2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Inductees Journey
Jul 10 2020

Inductee Insights

Journey

Inductee Insights explores the artists that have changed the course of rock’s history with their evolution of sound.

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As their name suggests, Journey’s career has been an epic adventure since day one. A meteoric force in the stadium rock scene, Journey insured their legacy in rock ‘n’ roll history using a mix of musical virtuosity, soaring balladry and undeniable appeal.

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Inductee Insights: Journey

Inductee Insights explores the artists that have changed the course of rock’s history with their evolution of sound.

Inductee Insights: Journey

Inductee Insights explores the artists that have changed the course of rock’s history with their evolution of sound.

At the start, Journey experimented with space & prog rock. But eventually they added vocalist Steve Perry. His unique voice would solidify the band’s signature rock anthem sound and make them global icons.

 

Perry’s sound was a perfect blend of soulful crooning and powerful caterwauling– and it defined early hits like the rollicking “Wheel in the Sky”  and “separate ways” The track was one of Journey’s first songs to truly make use of Perry’s crystal-clear natural instrument.

 

From the late '70s and into the '80s, Journey would use this fresh start to completely reinvent their sound with the elements like: arpeggiated synths, power chords, piano rock, and stratospheric vocals.

 

Influenced by the theatrical pomp of artists like Queen & Led Zeppelin as well as the psychedelic riffs of Santana and Jefferson Airplane, Journey had somehow bridged the colossal rock of the 70s with the melodic pop of the decades to come.

He said to me, “Son, don’t stop believing,” on a life-changing phone call

Jonathan Cain

“Don't Stop Believin'” is the greatest example of this: From Jonathan Cain's galloping keyboard riffs,  to Neal Schon’s precise guitar solos, and Steve Smith’s thundering percussion to finally the song’s unconventional structure - all of these elements helped Journey leave an indelible mark on pop music.

 

In an era where listeners valued homegrown authenticity and powerful musicianship, Journey distilled both into a winning formula. This influence caught on.

 

After the release of Journey’s Escape, bands like Bon Jovi, Def Leppard and White snake  were all producing tracks that  followed Journey’s playbook: extremely catchy, anthemic choruses, explosive power rock chords  and lyrics sing alongs.

These days, Steve Perry's volcanic stage presence and flair for showman can be seen in both indie rock bands like Arcade Fire and the flaming lips as well as pop stars like Kelly Clarkson and Adam Lambert.

 

The artists continue to push against the conformity of stadium rock with their irrefutable charm and rock-solid vocal chops. Lambert has even picked up the mantle left by Freddie Mercury by currently touring with Queen.  

 

Journey helped open the doors to pop-tinged rock that was as hard rocking as metal & classic Rock, but as infectious and melodic as Top 40 playlists. Journey's anthems can still be heard today playing regularly during sports games, campaign tours, singing competition and many other big moments in life.

This Is Journey

2017 Inductees Journey Together On Stage