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Yahoo!With more than 35 years of recording and touring under their collective belt, the main obstacle for rock gods like Journey is keeping such a historic catalogue of music fresh and exciting. Fortunately, the band’s members were able to do just that—while still looking to have as much fun as the audience—during their show last Friday night at the Bowl.
Openers Night Ranger set the tone early for what would be a night of power ballads and piercing guitar solos. After pint-sized frontman Jack Blades belted through “Don’t Tell Me You Love Me” and drummer Kelly Keagy sang “Sister Christian” (and earned a standing ovation in the process), Journey stormed the stage with “Separate Ways.” The latest addition to the band, vocalist Arnel Pineda, immediately put to rest any concerns that this new lineup would be lacking without Steve Perry, sprinting around the stage and serenading the crowd with pitch-perfect renditions of Journey’s best-known hits. Pineda—discovered after videos of his performances of Journey songs were seen by the band’s guitarist on YouTube—brought immense energy and passion to the show, walking a fine line between spot-on Perry impersonator and simply epic performer.
Tyler Hayden
Night Ranger
Throughout their high-energy set, Journey showcased the power ballads and guitar riffs that made them famous. Axman Neal Schon took center stage for the last moments of almost every song for shredding sessions that would have made Marty McFly quake in his Nikes, or at least turn up the volume in the DeLorean. It certainly was a night of nostalgia, whether attendees were reminiscing about attending a Journey show back in the band’s glory days of the early ’80s or remembering blasting Escape on their parents’ turntable. Without a doubt, it proved that the Bowl is surprisingly well-suited for pulsating arena rock, and that the rock stars of yesterday provide excellent motivation for today’s Guitar Hero fanatics.
As they closed with crowd-pleasers “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Anyway You Want It,” the audience was reminded of the joy of Journey’s brand of power-pop done right. Heck, even the ushers were dancing and singing along.
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The concert did nothing but convince me more than ever that Journey is lacking WITHOUT Steve Perry. I am not quite sure but I think the public is just embracing the rags to riches story or is most likely just tone deaf. Sorry but this gal is not buying the new sound (or actually the poor copy cat version) of Journey. I am all for bands going on but Journey's return without even trying to reunite with Steve Perry hits sour notes with Pineda at the helm. I became a fan of Journey WITH Steve Perry. He had the brilliant sound, presence and heart. The Journey has ended for me.
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perrygirl (anonymous profile)
October 5, 2009 at 5:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Concerts have been selling out for the past two years and some people still think there must be something wrong with everybody else. Truth is, Perrygirl and all the hardcore Perry fans will never be happy with ANY replacement singer. Steve Perry himself could have been singing that night under a pseudonym and people like Perrygirl would have found something to complain about. Journey fans (new and old) love this incarnation of the band...as evidenced by the ticket and cd sales. For the thousands of other folks watching the concert last week, including myself, it was tons of fun!
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PerrysLongGone (anonymous profile)
October 5, 2009 at 9:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)
Im 22 and ive just discovered Journey.
My mom's fave is Steve Perry but he sounds too old for me
and kinda weak already. Their new singer Arnel Pineda is so cool and lovable.
So who's Steve Perry. This group really rocks!
My first Journey album is Revelation. And my first concert with them is a discovery for me. More power to Journey.
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HipHopKid (anonymous profile)
October 6, 2009 at 4:06 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Steve Perry fans is a dying and sickly tribe. I love this new Journey team. Arnel Pineda rocks! They rock!!! Neal Schon hits a goldmine. I wish they re-record some more of their old hits with Arnel.
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hardrockboy (anonymous profile)
October 6, 2009 at 4:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)
To Perrygirl, it is obvious that you did not go to this concert. I've seen your name all over youtube, I know how much you hate not having SP there. All I can say is... let us who love the current Journey have fun. We would love for you to enjoy it too but since you have a different standard, I am sorry you feel that way.
I have to agree with everyone except you Perrygirl. Journey is still rocking the young and old... or let say all generations.
To Journey, the band, you guys did a great job, as always. At the Bowl was my 2nd concert to see Journey this year, Paso Robles was my first. Some technical difficulties but other than that, you are all awesome, totally. Will see you all again next year, this time I will try 3 times. Take your much awaited rest after a long successful tour of 2009. Keep rocking! God bless.
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BENAPO (anonymous profile)
October 9, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)
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