Journey celebrates fiftieth anniversary: Rock band members then and now

Journey lately celebrated 50 years for the reason that band first fashioned.

The band’s most well-remembered lead singer, Steve Perry, was noticed on a stroll in Los Angeles earlier this month. The 74-year-old was the frontman and distinguished songwriter for the band for 10 years alongside Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain, Aynsley Dunbar and Steve Smith.

Present members of the band embody Schon, Cain, Deen Castronovo, Arnel Pineda, Jason Derlatka and Todd Jensen.

Here’s what Journey band members from the Perry period are to this point because the band’s fiftieth anniversary tour involves a detailed April 25 in Palm Springs, California. 

STEVE PERRY WOWS CROWD AFTER 19 YEAR ABSENCE FROM STAGE

Steve Perry 

Steve Perry joined the band as a substitute for Robert Fleischman, making his debut because the frontman in October 1977. In addition to appearing because the band’s lead singer, Perry additionally was one of many band’s principal songwriters. He was nominated to the Songwriter’s Corridor of Fame in 2020.

Though followers had been skeptical of Perry when he first joined the band, he was in a position to win followers over after the discharge of his first album, “Infinity,” which had a a lot totally different sound than Journey had created prior to now. They then started getting extra radio airplay. He sang lead vocals on the albums “Evolution,” “Departure,” “Dream, After Dream,” “Captured,” “Escape,” “Frontiers,” “Raised on Radio” and “Trial By Hearth.”

Perry went solo for the primary time in 1984 when he launched “Avenue Speak,” which bought over 2 million copies and featured the singles “Oh Sherrie” and “Silly Coronary heart.” He was additionally featured on the 1985 profit track, “We Are the World.” He tried to reunite with Journey. Nonetheless, he was caring for his ailing mom and could not be current for a majority of recording, and the band went on break in 1987 after its “Raised on Radio” tour.

In 1988, Perry started engaged on a second solo album, which he by no means launched, ultimately releasing a profitable second album in 1994, referred to as “For the Love of Unusual Medication.”

The singer as soon as once more reunited along with his former band in 1996 to file the very profitable album, “Trial By Hearth,” which debuted at No. 3 on the Billboard charts and went platinum by the point the 12 months was over. To capitalize on the success of the album, a tour was deliberate, however it needed to be postponed resulting from Perry injuring his hip whereas mountain climbing in Hawaii.

A health care provider decided his harm required surgical procedure, however Perry was reluctant to conform to go beneath the knife. The choice delayed the tour longer than anticipated, which angered his bandmates. They ultimately went on tour with out Perry, and he introduced his everlasting exit from the band.

“I needed to have a hip substitute, and the band was telling me after they thought I ought to do it,” Perry stated in an interview with MelodicRock.com in 2011. “And I stated, ‘Main surgical procedure like this isn’t a band resolution.’ I stated that I might get it accomplished, however I did not get it accomplished shortly sufficient. They simply wished to get on the highway, and there was an ultimatum given to me. And I do not reply effectively to ultimatums.”

FORMER JOURNEY FRONTMAN STEVE PERRY REVEALS WHY HE LEFT BAND AT ITS HEIGHT

Following his departure from the band, he launched his “Biggest Hits + 5 Unreleased” compilation album, which featured songs from his 1988 unreleased album. In 2005, Perry joined a couple of of his former bandmates when Journey was awarded a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame. In 2009, he was voted one of many ten biggest rock singers of all time, and Rolling Stone positioned him at quantity 76 in an inventory of “The 100 Biggest Singers of All Time.” 

For the following few years, Perry continued singing and writing, showing on background vocals or on stage with numerous bands and artists. In 2017, he appeared on stage with Journey for the primary time since they had been collectively on the Stroll of Fame in 2005 to simply accept the dignity of being inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame. He did, nevertheless, choose out of performing with the band.

In 2018, Perry launched one other solo album, “Traces,” which carried out effectively, with a deluxe model debuting in 2019. In December 2021, he launched a Christmas album, “The Season,” and in 2023 he introduced he could be singing background on Dolly Parton’s new album.

Perry has a daughter and grandchildren however has chosen not to discuss them publicly to guard their privateness. 

Neal Schon

Neal Schon is a founding member of Journey and is the longest-serving authentic member of the band. Previous to serving to create Journey, he was a member of the band Santana, taking part in guitar on the albums “Santana III” and “Caravanserai.”

He briefly performed with the band Azteca earlier than founding Journey with Gregg Rolie and their supervisor Herbie Herbert. They initially referred to as the band the Golden Gate Rhythm Part, nevertheless the title was modified after their roadie John Villaneuva advised Journey.

Together with taking part in on the albums “Journey,” “Look into the Future,” “Subsequent,” “Arrival,” “Generations” and “Revelation with Journey,” Schon additionally launched a number of solo albums, together with “Late Nite,” “Past the Thunder,” “Piranha Blues,” “The Calling,” “So U” and “Universe.”

The guitarist additionally produced two albums with keyboardist Jon Hammer and was a member of the supergroup Dangerous English. He additionally has fostered collaborations with Sammy Hagar as a part of Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve and Paul Rodgers. Schon additionally performs guitar on Michael Bolton’s album, “The Starvation.

In 2005, Schon was current on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame ceremony to simply accept the dignity of receiving a star alongside his fellow bandmates. They reunited once more in 2017 after they had been inducted into the Rock and Roll Corridor of Fame, the place he and a few of the different band members carried out.

Schon is performing with Journey for the band’s fiftieth anniversary tour, which additionally options Toto.

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In September 2011, Schon confirmed his romance with former “Actual Housewives of D.C.” star Michaele Salahi, whereas additionally revealing they dated briefly within the ’90s. Just a bit over a 12 months later, in October 2012, Schon proposed to her on stage whereas acting at a charity profit, and the 2 had been married in December 2013. 

Schon was beforehand married to Tena Austin from 1976 to 1986. He was then married to Beth Buckley from 1987 to 1992, and had two youngsters along with her, Miles and Elizabeth, earlier than splitting up. He then married Dina Gioeli from 1993 to 1999, after which Amber Kozan (from 2001-2008), with whom he has two youngsters, Aja and Sophia. He additionally has a daughter named Sarah.

Gregg Rolie

Gregg Rolie was a founding member of Santana earlier than branching off to affix what would grow to be Journey. For the band’s first six albums, he was the keyboardist, and he was the lead vocalist for the band’s first two albums. As soon as Perry joined the band, Rolie sang co-lead on a couple of songs on numerous albums.

The musician selected to depart the band in 1980 and began a profitable solo profession. His first solo album was “Gregg Rolie,” and he adopted up with “Gringo” in 1987. 

“I left as a result of I didn’t like my life anymore,” Rolie advised Rolling Stone in 2019. “I’ve stated this 1,000,000 instances. And I do know there’s those who say, ‘That’s not the rationale.’ However I left as a result of I used to be sad with what I used to be doing in my very own life. I cherished the administration. I cherished the music. I cherished what we constructed. I simply wasn’t completely happy, so I needed to blow the horn on it and simply cease it.”

A couple of years after releasing his second album, Rolie fashioned one other band with Steve Smith and Ross Valory from Journey in 1991 referred to as The Storm. Rolie labored because the keyboardist for this band. The band’s eponymous debut album was an enormous success, reaching No. 3 on the Billboard charts. It additionally featured a high 10 hit, “I’ve Received A Lot To Be taught About Love.”

They didn’t attain the identical quantity of success with their second album. It was shelved by their file firm earlier than lastly getting launched in 1996. In 1998, Rolie and some different members of Santana reunited to kind the band Abraxas Pool, in the end releasing one eponymous album.

Additionally in 1998, Rolie was inducted, together with the opposite members of Santana, into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame. He grew to become a two-time Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame inductee in 2017 with Journey.

In 1999, whereas engaged on an album with Ron Wikso, they fashioned The Gregg Rolie Band, which featured Kurt Griffey on the guitar and Wally Minko as a second keyboardist. Collectively, they launched the album “Roots” and a stay CD, “Rain Dance,” in 2009.

From 2012 to 2021, Rolie toured as a member of Ringo Starr and his All Star Band, throughout which he sang lots of the hits he’s recognized for, together with some from his time in Santana. Whereas performing, he additionally recorded an album with authentic members of Santana in 2016, “Santana IV.”

Rolie reunited with Schon in 2018 to carry out some charity reveals and infrequently joined Journey on stage throughout its most up-to-date tour.

The keyboardist married his spouse Lori in 1980 after first assembly her whereas on a flight in 1979. The 2 have remained collectively and stay in Texas. They’ve two youngsters collectively, a son named Sean and a daughter named Ashley.

Ross Valory

Ross Valory was an authentic member of Journey, which he joined after forming and releasing one album with the Steve Miller Band. As a bassist, he has performed on all of the band’s albums, besides 1986’s “Raised on Radio” and 2022’s “Freedom.”

Throughout the band’s hiatus within the late ‘80s and early ’90s, Valory performed on Todd Rundgren’s album, “2nd Wind,” and launched two albums as a member of The Storm, “The Storm,” and “Eye of the Storm.”

He returned to taking part in with Journey in 1996 on the “Trial by Hearth” album. Valory was kicked out of the band in 2020, and he was as soon as once more changed by Randy Jackson, who additionally took over for him in “Raised on Radio.”

His 2020 exit got here on the heels of a lawsuit involving him and Steve Smith, filed by their Journey bandmates Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain. Schon and Cain claimed Valory and Smith tried to take over Nightmare Productions to achieve management of the Journey trademark. 

Journey’s administration introduced the 2 events got here to a settlement, releasing a press release in April 2021.

“Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain acknowledge the precious contributions that each Ross Valory and Steve Smith have made to the music and the legacy of Journey,” the assertion stated. “Ross Valory and Steve Smith want their former bandmates effectively and far success sooner or later. Journey seems to be ahead to persevering with to tour and make new music for his or her devoted followers world wide.” 

Valory was as soon as married to Diane Oakes, nevertheless the wedding led to a divorced. He later married his present spouse, Mary Valory.

Steve Smith

Steve Smith changed Aynsley Dubar because the drummer for Journey, becoming a member of the band in 1978 and staying on till 1985. His first album with the band was “Evolutions” in 1979, and he left for the primary time following 1986’s “Raised on the Radio.”

Throughout the band’s hiatus, he joined Valory and Rolie within the band, The Storm, showing on their two albums. He additionally began a second band, Very important Info, and launched a number of albums with them in that point, together with “Very important Info,” “Orion,” “World Beat,” “Fiafiaga” and “Simpler Stated Than Achieved.”

He returned to Journey in 1995 for a comeback album, “Trial by Hearth,” staying on for a couple of years earlier than leaving a second time after the discharge of 1998’s “Biggest Hits Stay” album. He continued to launch music with Very important Info, together with “Ray of Hope,” “The place We Come From,” “Stay Across the World” and 2017’s “Coronary heart of the Metropolis.”

Smith was additionally part of the jazz group Steps Forward and might be heard taking part in on their albums “Stay in Tokyo,” “N.Y.C,” “Yin-Yang” and “Steppin’ Out.” As a musician, he will also be heard on albums for Jeff Berlin, Frank Gambale, Henry Kaiser and Neal Schon.

In 2001, Fashionable Drummer journal named Smith one of many Prime 25 Drummers of All Time, and the next 12 months he was inducted into the Fashionable Drummer Corridor of Fame. Beginning in 2007, he recorded two albums with Buddy’s Buddies, a quintet made up of musicians who as soon as performed with Buddy Wealthy.

In 2017, Smith was inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame as a member of Journey. He carried out with Journey in the course of the ceremony.

Smith was additionally named within the lawsuit filed towards him and Ross Valory after they allegedly tried to achieve management of the Journey trademark. Like Valory, Smith was kicked out of the band presently. 

Jonathan Cain

Jonathan Cain was a member of The Babys earlier than he left to affix Journey, taking up the place Gregg Rolie held within the band. Cain’s first collaboration was on the album “Escape.” He was additionally one of many composers of the band’s longstanding hit, “Do not Cease Believin’.”

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Certainly one of his most well-known contributions to the band was when he wrote the ballad “Faithfully,” a track about what it is wish to stay life on the highway. Cain went on to play the keyboard on the albums, “Frontiers,” “Raised on Radio” and “Trial by Hearth.”

Previous to “Raised on Radio,” Cain reunited along with his former Babys bandmates and fashioned Dangerous English, releasing two albums earlier than breaking apart within the early 90s. 

Alongside along with his albums with The Babys, Dangerous English and Journey, Cain recorded eight solo albums, together with “Windy Metropolis Breakdown,” “Again to Innocence,” “What God Desires to Hear,” “Naked Bones” and “Extra Like Jesus.” He has primarily targeted on making Christian-based religion music since 2016.

In 2018, Cain printed a memoir, “Do not Cease Believin’: The Man, the Band, and the Tune That Impressed Generations,” about his time as a member of Journey.

Cain married his first spouse, singer Tane McClure, for which he wrote the track “Faithfully” earlier than calling it quits. 

In 1989, he married Elizabeth Yvette Fullerton, and collectively that they had three youngsters — a daughter Madison and twins Liza and Weston. The 2 divorced in 2014 after 25 years of marriage. In 2015, Cain married his third spouse, a minister named Paula White. 

Cain and Schon are at the moment at odds and are in a authorized battle over a shared American Specific account. 

Aynsley Dunbar

Aynsley Dunbar was the second drummer for Journey, taking up for Prairie Prince, and performed an enormous half in co-writing their first 4 albums, “Journey,” “Look Into the Future,” “Subsequent” and “Infinity.”

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Moreover, Dunbar performed drums on albums for artists comparable to David Bowie, Lou Reed, Herbie Mann, Mick Ronson, Nils Lofgren, Ian Hunter, Sammy Hagar and Pat Travers.

Dunbar later joined Jefferson Starship and stayed with the band for 3 albums, together with “Freedom at Level Zero,” “Fashionable Instances” and “Winds of Change.” He then joined the band Whitesnake and stayed with them for 2 albums, together with their eponymous file, which featured hits like “Nonetheless of the Evening” and “What Is Love,” and the album “1987 Variations.”

All through the mid-90s, Dunbar performed with a few of the period’s most notable bands and artists, together with Aerosmith, Queen, Metallica, Black Sabbath, Pat Travers and Van Halen.  

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Aynsley has three youngsters, Gretchen, Bibs and Taylor. In 2000, his 5-year-old son Sprint died of mind most cancers. 

In 2005, Aynsley and the opposite members of Journey had been honored with a star on the Hollywood Stroll of Fame. In April 2017, Dunbar and the band had been inducted into the Rock & Roll Corridor of Fame for his or her contribution to the music trade.