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Journey
www.journeymusic.com

Whe n this San Francisco band was first formed in 1973 band members could not decide upon a name, so a contest was held by radio station KSAN to give the band a name. The winning entry - and band name - was Journey.

While lead singer Steve Perry became the most familiar name in the band, membership in the band shifted frequently in the early years; it is guitarist Neil Schon who is the one member that remained constant throughout all the turmoil.

Journey's early releases were predominately jazz rock instrumentals. It wasn't until Steve Perry joined the group as the singer in 1977 that vocals were added. The band's first album release after the addition of Perry was "Infinity". Journey had found their missing element and "Infinity" sold one million copies in the first year of release.

But is was "Escape" that is considered Journey's breakout album which included three singles that went on the become hits.

Journey separated for a short time but returned in 1994. In 1996 Steve Perry left the group never to return.

What might turn out to be a surprise to all but avid Journey fans is that the most famous member of Journey is not Steve Perry but the "Dawg" man himself American Idol judge Randy Jackson who was a member of the band as the bass player for a short time.

Besides their numerous hit records Journey has appeared on the soundtrack for the movie "Armageddon" and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005.

The Journey hit "Don't Stop Believin'" was used in the final episode for the hit television series "The Sopranos". The song has also been covered as a dance mix tune by pop singer Brian Kent.

Scoring hit records is a mark of success in the music business, but sustaining record sales over many years is an even better sign of that success. Since their first release Journey has amassed 21 gold records - both singles and albums -, 13 platinum, and numerous multi platinum awards including "Escape" which has been certified platinum nine times over. The RIAA certifies an album gold for 500,000 copies sold and platinum for one million copies sold. A platinum award is given for each additional one million copies sold. But the biggest reward for record sales is the seldom achieved Diamond Record which is awarded for an album which has reaches the 10 million mark in sales. Journey's "Greatest Hits" album has reached that mark and surpassed the Diamond Record status with 14 million copies sold.

Members of Journey - with or without lead singer Steve Perry - "Don't Stop Believin'" in performing for fans and continue to tour.

Learn more about this author, Sherrill Fulghum.
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