Journey is an iconic American rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1973. Originally called the Golden Gate Rhythm Section, the band was founded by former members of Santana. Over the course of their career, Journey has gone through several lineup changes but their core members have included guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist/vocalist Jonathan Cain.
Journey’s Popularity in the 1970s and 80s
Journey is best known for their hugely successful run in the late 1970s and 1980s. Between 1978 and 1987, the band scored 19 Top 40 singles in the US, including massive hits like “Don’t Stop Believin'”, “Open Arms”, and “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”. Their 1981 album Escape reached #1 on the Billboard album charts and went on to sell over 12 million copies. Journey was one of the most popular arena rock bands in the world during this period.
Some key facts about Journey’s popularity in the 70s and 80s:
- Journey has sold over 75 million records worldwide, making them one of the world’s best-selling bands.
- Between 1978 and 1987, Journey had 14 Top 20 singles and 7 Top 10 albums on the Billboard charts.
- Their 1981 album Escape spent over 453 weeks on the Billboard album charts.
- Journey was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
Journey’s incredible commercial success was fueled by lead singer Steve Perry’s soaring vocals and the blend of melodic pop songwriting and progressive rock musicianship. Songs like “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Faithfully” became anthems for generations of music fans.
Steve Perry Leaves Journey
Original Journey frontman Steve Perry was the face and voice of the band during their peak years. However, recurring health issues forced Perry to leave Journey in the late 1990s after their 1996 reunion album Trial by Fire.
Key facts about Steve Perry’s departure:
- Steve Perry first left Journey briefly in the late 1970s but rejoined in 1978 for their hit album Infinity.
- Perry last toured with Journey in 1987 before leaving for hip surgery.
- He rejoined Journey for their 1996 album Trial By Fire but left again soon after due to lingering hip problems.
- Steve Perry and Journey officially parted ways in 1998.
Perry’s departure left Journey without their iconic frontman. Over the next two decades, Journey would go through several lead singers trying to recapture their glory days.
Journey Finds a New Singer: Arnel Pineda
After Steve Perry’s departure, Journey struggled to find the right new lead singer. In 2007, guitarist Neal Schon discovered Arnel Pineda singing Journey covers with a Filipino rock band. Pineda’s powerful vocals and Perry-like tone made him the perfect fit to front the new Journey.
Key facts about Arnel Pineda:
- Arnel Pineda was born in the Philippines in 1967.
- Prior to Journey, he sang in several Filipino rock bands like Amo and The Zoo.
- Schon saw Pineda singing Journey covers on YouTube and invited him to audition in 2007.
- Pineda became Journey’s new official lead singer later in 2007.
Pineda’s first album with Journey was 2008’s Revelation, which was a major success. Journey had found their new frontman to carry on with touring and recording new music.
Journey Embarks on Recent Tours
In the 2010s and beyond, Journey has continued to tour extensively with Arnel Pineda out front. They still perform their catalog of classic 1970s and 80s hits for legions of longtime fans.
Some of Journey’s recent notable tours include:
- 2011-12: Eclipse Tour with Foreigner and Night Ranger
- 2015: San Francisco Fest shows with the Doobie Brothers, Dave Mason, and others
- 2017: Japan Tour and Las Vegas residency shows
- 2018: 60-date co-headlining tour with Def Leppard
- 2019: Las Vegas residency and symphony shows
Journey continues touring in 2022-2023 on their 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour. This celebratory tour features an incredible lineup of opening acts joining select dates:
Opening Act | Tour Dates |
---|---|
Toto | February-March 2022 |
Billy Idol | May-July 2022 |
Tears for Fears | September-November 2022 |
Sebastian Bach | January-February 2023 |
Sebastian Bach Joins Select 2023 Tour Dates
For their early 2023 Freedom Tour shows, Journey will be joined by a very special guest opener – none other than legendary former Skid Row frontman Sebastian Bach!
Sebastian Bach will open for Journey on the following 2023 tour dates:
- January 27 – Tampa, FL
- January 30 – Orlando, FL
- February 1 – Atlanta, GA
- February 4 – Atlantic City, NJ
- February 8 – Baltimore, MD
- February 11 – Albany, NY
- February 14 – Philadelphia, PA
- February 17 – Newark, NJ
This limited run with Bach joins an incredible lineup of legendary rockers that Journey has tapped to support them on their 50th anniversary tour celebrations. Bach rose to fame in the late 1980s as frontman of Skid Row, known for huge hits like “18 and Life” and “I Remember You.” After leaving Skid Row in 1996, Bach went on to a successful solo career. Like Journey, Skid Row achieved their biggest success during the hair metal 80s, making Sebastian Bach an exciting choice to open for Journey in early 2023.
Journey and Sebastian Bach Share Rock pedigree
While Journey and Sebastian Bach may come from slightly different eras and subgenres, they share a lot in common when it comes to rock credentials and influence.
- Both Journey and Skid Row achieved their biggest success in the 1980s music scene.
- They are known for big radio hits, MTV music videos, and larger-than-life frontmen in Steve Perry and Sebastian Bach.
- Journey and Skid Row have sold over 75 million and 20 million albums respectively.
- The two acts exemplify big-voiced, melodic hard rock and heavy metal.
- Each band has one classic iconic frontman (Perry and Bach) and has continued touring with different singers.
It’s easy to see why Journey sees Sebastian Bach as a fitting performer to share the stage with them in early 2023. His impressive vocal talents and shared hard rock history make for a great double bill.
Sebastian Bach’s Live Show and Setlist
As a solo artist without the rest of Skid Row behind him, Sebastian Bach puts on an energetic live show focused around his strong vocals. He has an excellent voice that has held up well over the years. Bach’s shows feature his Skid Row classics that fans love as well as his extensive catalog of solo material.
A typical Sebastian Bach 2023 setlist may include:
- “18 and Life”
- “Youth Gone Wild”
- “I Remember You”
- “Monkey Business”
- “Slave to the Grind”
- “American Metalhead”
- “TunnelVision”
- “(Love is) a Bitchslap”
It will be a treat for Journey fans to hear Sebastian Bach’s powerful voice belting out his Skid Row hits. His high energy stage presence also contrasts nicely with Journey’s more polished arena rock show.
Journey’s Recent Setlists and Possible Songs
While their sets vary from night to night, Journey’s 2022-2023 tour shows have generally featured a similar core setlist structure:
- Approx. 12 biggest radio hits like “Don’t Stop Believin'” and “Faithfully”
- 5-6 deeper cuts from the Steve Perry era like “La Do Da”
- 2-3 newer songs with Arnel Pineda like “After All These Years”
With their massive catalog, Journey has plenty of beloved hits to choose from. Here are some of the standouts they’ve been playing on recent tours:
- “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”
- “Open Arms”
- “Who’s Crying Now”
- “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'”
- “Only the Young”
- “Be Good to Yourself”
- “Stone in Love”
- “Wheel in the Sky”
It’s guaranteed that Journey will deliver multiple fan favorites and singalongs each night. Sebastian Bach will get the crowd primed as their opening act.
Conclusion
After a half-century as rock legends, Journey continues celebrating their legacy in 2023 by touring with one of the genre’s great frontmen, Sebastian Bach. While Steve Perry remains an inextricable part of the Journey story, current singer Arnel Pineda enables the band to keep sharing their iconic catalog with fans worldwide. The early 2023 Freedom Tour shows featuring Skid Row icon Sebastian Bach as opener will be a night of big rock vocals and hits. Journey may have a different look than their heyday, but they still deliver the memorable songs and live excitement that makes them one of rock’s most enduring Arena acts.