Journey’s legacy goes far beyond Steve Perry. While his voice defined their biggest hits, the band has gone through many lineup changes, shaping a long history.
Perry’s time with the band lasted around a decade, but Journey thrived after. Arnel Pineda and Steve Augeri both made their marks, with Pineda now outlasting Perry.
Guitarist Neal Schon has been the only constant through it all. Every era, album, and member change has revolved around his steady presence. Here’s a complete look at Journey’s lineup evolution.
1973-74: Prairie Prince / Gregg Rolie / Neal Schon / George Tickner / Ross Valory
In 1973, Gregg Rolie and Neal Schon led the original lineup of Journey to their debut live performance at the Winterland Ballroom on New Year’s Eve. The group also included Prairie Prince, George Tickner, and Ross Valory.
Prairie Prince contributed to demos for their first album but left to rejoin the Tubes before the project was finished. This lineup marked the beginning of Journey’s long evolution.
1974-75: Aynsley Dunbar / Gregg Rolie / Neal Schon / George Tickner / Ross Valory
In 1974, Journey returned with a streamlined lineup, including Aynsley Dunbar on drums. They signed with Columbia and released their self-titled debut album in April, featuring Gregg Rolie as the sole lead vocalist.
The album had a fusion sound but only reached No. 138 on the charts. After its modest success, rhythm guitarist George Tickner decided to leave the band.
1975-77: Aynsley Dunbar / Gregg Rolie / Neal Schon / Ross Valory
By 1976, Journey had become a four-piece, releasing Look to the Future with a more focused sound. In 1977, they added shared vocals on the album Next as their road presence grew stronger.
Despite building a loyal fanbase, neither album rose above No. 85 on the charts. The band soon faced more lineup changes as they continued searching for a breakthrough.
1977: Aynsley Dunbar / Robert Fleischman / Gregg Rolie / Neal Schon / Ross Valory
In 1977, Journey briefly brought in Robert Fleischman as their frontman. He co-wrote three songs for their next album, including the hit “Wheel in the Sky,” but his time with the band was short-lived.
Fleischman moved on to work with Vinnie Vincent, and one of the songs from this period, “For You,” remained unreleased until it surfaced on the Time3 box set.
1978: Aynsley Dunbar / Steve Perry / Gregg Rolie / Neal Schon / Ross Valory
In 1978, Steve Perry joined Journey and instantly clicked with Neal Schon. The two quickly wrote “Patiently” together, marking the start of a new era for the band.
Perry’s vocals, often paired with Gregg Rolie on tracks like “Feeling That Way” and “Anytime,” pushed Journey toward a more mainstream sound. This shift began to shape their future success.
1978-80: Steve Perry / Gregg Rolie / Neal Schon / Steve Smith / Ross Valory
In 1978, Steve Smith replaced Aynsley Dunbar on drums, and Journey continued their momentum. They scored their first Top 20 hit with “Lovin,’ Touchin,’ Squeezin’” in 1979, building on the success of Infinity.
Their next two albums also went triple platinum, but by the end of 1980, Gregg Rolie chose to step back from the band to spend more time with his family.
1980: Steve Perry / Stevie ‘Keys’ Roseman / Neal Schon / Steve Smith / Ross Valory
In 1980, session musician Stevie Roseman filled in on keyboards for “The Party’s Over (Hopelessly in Love),” a Top 40 hit added to Captured, Journey’s live album. This was Gregg Rolie’s final release with the band.
Roseman later collaborated with Neal Schon on a 1999 solo project and teamed up with Ross Valory and George Tickner for 2005’s VTR. His contributions briefly connected him to Journey’s evolving lineup.
1980-85: Jonathan Cain / Steve Perry / Neal Schon / Steve Smith / Ross Valory
In 1980, Gregg Rolie recommended Jonathan Cain from the Babys to take his place in Journey. Cain’s switch from the B3 organ to synthesizers brought a fresh sound to the band.
With Cain onboard, Journey reached new heights. Their next two albums sold over 16 million copies, pushing them to massive success in the early ’80s.
1986-87: Jonathan Cain / Steve Perry / Neal Schon, with Mike Baird and Randy Jackson
In 1986, Steve Perry’s solo success began to strain Journey. He took over as producer for Raised on Radio and replaced Steve Smith and Ross Valory with musicians from his solo project.
The tour that followed didn’t go as planned, leading to tension within the band. By 1987, Journey went on a decade-long hiatus.
1987-1991 (Bad English): Jonathan Cain / Deen Castronovo / Neal Schon, with John Waite and Ricky Phillips
In 1987, Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon teamed up with John Waite and Ricky Phillips from the Babys to form Bad English. They also began working with drummer Deen Castronovo, who would later join Journey.
Bad English found quick success, scoring two Top 5 singles, including the No. 1 hit “When I See You Smile.” However, the band disbanded after a brief run.
1990–91 (The Storm): Gregg Rolie / Steve Smith / Ross Valory, with Kevin Chalfant and Josh Ramos
In 1990, Gregg Rolie, Steve Smith, and Ross Valory teamed up with Kevin Chalfant and Josh Ramos to form The Storm. Their sound closely resembled Journey, thanks to Chalfant’s Perry-like vocals and Ramos’ Schon-inspired guitar.
The band opened for Bryan Adams and Peter Frampton, while their single “I’ve Got a Lot to Learn About Love” made it into the Top 40. Despite the similarities to Journey, The Storm had a brief run.
1991-92 (Hardline): Deen Castronovo / Neal Schon, with Joey Gioeli, Johnny Gioeli and Todd Jensen
In 1991, Deen Castronovo and Neal Schon formed Hardline, collaborating with the Gioeli brothers, Joey and Johnny. Their sound blended AOR and glam metal, creating a fresh mix for the era.
However, when Hardline lost their record deal, Schon decided to leave the project. Josh Ramos, from The Storm, was among those who stepped in as his successor.
1991-96 (The Storm): Gregg Rolie / Ross Valory, with Kevin Chalfant, Josh Ramos and Ron Wikso
From 1991 to 1996, The Storm featured Gregg Rolie and Ross Valory alongside Kevin Chalfant, Josh Ramos, and Ron Wikso. After Steve Smith left to pursue jazz, the band’s prospects began to fade.
They recorded a follow-up album for Interscope Records, but the label shifted its focus to hip-hop after a distribution deal with Death Row Records. Consequently, the album never saw the light of day, leading to The Storm’s breakup.
1995–98: Jonathan Cain / Steve Perry / Neal Schon / Steve Smith / Ross Valory
From 1995 to 1998, Journey’s classic lineup reunited, resulting in their fifth consecutive Top 5 hit album. They also achieved their first Top 20 song since 1987.
Despite this success, hip issues sidelined Steve Perry from touring. To maintain their momentum, Journey made the tough decision to replace him.
1998–2006: Steve Augeri / Jonathan Cain / Deen Castronovo / Neal Schon / Ross Valory
From 1998 to 2006, Journey saw a lineup change as Steve Smith departed again. Deen Castronovo stepped in to replace him while the band focused on rebuilding around new lead singer Steve Augeri.
This transitional phase, spanning two albums, marked a decline in sales for Journey. Ultimately, they lost their long-standing deal with Columbia Records as their commercial fortunes waned.
2003-05 (Soul SirkUS): Deen Castronovo / Jeff Scott Soto / Neal Schon, with Marco Mendoza
In 2003, Neal Schon formed Soul SirkUS after the all-star group Planet Us disbanded. This new project allowed Jeff Scott Soto to step in as a temporary replacement for Journey’s Steve Augeri.
Deen Castronovo and Marco Mendoza also joined the lineup, and all three would later collaborate on various solo projects with Schon. Soul SirkUS represented a brief but notable chapter in their musical journeys.
2006–07: Jonathan Cain / Deen Castronovo / Neal Schon / Jeff Scott Soto / Ross Valory
In 2006, Jeff Scott Soto joined Journey as a replacement for Steve Augeri, who was sidelined by a chronic throat infection. Soto’s official announcement came in December of that year, and he hit the road with the band shortly after.
However, his time with Journey was brief, lasting only until June 2007. Despite the short tenure, Soto brought his energy to the stage during a challenging period for the band.
2007-15: Jonathan Cain / Deen Castronovo / Arnel Pineda / Neal Schon / Ross Valory
From 2007 to 2015, Journey rejuvenated their commercial success by hiring Arnel Pineda, a Filipino singer discovered on YouTube by Jonathan Cain and Neal Schon. His arrival marked a new chapter for the band, as they reestablished their presence in the Top 20.
The release of Revelation in 2008 became a platinum-selling hit, reaching No. 5 on the charts. Following that, Eclipse also performed well, hitting No. 13 in 2011, solidifying their comeback.
2015: Jonathan Cain / Omar Hakim / Arnel Pineda / Neal Schon / Ross Valory
In 2015, Deen Castronovo’s nearly 17-year run with Journey ended suddenly due to personal issues. He eventually sought rehab, leaving the band in need of a replacement for their summer tour.
To fill the gap, Journey brought in Omar Hakim, an experienced drummer known for his work with David Bowie, Dire Straits, and Sting. Hakim’s arrival ensured the band could continue touring during this challenging time.
2015-19: Jonathan Cain / Arnel Pineda / Neal Schon / Steve Smith / Ross Valory
From 2015 to 2019, Journey welcomed back drummer Steve Smith after his collaboration on various solo projects with Neal Schon, including The Calling in 2012 and The Vortex in 2015. His return reinvigorated the band and brought back a familiar dynamic.
Smith’s reunion coincided with Journey’s long-awaited induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. This milestone marked a significant moment in the band’s history, celebrating their lasting impact on rock music.
2019 (Neal Schon’s Journey Through Time): Neal Schon / Gregg Rolie / Dean Castronovo, with Marco Mendoza, Marti Frederiksen and Chris Collins
In 2019, during a brief hiatus from Journey, Neal Schon reconnected with former bandmates Gregg Rolie and Deen Castronovo. This reunion gave fans a chance to experience a broader range of the band’s music beyond the familiar ’80s radio hits.
The shows showcased Journey’s entire history, offering a deeper look at their discography. Joined by Marco Mendoza, Marti Frederiksen, and Chris Collins, this lineup created a unique and nostalgic concert experience for audiences.
2020: Neal Schon / Jonathan Cain / Arnel Pineda
In March 2020, Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain announced a major shake-up in Journey’s lineup, firing longtime members Ross Valory and Steve Smith. They accused the duo of attempting an “ill-conceived corporate coup d’état” to take control of the band’s name.
Following this decision, Schon and Cain pledged to move forward with a renewed focus. They emphasized their commitment to maintaining the core of the band with essential members—Schon, Cain, and Arnel Pineda—while seeking out top musicians to ensure Journey’s continued success.
2020-2021: Neal Schon / Jonathan Cain / Arnel Pineda / Randy Jackson / Narada Michael Walden / Jason Derlatka
During the pandemic, Journey revamped their lineup by adding Narada Michael Walden and Randy Jackson as the new rhythm section. This six-man expansion also welcomed Jason Derlatka as an additional keyboardist and vocalist.
Marco Mendoza stepped in briefly for Jackson when he couldn’t tour, performing at Lollapalooza. Later, Deen Castronovo and Todd Jensen from Hardline took over on drums and bass, respectively, further solidifying the band’s evolving sound.
2021-Present: Neal Schon / Jonathan Cain / Arnel Pineda / Deen Castronovo / Todd Jensen / Jason Derlatka
Journey’s lineup stabilized with the addition of former Hardline bassist Todd Jensen. Co-founder Neal Schon, along with longtime members Jonathan Cain and Arnel Pineda, welcomed Deen Castronovo and Jason Derlatka into the fold.
Despite facing a series of contentious lawsuits between Schon and Cain, the band continued to tour regularly. Their commitment to performing together remained strong, showcasing their resilience amidst challenges.