Journey guitarist Neal Schon recently addressed the characterization of the band’s pre-Steve Perry era. He shared his response on X (formerly Twitter) to an article published by Louder Sound.
The Louder Sound article shared a specific view of Journey’s early days and their pre-Perry sound.
“Journey were a noodling jazz-rock band with a cult following – until they discovered Steve Perry and made 1978’s Infinity,” the article stated.
Schon offered a firm rebuttal to this characterization. “Jamming not noodling as you call it but if you don’t play you wouldn’t get it. We were 1 of the original Jam bands from SF before there were Jam bands.”
His response noted Journey’s rich musical history before their mainstream success. It particularly emphasizes their roots in the San Francisco music scene.
Journey’s official website noted the band’s formation in San Francisco in 1973. The founding members came from prestigious groups, including Santana, the Steve Miller Band, and Frumious Bandersnatch.
Historical records show the band’s early musical identity through their first three albums: ‘Journey’ (1975), ‘Look Into the Future’ (1976), and ‘Next’ (1977). These albums showcased an experimental jazz-rock style. They featured extensive instrumental jams that reflected their connection to the San Francisco jam band scene.
KCRW’s documentation indicates that these early albums didn’t achieve strong commercial success. However, they demonstrated the band’s dedication to instrumental virtuosity and improvisation. Schon continues to defend these elements today.
The band’s transition to a more radio-friendly sound began when Steve Perry joined as lead vocalist for 1978’s ‘Infinity’ album. This marked a new chapter in Journey’s evolution. Their original artistic vision remained intact despite this change.
This historical background reinforces Schon’s recent comments. It underscores his commitment to preserving Journey’s legacy as a pioneering instrumentalist in the San Francisco music scene.
