Raised on Radio [Digipak] (CD - 1986)

Additional personnel: Randy Jackson (bass); Steve Smith, Larrie Londin (drums); Randy Goodrum (background vocals).

Recorded at Plant Studios, Saucalito, California and Fantasy Studios, Berkeley, California.

Journey (Rock): Steve Perry (vocals); Neal Schon (guitar, guitar synthesizer, Kurzwell synthesizer, background vocals); Jonathan Cain (keyboards, background vocals); Randy Jackson (bass guitar); Steve Smith (drums).

Additional personnel: Bob Glaub (bass guitar); Larrie Londin, Mike Baird (drums).

Journey's ninth new studio album found the group reduced to a trio of guitarist Neal Schon, singer Steve Perry, and keyboard player Jonathan Cain. But even without their regular rhythm section, the group was able to re-create the accessible pop/rock sound perfected on earlier albums such as Escape and Frontiers. Schon's guitar still cut through the fat keyboard chords, and Perry's fluid tenor still gave the songs an airy, melodic appeal. All of that was good for sales of two million copies and five chart singles, four of which made the Top 40 and one of which, "Be Good to Yourself," reached the Top Ten. That didn't match the seven-million-selling number one Escape, but it confirmed that Journey's music had a large audience right to the (temporary) end of its career. ~ William Ruhlmann

After a three-year layoff, Journey returned with 1986's RAISED ON RADIO. Longtime drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory had left the band prior to the album's recording, leaving singer Steve Perry, guitarist Neal Schon, and keyboardist Jonathan Cain to fend for themselves.

While the album wasn't as big a blockbuster as the band's previous few releases (ESCAPE, FRONTIERS, etc.), it did spawn such hit singles as "Girl Can't Help It" and "Be Good to Yourself." After a successful supporting tour wrapped up later in the year, Journey would go on hiatus for 10 years, until 1996's TRIAL BY FIRE. minimize