Formed
1973 in San Francisco, CA
During its 14-year existence (1973-1987), Journey altered
its musical approach and its personnel extensively while
becoming a top touring and recording band. The only constant
factor was guitarist Neal Schon (b. Feb. 27, 1954), a
music prodigy who had been a member of Santana in 1971-1972.
The original unit, which was named in a contest on KSAN-FM
in San Francisco, featured Schon, bassist Ross Valory,
drummer Prairie Prince (replaced by Aynsley Dunbar), and
guitarist George Tickner (who left after the first album).
Another former Santana member, keyboard player and singer
Gregg Rolie, joined shortly afterwards. This lineup recorded
Journey (1974), the first of three moderate-selling jazz-rock
albums given over largely to instrumentals.
By
1977, however, the group decided it needed a strong vocalist/frontman
and hired Steve Perry (b. Jan. 22, 1953). The results
were immediately felt on the fourth album, Infinity (1978),
which had sold a million copies by the end of the year.
(By this time, Dunbar had been replaced by Steve Smith.)
Evolution (1979) was similarly successful, as was Departure
(after which Rolie was replaced by Jonathan Cain). After
a live album, Captured (1981), Journey released Escape,
which broke them through to the top ranks of pop groups
by scoring three Top Ten hit singles, all ballads featuring
Perry's smooth tenor: "Who's Crying Now," "Don't Stop
Believin'," and "Open Arms." The album topped the charts
and had sold seven million copies by 1989.
Frontiers
(1983), featuring the hit "Separate Ways," was another
big success, after which Perry released a successful solo
album, Street Talk (1984). When the group got back together
to make a new album, Valory and Smith were no longer in
the lineup, and Raised on Radio (1986) was made by Schon,
Perry, and Cain, who added other musicians for a tour.
Following
the Raised on Radio tour, Journey disbanded. Perry went
into a prolonged period of seclusion as Cain formed Bad
English with vocalist John Waite. Bad English had several
hit singles, including the number one "When I See You
Smile," before breaking up. Perry returned to recording
in 1994, releasing For the Love of Strange Medicine. Although
the album was a minor hit, it was a commercial disappointment,
leading Perry to re-form Journey with Cain in 1996. That
fall, Journey released Trial By Fire, which became a hit
on adult contemporary radio. During its 14-year existence
(1973-1987), Journey altered its musical approach and
its personnel extensively while becoming a top touring
and recording band. The only constant factor was guitarist
Neal Schon (b. Feb. 27, 1954), a music prodigy who had
been a member of Santana in 1971-1972. The original unit,
which was named in a contest on KSAN-FM in San Francisco,
featured Schon, bassist Ross Valory, drummer Prairie Prince
(replaced by Aynsley Dunbar), and guitarist George Tickner
(who left after the first album). Another former Santana
member, keyboard player and singer Gregg Rolie, joined
shortly afterwards. This lineup recorded Journey (1974),
the first of three moderate-selling jazz-rock albums given
over largely to instrumentals.
By
1977, however, the group decided it needed a strong vocalist/frontman
and hired Steve Perry (b. Jan. 22, 1953). The results
were immediately felt on the fourth album, Infinity (1978),
which had sold a million copies by the end of the year.
(By this time, Dunbar had been replaced by Steve Smith.)
Evolution (1979) was similarly successful, as was Departure
(after which Rolie was replaced by Jonathan Cain). After
a live album, Captured (1981), Journey released Escape,
which broke them through to the top ranks of pop groups
by scoring three Top Ten hit singles, all ballads featuring
Perry's smooth tenor: "Who's Crying Now," "Don't Stop
Believin'," and "Open Arms." The album topped the charts
and had sold seven million copies by 1989.
Frontiers
(1983), featuring the hit "Separate Ways," was another
big success, after which Perry released a successful solo
album, Street Talk (1984). When the group got back together
to make a new album, Valory and Smith were no longer in
the lineup, and Raised on Radio (1986) was made by Schon,
Perry, and Cain, who added other musicians for a tour.
Following
the Raised on Radio tour, Journey disbanded. Perry went
into a prolonged period of seclusion as Cain formed Bad
English with vocalist John Waite. Bad English had several
hit singles, including the number one "When I See You
Smile," before breaking up. Perry returned to recording
in 1994, releasing For the Love of Strange Medicine. Although
the album was a minor hit, it was a commercial disappointment,
leading Perry to re-form Journey with Cain in 1996. That
fall, Journey released Trial By Fire, which became a hit
on adult contemporary radio. Journey - Greatest Hits.
Having
purchased several books and Cd's from Amazon.com,
we've always found their service fast and efficient. We
have no hesitation in recommending them as being both
more economic and more convenient than purchasing products
in a shop. We are delighted to bring you this treasured
opportunity to own some of our favourite songs.