In 1977, the band Journey was at a crossroads. Under the management of Herbie Herbert, the band had released three albums (Journey, Look Into the Future and Next) but hadn’t reached a level of commercial success. Their jazz fusion sound was popular in concerts, but wasn’t selling enough records to satisfy Columbia Records.
Journey’s lead singer was Gregg Rolie, who came from Santana,along with lead guitarist Neal Schon came from Santana. Gregg was the vocalist on “Black Magic Woman“, for example. The Santana sound was apparent on their trio of albums, but they needed… something.
That something was Steve Perry.
Steve was hired in October 1977 and joined the band in the studio to record Infinity. The album features Perry and Schon as co-writers of most of the tracks, with former lead singer Robert Fleischman given credit for “Wheel in the Sky” and “Anytime”.
The tracks:
- Lights
- Feeling That Way
- Anytime
- La Do Da
- Patiently
- Wheel In The Sky
- Somethin’ To Hide
- Winds Of March
- Can Do
- Opened The Door
The lead single “Lights” hit number 68 on the Billboard Hot 100. It is an ode to the band’s home, San Francisco, although it was originally written for Los Angeles. It’s a sweet song.
“Feeling That Way” and “Anytime” really go together, and were often played back-to-back on radio. The vocal interplay between Perry and Rolie really make the songs. They might be my favourite songs on the album.
With Infinity, Journey emerged as a radio-friendly rock band. Perry left his mark on every song, and became known as “The Voice” for his soaring vocals and soulful sensibilities.
Just One More Thing
This album featured cover art by Stanley Mouse and Alton Kelly, the first of several Journey alums to feature their work. The infinity symbol was incorporated into the covers for Infinity, Evolution and Departure and made a brief return on the Frontiers album cover.
Feeling That Way/Anytime is one song, as far as I am concerned. Growing up listening to rock radio from Detroit, that song(s) was always played as one track and it works because the interplay of the vocals. My brother and I have this record on wax somewhere in my brother’s house. A really great album that epitomized the 70s. Lights is a pretty cool ode to a city.
A Fantastic album one of their best but I like Infinity the best