Journey Through Time: Continuing The Passion

     Passion is like a fire. And when you have a passion like Neal Schon, for music, you can't stop it. Even after 45 years, he is carrying the torch for Journey. This founding member and guitar player shines on with arguably the best band to ever step onto a stage or record an album. Through the long-tenured success of Schon and Journey, there have been ups and downs and member changes. Most notably, Steve Perry, who helped carry the band through the 70's and 80's with his soaring vocal abilities, left the band in 1987 after what he calls a "burn out."
     These days Arnel Pineda is singing the well-known tunes and doing an awesome job keeping the legacy sound going. Journey is about to finish their tour with Def Leppard on October 7th.

 Neal Schon has mentioned recently on social media,a new album and a book to be released in 2019, and now there is talk of another Journey Through Time get together. Returning back to the fold with Schon are two ex-members of Journey,  drummer and vocalist,Deen Castronovo and keyboardist and vocalist Gregg Rolie.
    
     Castronovo was a 17 year veteran with Journey. Unfortunately in 2015,  the drummer hit rock bottom and was arrested, pleading guilty to assault and other charges. He was fired from the band soon after.There have been many negative comments and reports ending up on social media and other news outlets, declaring that this might be the end of his career.This fortunately did not stop him from performing and recording music.  Deen has confessed his wrong doings, accepted it and has moved on.He has worked hard to prove to everyone that he is a changed man, through counseling and rehabilitation.He has made a point to not give up when the chips are down, and that is a very strong statement.
    That is what a man should always do. Own up to his mistakes and pay for them. In a day and age where nobody is allowed to fall and forgiveness is a forgotten term of yesterday, Castronovo has not only changed his life, he has endured and has made some awesome music since those lowly days. He has relied on his faith in God to help him through life's challenges, and is currently on tour with the Dead Daisies. You won't find a more talented individual anywhere that has gone from a pit to climbing a mountain to success. Truly, Deen is an inspiration to many who have battled addiction and hardships in their life. 

Gregg Rolie will return on keyboards, adding his classic blues sound and powerful singing skills to the mix. The atmosphere that he brings to the stage is unbeatable. Rolie still looks and sounds great, and will leave fans wanting more as witnessed at benefit concert earlier this year. He has been playing,recording and touring for years, since his departure from Journey, and recently with Ringo Starr's All-Star band. Talent like his is so rare and it is such a treat for fans to hear him do these classic hits again. The sounds that you have missed from the 70's are back. so much so that you cant deny the team of Schon and Rolie that shined in Santana and Journey during the early years.
     Many Journey fans are excited about the reformation of Journey Through Time. It is Neal Schon's grouping, which is an extension of Journey if you will. The band entertained fans , where they performed classic Journey songs of the pre-Escape era and more. Castronovo, who played drums and sang on songs that you don't hear anymore, like "Patiently" and "Trial By Fire" which will give you chills every time you hear them being sung. Deen definitely captures the essence of Steve Perry in addition to his killer drumbeats on the skins.
     Returning to play the bass is likely to be Deen's bandmate in Dead Daisies, Marco Mendoza. Possibly returning also on keyboards is John Varn.
     Schon says the band will perform selections from the entire Journey catalog and there will be a few surprises, Journey fans will get a taste of the past with every note played and  with every song. This is sure to be a success as the band works out a touring schedule. Hopefully soon there will be a Journey Through Time album or DVD available. The band Journey will take 2019 off but fans will be pacified with solo albums and side projects, including this adventure. All of this and Steve Perry is releasing a new album, Traces and possibly touring in 2019!  It sounds like 2019 is going to be an awesome year for Journey fans who love the legacy and each member that has touched their lives throughout the years.
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