Following on its heels, Next, Journey’s third album, was a mixture of the styles on the first two, albeit without quite as much of their raw power. It did, however, show the results of Vallory and Schon working on their vocal prowess, with Schon even stepping up to the mic to sing lead on several songs.
Journey: Phase two
Check out the new video for this guitar and percussion-driven song by the leading Santana Tribute and Latin-rock band. 
By this time, the record label was impatient with Journey’s lackluster album sales, and pushed for the addition of a frontman/lead singer. A short lived stint by Robert Fleischman (who later recorded with heavy metal guitarist Vinnie Vincent) was followed by the addition of an unknown tenor out of central California: Steve Perry. 
Latin-Rock Video
The beginnings of this relationship were definitely stilted. “When we heard [Perry’s] demo, we thought, ‘Aw man, he’s a crooner,’ ” recounts Rolie in a later interview. “We wanted to rock.” On Perry’s side, he was afraid that the progressive, edgy guitar sound of the first three Journey albums had no place for the style of singing with which he felt comfortable. Check out the new video for this guitar and percussion-driven song by the leading Santana Tribute and Latin-rock band.
Latin-Rock Video
Schon leads the way
From the beginning, the union was an unqualified musical success. While Rolie had previously been the dominant songwriter, Schon and Perry now stepped into that position. As a guitarist and arranger, Schon transitioned into the new, pop-vocal format as if he had been born to the role.
His catchy, melodic guitar playing became, if anything, even more memorable. Streamlined by the vocal style of Perry and enhanced in the studio by producer Roy Thomas Baker (Queen, et al) Schon’s guitar become the perfect complement to Perry’s approachable vocal lines. The band’s fourth album, Inifinity, introduced a new Journey that took off like a shot, and just kept going. What he uses currently, as well as the history of the amps, guitars, effects, and more that he has been using throughout his career.
Carlos’ Gear
Rise of a supergroup
After Infinity, drummer Dunbar was replaced with Steve Smith, who had gained notice playing with fusion violinist Jean Luc Ponty. The next two albums, Evolution and Departure, captured Billboard chart positions 20 and 8, respectively. This, in addition to Journey’s herculean touring schedule, had turned the band into a formidable force in the music world.
Rolie, burned out on life on the road, left the band. But before he did, he recommended ex-Babys keyboardist/vocalist Jonathan Cain. Throughout all these changes, the one constant that kept Journey cohesive was Schon’s guitar playing. His ability to create hooky guitar lines never seemed to run out of steam.
Click on image to buy album or CD from Amazon
