“Journey” The Rock Band

What about a Rock band? No, an art-rock band from San Francisco with a history of end number of changing members. A band that went through a lot of self-experimentation to find their musical direction stays accurate to its title, a “Journey” indeed.

In the current times, band’s music can be heard on many social media platforms and shows.

“Don’t Stop Believin'” was used in the COVID 19 pandemic as an anthem for patients discharged from medical care after the virus had been defeated. The song “We Love NYC: The Home Coming Concert” was played in New York live on August 21, 2021, which was set to herald the town’s emergence from the pandemic.

Origin of the Band:

Art rock, an electric rock branch. Arose in the late sixties and thrived at the outset of the seventy-forties. The virtuosity of art rock and the complexity of its music and lyrics became widespread, and it was mainly designed to listen and absorb instead of dance.

The band came together in 1973. Its most tremendous success just after its debut came with the release of powerful songs one after another “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” “Separate Ways,” and “Wheel in the Sky.”

It included recent Santana alumni Neal Schon as lead guitar and Gregg Rolie from keyboards and lead vocals.

The roadie John Villaneuva suggested a “Journey” name following an ineffective radio contest. The band first appeared in public on New Year’s Eve in 1973 at the Winterland Ballroom.

Their Journey in Music:

The first album was released in 1975, and the rhythm guitarist Tickner left the band before the second album, Look into the Future (1976). Neither album has reached significant sales, so Schon, Valory, and Dunbar took singing lessons to improve Rolie’s vocal harmonies. The following year contained tracks with more vocals, and Schon performed several of the songs as a lead singer.

1977–1980

After being suggested by Columbia records to look into their music style and add another musician to share vocal duties with Gregg Rolie, Robert Fleischman got included in the band with the whole music inclining towards a popular style. Though due to personality differences and not satisfying reactions from the fans, he was removed.

1981–1983

Escape, the eighth studio album and the largest seller in 1981. This album which has up until now sold nine platinum times went to album charts the year and contained the top 10: ‘Who’s Cry Now’ and ‘Don’t Stop Believin,’ as well as ‘Open Arms.’ The album was number one.

Recent Activities

In June 2020, Neal Schon announced “starting to take shape” a new album with Jackson and Walden through his social media page. He confirmed the album’s progress the following month and confirmed that new music would be released early in 2021.

Throughout the years, The Journey has had similar passion and musicianship with members, and they are doing it till the present date.