NEW
YORK (SONY) January 21, 2005 will forever be known as "Journey Day," as
declared by Hollywood's Mayor Johnny Grant. That's the date JOURNEY�who
has sold over 75 million albums worldwide making them the 29th
best-selling music group of all time--were honored with the 2,275th
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
The Eastbound lanes in front
of 6750 Hollywood Boulevard�directly in front of the renown Musician's
Institute--were closed off as hundreds of fans from all over the world
descended there to witness history in the making.
Not
only was the entire current line-up in attendance (guitarist Neal
Schon, bassist Ross Valory, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, singer Steve
Augeri and drummer Deen Castronovo), but several band members from the
past as well: drummers Steve Smith and Aynsley Dunbar, guitarist George
Tickner and singer Robert Fleischman.
Perhaps the greatest
surprise of all�not only to the fans in attendance, but to the band
most of all�was the unexpected appearance of the group's legendary
former frontman Steve Perry, who had not been seen anywhere with the
band since his departure in 1996 after TRIAL BY FIRE was released and
earned the band's first Grammy Award nomination for "When You Love A
Woman."
After several attempts were made to contact Perry
inviting him to participate in the ceremony, with no response either
way, they ultimately thought that he'd be a no-show. Then at 11:30am,
when the ceremony was set to start, he quietly emerged onto the scene
and was soon laughing and smiling along with the rest of the band, much
to the overwhelming delight of everyone in attendance.
Following
glowing introductions by Mayor Johnny Grant and local morning show DJs
Mark Thompson & Brian Phelps from KLOS-FM, Neal Schon, Ross Valory
and
Steve Perry addressed their adoring fans, giving thanks and
expressing their heart-felt appreciation to their families, the team
who helps keep them together behind-the-scenes, and most importantly,
and JOURNEY fans from there and everywhere who were ultimately
responsible for nominating the band for the sidewalk tribute in the
first place.
"Who could have imagined, so many years later, a
Star on the Walk of Fame," said Schon. And Perry continued, "No one
ever mentions the unsung heroes, the road crew who...made us look good."
Later
that evening, to celebrate their Star, JOURNEY performed at the House
of Blues in West Hollywood, CA. After going on sale December 18,
tickets for the show sold out in three minutes. Celebrities in
attendance included Dan Aykroyd, Paul Stanley of Kiss, Fred Coury of
Cinderella, Dan Estrin of Hoobastank, and "American Idol" finalist Ryan
Starr.
Before the show, JOURNEY had promised their fans some
surprise guests and spontaneous jam sessions and that's exactly what
the fans got. During the two-hour concert chock full of JOURNEY
classics, the band was joined onstage by Aynsley Dunbar, Robert
Fleischman, and Steve Smith for "Wheel In The Sky," "Lights," "Chain
Reaction," "Walks Like A Lady" and "Voodoo Child."
Current
"American Idol" judge and former JOURNEY member (playing bass on the
"Raised On Radio" tour in 1986) Randy Jackson, who regrettably couldn't
be at the ceremony or concert because he was in New York City promoting
the TV show, sent a tape-recorded message in his place which was played
at the concert before the show began. In it he said, "�thank you so
much from the bottom of my heart for letting me be a part of your lives
and for making such a huge difference in my life. It's one of the best
times I've ever had being a part of the
Journey gang. Not only being a
part of a great legendary band, but just being a part of a group of
really really unbelievable people, friends and unbelievably talented
musicians, singers and songwriters. You guys so deserve this! I think
Journey is one of the best bands in the world ever and I don't know
what I can say to even thank you for letting me be a part of that
experience�I am so proud of you and I am so proud to have even been a
small part of your legacy. Congratulations again."
January 21,
2005 is now in the history books and JOURNEY put it there with grand
force and certainly gave their fans a day to remember forever.
