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When you think of the term "arena rock", one of the bands that leap immediately to mind is 80s super band, Journey. In fact, anyone who was a teenager in the 80s probably has at least one Journey song on the soundtrack of their lives. Whether it was cruising to "Don't Stop Believing" or dancing at the prom to "Open Arms", Journey has rightfully earned its place in rock and roll history.

Journey was formed in 1973 by former Santana members Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon, as more of a rock fusion band primarily based on guitarist Neal's blazing talent on the guitar. Given he had joined Santana at the age of fifteen, this virtuoso was set to tear up the charts.

The problem was that the music was not marketable for radio. Even after scoring a record deal with Columbia and releasing three album, sales were disappointing. The record label suggested to former Santana roadie-turned manager Herbie Herbert to find a front-man for the band. Singer Robert Fleischman was hired and the band attempted to adopt a more popular style, but it was poorly received by the fans. Add to that some personality differences and Robert was gone within the year, not without contributing to a tour in 1977, where "Wheel in the Sky" was introduced.

It was during that year a demo happened upon Herbie's desk with a voice so pure and so distinctive, he immediately knew that it was the voice for Journey. That demo was from Alien Project, fronted by an unknown turkey farmer from central California named Steve Perry.

Steve was introduced to the band as one of the roadie's Portuguese cousins as he tagged along for the '77 tour, the true meaning of his presence kept under wraps so not to spook Robert - but ended up not only standing in during a sound check and ultimately sealing the deal of his replacing Fleischman, but co-writing the song "Patiently" with Neal.

It was a collaboration that would go on to produce many hits, even though his arrival - and the band's new direction - were both causes for pause in some band members as well as the fans. But Perry was determined to win the fans over.

It worked. The first album with Perry went to number 21 on the charts, with hit singles such as the new "Wheel in the Sky" with Perry at the helm, and the Perry written ballad "Lights".

Drummer Aynsley Dunbar was still unhappy with the direction of the music, which was decidedly more pop. He was replaced with jazz drummer Steve "Machine Gun" Smith, and the second album from Journey "Evolution" saw the band's first top

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