( See The Journey Induction into the BAMMIES Walk of Fame )

            Another rainy night in California and trip number 2 for Daniel and myself to the City by the Bay for a Journey excursion.  We had spent a few hours with Journey and former members Gregg Rolie and Ansley Dunbar at their induction to the BAMMIES Walk of Fame at the Bill Graham Civil Auditorium.  As always, once leaving the Bay Bridge our first mission was parking, our second was batteries for our camera.  Daniel and I would soon be joined by our good friend Keith Regan, who was delighted to share in his run in with a flasher on Market Street.  But then again, when you are in the Tenderloin District of San Francisco, anything can happen and generally does!

            As Daniel and I approached the venue, the line stretched out around the corner and down the block.  Tonight was definitely going to be a night filled with Journey fans from all over the world.  I ran into a couple that had flown in from New Orleans to see the induction ceremony and tonight’s concert.  I was also aware of people that had come from Florida, Utah, New York and Missouri, not to mention those who drove in from Southern California. 

            The show was entitled “An Evening with Journey and Friends” for good reason, I had heard from a reliable source that a former member of Journey would be sitting in for a song or two, members of Santana were in attendance and ready to hit the stage on cue, and the Red Rocker himself, that’s right Sammy Hagar, was to make an appearance.  This was an event to beat all events for the year in our fair city by the bay.  The purpose of this show was twofold, first being a celebration of Journey’s 30 years of music (hard to believe I am coming up on a 20 year anniversary of my first live performance) and second this was a benefit show with proceeds to go to Camp Okizu, a summer camp for Northern California’s children with cancer, and their families. 

            First and foremost, I will say this from the beginning, if I never see Journey live again that would be fine.  This was by far one of the best shows I have seen in the last 5 years and the BEST Journey performance I have ever witnessed (even without Steve Perry in attendance).  When the lights dimmed, there wasn’t a person left sitting in the venue and the chants/screams were defining as each band member took their place on stage.  They opened the show with “State of Grace” from their 4-song demo CD entitled “Red 13” released in 2002.  The rest was an open book soundtrack of my childhood, which included songs spanning from their 18-album catalog.  The energy was fierce as the crowd pushed closer to the stage from every seat in the venue; one just couldn’t be close enough to the sounds coming from the stage amps.  Ten minutes into their set, Ansley Dunbar strode out on to the stage to a whoop of screams to play “Wheel in the Sky”.  The full venue standing ovation was well founded, Ansley had not stepped foot on the stage with Neal Schon and Ross Valory since 1979.  The chemistry was there, the notes perfect as I watched in amazement as one of the more renown drummers of my generation played flawlessly.  (A little local history, Ansley also played with Grace Slick and Paul Canter in Jefferson Airplane before joining Journey in late 1973.)  Journey planned their evening’s performance well, including long-time fan favorites that have not been heard for the better part of 15 years, “Precious Time,” “La Do Da,” “Dixie Highway” and “Line of Fire”.   Halfway through the set Neal Schon took center stage and played out the national anthem.  He awed a sold out crowd into stunned silence.  If anyone could bring a crowd to their feet and awe them into silence with intricate guitar playing, it would be Neal Schon.  Tonight was definitely planned out by the band to be a treat for their fans.  Their 90-minute set was 21 songs long, beginning with new music written with lead singer Steve Augeri and ending with “We Will Meet Again” from their 2001 release Arrival.

            “We have a few more surprises in store for you!” exclaimed Neal Schon as he exited stage left and stagehands began placing additional percussion equipment on stage.  As if the evening’s events could come to a higher end, former Santana band mates Mike Ceramello and Chapito walked on stage and took their cue.  The full richness of their dual percussion filled the room and the opening guitar riffs began for “Black Magic Woman”.  Neal Schon took lead vocals and I began to break out in goose bumps.  This was truly music history unfolding in front of me.  The only thing that could’ve taken this particular performance to the next level would’ve been the appearance of Gregg Rolie.  Unfortunately, that did not come to pass and it is an absolute shame.  The band as a whole moved seamlessly into “La Raza Del Sol” and again I was treated to the rhythmic beats from Mike and Chapito, as Steve Augeri’s vocals soured, Neal’s guitar sang and Deen Castronovo supplied the complimentary backbeat.  It was magical.  You couldn’t help but move, dance, tap your feet in unison with the beats supplied by three drummers on stage moving in perfect time.  And as if perfect paradise was not enough, they moved into “Everybody’s Everything” by James Brown with Jonathan Cain on keyboards and vocals. 

            I watched as Santana and Journey fused on stage to take a final bow.  I was exhausted, both in body and spirit.  How could this show get any better?  That question was soon answered as Neal Schon took his ever present place on stage left and began the opening riffs to Led Zepplin’s “Rock and Roll”… out walked Sammy Hagar in all his glory owning the stage and covering Robert Plant as no one else could.  Even though I knew for months he would be there, I was still caught up in the awe of seeing him on stage.  His energy was infectious and his presence overwhelmed the already stimulated crowd.  I truly did not want the show, this dream to end, as the venue lights came on after a heartfelt “Good Night” was shouted out by the band and Sammy in unison. 

Set List:
State of Grace
Separate Ways
Wheel in the Sky
La Do Da
Dixie Highway
Line of Fire
Lights
Open Arms
Mother, Father
Precious Time
Rubicon
National Anthem
Don’t Stop Believin’
Higher Place
Faithfully
Escape
Be Good to Yourself
We Will Meet Again
Black Magic Woman
La Raza Del Sol
Everybody’s Everything
Rock n’ Roll

Official Journey website:  www.journeymusic.com