Journey Before Steve Perry

For many listeners, Journey begins with Steve Perry. But before Perry joined the band, Gregg Rolie handled the lead vocals as Journey developed a more progressive and exploratory sound. In this episode of Dave’s Side One, Dave revisits In the Beginning, a two-record compilation drawn from Journey’s first three studio albums. The episode explores Rolie’s voice, Neal Schon’s already-recognizable guitar playing, and the musical ideas that connected Journey’s experimental beginnings with its later melodic success. Today’s Side One Spin: What band surprised you when you explored its earlier work?