When Journey released their album “Freedom” last year, they toured the globe with friends Billy Idol and Toto. The Freedom Tour will continue in 2023 with Toto remaining on the bill, and as added excitement, Journey is also celebrating their 50th Anniversary.
You don’t get to 50 years as a band without a little drama, and since Journey’s formation in San Francisco in the early ‘70s, there is enough history to fill a book or two. Founding member Neal Schon remains the sole original member and is regarded as one of the most recognized guitarists in the world.
The Journey of today is fortunate to have additional incredible members: Jonathan Cain (keyboards/rhythm guitar), who has a solo career as a contemporary Christian artist; Arnel Pineda (vocals), who was recruited to join the band in 2007; Deen Castronovo (drums), who used to play with Ozzy Osborne and Bad English; Todd Jensen (bass), who joined after Randy Jackson left due to his back surgery; and Jason Derlatka (keyboards), who is a two-time Emmy nominated composer.
While Journey shot to fame with Steve Perry on vocals, Pineda has brought his own flare and style to the group and continues to keep Journey popular with fans all these decades later.
Journey will kick off the next leg of the Freedom Tour this Saturday in Pennsylvania, then make stops along the East Coast, where OC Music News will catch up with them in North Carolina. They will end the tour in California with appearances in Stockton, Bakersfield, and Fresno in the later part of April.
As much as we love the new material on “Freedom,” we look forward to singing along to the classics “Don’t Stop Believing,’” “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” “Who’s Crying Now,” “Stone in Love,” “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” “Still They Ride,” “Lights,” “Wheel in the Sky,” and “Any Way You Want It.”
Their songs are such an integral part of our lives and are played in all kinds of situations. Signature song “Don’t Stop Believin’” has been featured in numerous films and TV shows (Hello, Tony Soprano), and was played in a New York hospital every time a COVID patient was discharged. It is so popular, in fact, it has streamed more than a billion times on Spotify alone!
If you just can’t wait for the tour and need some live Journey right this instant, check out Journey’s “Live in Concert at Lollapalooza” which was just realized in December 2022.
It’s worth mentioning that Journey isn’t your parent’s band. The newer generation has hopped on the Journey bandwagon and I think it’s fair to say that true talent can’t be constrained to space or time. Their music lives within us, around us, and will continue to be a favorite of future generations.
There’s no word just yet on any SoCal dates, but with Journey you never know. In the meantime, catch Journey in their upcoming concerts and celebrate their 50th Anniversary when they come to your neck of the woods!
