The early days of JourneyThe Early Years


1973
?Neal records a few songs with the band Azteca for their self-titled, debut album
?Steve Perry listens to Neal Schon perform with Azteca at the Kabuki Theater, San Francisco. After the show Neal gives Steve and his cousin a ride home
?Herbie Herbert decides to assemble his own band and form it around Neal Schon. Neal agrees
?Herbie recruits bandmates from Frumious Bandersnatch: bassist Ross Valory and guitarist George Tickner
?Herbie then recruits drummer Prairie Prince from a band he also used to manage, The Tubes
JuneHerbie convinces Gregg Rolie to join the rest of the band
?The band temporarily name themselves the Golden Gate Rhythm Section
?The Golden Gate Rhythm Section record several songs. Eventually the songs are played on KSAN-FM
?A contest is held at KSAN-FM to help rename the band. Although they were not satisfied with any of the suggestions. Herbie's associate John Villaneuva suggested the name Journey
December 31Journey makes their professional debut at The Winterland, San Francisco

1974
January 1Journey makes their second appearance at the Crater Festival in Hawaii
January ?Prairie Prince leaves Journey to rejoin The Tubes
February 1Aynsley Dunbar becomes Journey's second drummer
February 5Aynsley's first public appearance with Journey at Great Music Hall, San Francisco
?The Eagles hire new manager Irving Azoff (was Geffen)
Late 74Journey signs a deal with Columbia Records

1975
January 10Jonathan Cain releases the single 'Til It's Time To Say Goodbye' and peaks at #44 on Billboard's top 100 Chart
?Jonathan Cain appears on the American Bandstand
AprilJourney's first album (self titled) is released
May 3The album, Journey, enters the Billboard Charts. It climbed as high as #138 and stayed on the charts for only nine weeks
?After a grueling tour George Tickner opts to leave the band to attend medical school

1976
JanuaryJourney releases their second album, Look Into The Future
February 14The album, Look Into The Future, enters the Billboard Charts. It climbed as high as #100 and stayed on the charts for 15 weeks
JulyJean Luc Ponty (with Steve Smith on drums) starts to record the album Imaginary Voyage (sessions finish in August)
?With a lack of vocal skills the band takes voice lessons at the Family Light Music School
?Jean Luc Ponty releases the album Imaginary Voyage
?The Babys are formed in London, England (consisting of vocalist John Waite)

1977
?Steve Perry and Craig Krampf form the rock group Alien Project
JanuaryJourney releases their third album, Next
February 19The album, Next, enters the Billboard Charts. It climbed as high as #85 and stayed on the charts for 10 weeks
?Suggested to hire a vocalist, Journey signs Robert Fleischman. The band quickly writes new songs for the new lead singer
JuneJean Luc Ponty (with Steve Smith on drums) starts to record the album Enigmatic Ocean (recording lasts until July)
JuneJourney goes on tour opening for Emerson, Lake and Palmer
July 4Alien Project's bass player is killed in a car accident. Eventually Steve Perry decides to quit the music business
?Herbie obtains a demo tape of Alien Project with Steve Perry on vocals
?Herbie convinces Steve to travel with the band, incognito as John Villanueva's Portuguese cousin
SeptemberRobert Fleishman is fired from Journey
October 28 Steve Perry makes his first appearance as lead singer, Old Waldorf, San Francisco
?Jean Luc Ponty releases the album Enigmatic Ocean
?Jonathan Cain Band releases the album, Windy City Breakdown

Last updated: May 26, 1998
Time-line Maintainer: Steven Lake
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