Journey Induction into the BAMMIES Walk of Fame

 ( See The Journey Show Review )

            April 25, 2003 will go down in San Francisco history as the day Journey was inducted into the BAMMIES Walk of Fame in front of the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium.  Journey is a name that is synonymous with San Francisco and the music industry at large; it is only fitting that an honor such as this be bestowed upon them in their hometown.   Journey was the first band to perform nighttime; outdoor stadium shows with high-resolution video screens creating an intimate feeling in these giant venues.  They have 18 albums to their credit and have sold more than 70 million albums worldwide.  They have won 19 BAMMIE awards since their inception, namely 4 band awards, 12 individual Journey members awards and 3 individual solo Debuts. And finally, their 1996 album “Trial by Fire” was nominated for a Grammy.  Journey is the 8^th Bay Area artist in 5 years to have such an honor bestowed upon them, but the first to be inducted strictly by their fans.  The join Bay Area legends such as, Santana, Jefferson Airplane, Janis Joplin and Bill Graham on the BAMMIE Walk of Fame. 

            The plaque induction was set in motion in 2002, when Cheryl Simien (one of five chairs for the Journey Past & Present Committee also known as JPP) contacted the Bill Graham Civil Auditorium in San Francisco.  Ms. Simien and her committee wanted to honor the band and have the ceremony coincide with their annual fan gathering.  She first met with “Nick” who liked the idea of having a fan induction and contacted BAMMIE founder Dennis Erokan.  At the time, Mr. Erokan had pretty much given up on the Walk of Fame since the demise of BAM magazine.  “This project rejuvenated his want to continue working on the Walk of Fame Project,” according to Darla Ellis (also a chair of the JPP Committee). 

The speakers for the ceremony read as a virtual whose who in the San Francisco music scene, with the exception of the Honorable Willie Brown.  Dennis Erokan, founder of the Bay Area Music Awards (BAMMIES), now known as the California Music Awards (CAMMIES) was the  MC of the hour long ceremony, lending anecdotes and thank yous to the several sponsors of the event itself.  Also in attendance was nationally syndicated rock jock Paul “The Lobster” Wells, legionary disc jockey Steven Seaweed from 107.7 The Bone (also known as KSAN), JPP Committee members Darla Ellis and Cheryl Simien, noted San Francisco Chronicle journalist and author Joel Selvin, former Santana and Journey manager Herbie Herbert, San Francisco Mayor Willie Brown, and of course Journey. 

The current Journey line-up of Steve Augeri, Neal Schon, Ross Valory, Dean Castronovo, and Jonathon Cain were joined by Gregg Rolie and Ansley Dunbar for the occasion.  Noticeably absent were Steve Perry and Steve Smith.  According to Dennis Erokan, “I got a call last night from Steve Smith who is on his way to Albuquerque for a tour.  And so he wasn’t able to be here, but he wanted everyone to know how much he appreciated this.  And, through his people I heard from Steve Perry and he also thanks you all for being here.”  Understandable, Steve Smith has continued drumming with his jazz-fusion band Vital Information as well as conducting drum clinics for his sponsor Sonor drums.  However the disappointed absence for former front man Steve Perry cannot go unnoticed.   This ceremony and plaque was in honor of Journey’s achievements.  He was the front man, influential songwriter and voice of Journey for nearly 2 decades.  He and Jonathon Cain created what is now known today in the industry as the “power ballad” with the release of “Open Arms” and “Faithfully”.   Although his absence did not over shadow the day’s events, it was felt throughout as Journey songs were played before, during and after the ceremony.  Shame on you Mr. Perry, shame on you.