"Just a small-town girl
Livin' in a lonely world
She took the midnight train goin' anywhere
Just a city boy
Born and raised in South Detroit
He took the midnight train goin' anywhere"
Is everybody singing? This song was about all I knew of Journey until I moved to the US of A. My wife Tracy on the other hand lived and breathed them through their 1978-87 phase when Steve Perry was the voice of the group. Logically then, I deferred to her expertise and innocently asked .. "What's your favourite album and single?' .. I may even have added 'my darling'.
She went berserk. Started quoting scenes from "Sophie's Choice" .. accused me of being a monster .. "HOW CAN I CHOOSE" she screamed .. "YOU BEAST". The doctor said I should be able to eat solid food again by next week.
So, enjoy all the photos for this entry, there were more but, you know, I have my limits. We settled on the live double album 'Captured' as the feature for the day.
Journey were formed in 1973 by Gregg Rollie who had been co-founder of Santana, Neal Schon, who joined Santana as a 17 year old, George Tickner and Ross Valory. Add to that a drummer, Aynsley Dunbar, who had previously been working with Jeff Beck, David Bowie and Frank Zappa and that was quite a base to work with.
It wasn't until late 1977 that Steve Perry was brought in as lead vocal, making his first appearance on the 1978 album 'Infinity' He brought with him a song he had written, 'Lights' and after working on it with Neal Schon it was included on the album. It was released as a single with only moderate success but over the years it has become one of their most popular and recognisable hits. It wasn't until 1979 when they released 'Lovin', Touchin', Feelin'' that they got their first top 20 entry.
Hardly surprising though that Journey's sound, style and therefore fan base changed when Steve Perry arrived. His vocal range, called a countertenor, was quite amazing - technically from #2 to A5 (if that means anything to anyone). Nicknamed 'The Voice' by Jon Bon Jovi he's had praise from many of his peers and contemporaries, having his ability compared to everyone from Robert Plant, to Aretha Franklin to Frank Sinatra. After leaving Journey he released solo work, probably his most well-known single being 'Oh Sherrie'.
Tracy was there in the crowd back in the day. October 25th 1986 - Brendan Byrne Arena, East Rutherford. The Brooklyn girl travelled over to New Jersey to sing and sway and swoon.
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