journey through time band members

Neal Schon on Journey Through Time: 'It's like the Dead on steroids'

Neal Schon says he's thrilled to be getting in touch with his improvisational roots on guitar at the helm of a group that also features former Journey members Gregg Rolie on keyboards and vocals and Deen Castronovo on drums and vocals.

"We're becoming a nuclear jam band," he says. "It’s like the Dead on steroids. We’re jamming a lot. And I really tested the audience the other night in Oakland. We had nearly 3,000 people there. And it looked like a very mixed audience. So we went way outside. I told the guys during soundcheck, 'Let’s trip it out.'"

He was playing "Miles Davis-type trumpet on guitar," he says, over a bass groove from Davis' "Jack Johnson" album. 

"And I stayed there," he says with a laugh. "I stayed there a long time. And the more far out there I took it, the more the audience loved it. I went, 'Wow.' Because they were either gonna be like ‘End it!’ or take a ride with you. And they were there for the ride, man. I think Gregg Rolie was falling asleep, like ‘When are we gonna get to the next song?’"

In short, Neal Schon's Journey Through Time is a bit of a different live-music experience than one would get from going to a normal Journey concert. 

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"That’s exciting to me because those are my roots," he says. "I’ve learned to taper back through the years and make hit records. But my roots, in the beginning, were all about just being on the fly, being able to improvise at any given moment and let it go, don’t be afraid of it because you’re just creating on the spot."

The set list is a mix of hits and songs from their earliest days, when he and Rolie founded Journey after leaving Santana together.

Will having the freedom to stretch out and explore this other side of his vocabulary make it hard to go back to the more hit-oriented Journey concerts?

"Not at all," he says. "Because we did play some hits on the three shows that Journey Through Time has done. But this is a different audience. They want to hear the older stuff. They were like ‘Yeah, I’ve heard "Don’t Stop Believin’,” I’ve heard "Any Way You Want It."'

He's pretty sure he's onto something here, Schon says. "Because I love both audiences and I know what they both expect now. I’m learning more and more about this JTT audience, that you can basically do anything you want but they don’t want just a hit song. So this is, for me, like the best of both worlds, having both bands."

The project began with a one-off performance in February 2018 at a concert the guitarist organized to benefit the victims of the California wildfires.

"It was just devastating," he says of the fires. "It seemed like it was never gonna stop and I felt terrible about it, seeing so many people that have everything. I wanted to do something bigger, but we couldn’t bring it together that fast. Everything had already been booked. So I decided to take it into the Independent in San Francisco, which holds probably close to 600 people, pull some old friends together, have some fun and raise some money."

The concert sold out in a matter of minutes.

"So that’s where it started," he says. "We got together, started playing all this older material. We learned 33 songs in about four days and then went and played, very organically. No frills, no killer lights, no screens, no backing tracks, no nothing."

And the audience was definitely in their corner.

"People came in from all over the world to see it," he says. "So I go, 'Wow.' I didn’t have a clue that there would be so many older fans that really felt like they would never hear anything from our first three records. And it’s getting better every time we play. I’m looking forward to a full summer."

As Schon was preparing to launch the tour that brings his band to the Van Buren on Friday, he learned that he had to have emergency gall bladder surgery.

"I had a great doctor," he says. "And of course I had these shows coming up. He said ‘We’re gonna have to do surgery here.’ I said, ‘OK, well, I’ve got a few shows to play and I’ll be back after March.’ He goes, ‘No, you don’t understand.’ But luckily, I was in and out. He was able to do microscopic surgery. It didn't even leave a mark."

And best of all, he's feeling better than he has in years.

"I bounced right back," he says.

Within two weeks of having the surgery, he was on stage with Journey Through Time.

"People were dumbfounded," he says. "I was all over the stage, on top of the PA cabinets, twisting and turning and playing and really feeling good at the last show in Oakland. So I’m back. I feel good."

After playing two concerts this weekend with Journey Through Time, the guitarist is flying to Nashville to work on new music with producer Marti Frederiksen.

"We have four songs – amazing songs – right now," Schon says. "And they definitely have commercial viability. The story with him is gonna be a Chris Stapleton story because he’s written so many hits for Aerosmith, Foreigner and many, many others. And he has an amazing voice. The second I heard him sing, all the hair on my arms stood up."

They're doing a full album, Schon says, which he's hoping to record while Rolie is off touring with Ringo Starr.

He also has a solo album coming out in August. Titled "Universe," it was recorded with Narada Michael Walden.

"I’m gonna put another band together and go out with that while Gregg is busy and we have to put JTT on hold for a second," Schon says. "I’m gonna stay out there, man. I’m really having fun having my name out there. And I’m finding out that I have so many fans that want to hear so many facets of music that I’ve done throughout the years. And I’ve never really toured by myself with other great musicians."

As for what these solo projects mean for Journey, they'll be back before you know it. 

"We’ve already committed to a tour in 2020 with some dates this year," Schon says. "We’re doing a residency in Vegas in October and we have a couple corporate shows and a couple other things before that. But the rest of the year is off."

He's looking forward, in fact, to getting back to Journey when it's time to reconvene.

"I’m open to it all," he says. "There’s no reason to close down any bridges. Everybody’s put a lot of work and blood, sweat and tears into this for many, many years."

Among those open bridges is the one that leads to former Journey vocalist Steve Perry, although Schon says he's done making overtures to that effect. 

"I’m gonna not say anything more about it," he says, with a laugh. "I’ve gone way out on a limb in so many different ways and all I can tell you is that he’s not contacted me to have that coffee yet. So I’m just gonna give it a rest."

Perry hasn’t sung with Journey since they went their separate ways in 1998. Last year, he returned with his first solo record since the '90s, "Traces."

"Did I listen to his record?" Schon says. "Yeah, I listened to his record. And I hear a lot of emotion in it. I understood where the record was coming from and I thought he sounded very good. I said, 'Well, if we ever got together, I definitely know where I’d go with him, in more of a blues and R&B thing.' But I’m just gonna leave it alone because it just seems like he wants to have his own time to do things and not have a bunch of people talking to him about ‘Are you gonna get together with Neal? Are you gonna do Journey?’ And all those answers are always, ‘No. No. No. No.” But then every once in a while, he says something that gives you the feeling that he’s open to it.  But after a while, you just have to leave things alone and let them take their own course."

Reach the reporter at [email protected] or 602-444-4495. Follow him on Twitter @EdMasley.  Support local journalism. Subscribe to azcentral.com today.

Neal Schon's Journey Through Time

When:  7:30 p.m. Friday, March 1. 

Where: The Van Buren, 401 W. Van Buren St., Phoenix.

Admission: $65-$99. 

Details: 866-468-3399, thevanburenphx.com.

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Neal Schon, ‘Journey Through Time': Album Review

There's no question Journey fans still love the band. Just look at attendances for shows this past year as proof that they still connect a quarter century after parting ways with Steve Perry . It's the songs, not the singer, that make the music move along in this case. But there are a lot of Journey songs that have been left behind over time, especially in concert, which is the reason to be excited about guitarist Neal Schon 's Journey Through Time .

An ad-hoc quintet was put together to play a 2018 benefit in San Francisco for North Bay Fire Relief, with Schon recruiting former Santana bandmate and fellow Journey originator Gregg Rolie and then former drummer Deen Castronovo , along with bassist Marco Mendoza and second keyboardist John Varn. The group played live dates during 2019 as well, but Journey Through Time comes from that first show, which has an agreeably rough-and-tumble quality and a looseness that hasn't been part of the Journey universe since the band's earliest days. Everybody onstage here is in good shape and a player, allowing the group to extend and vamp like a jam band in the grand Bay Area tradition. That's not meant to slight the more polished act Journey has become, but it's nice to hear the music treated with a more expansive touch.

And there's a lot of it. Journey Through Time offers up the whole show - nearly two hours and 45 minutes - and digs generously into the catalog, all the way back to the ferocious "Of a Lifetime," the first song from the first album, and the instrumental "Kohutek," hard-hitters such as "I'm Gonna Leave You" and "Mystery Mountain," and a late-show triumvirate of "You're On Your Own," "Hustler" and "Nickel and Dime."

With Schon on board, and in fine form, the quintet also resurrects a healthy portion of post-Perry deep digs such as the "Feelin' That Way"/"Anytime" diptych from Infinity , "Line of Fire," "Lady Luck," "Lovin' You is Easy," "People and Places" and "Just the Same Way." "Daydream" is extended with a bass solo by Mendoza and a quick quote from the Beatles ' "Norwegian Wood," while "La Do Da" ends with Mendoza and Castronovo bouncing on each other. And "Walks Like a Lady" becomes a psychedelic blues opus with Schon tearing through a muscular intro. You can find a guitar moment just about anywhere on the album, but the real standout here is Castronovo, and not only as a drummer.

As he's demonstrated throughout his two tenures in Journey, Castronovo is a strong singer with a convincing similarity to Perry, which is deployed to good effect throughout Journey Through Time  - up to and including the big hits such as "Don't Stop Believin'," "Separate Ways," "Lights" and "Lovin' Touchin' Squeezin'." He's a not-so-secret weapon whose skills help Journey Through Time broaden its reach. The show and album finish going back to Santana with renditions of "Black Magic Woman" and "Oye Como Va." Journey Through Time may not be for the Escape and Frontiers crowd, but it's a pleasing blast back to a past that hasn't been overplayed and is more than appropriate to resurrect for Journey's 50th anniversary in 2023.

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Neal Schon Sets Journey Through Time

While its individual members have headlined stadium shows, fans will have an opportunity to see these first-rate musicians up close. (See the dates below.)

Returning to their roots, the group will showcase songs from the very beginning – plus pay tribute to several rock favorites. Joining Schon is his fellow Santana alumnus and Journey co-founder Gregg Rolie (keyboards, vocals), plus former Journey member Deen Castronovo (vocals and drums), Thin Lizzy and Whitesnake alum Marco Mendoza (bass and vocals), Thin Lizzy and Dead Daisies vet Marti Frederiksen (multi-instrumentalist, vocals) and Chris Collins (guitar and keys).

Schon has even extended an open invitation to former Journey lead vocalist, Steve Perry, to join them for the Bay Area shows.

Journey Through Time have already released two live performance videos.

Watch Castronovo introduce Schon and Rolie as they then perform “Walks Like a Lady”

“We’re really going to play anything that’s in our repertoire – anything that Journey has recorded,” says Schon. “I plan on mixing it up a lot and not playing the same set. Stuff from our first three records – we’re going to update that a little bit – and have some fun jamming!”

Related: Schon and Rolie at Journey’s 2017 Rock Hall induction

Watch them perform “I’m Gonna Leave You,” with Rolie singing lead

Related: Our interview with Gregg Rolie on Journey, Santana and more

Journey Through Time 2019 Tour Dates (Tickets are available here )

Feb 22 – Jackson, CA – Jackson Rancheria Casino Resort Feb 23 – Oakland, CA – Fox Theater Mar 01 – Phoenix, AZ – The Van Buren PHX Mar 02 – Los Angeles, CA – The Orpheum LA

More to come!

Update (Feb. 9): Schon revealed that he went to the ER on Feb. 8 and had his gall bladder removed. “I’m feeling better than ever. Just need a few days.”

Had to go into ER last night very inflamed-infected Gallbladder taken out and honestly couldn’t feel better ? Just need a few days. I’ve apparently had this for the last 3 1/2 years and didn’t know it! I thought it was parasites. I’m feeling better then ever. CU soon Friends! pic.twitter.com/nOubt6WpZU — NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) February 10, 2019

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Thought the video was excellent. These guys can bring it to a crowd. I hope they decide to come to the East Coast and let us see them live as well. I’d pay reasonable money to hear them live.

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Journey: Band Members and History

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For over 40 years, Journey has been one of the greatest classic rock bands of all time. The band has released 23 albums and 43 singles since 1975 and has reached worldwide album sales totaling more than 75 million. 

But how exactly did Journey come to be? The San Francisco band got its start in 1973. Santana's former road manager, Herbie Herbert, recruited two of that band's members (Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon) and former Steve Miller Band bassist Ross Valory to form the Golden Gate Rhythm Section—the band that later became Journey.

The original Journey band members included Gregg Rolie on vocals and the keyboard, Neal Schon on guitar and vocals, George Tickner on guitar, Ross Valory on bass and vocals, and Prairie Prince on drums. 

Their first album was released in 1975 and established the band's jazz-influenced progressive rock sound. After several personnel changes, Steve Perry signed on as lead vocalist, launching the band's greatest period of commercial success from the late 1970s through the mid-1980s. Many people remember Steve as the face of the band.

The Best Album

The group's seventh album, Escape,  produced three hit singles and sold over 9 million copies. In addition to its commercial success, the album also received critical acclaim that has eluded them through most of their existence. Arguably, the most popular song put out by Journey is "Don't Stop Believin'." Originally released in 1981, the song became a Top 10 hit on the Billboard Hot 100, debuting at No. 9. The song has been used in near countless films in American TV and cinema including  Monster, Glee , the season finale of  The Sopranos , and  Rock of Ages. 

Journey Band Members Over the Years

In 2005, the band (along with original members Schon and Valory) marked its 30th anniversary with the release of its 23rd album,  Generations  and an anniversary tour, at times featuring some of the many former members of the group. In December 2006, Jeff Scott Soto replaced Steve Augeri as lead vocalist. Soto had been filling in for several months after Augeri was sidelined with a chronic throat infection. Soto was replaced a few months later by Arnel Pineda , vocalist for a Filipino cover band who was hired as a result of a video he posted on YouTube.

The band has been on a journey as it has evolved from past members including Steve Perry to its current members. 

Past Journey band members include the following:

• Steve Perry (1977-1998)
• Aynsley Dunbar (1974-1978)
• Robert Fleischman (1977)
• Steve Smith (1978-1985, 1995-1998)
• Randy Jackson (1985-1987)
• Steve Augeri (1998-2006)

Current Journey band members:

• Neal Schon - guitar (1973-present)
• Jonathan Cain - keyboards (1980-present)
• Ross Valory - bass (1973-1985, 1995-present)
• Arnel Pineda - vocals (2007-present)
• Deen Castronovo - drums (1998-present)

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Neal Schon's live celebration of Journey: supremely musicianly and surprisingly rough-and-ready

A live recording from the journey alumni show to raise money for victims of the fires that ravaged the north bay area of san francisco in 2017.

You can trust Louder Our experienced team has worked for some of the biggest brands in music. From testing headphones to reviewing albums, our experts aim to create reviews you can trust. Find out more about how we review.

All hail the return of The Fabulous Baker Boys (AOR division): Neal Scone and Bread Rolie, otherwise known as Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie, founding members of Journey way back in 1973. 

This epic three-CD set immortalises a February 2018 benefit show that raised funds for the city’s North Bay area that had been ravaged by wildfires. Guitarist Schon assembled a one-off troupe of Journey alumni for the show (including keyboard player/vocalist Rolie, natch), and the results are both supremely musicianly and surprisingly rough-and-ready. 

With Schon in full-on guitar-hero mode and an eclectic setlist (including Kohoutek , an instrumental throwback to Journey’s jazz-rock roots), this is about as glossy as a piece of scuffed carpet – and all the better for it.

No Jonathan Cain, who was down the cake shop at the time.

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NEAL SCHON Announces Long-Awaited Official Release Of 'Journey Through Time'

Frontiers Music Srl will release Neal Schon 's "Journey Through Time" , a live concert recorded on February 9, 2018 at The Independent In San Francisco, California, on May 19, 2023. This is the show where Schon , founding member of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame -inducted band JOURNEY , first debuted "Journey Through Time" along with two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and former JOURNEY and SANTANA bandmate Gregg Rolie . Joining Schon and Rolie were current JOURNEY member Deen Castronovo on vocals and drums, Marco Mendoza ( THIN LIZZY , WHITESNAKE ) on bass, and John Varn on keyboards and vocals.

Performing to a sold-out crowd for a benefit show to raise money for victims of the fires that had ravaged the North Bay area of the San Francisco region in October 2017, the band played songs spanning JOURNEY 's entire catalog, largely focusing on the band's '70s repertoire, including the band's first three albums, "Journey" , "Look Into The Future" and "Next" .

Multi- Grammy -nominated Schon founded JOURNEY in 1972 and remains the sole consistent member, having participated in every album and tour to date. Before founding JOURNEY , Schon was also a member of SANTANA and has performed with a variety of other acts, including BAD ENGLISH , HARDLINE and HSAS , and with Jan Hammer and Paul Rodgers ( BAD COMPANY , FREE ). He has released 10 solo albums over the course of his career as well, with his guitar style being described as soulful and melodic and admired by such fellow legends as Eric Clapton and Prince . JOURNEY 's worldwide sales have reached over 100 million records, making them one of the world's best-selling bands of all time. Chart-topping hits such as "Don't Stop Believin'" , "Open Arms" , "Lights" , "Faithfully" and "When You Love A Woman" are regarded as some of the defining songs of the rock n' roll musical canon.

"Journey Through Time" track listing:

01. I'm Gonna Leave You 02. Look Into The Future 03. Kohoutek 04. Daydream 05. La Do La 06. Line Of Fire 07. Walk's Like A Lady 08. Feelin' That Way 09. Anytime 10. Lights 11. Still They Ride 12. Separate Ways 13. Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin' 14. Wheel In The Sky 15. Patiently (Medley) 16. Trial By Fire (Medley) 17. Stay Awhile (Medley) 18. Mystery Mountain 19. Of A Lifetime 20. Just The Same Way 21. Lovin' You Is Easy

Recording lineup:

Neal Schon - Guitar Gregg Rolie - Keyboards, Vocals Marco Mendoza - Bass Deen Castronovo - Drums, Vocals John Varn - Keyboards, Vocals

JOURNEY played its first concert of 2023 on January 27 in Durant, Oklahoma. The two-hour performance at the 3,000-capacity Grand Theater at the Choctaw Casino & Resort marked the band's first appearance since Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain publicly feuded over several issues, including Neal allegedly causing over $1 million in personal expenses to be charged to the band's shared American Express card and Schon demanding that Cain stop playing events for former U.S. president Donald Trump .

Last fall, former JOURNEY singer Steve Perry took legal action against both Schon and Cain , asking them to stop registering federal trademarks on the names of many of the band's hits.

Presented by AEG Presents , JOURNEY 's tour with TOTO will wrap April 25 at the brand-new Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.

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Neal Schon on Journey’s ‘New Strut,’ Possible Arnel Pineda Biopic, and His New Solo LP

By Andy Greene

Andy Greene

Three years ago, Journey guitarist Neal Schon finished a solo album of instrumental tracks that mixed classic-rock covers like “Hey Jude” and “Voodoo Child” with originals he created with producer-drummer Narada Michael Walden. Since that time, Journey fired drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory after a bitter business dispute, brought in Walden and Raised on Radio –era bassist Randy Jackson to take their places, and canceled a 2020 summer tour with the Pretenders due to the pandemic.

During his forced downtime, Schon decided it was finally time to share his instrumental album, The Universe , with the world. “This has been a hellacious year,” he says. “There’s some healing music on here. I feel like it’s going to ease a lot of people’s pain and give them something new to listen to and some hope.”

Schon called up Rolling Stone to talk about The Universe (which is streaming right now), the legal battle that split Journey apart, parting ways with manager Irving Azoff, repairing his relationship with keyboardist Jonathan Cain, cutting Journey’s new album while on lockdown, his continued hopes of making peace with Steve Perry, the possibility of an Arnel Pineda biopic, and why he thinks this new lineup of Journey will lead to a whole new era for the band.

Tell me the backstory of The Universe. About three years ago, I ran into Narada Michael Walden. I said, “Narada, why don’t you write me a record?” We’d known each other forever and had jammed and played live together, but we’d never really worked together with him as a producer and me as a guitar player.

I said, “I really want to veer away from anything that sounds like Jeff Beck.” That’s because there’s only one Jeff Beck and only one Jimi [Hendrix]. But I said, “You’ve known me for a long time and you know what I like to play. What I’m hearing is a very majestic, symphonic-type blues-R&B-fusion rock album.”

He goes, “That’s the whole spectrum.” I go, “Let’s just diversify it.” And so he said, “Let me have a few days and I’ll call you when I have some tracks.” Three days later, he calls me and says, “Why don’t you come by the studio? I have some stuff to play for you.”

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Where did it go from there? I went by the studio and he had like six tracks that he had written with drums on them, keyboard bass, and voice singing the main melody of a guitar. He said, “Take this home and get comfortable with it and let me know when you’ve got it down.”

This was something new for me because I usually write my own material. I took it home, listened to it, and worked my way around it. I felt like I was going to improv my way through the melodies and add my own shtick to it.

I went into the first session with him and I started playing something from the heart where I veered away from the melody. He said, “What are you doing?” I said, “I’m just playing what it is.” He said, “No, you have to play that melody exactly like I’m singing it.” I went, “Oh. OK.” He goes, “I’m treating you like you’re a vocalist and your guitar is the vocal.”

After conforming to that, I managed to get things down very quickly on the record. We worked on it in different time periods. We got as much done as I could when I was home and then I’d go tour and come back and work with him when he was available. We finished it over the duration of about a year with three, four weeks in the studio altogether.

Let’s talk about some of the specific songs. Tell me about your version of Prince’s “Purple Rain.” There’s a clip of me on the internet playing it in the Twin Cities right after he passed [in 2016]. I get a few sections in the [Journey] set to do my own thing. And I’ve been looping for years. And so a lot of times I’ll loop some chord changes to a song and improv my way through it.

That night, I didn’t really know what I was going to do. But I felt his presence and I played the chord changes. I overdubbed one of the melodies he did on the end. I put that in there and just blew through it and the audience really came unglued. It was his hometown, but he just passed and I captured the moment.

That stuck with me and I said to my friend Gary Cirimelli, who I did the [2001]  Voice record with, “Please do me an orchestration of ‘Purple Rain.'” He did an amazing job and I actually recorded that before I started the record with Narada.

You also tackle “Voodoo Child.” Clearly you weren’t shy about taking on some of the greatest guitarists of all time. You know what? They are in my blood. I grew up with these people and I’ve been playing a long time. I’d actually been jamming with Narada before at Golden Gate Park in front of about 100,000 people. He said, “We’re going to play ‘Voodoo Child.'” I said, “Great, I know it.” I jumped onstage and we jammed for a while and the audience loved it. It actually goes back in time where I played the Crossroads Festival for Eric Clapton. It was Narada, myself, Randy Jackson, and Jonathan Cain. It’s ironic that’s what Journey has become with Arnel.

We did play “Voodoo Child” that day, too. It was a no-brainer for me. I was like, “Why don’t we jam it out and have a live jam in the studio?” That is what we did. We played live, one take. You can tell that it falls apart a little when it goes into “Third Stone From the Sun” at the end. I was lost and playing and I had to find a place to put my arm up and then everyone jumps in a few seconds later. You can tell it was a little loose and we were just finding our way through it. I felt there was some magic there and being real since it wasn’t overdubbed to death. It was just what it was.

Why did you decide to revisit the Journey song “Lights?” That was Narada’s idea. I was not sure about it. I had done, with Gary Cirimelli the year before, a little EP [ Ave Maria ] around Christmas where I had done an instrumental version of “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” and “Can’t Help Falling in Love” by Elvis Presley. I had done it before with guitar instead of voice, but “Lights” I had never considered doing as a lead vocal on guitar. He talked me into it. I didn’t know what to think of it, but it sounded good for a guitar version. I tried to capture as many Steve Perry melodies as I could and implement them into the guitar in a soulful way. I think it came out well and people are loving it.

I like hearing vocal melodies on the guitar. Jeff Beck does it a lot, but it’s hard to pull off exactly right. Yeah. There’s something very difficult about it. I see a lot of young guitar players today that have dexterity beyond. I can comprehend what they’re doing technically, but I’m not that interested in trying to do it myself because I’ve never been a scale guy. I was listening more to horn players and vocalists.

Steve Perry Signs to New Label, Contemplates Solo Tour: 'I Miss It Terribly'

Hear the journey tune steve perry rerecorded with steve lukather's son.

To convey a melody and play it very simply is not an easy task, especially when it’s a slow melody. There’s plenty of room for mistakes and loss of feel. You can lose the feel of it in two seconds flat because there’s no lyrics you’re playing along with. That actually helps you dictate the melody when you hear a singer sing. It’s all about placement, phrasing, and how the vibrato goes, where you put it. It’s complicated and it comes much easier to me as a musician than it does to other guys because I’ve always been a melody guy.

Tell me about your version of “Hey Jude” that ends the record. I had played “Hey Jude” back east in New Jersey, I believe, in some theater we were playing. I looped that one night. I played the chords first, just the ending, and then I looped the melody and had the whole audience singing the song. I went, “Wow, this could be a possible way just to end the record.” As a Beatles fan, I loved it.

What’s the status of the new Journey record? We’re deep in it. It’s coming along, man. It’s really shaping up. Narada and I have been working nonstop. Jonathan [Cain] is also working from his houses in Florida and Nashville. Arnel is working from Manila. Randy Jackson is working mostly from L.A. And it’s one of those Zoom sessions and it sounds phenomenal. It sounds like we’re all playing in the room at the same time. I actually can’t wait until we do get together and start putting the show together. The new single should be coming out mid-February.

Working remotely must have been a big adjustment at first. Yeah. It was at first. What I was really grateful for is that I’m willing to get together with Narada and work with just drums and guitar, which is something I’ve always done with drummers working on records. We’re able to map out and get things feeling right. Narada is very accomplished. He can play keyboards and bass keyboards, and we kind of fill out the tracks. And then everyone does their parts. The end result is sounding amazing.

How is Arnel doing? Arnel sounds very, very strong. I think this break has been good for him. He’s back in there, I feel, like when we first got him. His vocals sound very, very good. We’re planning on a full album release in 2021 before we get back to touring. We did book our first show of 2021. We’re going to be headlining Lollapalooza in Chicago on July 31st unless they move it. My fingers are crossed that everyone is going to get the vaccine and feel good and get back to it. I’m just so looking forward to playing with the new band. Post Malone is headlining at the same time as us about a mile away on another stage. It’ll be interesting.

How have the new members changed the band’s sound? Do you have a different groove now? You have to hear it for yourself. It still sounds very much like Journey thanks to the songwriting, my guitar playing, and the vocals. But the rhythm section is definitely a powerhouse. Narada has been known for years, and Randy Jackson is a completely monstrous bass player. Some people may not be aware of his work, but they have credentials that go way, way back. Randy and I have always been pretty in tune, and Narada and I are in tune. And now it’s coming together. It’s got a new strut to it.

There’s nothing we really can’t play. I’ve got a track I laid down with Narada the other day. I sent it to Arnel and he was freaking out. He said, “This sounds like brand-new Hendrix or Prince. Please write more of that.” And I was just messing around. It was just a jam we did and it turned out to be monstrous. We’re creating. We aren’t afraid to go to new places. It’s easy to stay safe and write where we have always been. We have a bit of that so we don’t lose everyone, but at the same token, this is a new chapter of Journey. I want to go where we have not gone before.

Why did you leave Azoff management and sign with Q Prime? It was a long time coming from myself. I had a falling out with old management and just didn’t agree with a lot of things the way they were coming down or the way that things were being treated that I was bringing up. I felt like they made it seem like I was an outcast even though this was a band that I started. Azoff actually said to me, “Why don’t you quit?” at one point. I said, “I’m not quitting. I’ve been here all my life. Why don’t you quit?”

We kind of went at it. Finally, I made the move. I said, “I don’t know what’s going to happen from here, but I feel like it’s time.” I remember that I talked to Peter Mensch over at Q Prime about a year before that, telling him that I really wanted to make a change. He said that contractually we had to get to this point before we could do anything. When we finally got to that point, I called Peter back up. He said, “This is a no-brainer. We’d love to manage you.”

I’m really happy. They understand the guitar. Cliff [Burnstein] is awesome. I’ve only talked to him a few times, but I can tell we’re on the same wavelength. I send him stuff, unfinished and finished, and I’ll crank up the guitar and he goes, “Oh, yeah. That’s it.” Then we’ll get on the phone with Jonathan [Cain], myself and him, and Jonathan will go, “Do you want the softer version?” They’ll go, “No, we don’t want the softer version. We want the heavier version.” I love the guys.

You and Jonathan Cain are clearly in a much better place than you were a few years ago. How did you patch things up? We found out that there was a lot of miscommunication that I felt was coming from management. The divide-and-conquer situation was going on. They were saying I said things that I didn’t say. I heard it had happened with other bands from guitar techs that I had been with. It was happening in the Van Halen camp between Eddie and Sammy. I was just like, “I’m seeing the same scenario.”

Once we got past all the crap and we talked everything out, we found out that a lot of it was just b.s. and we were actually good. Him and I are still very tight as songwriters. There’s still magic there. He’s still creating amazing music, even without me, but us together, we create something that really sounds like Journey.

Some fans were surprised to see him play in the house band at the White House during the RNC a few months ago. What did you think about that? You know what? I learned to just stay in my music lane through that whole fiasco. I think everyone knows my feelings about politics and religion in music. I just decided that I was going to keep my friendship with him and the music with him. We’re still creating great stuff. I got to a place where I said, “It’s a free world. Everyone has the right to do whatever they want to do.”

In a way, it’s like Mick and Keith. They are two very different people, but they come together in a band and it works. Exactly. That tension leads to great music and not agreeing … Jon and I always have been like that. We’re like bookends with all the music in between. Where we start from is two completely different places. He usually starts from music, melody, and piano. I start from a rocking track. There’s a lot of melody on the new songs we’ve been laying down. We’ve gotten very comfortable with singing on it right afterwards with Narada helping me, giving me the confidence, and so I have a lot of the melodies. I recall even in the old Journey with Steve Perry when I’d hum a few things and he’d go, “Oh, I like that.” Then he’d do his own thing to it. There’s a road map there if you aren’t afraid to put it down.

How about tour-wise? The Pretenders 2020 tour was called off. Might you go out with them in the future? I don’t know what management has planned. We love playing with the Pretenders, but I don’t know if that’s where they are going or even if they are available. I definitely enjoy playing with them. They have so many great songs. Chrissie [Hynde] was very nice. The whole band was. I felt that it was complementary to our show, even with Def Leppard. I don’t know what Peter and Cliff are thinking over at Q Prime, but I’m definitely open to that. And I love the Def Leppard guys. I’m open to that, too. But this time we have to bring our PA. [ Laughs ]

I’ve heard rumblings about a biopic about Arnel. Do you think that’s going to happen? I think it’s something that will come down. The story of me finding him on YouTube is sort of unbelievable. I remember when I first told people I had found him. They were like, “Come on, man. Did you just make this up?” It was like a Cinderella story that was too good to believe. We made the documentary [ Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey ] off the fact we found him in Manila, not New York or L.A., and I heard his voice and went, “This is the guy. I know it’s the guy.” Apparently Warner Bros. thinks is a great story too. I think they are going to make it. I don’t know when. I don’t believe they’ve even started. I think they are still writing the script.

Who would play you? Uh … the only meeting we had took place when we last played in Vegas. They were they talking about Joaquin [Phoenix]. That’s what this director said. [ Laughs ] I was like, “OK!” [ Laughs ]

You could play yourself, I suppose. Have you thought about that? I have not thought about that, but it’s not ruled out. I’d probably prefer not to. It’s gotta be so time consuming. At one point, I was going to try and get into some movie stuff and I was taking some acting classes. Everyone was like, “You look like a young James Caan.” This was way back in the Eighties. There were a couple of producers that were approaching me. But I went on a set and thought about it and auditioned and I was like, “Wow. This is so time-consuming. I can do four albums in the time it takes to do one movie.” I’m too impatient. I like to move quickly, so I doubt I’d be the right choice for it.

Is your Journey spinoff band Journey Through Time something that can get back on the road in the future? Fans loved seeing you back with Gregg Rolie and playing the really old songs. I was met with a lot of resistance from some of the former band members and the trademark guy that was sort of working for Journey, I’m finding out. There were many trademark issues I’ve gotten to the bottom of. I’ve cleaned everything up 1,000 percent. There were too many handshake deals and money deals and no real contracts. I was like, “OK, it’s time for all this to stop and for everyone to get treated fairly and equally.”

They were having a real problem with me using Neal Schon’s Journey Through Time, the name of the band. I don’t see why. It has been my journey from my life and the fans loved it. But to tell you the truth, I foresee us being able to do that with the new band; I foresee us being able to play in two different places. I feel like we can play these outdoor festivals with bands like Phish or for that audience and dive into the older material and play that stuff very well and take it to a new place.

Also, we can play in the 20,000-seaters or the coliseums we were doing with Pretenders and Def Leppard. I feel like it’s two different audience we can play to. The main thing is just playing longer where you can dive deeper into the older stuff and making it all work together.

Do you think you could bring Gregg Rolie into the fold at some point, at least for the jam-focused shows? We might talk about that. I’d have to see what Jonathan thought about that. But it’s not really on my plate right now. It’s something I definitely enjoyed. We were picking up speed very quickly before it was taken down. We had a whole tour that was ready to go. And then Gregg unavailable and then [drummer-vocalist] Deen [Castronovo] wasn’t available. There was a lot of politics involved.

Are you close to resolving the legal dispute with Steve Smith and Ross Valory? Unfortunately, no. [ Laughs ] We will, eventually. I have confidence that we will. It is going to be what it is. We’ve already made that choice and we’re moving on. But we’re not about to get held up, either. We’re going to start playing and ultimately we can settle this and come to a mutual agreement.

Do you ever see a day in the future where you’d play with them again? Who knows? I’ve known these guys for a long time. I didn’t agree with the way they went about business. I had been in a situation in the band with management and some of them for a long time where I felt like they were trying to make me leave. I was catching on to a lot of things that I’m getting to the bottom of now, business-wise.

I spoke with Steve Perry a few weeks ago. He says he misses playing live. As just a fan of his, are you hoping he’ll tour? I am. I was hoping he would tour when he released his record a couple of years ago. After going through the pandemic, I imagine that most everyone that has ever toured is dying to tour. I miss it so much, that energy you get from the audience that you throw back. I’m totally missing that. I’m sure everyone that has ever been onstage is missing that. I’m hoping that he would really do it. He should. He sounds in good voice and he could do it. I hope he’ll actually do it because he talked about it last time.

Are you still hoping that at some point in the future, the two of you will be able to sit down and be friends again? I’m still trying to talk to him directly on the telephone. For some reason, I don’t know if it’s him or his attorney, they do not want us to talk, or he feels uncomfortable. I’m sitting in the same place where I’m waiting to get on the phone or get together and have some coffee, but it just isn’t happening and it’s not because of myself.

It’s crazy that one rock band can get so complicated with all these feuding factions. It’s just people playing music together that a lot of people love. You know what? There’s a lot of things that get in the way, the conquer-and-divide thing. I believe that that’s been happening with him, too. When we got inducted into the Hall of Fame, I felt really connected to him again where it was emotional to see him after not seeing him for a long time. He was moved too. I felt, “Why is all this other crap happening for so long? Why did I feel like we couldn’t get together and talk?”

But at the end, it went right back to that. I watched him do the first interviews that he did. He talked very highly about myself like I’ve always talked about him and how happy he was to see me and the rest of the guys, but he said it was mainly me he was happy to see. And then all of a sudden, in all the interviews after that, after the first two where I felt like he was speaking from the heart, it took a left-hand turn and I was never mentioned again. It’s very weird, man. I felt like politics, once again, were in the way.

I guess the one constant in the whole Journey saga is you marching forward and keeping it alive. It is the ship I’ve been in from the very get-go. I’m the only guy that’s been there for every show, every record, every date. I’m the only guy. And my heart is still in it. We’re definitely moving forward and I’m happy with what I’m hearing. I’m moving. I’m going forward. I’m not going to sit in neutral and wait for things to settle out.

We’ll soon be approaching our 50th anniversary. It’s kind of mind-boggling to me, even sitting here telling you it’s been 50 years for me. It should be a great one. What I do know is that we’ve hardly spent any time abroad, but we are going to be taking this around the world and playing in countries and cities we’ve never been to before. Anytime we’ve done this before — like our first first show with Arnel [in Chile] when the audience went wild — we’d never been there before, but they went crazy. His audition was in front of 30 million people. He was scared to death. I had to push him out onstage.

I really feel like late 2021 and certainly 2022 will be a celebration of live music. I’ve got butterflies about the vibe I’m getting or what it’s going to be like when we put our show together. We’re not just going to play the same old show. We’re going to be adding a lot of new stuff. I know Randy and Narada, because I’ve jammed with them before.

It’s going to conform into a whole new thing. They aren’t afraid to try anything right on the spur of the moment onstage, which is where I’ve always been. I play by ear. If you go there, I’m going there, man. I learned to do that playing with Carlos Santana and Rolie and all the original Santana guys. I’m from that school and I love it.

I think we’ll construct a set in a way where we’ll have time for all of it and it won’t have to stay the same every night. We don’t have to conform to that. Everyone will be able to carry it and feel strongly about improvising on the spot and going with it.

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Journey Lead Singers In Order: History and Band Members

In this article, we delve into the captivating history of Journey, an iconic rock band that has left an indelible mark on the music industry. From their humble beginnings to their meteoric rise to fame, Journey has mesmerized audiences worldwide with their unique sound and timeless hits. Join us on a journey through time as we explore the remarkable story of this legendary band.

Formation of the Band

Journey was formed in 1973 in San Francisco, California, bringing together a group of highly talented musicians. The founding members included Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie, Ross Valory, Aynsley Dunbar, and George Tickner. With their combined musical prowess and creative vision, they set out to create something extraordinary.

Early Years and Musical Style

During their early years, Journey experimented with a fusion of rock, jazz, and progressive influences, creating a distinctive sound that set them apart from their contemporaries. Their self-titled debut album, released in 1975, showcased their musical versatility and marked the beginning of their incredible journey.

Evolution and Breakthrough Success

In 1977, Journey underwent a significant change that would forever shape its destiny. Steve Perry joined the band as their lead vocalist, injecting new energy and unparalleled vocal range into their music. This lineup change proved to be a turning point for Journey, leading to a series of chart-topping albums and unforgettable songs.

Chart-topping albums and Hit Singles

Journey’s breakthrough came in 1978 with the release of their album “Infinity,” which became a massive success. The album spawned the hit singles “Wheel in the Sky” and “Lights,” propelling Journey into the mainstream spotlight. They continued their winning streak with subsequent albums, including “Evolution” (1979) and “Departure” (1980), which produced hits like “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'” and “Any Way You Want It.”

The Iconic Album: “Escape”

In 1981, Journey released their most iconic album to date, “Escape.” This album elevated their status as rock superstars and solidified their place in music history. Featuring the mega-hits “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” and “Who’s Crying Now,” “Escape” became an instant classic, captivating audiences with its emotionally charged lyrics and powerful melodies.

The Power Ballad Era

Journey’s success continued into the mid-1980s, defined by the rise of power ballads that struck a chord with fans worldwide. Songs like “Faithfully,” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” and “Send Her My Love” showcased the band’s ability to create heartfelt and anthemic ballads that resonated deeply with listeners.

A Change in Direction

As the 1990s approached, Journey faced challenges and underwent significant lineup changes. Steve Perry departed from the band in 1987, leading to a period of transition as they searched for a new lead vocalist. Despite these challenges, Journey remained resilient and continued to produce music that captivated its loyal fan base.

Journey’s Enduring Legacy

Although the band’s popularity waned in the late 1990s, their music never faded from the hearts of their dedicated fans. Journey’s timeless classics continue to resonate with audiences of all ages, thanks to their emotional depth, infectious melodies, and inspiring lyrics. Their songs have become anthems for perseverance, love, and the power of music itself.

Past Journey band members include the following:

• Steve Perry (1977-1998)
• Aynsley Dunbar (1974-1978)
• Robert Fleischman (1977)
• Steve Smith (1978-1985, 1995-1998)
• Randy Jackson (1985-1987)
• Steve Augeri (1998-2006)

Current Journey band members:

• Neal Schon – Guitar (1973-present)
• Jonathan Cain – Keyboards (1980-present)
• Ross Valory – Bass (1973-1985, 1995-present)
• Arnel Pineda – Vocals (2007-present)
• Deen Castronovo – Drums (1998-present)

Lead Singers of Journey

Van Halen Lead Singers In Order: A Journey Through the Years

Black Sabbath Singers In Order: Ever-Changing Lineup of Black Sabbath

The Original Journey: Gregg Rolie’s Era

Gregg Rolie, a two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee, served as the original lead singer of Journey. He began his musical career as a co-founder and lead vocalist of Santana before joining forces with Neal Schon to form Journey. Rolie’s soulful voice and exceptional skills as a keyboardist and harmonicist contributed to the band’s early success. He showcased his talent on albums like “Journey,” “Look into the Future,” and “Next.” However, Rolie transitioned to co-lead vocals when Steve Perry joined the band in 1977.

Steve Perry: The Voice of Journey’s Greatest Hits

Steve Perry, widely recognized as the quintessential Journey lead singer, propelled the band to unprecedented heights during their most commercially successful era. Born with a gift for singing, Perry’s powerful and emotive vocals struck a chord with audiences worldwide. With Perry at the helm, Journey released a string of chart-topping albums, including “Infinity,” “Escape,” and “Frontiers.” Iconic songs like “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” and “Faithfully” became anthems for a generation. Perry’s remarkable songwriting abilities and magnetic stage presence contributed to the band’s enduring legacy.

Current Lead Singer: Arnel Pineda

Following Steve Perry’s departure in 1987, Journey experienced a series of lead singer changes. Steve Augeri, known for his vocal range and stage charisma, took over from 1998 to 2006. Jeff Scott Soto briefly joined the band in 2006, leaving his mark with his distinctive style. However, it was Arnel Pineda who breathed new life into Journey as the current lead singer. Pineda’s incredible vocal resemblance to Steve Perry, coupled with his dynamic stage presence, won the hearts of fans worldwide. Since 2008, Pineda has seamlessly integrated into the band, injecting fresh energy and passion into their performances.

Journey’s Enduring Discography: Albums That Defined an Era

Over the past five decades, Journey has released a diverse and extensive discography, showcasing their musical prowess and creativity. Let’s explore some of their most iconic albums:

“ Infinity ” (1978): With Steve Perry as the lead singer, “Infinity” marked a significant turning point for Journey. It featured hit singles like “Wheel in the Sky” and “Lights,” solidifying their place in the rock music landscape.

“ Escape ” (1981): This album became a monumental success, boasting chart-topping hits such as “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Open Arms.” “Escape” catapulted Journey to international stardom and remains one of their most beloved records.

“ Frontiers ” (1983): Building upon their previous success, “Frontiers” showcased Journey’s evolution with tracks like “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” and “Faithfully.” The album’s polished production and memorable hooks solidified Journey’s status as one of the biggest rock bands of the 1980s.

“ Raised on Radio ” (1986): Released during the band’s final years with Steve Perry, “Raised on Radio” featured a more radio-friendly sound and produced hits like “Be Good to Yourself” and “I’ll Be Alright Without You.” Despite tensions within the band, the album showcased their ability to create catchy, melodic rock tunes.

“ Revelation ” (2008): With Arnel Pineda as the lead singer, “Revelation” marked a new chapter for Journey. The album featured new recordings of their classic hits, reaffirming Pineda’s vocal prowess and rekindling the band’s popularity among longtime fans and a new generation.

“ Eclipse ” (2011): Continuing their musical journey with Pineda, Journey released “Eclipse,” a record that showcased their ability to evolve while staying true to their roots. The album demonstrated their enduring songwriting skills and featured tracks like “City of Hope” and “Edge of the Moment.”

“Escape & Frontiers Live in Japan” (2019): As a testament to their enduring appeal, Journey released a live album featuring their performances of the “Escape” and “Frontiers” albums in their entirety. The release showcased the band’s timeless hits in a live setting, capturing the energy and excitement of their concerts.

Journey’s Impact and Legacy

Journey’s impact on the rock music landscape cannot be overstated. With their infectious melodies, anthemic choruses, and powerful vocals, they carved out a unique sound that resonated with millions of listeners. Their music transcended generations, becoming the soundtrack to countless moments and capturing the hearts of fans worldwide.

Steve Perry’s tenure as the lead singer marked the band’s most successful period, and his distinct voice became synonymous with Journey’s sound. His emotional delivery and ability to connect with audiences elevated their songs to new heights and created an unparalleled legacy.

Arnel Pineda’s addition to the band injected new energy into Journey and allowed them to continue their musical journey. Pineda’s remarkable vocal resemblance to Perry breathed new life into the band’s live performances, earning him a dedicated fanbase and ensuring that Journey’s music lives on.

Journey’s timeless hits continue to be celebrated and embraced today. Songs like “Don’t Stop Believin'” have become cultural touchstones, appearing in films, TV shows, and sporting events, and capturing the imaginations of new generations of listeners.

Journey Band Member’s Ages

Here, is the list of all the Journey member’s ages. It seems like all of the Journey band members are above 50 and below 80.

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NEAL SCHON Announces Long-Awaited Official Release of “Journey Through Time” Live Album

Frontiers Music Srl will release Neal Schon ‘s “Journey Through Time” , a live concert recorded on February 9, 2018 at The Independent In San Francisco, California, on May 19, 2023. This is the show where Schon , founding member of the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame -inducted band JOURNEY , first debuted “Journey Through Time” along with two-time Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame inductee and former JOURNEY and SANTANA band-mate Gregg Rolie . Joining Schon and Rolie were current JOURNEY member Deen Castronovo on vocals and drums, Marco Mendoza ( THIN LIZZY , WHITESNAKE ) on bass, and John Varn on keyboards and vocals.

Performing to a sold-out crowd for a benefit show to raise money for victims of the fires that had ravaged the North Bay area of the San Francisco region in October 2017, the band played songs spanning JOURNEY ‘s entire catalog, largely focusing on the band’s ’70s repertoire, including the band’s first three albums, “Journey” , “Look Into The Future” and “Next” .

Watch a performance of the classic Journey track “Lights” below and pre-order the album HERE .

Multi- Grammy -nominated Schon founded JOURNEY in 1972 and remains the sole consistent member, having participated in every album and tour to date. Before founding JOURNEY , Schon was also a member of SANTANA and has performed with a variety of other acts, including BAD ENGLISH , HARDLINE and HSAS , and with Jan Hammer and Paul Rodgers ( BAD COMPANY , FREE ). He has released 10 solo albums over the course of his career as well, with his guitar style being described as soulful and melodic and admired by such fellow legends as Eric Clapton and Prince . JOURNEY ‘s worldwide sales have reached over 100 million records, making them one of the world’s best-selling bands of all time. Chart-topping hits such as “Don’t Stop Believin'” , “Open Arms” , “Lights” , “Faithfully” and “When You Love A Woman” are regarded as some of the defining songs of the rock n’ roll musical canon.

“Journey Through Time” track listing:

1. I’m Gonna Leave You 2. Look Into The Future 3. Kohoutek 4. Daydream 5. La Do La 6. Line Of Fire 7. Walk’s Like A Lady 8. Feelin’ That Way 9. Anytime 10. Lights 11. Still They Ride 12. Separate Ways 13. Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’ 14. Wheel In The Sky 15. Patiently (Medley) 16. Trial By Fire (Medley) 17. Stay Awhile (Medley) 18. Mystery Mountain 19. Of A Lifetime 20. Just The Same Way 21. Lovin’ You Is Easy 22. Lady Luck 23. You’re On Your Own 24. Hustler 25. Nickle And Dime 26. People 27. Mother Father 28. Any Way You Want It 29. Don’t Stop Believin’ 30. Black Magic Woman 31. Oye Como Va

“Journey Through Time” Artwork

Recording lineup:

• Neal Schon / Guitar
• Gregg Rolie / Keyboards, Vocals
• Marco Mendoza / Bass
• Deen Castronovo / Drums, Vocals
• John Varn / Keyboards, Vocals

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I would like the concert video of the entire show – is it available? If so where can I order

The article contains the pre-order information