Journey (band)

Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco.

A new vocalist

Pressure was put on the band to come up with a true lead singer. Gregg Rolie had been serving this role, though his main duty in the band was really playing keyboards.

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As a result, Journey enlisted front man Robert Fleischman. His tenure in the band was short-lived, but Robert and his songwriting and vocals helped them find commercial success. Manager Herbie Herbert then discovered singer Steve Perry, who wasn't considered until a Columbia Records executive recommended him. Perry made his public debut in October 1977 in San Francisco.

Related Topics:
Robert Fleischman - Steve Perry

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In Perry's first meeting with Schon, the pair quickly penned their first song together, "Patiently", which would appear on the new album Infinity in 1978. Perry added his signature vocals to now classic tracks such as "Lights" (written by Perry as an ode to San Francisco) and "Wheel in the Sky" (written by Fleischman and Schon) and "Anytime". In addition, Queen producer Roy Thomas Baker was brought in by Fleischman to provide a more layered sound. These changes worked, and Journey achieved their highest chart success to date, reaching #21 on the album charts.

Related Topics:
Infinity - 1978 - Queen - Producer - Roy Thomas Baker

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In 1979 Dunbar was fired, due to what Herbie claimed was "incompatibility of the first order," and joined Jefferson Starship. His replacement on drums was Steve Smith for the album Evolution, and the band got their first Billboard Hot 100 top 20 single, "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'".

Related Topics:
1979 - Jefferson Starship - Steve Smith - Evolution - Billboard Hot 100

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1980 saw the album Departure which continued the trend towards increasing commercial success, reaching #8 on the album charts. "Any Way You Want It" was a top 25 single and received solid FM radio airplay. By now the band had a solid concert following as well; they were poised for large-scale success.

Related Topics:
1980 - Departure - FM radio

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Exhausted from extensive touring, Gregg Rolie departed. But before doing so, he chose his successor, Jonathan Cain (a former member of The Babys, who had toured with Journey), on keyboards.

Related Topics:
Jonathan Cain - The Babys

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