Journey

Founded in San Francisco in 1973 by former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch, Journey initially pursued a rock style with jazz-fusion and progressive leanings before shifting toward a more melodic sound in the late 1970s. Early studio albums — Journey (1975), Look into the Future (1976), and Next (1977) — emphasized extended instrumental sections; the arrival of vocalist Steve Perry and the release of Infinity (1978) signaled a turn toward more accessible rock, driven by keyboards and catchy choruses. In the early 1980s, Journey established itself within AOR and arena rock with albums such as Escape (1981) and Frontiers (1983), which combined uptempo cuts, power ballads, and melodies centered on Neal Schon’s guitar and keyboard arrangements. After Raised on Radio (1986), the band’s activity became more intermittent, marked by singer changes and a studio return with Trial by Fire (1996), followed by Arrival (2001). From 2007 onward, Journey reorganized around Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain; the arrival of singer Arnel Pineda sparked a new period of international touring and recording, including Revelation (2008), Eclipse (2011), and Freedom (2022), continuing a melodic rock approach where arena-ready anthems coexist with more pop-leaning ballads.