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Steve Smith

Thu
30
Mar

JOURNEY: Gregg Rolie, Neal Schon, Steve Perry Reveal Hall Of Fame Career

Artist: 
Journey
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio
 
Dallas, TX - March 30, 2017.  North American syndicated Rock radio show and website IN THE STUDIO with Redbeard: The Stories Behind History’s Greatest Rock Bands maps out Journey’s long road to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame with a two-part, two week career-spanning radio special. 
 
From 1981 to 1986 the biggest band in America was Journey. This band from “the city by the bay” sold more than 30 million records in that short time. Millions of people have seen them perform live over years of nearly endless touring to this day. Journey songs became the soundtrack for a whole generation of fans “raised on radio” and for new generations of fans of TV shows like The Sopranos and Glee.  It’s hard to imagine anyone who has grown up in America over the last 40 years who has not been touched in some way by the music of Journey.
The musical Journey began in 1973 with two former members of Santana, Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon, looking to form an ambitious musical outfit to perform rock fusion and rule the live music circuit. There would be multiple member changes, but none more important than the addition of singer Steve Perry.  In Part 1 episode, Gregg, Neal and Steve speak with IN THE STUDIO producer and host Redbeard about the early incarnation of the band and the breakthrough success of their 1978 fourth album, Infinity.
 
“The real idea behind the band was ‘Let’s go play live’. We used to knock people out. In fact as (Journey’s manager) Herbie Herbert put it, we sold  more tickets than we did records then. People would come to see the band for the instrumentation and energy of it . It wasn’t following suit with anything else on the radio.”  - Gregg Rolie
 
“Everybody’s feeling at the time was, ‘Look, we’re all starving to death’, you know? And it’s time we gotta make a living at this or I was going to have to get a job selling ladies shoes or something. I wanted to play music and make a living at it.”  - Neal Schon
 
“I had no idea what I was in for. I really didn’tt realize what a real workhorse this band was until I’d say 178 shows later, that same tour, non stop. But I gotta tell you, I wouldn’t change one thing.”  -  Steve Perry
 
JOURNEY  Best Of  PART 1  /InTheStudio interview is available now to STREAM at: “http://www.inthestudio.net/online-on-demand/journey-best-1/“
Part 2 will be available next week at: http://www.inthestudio.net
 

 

Tags: 
Journey
Neal Schon
Steve Perry
Jonathan Cain
Gregg Rolie
Steve Smith
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Fri
27
Nov

JOURNEY's STEVE SMITH Talks 2016-2017 Tour

Artist: 
Journey
Release Year: 
2015
Categories: 
Tour News
 
From STEVE SMITH'S facebook page today:
 

I have been invited to tour with Journey for the 2016-2017 touring season and I have agreed to play drums for the group during this period!

I’ve enjoyed working with Journey guitarist Neal Schon for many years and playing on his solo albums, including The Calling and his latest release Vortex. In fact, Neal and I still share the creative chemistry we had when I was a member of Journey. When we work in the studio on his music, it's essentially just the two of us, jamming, writing, arranging and recording.

Over the years, he has mentioned that he'd like to have me tour with Journey again. The invitation has always been appreciated but with my busy schedule always being booked at least a year in advance, the timing was never right. Some changes within the band have once again brought me the invitation to tour and this time we were able to plan in advance and work a Journey tour into my schedule.

Like an actor capable of playing a wide variety of roles, I'm a musician who enjoys, and is comfortable performing, diverse genres of music. My group Vital Information, as well as the other great jazz and world music artists that I tour and record with, remain a musical priority. I will also be performing with them during the next two years and by 2018 will resume my career full-time as a touring and recording jazz musician.

My decision to tour with Journey in 2016-2017 is based on many factors:

My relationship with Neal is strong and we enjoy playing together. I've been in touch with Jonathan Cain and Ross Valory and we have a good rapport both personally and musically. All four of us share a common history and have created some enduring music together. I've met and spent time with Arnel Pineda and have great respect for him both as a person and vocalist.

I am excited to revisit a role that was a formative part of my career, performing music that has touched many people for more than 30 years. My kids Ian, Elizabeth, Kasia and Zac have not seen me play with the group (Ian has but he was too young to remember), it will be fun to have them see me perform with the band. Finally, I can say "yes" to the many fans who have asked if I would tour with Journey again.

My hope is that Journey fans will appreciate a new line-up similar to the Escape and Frontiers era -- and will want to revisit this timeless music with me. By bringing my musical experience to the table along with the years that the members of Journey have spent touring, I'm sure this new incarnation of Journey will develop its own special magic. It's going to be amazing. I look forward to seeing all the fans on the road!

 

Tags: 
Journey
Steve Smith
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Wed
25
Nov

JOURNEY Recalls Drummer STEVE SMITH For 2016 Tour

Artist: 
Journey
Release Year: 
2015
Categories: 
Tour News
 
JOURNEY and THE DOOBIE BROTHERS will launch the San Francisco Fest 2016 tour on Thursday, May 12, again bringing together two of the iconic groups that helped define the San Francisco sound. The tour launches at the Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre in Irvine, California — with concerts scheduled through August 30, and includes special guest Dave Mason. A limited number of VIP packages will be available and include premium tickets, pre-show party, exclusive merchandise and more.
 
Tickets go on sale to the general public beginning Saturday, December 5. A fan pre-sale will be offered starting Monday, November 30.
 
Neal Schon (founding member and lead guitarist), original member Ross Valory (bass), and longtime members Jonathan Cain (keyboardist) and Arnel Pineda (lead singer), are welcoming virtuoso drummer Steve Smith back into JOURNEY, marking the first time he will perform with the band since 1998. Schon and Smith have always remained close friends and musical collaborators. Smith has lent his incredible talent to several of Schon's solo albums, including critically acclaimed "The Calling", and, most recently, "Vortex".
 
Schon was thrilled when Smith accepted his invitation to rejoin JOURNEY, exclaiming: "I'm so looking forward to the very exciting 2016 we have planned, starting with my 'Neal Vortex Schon' Japan tour in February and then our major summer tour with THE DOOBIE BROTHERS and Dave Mason. We will see you all soon!!!!"
 
THE DOOBIE BROTHERS' Tom Johnston (founding member, vocals/guitar), Patrick Simmons (founding member, vocals/guitar), and longtime member John McFee (guitars/strings/vocals) are adding LITTLE FEAT co-founder Bill Payne to their band on the 2016 tour. Payne performed on many of THE DOOBIE BROTHERS studio albums as well as on the road; a relationship the band is looking forward to rekindling.
 
"It's gonna be a great summer for fans of Bay Area music, and for guys like us who have the pleasure of teaming up with our good friends from JOURNEY and the Dave Mason band," said Tom Johnston and Patrick Simmons of THE DOOBIE BROTHERS. "We look forward to taking the stage with JOURNEY. We love their songs, and think we will all complement each other musically. It is going to be a powerful tour. We can't wait to share it with the fans!"
 
 
Tour dates:
 
May 12 - Irvine, CA - Irvine Meadows Amphitheatre
May 14 - Phoenix, AZ - Ak-Chin Pavilion
May 15 - Albuquerque, NM - Isleta Amphitheater
May 18 - Austin, TX - Austin360 Amphitheater
May 20 - Dallas, TX - Gexa Energy Pavilion
May 21 - Woodlands, TX - The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
May 23 - Wichita, KS - INTRUST Bank Arena
May 25 - Memphis, TN - FedEx Forum
May 27 - Indianapolis, IN - Indianapolis Motor Speedway
May 28 - Kansas City, KS - Sprint Center
May 31 - Rogers, AR - Walmart AMP
Jun. 02 - Birmingham, AL - Oak Mountain Amphitheatre
Jun. 04 - Charlotte, NC - PNC Music Pavilion
Jun. 05 - Raleigh, NC - Walnut Creek Amphitheatre
Jun. 08 - Atlanta, GA - Aaron's Amphitheatre at Lakewood
Jun. 10 - Tampa, FL - MIDFLORIDA Credit Union Amp.
Jun. 11 - W. Palm Beach, FL - Perfect Vodka Amphitheatre
Jun. 22 - Bangor, ME - Darling's Waterfront Pavilion
Jun. 24 - Bethel, NY - Bethel Woods Center for the Arts
Jun. 25 - Holmdel, NJ - PNC Banks Art Center
Jun. 27 - Wantagh, NY - Nikon at Jones Beach Theater
Jun. 29 - Cuyahoga Falls, OH - Blossom Music Center
Jul. 01 - Virginia Beach, VA - Farm Bureau Live at Virginia Beach
Jul. 02 - Bristow, VA - Jiffy Lube Live
Jul. 05 - Saratoga Springs, NY - Saratoga Performing Arts Center
Jul. 07 - Toronto, ON - Molson Canadian Amphitheatre
Jul. 09 - Darien, NY - Darien Lake Performing Arts Center
Jul. 10 - Mansfield, MA - Xfinity Center
Jul. 13 - Syracuse, NY - Lakeview Amphitheater
Jul. 15 - Camden, NJ - BB&T Pavilion
Jul. 16 - Burgettstown, PA - First Niagara Pavilion
Jul. 27 - Nashville, TN - Ascend Amphitheater
Jul. 29 - Cincinnati, OH - Riverbend Music Center
Jul. 30 - Maryland Heights, MO - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 02 - Grand Rapids, MI - Van Andel Arena
Aug. 04 - Clarkston, MI - DTE Energy Music Theatre
Aug. 06 - Omaha, NE - CenturyLink Center
Aug. 07 - Des Moines, IA - Wells Fargo Arena
Aug. 09 - St. Paul, MN - Xcel Energy Center
Aug. 11 - Sioux Falls, SD - Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
Aug. 13 - Tinley Park, IL - Hollywood Casino Amphitheatre
Aug. 16 - Oklahoma City, OK - Chesapeake Energy Arena
Aug. 17 - Little Rock, AR - Verizon Arena
Aug. 20 - Denver, CO - Pepsi Center
Aug. 21 - West Valley City, UT - USANA Amphitheatre
Aug. 23 - Auburn, WA - White River Amphitheatre
Aug. 25 - Ridgefield, WA - Sunlight Supply Amphitheater
Aug. 27 - Las Vegas, NV - Mandalay Bay Events Center
Aug. 28 - Fresno, CA - Save Mart Center
Aug. 30 - Chula Vista, CA - Sleep Train Amphitheatre

 

Tags: 
Journey
Steve Smith
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Wed
17
Sep

STEVE SMITH Talks New Book 'Roots Of Rock Drumming'

Artist: 
Steve Smith
Wednesday, September 17, 2014
Categories: 
Podcasts & Radio

Former Journey Drummer Steve Smith was a recent guest on The FDH Lounge with Rick Morris to promote his new book,
"The Roots of Rock Drumming" - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5oT3DftQ7E&list=UUgleHbQwuloA5Gkkhp_YXZw
 
 
 
Over 12 years in the making, Hudson Music proudly presents The Roots of Rock Drumming, a book/DVD package that takes a behind -the-scenes look at the origins of rock n roll drumming (1948-1965), told by many of the groundbreaking drummers who were there and took part in the creation of the music. This history is presented through the eyes of the players themselves, in detailed interviews with 22 of the men who invented rock drumming.
 
Featured drummers include Bobby Morris (Louis Prima), Dick Richards (Bill Haley and His Comets), Earl Palmer (Little Richard, New Orleans & LA studio), DJ Fontana (Elvis Presley), JM Van Eaton (Sun Records studio), Buddy Harman (Roy Orbison, Nashville studio), Jerry J.I. Allison (Buddy Holly and The Crickets), Hal Blaine (LA studio), Idris Muhammad (Curtis Mayfield, NY Studio), Sam Lay (Paul Butterfield Blues Band, Chicago studio), Bernard Purdie (NY studio), Roger Hawkins (Muscle Shoals studio), Sandy Nelson (drum solo hits), and New Orleans stylists Smokey Johnson and John Boudreaux, along with British rock session players Brian Bennett, Bobby Graham, and Clem Cattini, followed by a younger generation of commentators who witnessed the rise of rock in their youth: Jaimoe, Carmine Appice, Steve Gadd, and Jim Keltner.
 
With interviews conducted by drumming great Steve Smith and Hudson Music founders Rob Wallis and Paul Siegel, and editing by noted drummer/historian Daniel Glass, this is easily one of the most important books on the history of drumming ever published. The included DVD contains excerpts from the actual interviews, and the text is presented in a coffee-table style with tons of rare photographs in a beautiful layout.
 
The included DVD contains nearly three hours of excerpts from the interviews, taking the viewer on an engaging, informative, funny, and sometimes poignant trip through the history of rock music. The full interviews will be made available online via hudsonmusic.com. It should be noted that this book contains no music notation, which makes it accessible to an even wider audience.
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Steve Smith
Journey
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