Journey
San Francisco originated rock band, Journey is regarded as one of the best-selling rock bands in the history of rock and roll. Despite the successes the band has achieved over the years, it was quite the opposite in the beginning stages of their career.
The band experienced a number of challenges from their formation in 1973 until 1978 when they broke through with the release of several series of hit songs.
Just as their name suggests, Journey has encountered some bumps on the road to fame in the form of commercial failures, disbanding and reuniting, inconsistent line-ups among many others.
With their musical style varying between seven different genres- Album Rock, Arena Rock, Contemporary Pop, Progressive Rock, Soft Rock and Adult Contemporary, the unique sound of the American band has also been altered drastically.
As of 2020, the line-up consists of these able musicians:
- Neil George Joseph Schon (guitarist & songwriter)
- Ross Lamont Valory (bassist)
- Steve Bruce Smith (drummer)
- Jonathan Leonard Friga popularly as Jonathan Cain (Keyboardist)
- Arnel Campaner Pineda (Lead Singer)
- Randall Darius Jackson (bassist)
- Narada Michael Walden (drummer)
- Jason Derlatka, a temporary backup for the band
Interesting Facts about Journey
With over 80 million sold records worldwide, this group has climbed the ladder to become one of the most celebrated bands in the United States.
The group was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal in 1996.
Their 1981 album Don’t Stop Believin became the top-selling track on iTunes Songs not released in the 21st Century. The same album took the No.3 spot on iTunes for the most downloads in 2005.
The albums, Escape and Frontiers, earned the No.1 spot on the Billboard’s 200 and No.6 spot on the UK Albums Chart respectively.
Journey is currently ranked the 96th Greatest Artist of All-Time by Video Hits One (VH1).
Seven of Journey’s current and past members were inducted into the Rock N’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and received a Hollywood Walk of Fame star on January 21, 2005.
The current lead singer of the band, Arnel Pineda was discovered through a YouTube video of his performance with his former band, The Zoo. Journey’s guitarist Neal Schon, was convinced by the lead singer’s sound and recruited him.
Arnel Pineda assumed Journey’s job offer to him was a prank so it took him six weeks before he accepted the job.
Former band member, Gregg Rolie quit the band in order to start his family.
Guitarist Neal Schon is the only band member to have never quit the band since its formation. He has played in all fourteen albums of the band to date.
Former lead singer of the band, Steve Perry remains the most loved vocalist of the band even after his departure.
Before becoming a lead vocalist for the group, Steve Perry sang in commercials.
The group’s bassist Randy Jackson (Randall Darius Jackson) became a judge on the famous United States talent show, American Idol.
Brief Conclusion
Journey has over the years grown to become one of America’s favorites. For the past 40 active years of this band’s career, they have proven that greatness can be re-lived over and over again even if it is done by a different set of people with the same goal.
As of this writing, the group has remained musically active and is preparing to release more albums and singles following its most previous release in February 2021.
Famous Songs by Journey
- “To Play Some Music”
- “On a Saturday Night”
- “She Makes Me (Feel Alright)”
- “Spaceman”
- “Wheel in the Sky”
- “Anytime”
- “Lights”
- “Just the Same Way”
- “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'”
- “City of the Angels”
- “Too Late”
- “Any Way You Want It”
- “Walks Like a Lady”
- “Good Morning Girl”
- “Stay Awhile”
- “The Party’s Over (Hopelessly in Love)”
- “Dixie Highway”
- “Who’s Crying Now”
- “Stone in Love”
- “Don’t Stop Believin’“
- “Open Arms”
- “Still They Ride”
- “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”
- “Faithfully”
- “After the Fall”
- “Send Her My Love”
- “Be Good to Yourself”
- “Suzanne”
- “Girl Can’t Help It”
- “Raised on Radio”
- “I’ll Be Alright Without You”
- “Why Can’t This Night Go on Forever”
- “Lights”
- “Natural Thing”
- “When You Love a Woman”
- “Message of Love”
- “Can’t Tame the Lion”
- “If He Should Break Your Heart”
- “Higher Place”
- “All the Way”
- “With Your Love”
- “The Place in Your Heart”
- “After All These Years”
- “Never Walk Away”
- “Where Did I Lose Your Love”
- “Anything Is Possible”
- “City of Hope”
- “Human Feel”
