Keyboardist Jonathan Cain reflects on the band’s success, his inspirations and more

By RICH BERGERON
Staff Writer

GILFORD — Journey, an off-shoot of the early 1970s Santana, has taken many forms as a band but through all the tumultuous changes, the hybrid sound and vocal success of the group has carried them through and keeps them in tune with three generations of fans.

Journey’s symbol — a scarab beetle with wings outspread — is derived from ancient Egyptian lore where the power of the divine scarab beetle was revered. Once hailed as a sign of rebirth, renewal, transformation, and regeneration, the symbol has represented the band’s success and survival through many changes.

Keyboardist Jonathan Cain replaced founding member Greg Rollie in 1981 and had an immediate impact on the band with their next release, Escape. The album hit #1 and produced three top 10 singles: "Open Arms," "Who’s Crying Now," and "Don’t Stop Believing."

Cain took time out for a phone interview recently and shared his insights on creating music, touring, the progress of technology, and even what inspires him today — his late father.

Cain described his dad’s first essential contribution to his childhood interests in music.

"I stood in front of my first Jukebox when I was two at a local tavern with my dad," he said. "Just bouncin’ around, pushin’ buttons, in the (19)50s, being amazed at what I heard."

"Dad was a big part of my musical career," he added. "I shared a vision with him. He’s passed on now, but I carry the torch. He always said this is what you’re gonna do. He encouraged and nurtured my enthusiasm and curiosity for music and gave me what I needed to get where I am today. He’s in a higher place now, but I’m sure he’s proud of what we’re doing. He was always a huge Journey fan."

The songs he’s written and performed over the years are like children to him now that they’ve become such an integral part of his life.

"It’s like raising, having little kids," he said about the connection he has with 250 plus songs he’s been involved in. "Ideas are born. Some turn out to be successful. Some just sort of sit at home with you, and some never see the light of day. Some surprise you when you don’t think they’ll do that great. All of them have a destiny of their own. Try not to give up on them. Never give up on a great lyric. Write it again until you’ve got it right."

Cain calls touring "sort of a reward for doing something good in the studio. People give feedback on it. People see our shows and say, ‘I grew up with that music.’ We did some good things. Touring keeps the music alive, it keeps us young. I’m seeing a lot of younger fans. Three generations of fans. Grampas bringin’ their kids and their kids. The young faces are neat to see."

The band keeps busy to encourage a loyal following.

"The secret to our success is just good songs. Solid playing and solid touring. Part of the reason that we’ve been successful is because we continue to tour," he said. "You have to be consistent night to night in your playing and your touring. People count on that because they want something solid to do on a summer night. We’ve led them to believe they’re gonna get a great show at a Journey concert."

He also indicated that the effort pays off.

"We’ve been touring every summer since (19)98," he said. "It’s the longest any group of Journey has been together. We’ve done a couple of albums and we’re currently working on new ideas for a possible album next year. This version represents the music pretty well. We take it from (19)77 to the present."

Cain describes Journey as a "musical hybrid of American music that represents the pop and the soul and the rock. It’s radio music we grew up listening to. We continue to define it and evolve it. It’s always been simple, hopeful music."

"I bring a sense of lyrical content and melody to the band. As well as some history. I’m a big Santana fan, and I grew up loving what Neal [Schon] was doing, unknowing to him. I’m pretty proud of what we’ve accomplished so far. I think we all respect each other a lot, each other’s abilities and strengths. Neal’s always been like a brother to me. It’s great to see him havin’ fun with a band that he created back in the (19)70s. He’s a great guitar player. And his voice is best understood in Journey. What we’re all most known for is this band. Steve Augeri and Deen Castronovo take it to the next step. They’ve both been pretty cool."

He said fans should expect a set that’s "pretty balanced, going from old to new. Dean the drummer sings a song. It’s really great. We’re doing a lot of Steve Perry stuff. Ross sings a song. I sing a song. We’re jammin’ and goin’ on playing the classics with four or five new songs we haven’t played in a while mixed into the set."

The best new number the band’s produced is tough to call, Cain claims.

"It’s hard to say. We had an album called Arrival back in 2000. We have some new stuff we’re writing now. I couldn’t really name one," he said. "We’re doing ‘Higher Place’ from Arrival and ‘Kiss Me Softly’. There’s lots of others we could do, but there’s only so much time and so many ballads you can play in one show."

His favorite ballad is one he wrote, "Faithfully." The tune has sentimental value to him because so many people sing it out loud in the audience when the band plays it.

"I like the way the fans have embraced it and made it their song," he said. "I always see signs that say ‘We’re forever yours, faithfully.’ It’s a nice moment in the show, there’s a lotta huggin’ going on and people going emotional."

The overall effect fans have on the band is profound.

"It’s powerful in a sense of accepting the new guys seven years ago, allowing us to carry on, and the word of mouth over the last seven years built our business back up," he said. "This summer we’re seeing pretty good audiences, and supportive ones. The work has paid off and that’s due to fans spreadin’ the word, keeping the faith."

Cain is excited about coming to town to play at Meadowbrook.

"It’s always nice country to come up to. The people are real positive and supportive in New Hampshire. It’s just a clean, natural site. There’s something about it that’s very cool," he said.

A discussion with Cain about the 1982 release of Journey Escape for the Atari 2600 game system launched into Cain giving a perspective on how technology has changed. The game features characters like Shifty-Eyed Promoters, Sneaky Photographers, Loyal Roadies, and the Mighty Manager. The object is to escape from a concert to a waiting Scarab escape vehicle, avoiding groupies and other obstacles along the way.

"It was pretty funny, a Japanese game that was very funny. I remember playing it thinking, ‘That’s not a bad game.’ Pretty silly all in all. Atari did it for a minute. I still have a cartridge," he said. "I’m gonna have to get one (an Atari system) on Ebay and show my kids. We’ve come a long way from Pong. In 1975 I remember seeing Pong games in bars."

Today, the technology translates into smoother shows for everyone involved.

"It doesn’t take so long to fly a rock show now. It’s making everyone’s job easier, from truck drivers to riggers," he said. "With our technology we’re fortunate as musicians. People got better venues, more thought is put into acoustics. Instruments are more efficient, there’s less tuning problems. There’s not much excuses, even the microphones are better. We use monitors all on a radio frequency, so there’s no feedback. We don’t have to play at loud decibels on stage like we’re used to. We also don’t get worn out as much."

With three kids at home, recording technology is helping him spend more time there.

"I have a home studio now and I do a lot of my records at home. I engineer and produce them," he said. "I also have a 15-year-old Latin kid I’m teaching, and I’m writing songs for him. His name is Manuel Romero. I have a lot of things going on."

Cain’s historic entry into the band has left him cherishing the chance he’s had to create music and watch it take off. The best aspect of his involvement in the business is just "leaving something behind that people can remember you by."

He has certainly done that, and the fans have embraced him with "Open Arms." (Sorry, couldn’t resist).

Rich Bergeron can be reached by calling 524-3800 ext. 5932 or by e-mail at rbergeron@citizen.com.

© 2004 Geo. J. Foster Company