Battle Creek Enquirer

[sadie65]

For those interested:

http://www.battlecreekenquirer.com/apps ... 40324/1041

SUNDAY AT KELLOGG ARENA
A Journey back to the past
Dustin Walsh
For the Enquirer





For the Enquirer


Journey, favorite of karaoke singers and air guitarists, will perform Sunday at Kellogg Arena.
If you go

WHAT: An evening with Journey.


WHEN: 7:30 p.m. Sunday.


WHERE: Kellogg Arena, 1 McCamly Square.


HOW MUCH: $35.


INFORMATION: 965-3308.





The classic rock group Journey will be in Battle Creek on Sunday for a solo performance of old and new hits at Kellogg Arena.

Here's a quick history lesson: Journey began its passage through rock 'n' roll history in 1973 as the Golden Gate Rhythm Section. Comprised of former Santana vocalist/keyboardist Gregg Rolie and guitar-guru Neal Schon, the duo recruited George Tickner, former Steve Miller bassist Ross Valory and The Tubes drummer Prairie Prince.

The band's original material, which Schon calls the most original jam-band tunes to come out of the Bay area since the Grateful Dead, was submitted to San Francisco's KSAN-FM radio station. After a monstrous response, the band decided to let the listeners name the band.

By 1975, the band had replaced a drummer, signed with Columbia Records and released a self-titled album. The band's next two releases continued on the path of obscure, progressive jazz-fusion, leaving them with little success.

"Touring in those days were awful, shoving seven guys into a station wagon," Schon said.

Rolie increasingly saw the need to replace himself as singer, so the search was on. Singer extraordinaire Steve Perry joined the band in October 1977. Schon and Perry formed a quick bond and wrote several hit songs immediately, including "Lights," "Wheel in the Sky" and "Anytime."

Journey attained smashing success, reaching No. 21 on the Billboard Charts and selling more than one million albums within the year.

The next two records came with frequent lineup changes but sold in huge numbers. Journey was a hit.

Then came 1981 and the band's seventh studio album, "Escape." It reached No. 1 on the Billboard Charts with such tracks as "Who's Cryin' Now," "Don't Stop Believin'" and "Open Arms," a single that spent six weeks at No. 2 on the charts.

"Escape" launched Journey as the architect of arena rock with Schon's whirling guitar and Perry's power ballad vocals.

In 1982, Journey hit the plateau of its success with sold-out concerts across the globe, including a phenomenal performance at Pasadena, Calif.'s Rose Bowl in July.

"The field was packed, the stands were packed, the show was rockin'," Schon said, vibrantly recalling the show.

In 1984, Perry recorded a successful solo record, "Street Talk," with a popular video for "Oh Sherrie." The album created turmoil within Journey. Members left and were fired.

American Idol's previously robust judge Randy Jackson joined the band on bass in 1986, but after the "Raised on Radio" tour, the group disbanded. Schon and Jonathan Cain went on to form Bad English with vocalist John Waite. Perry returned from seclusion in 1994 with the mild commercial success of solo record "Love of Strange Medicine."

In 1996, the band reunited for the platinum selling "Trial by Fire." Due to health issues, Perry eventually left the band before the ensuing tour and was replaced by current singer Steve Augeri.

The current band lineup consists of Augeri (vocals), Schon (guitar), Cain (keyboards, guitar), Ross Valory (bass) and Deen Castronovo (drums).

Together, these members released "Generations," a record that has been given away to ticket holders during a few concerts in August. Former vocalist Robert Fleischman also is said to be performing with the band on select dates. The "Generations" tour is a mix of old and new. Augeri recounts the celebrated vocals of Perry, and the group sheds light on new tunes to add to the band's already famous character.

"It's so great for us to be playing alone on this tour. We can play new and old songs alike because the crowds are true Journey fans," Schon said.

With 18 U.S. releases selling more than 75 million copies, there are plenty of true Journey fans in existence. While Journey's newest record is not a commercial success story, the band is the 29th best-selling group of all time, making any Journey performance historic and significant.

Like many of Journey's members, Schon continues his own endeavors. Look for a solo blues album by him next year.

"Blues are my roots and I have never really done a blues record. I am really excited about the possibility," Schon said.

Dustin Walsh is a freelance music writer.

[jrnyman28]

WOW, Robert Fleischman is going to show up!!

[sngrchk04]

WOW, Robert Fleischman is going to show up!!

Dave, ya beat me to it LOL

That was a suprise...I had to read it twice to make sure.

According to the BTM, didn't he get the boot because he was too much of a "screamer", not a singer?

What's up with that?

[jrnyman28]

I know the crowd didn't "take to him" much, but they didn't (at first) to Perry as well. Neal and Greg didn't feel the 'magic' with Rpbert and HH knew Perry was the better choice!