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| photo: Neal Schon / Twitter |
Journey were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame as part of the Class of 2017 during an April 7 ceremony at New York’s Barclays Center, and video from the 32nd annual event has surfaced online.
Following an introduction by Train frontman Pat Monahan, the classic Journey lineup of Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Steve Smith, Aynsley Dunbar and Ross Valory – alongside founding keyboardist/singer Gregg Rolie – were on hand to deliver a series of speeches thanking family, friends and fans for their support through the years.
Rolie had the distinction of being the 22nd musician in history to be inducted more than once; he first entered the Rock Hall as a member of Santana in 1998.
But all eyes were on Perry, who recounted how he joined the band in 1977 while praising the group’s members and the work of longtime frontman Arnel Pineda, who was discovered singing Journey covers on YouTube with his Filipino band.
Perry left the group in 1998 and last performed with them in 1991, as fans anxiously waited to see if the singer would reunite to play with his former bandmates on this night.
“You're the ones who put us here!,” said Perry. “You are the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame! You put us here! We would not be here had it not been for you and your tireless love and consistent devotion. You never have stopped.
“And from my heart, I must tell you, I have been gone a long time, I understand that. But I want you to know, you've never not been in my heart. I want you to know that. And I love each and every one of you.”
Following the speeches, Journey hit the stage with Pineda to perform “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”, “Lights” – which they dedicated to Perry – and their signature song, “Don’t Stop Believin’”.
While Perry did not perform, Schon later tweeted his thoughts with a picture of Perry, writing “Well he didn't sing tonight but understandably, as it was a very emotional rekindling ... I was very moved very proud.”
Schon resurfaced at the end of the night to join Pearl Jam and other inductees for the traditional all-star jam finale, where they performed Neil Young’s “Rockin’ In The Free World.”
The 2017 Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame induction ceremony will be broadcast by HBO on April 29 at 8PM ET.
Journey recently extended their North American tour with Asia with the addition of six weeks of shows this summer.
Following a three-week run this spring, the pairing will regroup for summer concerts starting June 2 in Durant, OK and wrapping up in El Paso, TX on July 15.
Journey will also appear at a pair of new festival events this summer alongside headliners The Eagles and Fleetwood Mac: The Classic West festival at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles on July 15-16 and The Classic East at Citi Field in New York on July 29-30.
See also:
Steve Perry to join Journey for Rock Hall induction
Journey extend North American tour with Asia
Journey comment on possible Steve Perry reunion at Rock Hall induction
Journey announces US tour and Las Vegas residency
Search Journey at hennemusic
