Ross Valory and Journey's 'Cinderella story'
Hard to believe it has been 35 years since a group of jazz-fusion musicians came together in San Francisco to create a group they envisioned as a back-up band for local artists, only to end up as a phenomenon we know as Journey.
But even their humble beginnings -- and historical indifference from critics -- can't hide an impressive run of commercial success that includes nearly a dozen top 20 anthems and worldwide album sales surpassing 75-million.
These days, the band is perhaps the biggest feel-good story of 2008, re-energized by the new album "Revelation" and the addition of Arnel Pineda, a Philippines-born singer whose pipes are eerily similar to legendary Journey frontman Steve Perry.
So imagine the total honor it was to talk today with bassist Ross Valory, one of two remaining founding members. Here are some highlights from the interview. (Look for the full podcast this weekend.)
Does it surprise you that Journey's not yet in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame? You've been eligible since 2000.
Ross Valory: "I'm not surprised at all. ... I don't lose sleep over it. It's all politics. Without being either negative or positive about it ... sooner or later it's gonna happen. I have a feeling it's going to happen sooner, but I'm still not going to hold my breath."
Does having Arnel Pineda onboard now finally put to rest the questions about Steve Perry returning to the band?
"With the fans and the public, yes, that does put it to rest. ... Even if we hadn't found Arnel, it would not have been any more likely than it has been since 1996 that [Perry] would return to the band."
Did Journey really find Pineda using the Internet?
"Neal Schon, our guitarist, was cruising the 'Net literally late one night, and literally in the 11th hour of completing our lineup for doing the record ... and he was at YouTube and he just typed in "Journey singer" or "Journey vocalist," and there he is, watching this guy sing these songs... He couldn't believe it."
What was your reaction when you heard him sing in person the first time?
"Goosebumps. ... And that's the way it was for all of us."
It makes for a nice fairy-tale year for you and the gang.
"It's a Cinderella story. ... Even Rolling Stone, which has never liked this band, has a story. ... And that's not to be glib or superficial. It's just the perfect story for a band's comeback."
-- Journey plays the Ford Amphitheatre in Tampa on July 30 along with Heart and Cheap Trick.
Relive the music, movies and culture of the greatest decade ever with Times online editor Steve Spears. A teen during the decade, Steve is obsessed with everything from Duran Duran to Journey, John Hughes to John Cusack, and parachute pants to Reaganomics.
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I didn't get a chance to see them either had to work. Plus i was kinda skeptical with the new singer and wasn't quite sure if he could really pull it off. So i bought the cd a day after the show played here in Tampa and i was totaly blown away!!! I can see why Neal loved this guy it lloks like this guy can see anything. They still had the great journey sound and all i can say is wo what a cd and wow what a awesome singer ARNEL is.
Posted by: Danny | August 06, 2008 at 05:36 PM
steve im gonna say you might get some hits on this blog. the journey section of the melodic rock message board has a link to this blog item.
http://forums.melodicrock.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=36326
Posted by: CHAD | July 23, 2008 at 02:24 AM
Great timing! I just got my CD by The Storm from Amazon today. I'll be looking forward to the podcast.
Posted by: Bassnote | July 23, 2008 at 12:03 AM
I have the new album and my God it gave me chills. Arnel sounds like a young Steve Perry with only raw potential. This kid has a great future ahead of him. I'm a hard sell when bands change lead singers and say that THIS guy is the guy, but this has me sold BIG TIME.
Posted by: Complaint Department Manager | July 22, 2008 at 11:57 PM
Madonna is in the Rock and Roll hall of fame,so go figure!
When it just comes to the music shows,i think Journey,Heart and Cheap Trick can be a better show than the Vegas one.
Posted by: Miguel | July 22, 2008 at 07:47 PM
doesn't look like i'll see them either. they'll be in OKC tomorrow night but i'll be stuck at work listening to the podcasts. i'm up to 99 now. i would much rather see journey, cheap trick and heart. ross is right about the hall of fame, it is all politics. there are some very good groups like journey and rush who it seems will never make it even though they meeet all of the criteria.
Posted by: don in tulsa | July 22, 2008 at 06:43 PM
woo hoo another journey podcast. the new cd rocks. it looks like i wont be seeing the guys this summer.
Posted by: CHAD | July 22, 2008 at 06:25 PM