I can’t help but notice that Journey’s extended farewell tour is coming to Chicago in October. Even though there’s only one original member left, and two members from their most successful lineup.

Seeing the ads reminded me of the only time I saw Journey live. They were performing in Oklahoma City in support of Frontiers, and a friend of mine was able to get tickets for one of the three sold-out shows. The seats were in the nosebleed section off to the side of the stage. Fortunately, there were projection screens and a camera crew that allowed us to see what was going on, if we weren’t fortunate enough to be on the floor.

Looking back, the show was arena rock at its peak. Singer Steve Perry knew how to work the crowd. No one protested whenever he asked the crowd to sing the next verse. Not that he needed the audience to sing along. His voice was in full form that night. The set list was packed with the hits. The band seemed to effortlessly move from high-energy songs to moving ballads. For teenage me, this wasn’t just a concert, it was an event.

Turns out, that was the last tour with the lineup that recorded Escape and Frontiers. The drummer and bassist were fired during the recording of Raised on Radio. Steve Perry left the band after that tour. Since I didn’t go to many shows as a teenager, I was fortunate enough to see them at their commercial peak.

Since then, I’ve diversified my tastes in musical genres. After college, I got drawn into the “Alternative” music scene and wrote about it for a zine and a twice-a-month publication. I would have been called a poser if I’d mentioned enjoying a Journey concert. But now, I can listen to and enjoy any kind of music.

Journey wasn’t innovative as the performers I would hear later in life. But for an arena rock band, they were excellent. I don’t know about the current incarnation, but I don’t need to see them in concert again. I’m happy with the memories I already have.

This performance of “Wheel in the Sky”  is from their Escape tour in 1981. It seemed like an appropriate song while to reminisce about the band.