'Just a city boy. Born and raised in South Detroit...' so begins the iconic 'Don't Stop Believin'' heard in countless karaoke bars and classic rock stations around the world. It is one of over 250 tracks discussed in Journey: On Track, which covers 50 years of the band's recordings. The book follows the band from the extended jams of their early days to the heights of their popularity as an R&B-influenced powerhouse among America's arena rock gods, to their controversial career in the 21st century without 'The Voice', Steve Perry.
Journey were the brainchild of Walter 'Herbie' Herbert, the visionary who steered them through their most successful period. He built them from the remnants of Santana, featuring keyboardist/vocalist Gregg Rolie, and guitar wunderkind Neal Schon. But they really surged into the limelight with singer Steve Perry and new keyboardist Jonathan Cain.
The post-Perry history is filled with new music and the incredible story of vocalist Arnel Pineda. Critics dismissed them as 'corporate rock', but they've somehow managed to thrive commercially and culturally on the heritage rock circuit, releasing new albums and being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. They still fill arenas and stadiums with their devoted legions of fans.
Doug Thornton is an author and healthcare technology executive living in Virginia, USA. Growing up in Cincinnati, Ohio, he attended many Journey concerts in the area before moving to Hawaii, where he saw Journey in better weather. He is an avid collector of books, music, and musical instruments that he can't play. After listening to Infinity, he bought Journey's first three albums, which initially confused him but helped him appreciate their prodigious talents. While he never achieved the size of Neal Schon's 1970s afro, he did perm his hair throughout high school in homage to one of his favourite guitarists.
