By the release of 1981’s Escape, Journey had evolved into the ultimate American arena rock band, complete with clinical production and the finest collection of mullet hairdos in rock.
They effectively minted the ‘power ballad’, inspiring everyone from Bon Jovi to Mariah Carey, who covered Open Arms (from Escape). Needless to say, US rock radio loved them – eight Journey albums went multi-platinum as a result.
Of all the songs recorded in the 20th century, none has been downloaded more than Journey’s Don’t Stop Believin’. After being in the final episode of The Sopranos, then in Glee and TV talent shows, the song has become a global rock anthem, reviving the career of a band that was previously a household name only in their native America.
Journey’s 14th studio LP Eclipse (2011) proved that the band are still the masters of that much-mocked idiom, AOR.
Neal Schon
Guitar, vocals
Steve Perry
Vocals
Jonathan Cain
Keyboards, guitar, vocals
Gregg Rolie
Vocals, keyboards
George Tickner
Guitar, vocals
Ross Valory
Bass
Aynsley Dunbar
Drums
Robert Fleischman
Vocals
Steve Smith
Drums
Randy Jackson
Bass
Larrie Londin
Drums
Mike Baird
Drums
Arnel Pineda
Vocals