Everyone knows Journey, and if they don’t, then they know the song “Don’t Stop Believin’.” Journey has been around for 53 years and have released 15 albums, one soundtrack album, five live albums, 11 compilation albums and 52 singles since 1975.
They are one the top selling bands in American history and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
Their most famous members are Steve Perry their most prominently known lead vocalist, Arnel Pineda who is their current lead vocalist in their Final Frontier tour, Jonathan Cain one of their current keyboardists, Neal Schon the original guitarist for the band and still currently a member and Deen Castronovo their current drummer.
Their debut album that they released in 1975 was titled “Journey” and later that year they also released their album “Look into the Future.” In 1976 they would also release an album titled “Next.”
I don’t really enjoy these albums, and I think that their later albums once Steve Perry joins the band are better.
These first few albums would be in a distinctive “jazz fusion style” though their music style would change over the years to come. These three albums also would slowly climb up the Billboard Top 200, starting at No. 138 and reaching No. 85.
Their next album to be released would be with their new lead vocalist, Steve Perry, and would be titled “Infinity.” This album would climb its way up to No. 21 on the Billboard Top 200 and would soon be followed with their album “Evolution,” which would reach No. 20.
Both of these albums have songs that I enjoy on them such as “Lights” and “When You’re Alone (It Ain’t Easy).”
Then in 1980, they would release their 6th studio album titled “Departure,” and this album would peak at No. 8 and included the release of their hit single “Any Way You Want It.” This is one of my favorite songs of theirs, and it just has such a great beat to dance to.
In July of 1981, the band would release “Escape,” which became their most successful album. It charted all the way at No. 1 and included the hit song “Don’t Stop Believin’” which has become a staple of 80s rock. There is never a time where I wouldn’t sing along to this song.
Two years later, they would release their 8th studio album titled “Frontiers” which included the two hit singles “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” and “Faithfully.” This album would become their second most popular and would reach No. 2 on the Billboard Top 200. “Faithfully” is one of my favorite songs by Journey because of how moving the lyrics are.
It would be another two years until the band would release my personal favorite album titled “Raised on Radio.” This album would only reach No. 4 but held five top singles: “Be Good to Yourself,” “Suzanne,” “Girl Can’t Help It,” “I’ll Be Alright Without You” and “Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever.”
I also really enjoy the songs “It Could Have Been You” and “Positive Touch” from the “Raised on Radio” album. This is definitely my favorite album by Journey, and I could probably listen to it every day and not get sick of it.
Ten years passed before they released their 10th studio album titled “Trial By Fire.” This album would be the last album with Steve Perry and would reach No. 3 in the Billboard Top 200.
This is another one of my top albums and includes one of my favorite Journey songs titled “Forever in Blue.” There are many days where I have this song stuck in my head, and it doesn’t even upset me.
After Steve Perry left the band, they would go on to release five more albums with the first two not being anywhere near as successful. In 2007 the band would end up hiring Arnel Pineda because of his vocals sounding so similar to Steve Perry’s.
Their final three albums with this new vocalist would help the band gain success once more and help them to reach 50 or even higher in the Billboard Top 200.
The band is currently touring for their Final Frontiers tour, which will end in July of 2026.
Journey has become a rock staple and has been very important in the creation of arena rock. They have many hit songs that have become classics and are still played on the radio to this day.
Journey is one of my favorite bands, and I was lucky enough to see them in concert over spring break in Milwaukee at the Fiserv Forum. While Steve Perry is the most iconic member of the band, the band performed just as well with their new lead singer.
The concert was amazing, and if I hadn’t known that the lead singer wasn’t Steve Perry I don’t think I would have ever been able to tell the difference. They played all of their hits including my favorite “Suzanne” which my mom and I had said if they didn’t play that song we would have asked for a refund.
One of the best things about the concert was how much attention was given to the lead keyboardist, Jonathan Cain. He is an amazing piano player and as a piano player myself it was nice to see so much recognition given to a dying instrument.
It was also so neat how almost all of the members sang including the drummer. Many bands stick with just the lead singer so it was very entertaining to hear so many different singers in one night.
All of their songs have so much emotion in them and are so much fun to sing along to and seeing them live made it so much better. Seeing them live was definitely a once in a lifetime experience that I would never trade for anything.
Lemke can be reached at [email protected].
