Book Review: Livin' Just to Find Emotion

Since exploding on the scene in the late 1970s, Journey has inspired generations of fans with hit after hit. But hidden under this rock ‘n’ roll glory is a complex story of ambition, larger-than-life personalities, and clashes. David Hamilton Golland unearths the band’s true and complete biography, based on over a decade of interviews and thousands of sources.

When Steve Perry joined jazz-blues progressive rock band Journey in 1977, they saw a rise to the top, and their 1981 album Escape hit #1. But Perry’s quest for control led to Journey’s demise. They lost their record contract and much of their audience. After the unlikely comeback of “Don’t Stop Believin’” in movies, television, and sports stadiums, a new generation discovered Journey.

Journey - Escape (35th anniversary)

Today (July 31st) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Escape, the seventh studio album from Journey. This 1981 record spent an amazing one hundred and forty-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at the number 1 spot.

For my full review of this early 80's classic, click here.

For even more from Journey, click here.

Journey - Departure (35th anniversary)

Tomorrow (March 23rd) marks the thirty fifth anniversary of Departure, the sixth studio album from Journey. It spent fifty-seven weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 8.

For the complete album review, click here.

For more from Journey, click here.

Vision Quest (soundtrack) (30th anniversary)

Today (February 12th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of the soundtrack from Vision Quest, a coming-of-age film from 1985 starring Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino and Daphne Zuniga. The album hit the shelves three days prior and featured an all-star roster. The album spent a total of twenty-three weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 11.

For more on this album, click here.

Journey - Evolution

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday.

Today (April 5th) marks the thirty-fifth anniversary of Evolution, the fifth studio album from the American rock band Journey. This 1979 release spent ninety-six weeks on the US Billboard Album chart, peaking at number 20. It also charted at number 100 in the UK, number 70 in Japan, number 37 in Canada, and number 36 in Sweden.

Two of a Kind (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Matinee Monday.

Today (December 16th) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Two of a Kind, the 1983 romantic comedy that re-teamed John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John. The two played criminally-minded individuals (he an inventor, she a bank teller) bent on protecting the Earth from God’s destruction. Unlike the former film that starred these two (1978’s film-adaptation of the musical Grease), this one was a critical and commercial flop.

Risky Business (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

In August of 1983, a movie about an entrepreneur high school Senior who is left alone while his parents are on a trip hit the movie theatres. Risky Business became a box office smash, launching a young Tom Cruise into stardom. The film also starred Rebecca De Mornay, Joe Pantoliano, Curtis Armstrong, Richard Masur and Bronson Pinchot.

Journey - Infinity

Welcome to another edition of Seventies Saturday.

Earlier this year (January 20th), Journey celebrated the thirty-fifth anniversary of Infinity, their fourth studio album and the first with Steve Perry as lead singer. This 1978 release charted at number 37 in Sweden, number 24 in Canada and number 21 on the US Billboard Hot 200. It was also the first album by the band to go multi-Platinum here in the US.

Journey - Frontiers

Today (February 22nd) marks the thirtieth anniversary of the release of Frontiers, the eighth studio album from the American rock band Journey. Lead singer Steve Perry, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, guitarist Neal Schon, drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory delivered another multi-Platinum album that has sold over 8 million copies world-wide. This was a follow up to 1981’s Escape (click here for that review).

Journey - Departure

Happy sixty-third birthday today (January 22nd) to Steve Perry.

On March 23rd of 1980, the American rock band Journey released their sixth studio album, the final full studio album for the band to include founding member and keyboardist Gregg Rolie. Departure has gone multi-Platinum in sales and ranked number 8 on the US Billboard Hot 200, number 48 on the Canadian charts, and number 61 on the Japanese charts.

Vision Quest (soundtrack)

Welcome to another edition of Soundtrack Sunday.

In 1985, a coming-of-age film that starred Matthew Modine, Linda Fiorentino and Daphne Zuniga hit theatres. Vision Quest told the story of a high school wrestler who falls for an older woman that is renting a room at his father's house. Madonna also makes an appearance in the film as a club singer. The film was moderately successful in theatres in the US, grossing $13 million.

The soundtrack album for Vision Quest was released three days prior to the film's opening. It boasted an interesting mix of performers.

Journey - Escape

Here is an album review, by request, from one of my faithful followers on Twitter. I always appreciate the feedback and suggestions.

On July 31st of 1981, the San Francisco based band Journey released their seventh studio album Escape which has become one of the biggest sellers of their career (second only to their greatest hits compilation). It went to number 59 in Germany, number 32 in the UK, number 26 in Japan, number 6 in Canada, and number 1 on the US Billboard Hot 100. It has been certified platinum many times over and features four hit singles as well as a couple album-oriented-rock radio staples. It was also the first album by the band with new keyboardist Jonathan Cain (who replaced Gregg Rolie who had left the band the prior year).