, sung by the Family Guy cast, adopted as the unofficial anthem of the 2005 Chicago White Sox and 2010 San Francisco Giants World Series championship teams, performed by The Chipmunks in their album Undeniable (2008), and sung by the cast of the Broadway musical Rock of Ages.[129][130]

On March 8, 2013, a documentary, Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey, was released. The movie, directed by Ramona S. Diaz, chronicles the discovery of Arnel Pineda and his first year with Journey.[131][132]

During the COVID-19 pandemic, "Don't Stop Believin'" was used as an anthem for patients who were being discharged from New York Presbyterian Queens Hospital and Henry Ford Health System after defeating the virus.[133][134]

Discography
Main article: Journey discography

Studio albums

See also

References
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Bibliography
  • Cucu, Laura Monica (2006). Steve Perry – A Singer's Journey. ISBN 978-1-84728-858-5.
  • Daniels, Neil (2011). The Untold Story of Journey. London: Omnibus Press. ISBN 978-1-84938-657-9.
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