The iconic voice of Steve Perry is what made Journey. One of the greatest gifts to the music industry and can never be replaced.

Nobody can replace Steve Perry. His voice is one in a million.

Journey had an immeasurable impact on me and my life. I've spent close to 45 years learning from this band. Their music is timeless. And, Steve Perry is, absolutely, without question, without any doubt, the most influential vocalist of my life.

I absolutely love the mutual respect that Steve and Arnel have for each other. Both are true gentlemen with a lot of class.

I graduated from high school in 1982 & Don't Stop Believing was our class song. I have always been a fan of Journey and it always blows my mind when I hear the younger generations singing this song

I've been a Journey fan from when they were a 'jam' band before Steve Perry. As good as Arnel is, I just can't wrap my head around Journey without SP. What a gift was his voice!

I listened to it over and over when I was going through treatment for stage 4 cancer. I was not supposed to survive, and I would play this song to pump myself up. I didn't stop believing, and in 3 months I will be 5 years cancer free.

Steve Perry’s performance at Houston in early 1980’s, was the BEST and no autotune in the world can make it better! Prove me wrong!

Crazy me, but the Houston live performance was a nuclear supernova event for the song, the riffs, percussion, and VISUALS. STILL KILLS ME!

Steve Perry made the songs created by Journey iconic and beloved. There was a true collaboration between all of the band members but Steves' voice locked them into SUPER STARDOM. Steve created the Journey legacy, we fell in love with his delivery, passion and the soul behind his love of music and fans. He was their biggest and best cheerleader. He is the most loved Lead Rock and Roll Singer of All Time. ❤

I was a sophomore or junior in high school when this album came out. I think we wore out the cassette in my car in a matter of weeks:) A couple years back I was photographing a senior prom and was absolutely awestruck to see these kids, 40 years later dancing and singing with the song at the top of their lungs. Not to mention it brought all the teachers that were there on to the dance floor(singing as well) for a monumental ending to the special night. #unforgettable

Very happy for Neil & Jonathan & the band, love Arnels humbleness of being in the band and he is without a doubt a huge talent, but for me Journey always was Steve

I've been a professional DeeJay for about 15 years now. It doesn't matter what age group I'm playing to, the cultural make up of the crowd matters not, when I play this everyone sings along... and the emotion of the crowd is always palpable. This song really touches people. True classic. Thanks!

This song hits you emotionally, physically and spiritually. So damn powerful.

Journey is a timeless band, and an incredible band. As you said, Steve Perry is the GOAT singer, and Neil Schon is one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Don't Stop Believin' is their magnum opus and a very inspirational song.

Steve owns that song live. His vocals were amazing.

I got to see Journey live for the first time in 2017 here in Houston. I'm 51 so I've heard "Don't Stop Believin" a million times. But when the piano started playing those familiar notes, I got goosebumps all over. Everyone in the audience was singing along.

No question one of the greatest touchstone songs of the 80s. For me, it instantly transports you back in time when you hear that iconic piano intro. The world stops for a moment, and you're that 13 year old kid in Junior High again for 4 minutes. An amazing song that has stood the test of time!

At 50 and starting a new phase in life this song still helps me push forward. No doubt it's an anthem.

I remember a childhood friend bringing the album Infinity to my house when it was first released and said “You’ve got to hear this band Journey.” I was blown away and immediately liked them. I bought my own copy and practically wore the grooves off playing it. The following album introduced the hit “Lovin’, Touching, Squeezing” which all the girls really loved causing us teenage boys to lose interest in the band. They lost that cool factor for a period of time. But when Escape was released my love of the band was renewed. Journey is an incredible band. I love their music.

I first saw Journey on the Escape Tour, November 1981, the day before Thanksgiving. That was a life changing night, and the biggest life affirming moment was when Steve sang Mother Father. I was in shock, and hearing that Angelic Voice resonate through the whole arena, my jaw dropped to the floor - in complete awe. I was 15. Thanksgiving Day was at our place with extended family that next day, but I spent the entire day looking for Don't Stop Believing on the radio stations. And yes, the stations were playing it on heavy rotation - like every hour. It will always be a mystery as why it wasn't a bigger hit, but it was with me, all through these many decades. I'd play as first song of the year at New Years, first song on my birthdays as well. I have no idea how my life would have been without Journey, Steve Perry, Don't Stop Believing. 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

Neal Schon and Steve Perry on Mother Father is also magic. I saw them in concert and Journey are just so good. As a guitar player, Neal doesn’t get enough credit. I’m glad I got to see them in person

“One of the most underrated bands in the world”! Even though they were EXTREMELY successful in their heyday, I agree no one could imagine how successful and they became overtime! Truly a band that young people today can love and enjoy! They have a timeless appeal today!

I will always be grateful that I was a college student in the 80’s and got to see Journey live many times. Every time I hear my high school students singing Don’t Stop Believin’, I tell them it was mine first!!!

Was a Journey fan before ‘Escape’, had every album they ever made. Am sooo thankful I was a teenager in HS the early 80’s and saw them live in concert. Steve Perry is just amazing! I refuse to see them without him; wouldn’t care if he sat on a stool and sang karaoke. Just not the same without him.

How amazing is it to write a song that every generation loves.

I didn't want to admit to myself that I've been a little depressed for awhile, this video essay really brought me to tears but cheered me up at the same time. I went to see Journey on this tour back in the day, what a great memory. Thanks Adam, this was what I needed today.

Song still gives me chills. Steve Perry is indeed the GOAT. Rick Beato does a “What Makes This Song Great” on it that is awesome. Thanks Prof!

Don’t Stop Believing is one of those songs that takes people back to a significant moment in their history! My moment with this song is sitting in a little airport bar in Kauai watching planes taking off over the ocean. I was waiting for my flight when this song came on. I thought, “I will always remember this moment when I hear this song because it just doesn’t get any better than this!”

Escape is a perfect record. Period! Every single song. In 1981 I was getting ready to go to Japan for a couple of years. I was scraping all my money together. One day I’m driving down the road and “Don’t Stop Believing” came on the radio. It was obviously Journey as soon as the guitar and especially the vocal came on. I drove directly to a record store and bought it on cassette and didn’t stop listening to it. The 80’s were owned by Journey.

Generational is the perfect one word definition of this band. They were spectacular when I saw them in 80 and 83.

I used to have a few Journey albums on cassette tape. I love Steve Perry's voice. This is a great tribute to one of the greatest rock bands ever. Great interviews. Thank you.

I've been in love with Journey since the first time that I heard Stone In Love. What an epic coda. Neil can play guitar with the best, but his phrasing and scorching right hand stand out the most. He always seems to have a guitar in his hands. I would not be surprised if I learned that he sleeps at night with a guitar in hand. That man truly loves to play guitar. Journey is most definitely a super group. They are all top notch musicians.

I was 16 years old and in high school in 1981 when Journey's Escape Album came out. I immediately bought the album. In their incredible career, I believe Escape is their best album and "Don't Stop Believing" is their greatest song. I was amazed that "Don'r Stop Believing" only made it to #10 on the pop charts. You listen to it today and wonder how did this incredible song not go to number one? The legend and popularity of this song has only grown over the years. It's become an iconic classic that everyone today knows and that is extremely rare.

To this day Don't Stop Believing brings tears to my eyes. It taps into the struggle that everyone faces every day and pushes you to keep going. Journey is an incredible band.

Neil is an impressive guitar player, but even more impressive is his ability to be impressed with himself

Yes this is an amazing song. It's a national anthem on its own. Thank you again Professor for talking about a song of my childhood.

I am a guitar guy. People think of Journey as a vocals group, understandable as Perry was amazing. But I had Journey on repeat in the 80s and beyond because they are really a great guitar band thanks to Neal Schon. My favorite song from that album was stone in love. It is almost always on my mix play lists.

Steve Perry one of the all-time greatest vocalists of the rock era.

Seriously, this song is church for so many. No dogma, just hope and inspiration. As a veteran, I'm certain it has literally saved the lives of many of my brothers & sisters in arms. Seeing Steve Perry stand up at an SF Giants NL Championship game to sing along with the crowd was special for this Bay Area kid. It is exactly the unusual structure of the song that makes it great. The piano intro makes me stop and turn it up. Neil's solo then lays the foundation of the soaring inspiration of the lyrics and vocals. The story of everyday people persisting; the indomitable human spirit. It reminds us we are all in it together.

My all time favorite band, ever. Saw them at least a half dozen times as they toured around and came to SoFL. Nothing critical you could ever say about their music, their performances or even their ticket prices back in the day. You knew what you were going to get was music perfection..at times even better than the studio versions.

I’ve always loved Journey..Arnel is a sweetheart but Steve Perry is my heart!!! I would never go see them in concert unless the KING Steve was there singing. I don’t believe that will ever…ever happen now. 😢

These guys made our lives better. ❤️

Steve Perry is one of my favorite singers. I love this album

I've been listening to this group for over 40 years and still believing! Rock on Journey!

I saw Journey in 1983. Frontiers tour. Bryan Adam's opened. Inglewood Forum, 3 of the 5 nights they played. Steve Perry put a spring in my step, a song in my heart. Every time I have seen him live he never fails to bring me joy. ❤

I love this song and the album it came from. The combo of the vocals, the instruments, and the lyrics just mesh in a way that transcends many other songs. There are young people today who listen to it and sing along with it like I did in junior high school and beyond.

This song is one of those songs that stick with you. That last bit, the guitar solo. Angelic.

The first time I heard Don’t Stop Believin’ I was an instant fan. It was one of those song that you immediately realize is great and you just want to listen to it over and over again. “The movie never ends, it goes on and on and and on…..”

5:48 “full artistic control” gave us a timeless hit song! No label involvement allowed for greatness to emerge.

Yes, this is such an inspirational rock song. Many of my pals had only heard of it thanks to Glee covering it, so I was proud to be one of the few who'd known about it beforehand, thanks to my folks!

Don’t Stop Believing is/was my special ringtone when my grandpa would call me on the phone these past few years. He’s passed now, but when I hear it on the radio, it brings a tearful smile to my face. My daughters are convinced that it’s my favorite song. It’s definitely in the running.

Thank you Arnel for allowing generations of Journey fans to continue to enjoy live performances!

I was a fan of Journey before the Escape album. It is probably their most famous, if not best, album. Neil Schon's intro on Don't Stop Believing was a master stroke, it sets the whole song up along with Cain's piano work. You don't see this type creativity or musicmanship any more these days. That is why this song, and Journey are legendary. It has stood the test of time.

When I was 13-14 years old, I was a massive Journey fan. They sounded just as good live as they did on the "album". Such accomplished musicians...such an accomplished vocalist that might be one of the greatest power male vocalists...and such great storytelling lyrics. That's a powerful combination.

They were the sound of my high school and college days and still make me feel young when I hear them

Really awesome to see the footage of fans showing their appreciation for the song. That really says a lot.

Journey is simply the best band ever, in my opinion. Their radio songs are massive, even today, but their deeper cuts show a huge variety of sounds and styles. They could play anything. As often as I've heard DSB since it was released, I've never once grown tired of it. It's a song like no other - vocals, bass, guitar, piano/keyboard, drums - and a hopeful, positive message.

See what we had in the 80s??? What a time it was.....take me back Professor!! As for Don't Stop not being as big as Open Arms and Who's Crying Now......the ballad reigned supreme back then, like it or not. Ballads brought the girls....and the boys duly followed.....

I grew up with this band and so did my kids. This song in particular has remained with us through the years, and now my grandkids are singing along with it. Journey's music is second to none and I "Believe" it will always bring joy to millions! Thanks Adam!

That part in your video where people talked about how this song got them though some tough times really hit me. That is and this song is the power of music. Fantastic episode professor you did the most iconic song of the 80s justice with your channel. My first concert was Journey in 81 when this album just came out ,memories of a lifetime

Now you've done it you made bawl like child. The vet, the mom in a coma. Saved by one of the greatest songs ever. Damn you I love you. Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Journey has been and continues to be my number one favorite Rock band, I think Neil is underrated by the masses if not by his peers, but absolutely my favorite player, and I’ve heard a lot of them. He remains one of only a couple guitarists that I’d really like to have the chance to meet. Steve Perry will always be “The Voice” to me, that being said, Arnel is phenomenal stepping in and keeping the legacy going.

When Carlos Santana lets you solo on a record like "Everybody's Everything" when you're 17 years old, you know you're good.

50 years, are you frigging kidding me! Their 50th anniversary. When did I get so old! Lol Don’t stop Believing is and will always be one of the best rock song ever. It’s got everything, the vocals, the guitar solo and most importantly it’s got the message. How could it not be considered one of the best rock songs ever. For me, even though the album came out in 81, I will always associate that song with the summer of 83. It was the best summer ever, it was the last carefree summer I would have, it was the summer I turned 15. Yes there were other albums that were really big that year, but I will always pair Escape together with Def Leopards Pyromania. Those two album were always played back to back with each other, and they still are, even today. Yes there were other albums I listen to that summer, but those were the two main ones. Whenever I play those two albums I am always transported back to Jones Falls, Ontario. My buddies and I sat at the Lochs, Jones Falls was a set of Lochs on the Rideau Canal, and watched all the boats go by. Actually it was the girls, but the boats were nice too. We all knew that this was the year we had to grow up. We all talk about it with each other at the beginning of the summer and we all knew, going forward, school was going to get serious. Or at least that’s what a teacher told us the week before school was out. So we were determined to make the most of it, and we did. It was an epic summer. The eighties were the soundtrack of my life and Journey’s Don’t Stop Believing was right there on the A side. Seriously, what better song could you think of for your becoming of age year. To mark the beginning of becoming a man. Seriously “Don’t Stop Believing”, and that message is even more important today.

lots of KZfaq channels pretend to be top-quality docu-style programs, but, this one truly is. Well done on the story of the song.

Professor, Im shocked that this masterpiece didn’t do better back then. What?! Why? It reminds me of my heroes: Queen and Toto, unappreciated by the press when they were around, and definitely not what they are nowadays, because now they’re celebrated legends. “Dont stop believing” is a masterpiece! Even the drum track is genius!

My wife and I took my daughters to the County Fair in Saturday evening, mainly to go to the carnival. There was a band playing some Journey music, in the pavilion and we casually strolled by, not being able to see the band. We grabbed some snacks, popcorn and finally made it to the carnival rides. With 2 little girls, the tickets went by within about 30 minutes. We then made our way back and they were playing, Don’t Stop Believing- and my wife and I locked eyes and both said. I think that’s Really Journey singing. It Was!!! We walked into the pavilion and Arnel Pineda jumped of the stage, walked in our direction and high fived all the kids towards the back where we were, including my daughters, and went back to the stage. Then they announced they would be back the next year too. Talk about awesomeness.

"Don't Stop Believing" is definitely a classic with much more to it than just a pop song. It's one of those songs that you can listen to no matter what your mood is. Also, Jim Gaffigan has a great bit about it where he talks about the lines "born and raised in south Detroit. He took the midnight train going anywhere" because anywhere was better than Detroit.

When Steve Lukather and Sammy Hagar are singing your praises, you know you are doing something right.

This is what the power of positive lyrics can do for a song. It can take a good song and turn it into something inspirational and timeless.

Journey and Toto in one show! Wow! Schon and Lukather ... two of the greatest guitar players of all time.

I think the song Don't Stop believin gives people hope they think there's no hope left. The power of the message is the feeling when you hear Steve Perry sing it like it means life or death and he's telling you too choose life and Don't Stop Believin.

I was 18yrs old when I first heard "Of a Lifetime" and was so blown away by Neal's playing and still today I am blown away. Neal is a freak of nature and is a great inspiration to all of us who try to play guitar!!!

I applaud Neil for not ever letting his band die! Not only is Journey one of the greatest bands ever, Steve Perry is one of the best rock vocalist ever.

Great to see Journey getting the love they deserve for this song! I probably commented on this before, but this song is a huge time machine song for me. Takes me right back to my junior year in high school on a snowy December night, riding in a van with a bunch of friends belting this out. Great memory and great band. They are a close #2 for me right behind Queen. Hoping to see them with Toto next year!

I heard Jonathan Cain say after the Baby's his career was going nowhere. He talked to his dad about giving up and he told Jonathan Don't Stop Believin'.

I love Arnel, how humble he is to be singing in Journey. Who's Crying Now is a classic live with Neal playing his solo. There shows how great he can lift a song. Don't Stop Believing is yet another classic from this band

Who’s crying now has one of the best guitar solos…….ever

Part of the appeal is that the song is so BIG! I remember when it first came out, I personally didn't think it was the best song on the album. I thought Stone in Love was a better song. I think the message of the song is so unabashedly hopeful and positive that they'll be singing it for ANOTHER fifty years! In many ways, the message transcends the song.

Journey was absolutely the best concert I ever attended. I had the best seats in the house which were behind the stage so I got to see the crowd and the full band as they alternated by playing for them and us. Unlike me, the audience did not get a close eye view of the drummer and piano from such a close perspective. Unforgettable.

I graduated in 85 and saw Journey twice… almost made it to ROR concert and that would have been 3 times. This band, and particular this album Escape, are so intertwined in my life. At 56 my appreciation has done nothing but grown for what they created. I will, to this day, crank up the volume in the car and sing along, just like 17 year old me did oh so many years ago now. I still miss Steve at the helm on vocals. Rock on gang…. And “don’t stop believing”

Even a few years before Family Guy or Glee brought this song back, I remember realizing just how much its appeal stretched across demographics when I was in a car with four people all with fairly different music taste and it came on the radio and we all started singing along. Such an amazing song.

Don't Stop Believing came out when I was in junior high. I conned my folks into buying the cassette for my birthday and spent my time dancing and singing along with it from the start. I played it so often the tape squeaked as much as it played (its still in my collection in spite of its condition). Dont Stop has been my theme song since, and every time I hear the intro, my heart is happy. Journey is, by far, my ultimate band. Thank you for sharing this story!

Journey has always been awesome. I would also recommend listening to their songs 'Troubled Child' and 'Rubicon' from the 'Frontiers' LP/CD. Their best LP/CD may be 'Trial By Fire' which is loaded with a lot of great songs. Also, I would highly recommend checking out all of the songs on these solo can't miss Steve Perry LP/CD's: 1) For The Love Of Strange Medicine 2) Steve Perry's Greatest Hits + Five Unreleased. Enjoy!

Journey is very high up on my rock pedestal. Genius stuff all over their catalog! Neal Schons lead breaks are legendarily beyond good.

I've tried to stop believing but Journey won't let me. 😁 It does seem criminal that it didn't hit #1 but it shows you don't need the top spot to have great, longer lasting success. How many #1 songs have long been forgotten? Not sure when I first heard it, I think it was one of those songs that seeped in over time, then you have that 'oh yeah' moment later on. Definitely one of the most instantly recognisable songs ever.

I've nothing bad to say about this phenomenal band! That voice . . . those riffs on the guitar . . . the piano . . . such a great band!!!

I'm so glad you included the clip of the 2005 Chicago White Sox in this video. This song was their adopted theme song during the playoffs, and I'll never forget them playing it when Scott Podsednik hit that solo HR in the bottom of the 9th of Game 2 to win it for Chicago. You should have seen me just bounce off the wall when they won. Thanks, Professor. I really appreciate it! I'll never forget the 2005 team, even if it was for one year, it was so unexpected and magical as a White Sox fan.

Thank You for interviewing Arnel Pineda. I was a fan of his before Journey because of my time in the Philippines. I had to explain to my wife how much he sounded like Steve Perry. It was as if they outsourced Steve Perry to the Philippines. They are the most musical people in the world there. Amazing singers.

As strange as it sounds, I feel like Journey is family to me, so whenever I see videos and such about Don't Stop Believing and also how FINALLY Journey is getting respect from even many naysayers in the past (Imagine how much it would have been if Perry was still there), I feel so proud of them, in the very best way. It's what they always deserved.

This is BY FAR my favorite episode of your show!! Neal Schon is "THE GOAT" of Rock n' Roll! Not just the greatest guitar player, he's so much more than that. He was a visionary from the very beginning, and far ahead of his years. To see his band, the most legendary band in history, sell out shows to multi-generations of fans is just awesome to witness! I appreciate everyone in JOURNEY, but I respect no one in the music industry anywhere near as much as I do Neal. He NEVER quit! He has been dragged thru the mud over and over, yet he remains a gentleman while he fights for truth! I hope his career keeps selling out stadiums until he joins the band in Rock n' Roll Heaven!

Journey is one of my top ten favorite Rick bands of all time!!! They deserve all their good fortune!!! They are timeless!!!

Being an 80’s baby, graduating in ‘83, Journey has always been MY band! The best concert I’ve ever seen is Journey in San Diego in 1984! “Don’t Stop Believing” has always been one of my all time favorite songs. Every time I hear it, I sing it, out of tune, at the top of my lungs! My wife of 33 years always shakes her head but sings along with me! Fast forward to 2023, my wife, son and I were on a transportation bus at DisneyWorld taking a bus load of tired folks back to our resort. Some guy pulls out his phone, turns his volume all the way up and that keyboard starts playing!! Then the guitar… Suddenly, everyone in the bus is smiling, swinging back and forth. Then Steve starts…The WHOLE BUS, old folks like us, my kid (who’s 28 and an ‘80’s music junkie), kids in their early teens, we ALL start singing! Everyone knew all the words to this song. When the chorus would start, the whole bus is screamed “Don’t Stop…Belivin’…hold on to that feel in’!” It was one of the coolest memories I think I’ll ever have and I’m 58 years old. Don’t Stop Believing… TBE!! ❤ Thanks Professor for a great video and wonderful memories!!

I was lucky, when I first started listening the pop/rock music was the same year that Escape, Hi-Infidelity and Foreigner 4 all came out. To this day, I think those are 3 of the best albums ever. Everything you sing the praises of one of those albums, I'm an agreement. Great episode!

Oh man, the concerts in the 80's is what's brought to mind whenever a Journey tune is played today. Some good things should never change!

These songs are such a big part of my childhood, every time I hear them they take me back. Now so many years later they are a part of my children’s childhoods too. They are timeless classics that hopefully will play on and on and on and on. 😊

Love this song! No matter how many times I hear it. The BEST music is NOT always played in the Top 40 of the times a song is released. But time itself will dictates which music endures. The most epic songs will surely out last the crap.

I was 15 in 1981 when the Escape album dropped, and I loved every bit of it. I remember as if it were yesterday the first time "Don't Stop Believin'" played on the radio. As a keyboardist, I loved Jonathan Cain's iconic intro and knew within just the first 2 or 3 measures that it had captivated me and would be a favorite for the rest of my life. I wasn't wrong.

The effect that our favorite music has on us is astounding. The way in which we can communicate, let alone heal, is one of the main reasons I have been a musician for 44 years.