Journey never stopped believing

[tater1977]

Journey never stopped believing

By Ross Purdie, National Entertainment Writer | Australian Associated Press

http://nz.sports.yahoo.com/news/journey ... 18528.html


Anyone who questions the artistic merits of cheesy musicals and teen-slanted singing shows should have a word with American comeback kings Journey.

The anthemic band were considered a relic of '80s soft rock before their song Don't Stop Believin' found a new audience in the show Rock Of Ages five years ago.

Currently the most downloaded song in iTunes history after attracting a younger fanbase in Glee, Don't Stop Believin' is indicative of the band's never say die attitude.

Hailing from San Francisco, Journey have survived numerous line-up changes and fall outs throughout their 40-year history.

The original line up broke up between 1984 and 1994 but roared back with new singer Steve Augeri, who made it his mission to rebuild the Journey brand.

Journey have sold more than 80 million records and are ranked the 28th most successful band in US history - and yet most people outside the US wouldn't be able to name more than one song.

"The critics never liked us because they like bands who play the same thing over and over again," explains keyboardist and songwriter Jonathan Cain, who wrote Jimmy Barnes's iconic hit Working Class Man.

"We dabbled in a lot of different styles from rock to pop to blues and it annoyed them - we've always been more of a people's band."

Journey are about to play their first shows in Australia, a double billing with Deep Purple following a successful US tour.

The bands met at a German festival in 2005, hitting it off well enough to share the stage for a rendition of Smoke On The Water.

Guitarist Neal Schon has not ruled out another joint performance.

"It's a short tour so who knows. We'll be trying to make the most fun out of it as we can."

Journey had opportunities to visit Australia in the '80s but were put off by a whip-cracking manager who nailed their focus on the North American market.

"We missed out on Europe, South America and here when we could have established our brand," says Cain.

"We all voted to go but it just happened that way, but here we are now."

Despite sharing nearly 300 years between their five current members, Journey claim they are in the best shape of their career.

Their latest recruit, Filipino singer Arnel Pineda, was discovered on YouTube and has given the band an extra dimension.

"We found singers who were good but too close to what we had before," says Cain.

"We needed someone who could provide the Journey experience and be the soulful guy to croon the ballads and hit the rock."

"He's a great singer and frontman and a great human being," adds Schon.

While Journey's set list will include the hits Any Way You Want It and Lovin', Touchin', most ears will be holding out for the crowd pleaser Don't Stop Believin'.

"It's about faith hope and belief - it's a brighter message than a lot of the other messages out there," says Schon.

"Journey has always been about that."

* Journey tour nationally with Deep Purple from February 24 to March 7.

[jrnyman28]

They USED to blame Perry for not going to Europe....now it's Herbie's fault?

[jrny84]

They USED to blame Perry for not going to Europe....now it's Herbie's fault?

LOL good point, heck they used to blame Perry for just about everything.

[Don]

They USED to blame Perry for not going to Europe....now it's Herbie's fault?

Ask Deen; he apparently was there and is telling everybody it's Perry and Smitty's fault.

They wanted to go to Europe a couple of times but a couple of those guys didn’t want to go, they didn’t want to work that market, I swear to God dude, so we didn’t go.