Steve Perry Fans - Journey Meets The Press 1983

It was the beginning of the new year and Journey met press and photographers at L.A.'s famous Palace Theater. This was the scene as Neal Schon, Steve Perry, Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain and eventually Steve Smith kicked off their tour of Japan, the U.S. and Canada - and the members of the fourth estate had lots to ask them about. Here's what happened!

The press was treated to Journey's new record album by way of the loud speakers, then Steve and the guys began taking questions. Many of those were directed at Steve and you can tell by his many expressions that they covered the gamut! Was this album a new Frontier for Journey too? Yes, you can't play it safe and get locked into a sound. You have to explore new areas.

Ross, Steve, Neal and Jon held down the fort, because Steve Smith was detained on family business in Boston. The bearded drummer did make it in before the end of the conference, but missed seeing Journey receive two awards from the L.A. County Board of Supervisors and from the Governor of California for the civic and charitable contributions.

How did Steve get his vocal style? In Hanford, California when he was seven years old, because of all his musical influences - and because of his own style too! Is this the band's last LP? Ha, ha! Second to the last, they joked. Steve also confirmed that he is not dying of cancer of the throat - a rumor that even managed to reach his family!

The guys were asked if they were trying to top Escape with their new LP, and they carefully suggested that Frontiers had nothing to do with Escape; that the new album had as fresh a sound as they could possibly give it and that to compete with themselves would be self-defeating.

There was a lot of laughter as Journey answered the questions thrown at them. Jon (right) said he never felt he was filling Gregg Rolie's shoes when he joined Journey, that the deal was that he bring what he had to offer. He felt accepted 100%! Neal talked about how his solo albums with Jan Hammer recharged his creative batteries and that he felt it was a really healthy thing for him to do.

Steve Smith arrived after twelve hours of flying time. He caused a bit of a stir and the guys made room for him as the photographers began to click away once more.

As Steve Perry explained his joy over the opportunity to work with Kenny Loggins on their joint single, Ross and Neal took questions on the band's hot new video game, Journey Escape. It's a business venture, they said. They're moving forward and it's not bad for musicians to be business minded nowadays. Jon also explained what a unique experience it was working as a producer on his wife, Tane's, album.

Was it tough becoming a rocker with such a strong jazz background?, Steve Smith was asked. It was difficult at first, said he, but the guys helped make it easy. It took quite a while though. Did Journey have an ultimate goal? To play good music, tour, be successful and sell LPs they said. It even came out that Steve Smith brings a refrigerator-sized road version of the Defender arcade game with him when he's on the road!

The rest of the guys helped Steve Smith finish off the conference by answering things like, Who is the leader of Journey? Their response was that Journey is a democratic group with no single leader. And that dreaded question about being a "faceless" band came up too! Journey's response was quick and clean. Said Steve Perry, With a nose like his and mine, how can they say we're faceless?! And the others added: So many people are shallow - maybe there are faceless writers, they said teasingly! Maybe they're frustrated musicians, Journey quipped! Maybe Journey made their point, don't ya think!!?!! Then it was off to do their three-song video for their Frontiers album - and another Journey tour for you to love was underway! Watch for them in your town!