Journey - Of A Lifetime - 5/26/1974 - Winterland (Official)

Journey - Of A Lifetime
Recorded Live: 5/26/1974 - Winterland - San Francisco, CA
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Personnel:
Gregg Rolie - vocals, keyboards
Neal Schon - guitars, vocals
Ross Valory - bass, vocals
Aynsley Dunbar - drums
George Tickner - guitar
Summary:
This is among the earliest known professional recordings of Journey, from long before it ascended to the top of the AOR radio charts with a long string of FM hits. The group had formed eight months earlier when young guitar superstar Neal Schon decided to form his own group after departing Santana in 1972. He eventually convinced singer/keyboardist Gregg Rolie to follow suit, making Journey the Bay Area's first handpicked supergroup. Also on board were bassist Ross Valory (best known for his role in the artsy psychedelic band Frumious Bandersnatch) and drummer extraordinaire Aynsley Dunbar, who had spent the previous few years working with Frank Zappa and David Bowie (during the Diamond Dogs period). Dunbar was a new addition, since the band's original drummer, Prairie Prince, had left to form a new group-The Tubes.
Although the band (whose name was picked as the result of a listener contest on KSAN-FM) would spring into its most lucrative popularity after the fourth album, Infinity, was made with new vocalist Steven Perry in 1978, this recording shows a musical group searching to find its place in the burgeoning rock marketplace.
The material here appeared on the band's debut Columbia Records album, and appears to be more of a marriage of progressive rock and jazz fusion than the pop-driven hard rock format that it would later embrace with Perry.
The Journey heard here was more about musical acrobatics and frantic solos than it is about melodies and well constructed rhythms. That skill would come later, after Perry joined, Tickner departed, and Dunbar, who had bolted to join Jefferson Starship, was replaced by Steve Smith.
The hit making version of the band would remain together until 1987. Today, Schon and Valory remain in a version of the band that has virtually no musical connection to the band recorded for this show.

[@kirkbrown4585]

about the best Journey song ever.... in my opinion :)

[@dannymartinez9371]

Kirk Brown mine too. forget about Perry singing at Rock in Roll Hall of Fame ceremony, Rolie should have joined band to do this one. Or even Kohoutek. Hell, they Steve Smith was there too! (And I love Perry but come on fellas, give the real fans something!!)

[@greenolive9927]

Look into the Future.

[@DetVen]

Kirk Brown that is actually not a opinion...that is a statement of fact.

[@PeaceandQuiet12345]

ABSOLUTELY AGREED

[@toweringfool9275]

I concur. Honestly, this singer isn't classically trained, actually not great, BUT puts feeling into it. Like Janis Joplin...

[@torch6817]

Their first 3 albums to date are still my favorites of all Journey albums.

[@ministrychicago1]

First two I LOVE. NO Steve Perry Involved.

[@rjklein3695]

Incomparably superior. Santana off-shoot, or pop...no contest. Like early Tubes. Interestingly Prairie Prince recorded drums on much but it never went to vinyl. Aynsley right up there too.

[@georgefernandez676]

Me too

[@bandera3389]

One of the most underrated songs ever!

[@Markothunder]

That's sadly true:(

[@kennethliss6331]

In late spring in '75 my girlfriend and I were tripping on acid walking through Golden Gate park, San Francisco, and we heard this song beginning. We walked into a meadow and there were several hundred people sitting on the grass and there was Journey on a small stage with great amplifiers. It was the first time I heard this song and what a place and state of mind to hear it in. I've loved it ever since. Always sends chills up and down my spine.

[@dlee6266]

Wow!! What a great memory to have Kenneth Liss!! That's all yours my friend. Neal Schon Forever!!

[@schwartz664]

Neil Schon, what a guitar player!

[@dupreeblues4744]

may the schwartz be with you !

[@OZRIC1985]

It's such a trip that Neal Schon was 20 years old in this video, but he looked like 40 years old. And, now he looks younger than he did 42 years ago. Anyway, Neal Schon is one of my all-time favorite guitar players. He has such amazing feeling and intensity in his playing and he is so creative and melodic. He's definitely one of the all-time guitar greats. :) That being said, all the other guys in the band are incredible world-class musicians as well.

[@CrimsonGator96]

I'm also 20, and I feel like this dude was a completely different species when he was my age. Like you said, he plays like a 40 year old. Just crazy.

[@doyleperkins4916]

@@CrimsonGator96 He was only 15 when he joined Santana.

[@f20zlk2000]

So well said. I've known of Journey for a long time of course but have only recently taken a deep dive into everything Neal Schon, including solo albums, Hardline, Schon & Hammer. So many treasures. I love his tone and emotion so much. A true genius. So grateful I get to see him this coming Wednesday with Toto in Austin. Rumor has it that Gregg Rolie may join this show.

[@timnavarrette3274]

I was a freshman in highschool at this time. Was in my first garage band,and we did small gigs. These guys were a big influence on me ,Santana and so many others helped to learn from. Thank you all so much my heart. We were blessed with such honorable teachers such as you all.

[@kathyscoppettuolo7168]

​@@doyleperkins4916and, a few nights ago, he joined Carlos and Cindy Santana to jam at the House of Blues in Vegas!

[@timbohn921]

Greg Rolle's song writing has no bounds.

[@ACrackInTheWall2006]

The original Journey!

[@deb4930]

Yes you are so right!!!!! This was their very "!st" album. "Of a Lifetime." They did a lot of their practicing at the Moraga something.

[@rebeccagonzales3609]

The BEST Journey!!!

[@jimdep6542]

Most of their rehearsing in San Francisco was at Wally Hierders (sp?) studio.

[@fanchou7873]

Love the guitar solo amazing

[@clubmidnightsun]

Journey at their best I loved them at this point in time.

[@georgewake101]

I want this to be played at my funeral

[@LOV2ROK2VINYL]

RIP George Tickner 😢

[@weninjason]

Crazy to think that Journey has been a group for nearly a half century!

[@rebeccagriggs3262]

I was 11 the first time i heard these guys, some of my older brothers were big fans of these guys. My bros are gone now but they turned me on to these guys first years of music, RIP paul and Carl, miss you my brothers 💘💘💘💘💘💘💘💘

[@bahamaslive]

Probably one of the best songs I've heard in my lifetime ♥️

[@schwartz664]

Perfect construction, of a song from that era, timeless, is what makes it epic!

[@ryanmccolloch4734]

This will forever be my favorite Journey song

[@scottdavidson9963]

Amazing composition. Guitar riffs are perfect.

[@priscillakinkle]

Absolutely brilliant!

[@SteveCarlSwanson]

I went to Winterland many times in the 70's,and this is about as good as it ever was. What happened? Why did this kind of rock die? :-(

[@Nordraw]

So did I dude. Journey, Montrose and UFO where did those times go. Lived in San Jose for many years and this was the place to go.

[@mattember5372]

Punk killed everything. It had some virtues, but it was mostly a destroyer.

[@brendashubin1177]

I was there. Winterland best venue for Journey and Santana!! God Bless Bill Graham!!!!

[@moonflower1960]

🤍

[@DetVen]

Oh that guitar tone is so glorious!!

[@chrisb8655]

It's a shame. After around 1981 his tone has gotten worse, other than a few tunes on Raised On Radio. He sounds like Santana here, for obvious reasons, except with his own style and technique.

[@TRCguitar]

The first 3 Journey albums are the only Journey albums. What a killer solo by Schon ❤❤❤!!!!

[@david1044]

This show at Winterlamd, had Journey open, Montrose, and top Billing Blue Oyster Cult. Ticket price $10.50..just an incredible night!

[@rudychavez4569]

Bill Graham ,in the beginning,always made ticket prices affordable Things are alot different nowadays unfortunately.

[@okeydoke7071]

By far the best Journey song. Im absolutely memorized when this jam is playing 🎸

[@rexseymour2124]

journey at its best!!!

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

Agree.

[@rebeccagonzales3609]

I was there and seen the original Journey several times living in the Bay Area....in my honest opinion they were my favorite. Nothing against Steve Perry and those who came after, but I loved the original rock band and not so much the later stuff. Kohoutek, Topaz, To Play Some Music....and Of a Lifetime...the best!!!!

[@stephenthestoryteller3139]

This came out right before I was born. There’s a magic that’s indescribable about this song. Amazing!

[@swapniltelang2445]

Journey has many awesome tracks to their credit... of course this being the best of all for them and in my opinion best ever by across the globe.... no one can come close to "Of A Lifetime"

[@djaimzy]

Very good song, i love the rythm section both drums and bassguitar too👍🏼

[@jeffwarren4938]

Can't beat Dunbar on drums!

[@rafaelbraga2751]

Wonderful and definitive song of Journey ! 🤘🤘🎸🎸👊👊

[@kenthawley5990]

The mist is slowly lifting, The sound of life misplaced your mind. You're sitting, spellbound throughout time. I hope that you remember what you find, Singing more of a lifetime. You put it down--all that I'm thinking, But take a long and distant search. When all is right, you take for granted. You can't look down, but you're no worse, Singing more of a lifetime. The countless visions that are drifting, The silver dreams you hate to lose. There's no harm; we've all been waiting. So keep your faith. Do what you choose. Singing more of a lifetime.

[@MrShugg2u]

These guys tore that shit down

[@michael_caz_nyc]

Of a Lifetime and Anyway are the 2 Best ( pre Steve Perry ) Journey songs ever. I love his guitar playing. Very emotional - not just Meaningless speed & ripping. It more Gilmour & Santana-like with the phrasing.

[@jeffroegner1499]

Love nickel and dime too. 😍

[@JoJo-je9dr]

Ansley Dunbar what a drummer!!!!!

[@kathyscoppettuolo4203]

He is really good, but for some reason, Steve Perry didn't think that he was a good fit, so Ainsley was let go 😔. All their preceeding drummers are good, also.

[@alphaalpha5]

I do believe this is a concert I attended along with a couple of shipmates . Journey was the opening act, followed by The Tubes and headlining with John McLaughlin and the Mahavishnu orchestra. Jorney blew every one away, so much that The Tubes were nearly boo'd offstage. Things were being flung at The Tubes by the audience, and Fey Wrey was returning fire. By the time Mahavishnu appeared, everyone had mellowed out again, but without a doubt, Journey was the class act of the evening.

[@rickjones3648]

So dreamy and tight. Wicked rock never to be duplicated.

[@toweringfool9275]

I've never been a big Journey fan, but if they had had tracks like this....

[@jeffwarren4938]

First three albums without Perry are fantastic!

[@vincentstevens5048]

​@@jeffwarren4938you took the words right out of my mouth. Rolie's soulful vocals and the melancholy vibe of this song are just perfect.

[@jeffwarren4938]

​@vincentstevens5048 Agree completely! His voice is totally different than Perry's, and meshes perfectly with this type of music!! The music went to shit when Perry got Dunbar fired, and Rolie left. The first three albums are spectacular musicianship. Rolie's vocals were great in Santana as well...he is a rock legend....so smooth and cool!

[@gweeds334]

Neal Schon's inluences from Hendrix and Clapton are pouring out in the absolute best way possible. this whole thing is incredible.

[@johncarlson306]

Greatest Journey tune... Ever, well, a case can be made for Kohoutek and maybe Look Into the Future, but this song hits all the points.. . Aynsley is just stupid good. Guitar solo perfectly crafted...amazing crescendo. This is the essence of this band. Perry stuff? nope..

[@rayjr62]

+John Carlson (DoggieStyle Hotdogs) their record label put the screws to their Mgt. to go commercial. That's why they brought Perry in- and that's why they started writing 3 minute pop / rock song for 16-year old girls. To make money.

[@robertwilletts4122]

@@rayjr62 Absolute garbage you idiot Neal Schon as always been the one in control there record label did nothing of the kind songs for 16 year old girls? dont talk stupid

[@robertwilletts4122]

@@rayjr62 Journey have always wrote long songs not 3 minute songs

[@L4M858]

Back in the day, saw Journey at Winterland. Wow, great band and a great concert hall Winterland was!

[@unkljj]

Journeys greatest song!

[@scottdavidson9963]

I'm not sure bout that. However, I understand the statement. Opinions vary. Salute 🫡

[@calwells5612]

Amazing to see George Tickner! So great.

[@susanhardinwatkinsheidarif7992]

I was there! My all time Dave Journey song

[@warrenpeece1726]

Certainly my favorite Journey song. From their best album.

[@markmoyer31]

When Journey was Journey

[@user-ht6tu1hm3i]

One of the most beautiful songs Neal wrote. Can really hear the Santana influence in it, could've probably even been a Santana song (I'm guessing he might have wrote it while with Santana). RIP George Tickner.

[@user-he7lz4rt1f]

First heard this on the radio when i was 11 on a Detroit radio station called CKLW. They played this a lot and i enjoyed every time they did, very old classic Journey. I still have their album i bought around that time too, albeit a bbit worn and scratched up a bit bu now. lol

[@ColtOfPersonality]

R.I.P. George Tickner 🙏

[@jongutierrez778]

Awesome! 🙏🏼 🎶🎵 👍🏼

[@TuxyKat]

Since their early beginnings, they had "IT." NO way were they not going to shine 🌞 and be successful and be very LOVED💕💜💞.

[@PalomaBo]

Gregg Rolie, fantastic!! ❤

[@rickyrm123]

What can I say but Great

[@eddietruly8807]

Pre Perry Journey is still one of the hestv70's melodic bands! Schon is superb 😊

[@Sovereign_Citizen_LEO]

The first 3 albums were the best and the 60s and 70s (and some of the 80s) was the best era of music. I always thought as soon as Steve Perry joined the band, they lost their hard rock edge. The same was true to a large extent of the Doobie Brothers when Michael McDonald joined the band.

[@jeffroegner1499]

Gotta commercialize a little to make the big bucks. But I get what you're saying.

[@alisonannallyallen1437]

Best journey song 🎉

[@user-eo2oz2tf4q]

What a great album.

[@brigitteplancher7185]

Très belle musique, j'aime beaucoup.

[@doyleperkins4916]

Perhaps my all time favorite of all my favorite songs.

[@user-ix1md7jd6m]

отличная музыка в плейлисте всегда. гениально

[@hanskarsseboom3265]

I went to this concert. Yeah. I'm that old...

[@Dhughes57]

I know that Neal did some one off shows and played some of the old Journey. I would pay to go see this version of the band play the first three albums!

[@jeffwarren4938]

Me too!!!!!!!!

[@shelleymotzner7252]

I was there at Winterland 1974 great show Herbbie was paceing back and forth I grabbed him and said there a hit Lou was a nervous reck

[@ChristopherBingham-sz5zb]

So much better than the Steve Perry years. Gregg Rolie was a great rock singer.

[@TBD1.0]

This was Journey. AWESOME . . . The new Journey was good too. . .

[@rjklein3695]

Additionally: To Play Some Music, Topaz, and In My Lonely Feeling/Conversations...were great from this album. Anyway, She Makes Me Feel Alright, You're On Your Own, Look Into The Future, and Midnight Dreamer...all great from 2nd Album titled "Look Into The Future". And: People, I Would Find You, Hustler, Next, and Nickle & Dime all great from 3rd album titled "Next". Down hill after Pop/Steve Perry. I got all these on vinyl when they came out. Recall some people arguing with me that Infinity was their first album (sad).

[@doyleperkins4916]

My Brother, it has truly been OF A LIFETIME...NOW IS THE TIME LIKE NO OTHER...

[@jimreagan6510]

I was standing on the floor at winter land when they first played old bays gone by

[@deb4930]

A friend of mine played this song for me and I thought that's a beautiful song. And he said yea I went to school with Ross Valory and I believe his first wife wrote the lyrics to this song. Lafayette, CA home boy from the "Burbs". The suberbs for San Francisco

[@christinesaraco153]

GD! This is so unbelievably awesome…

[@deb4930]

Here I go again, listening to this beautiful song. I was 16 years old when they played this song at Winterland, but I lived in a group home in S.F. the group home didn't go to Winterland or Fillmore East or West, so I missed out on a lot of home grown music, so many greats played at Winterland and Fillmore and Golden Gate Park and my teen years growing up in s.f. I missed out on good music.

[@jimdep6542]

Journey played this song when they debuted at Winterland 12-31-73, opening for Santana. I was sixteen that year too. Great memories.

[@boyzaslick]

Memories....Memories....and More Memories...Journey when they were rough and Great!

[@tonypowell250]

Music of the gods.

[@alisonannallyallen1437]

Gregg Rolle rules ❤

[@dannymartinez9371]

Holy shit. Dunbar is God.

[@brigitteplancher7185]

Toujours beau.

[@Theresa1057]

I was there

[@Gsnap]

This is Journey!!

[@evilvolts]

I would love to hear this album today with today's technology if only it could happen

[@MegaFrancescop]

Ansley!

[@euein...]

Que pérola!

[@lloydrussell9888]

Greg Rollie on keys/ Hammond organ vocals, Neal Schon on the Stratocaster guitar and Ross Vallory on Bass and Charles Lempriere "Prairie" Prince on drums this is jam heaven!

[@synthonaplinth5980]

That is Aynsley on drums.

[@gruffmusic]

Neal is playing a Les Paul here.

[@jeffwarren4938]

That is a sunburst Les Paul...and Dunbar on drums!

[@troylambert5140]

I dare to say this I think this is journey greatest song ever this is a band that had at least two or 300 spectacular songs this song is very very special

[@deb4930]

I love this song Journey. Ross

[@jayway6472]

Now that's the Journey I know

[@wes6374]

Simply Badass!!! Sorry Steve!

[@ramonhernandez7206]

Excelente !

[@denisehedden13]

🖤WOW SWEET🔥THIS WAS 45yrs AGO🖤🤘

[@alisonannallyallen1437]

Look into the future

[@andrewcanady6644]

Just know discovered by me. Incredible.

[@leebreadman]

Great Song!

[@RMGCBG]

Potsdam College with Rick Derringer opening. Lost stub but it was $2.50 students $3.00 general admission. Talk about wailing

[@slapjohnson2808]

Say what you will. Perry put them on the map. People didn't fill the halls to see this lineup. Even Herbie knew this version wasn't going to last. They skyrocketed with "Infinity".

[@DieGwinners]

outstanding ...

[@dannymartinez9371]

The original Don't Stop Believin. So glad Rolie and Schon still play this live (as of 2017).

[@wendlewilson6411]

Journey were members of Santana before the band formed Journey..

[@theokulik5254]

This is real music

[@daviddunn860]

I was there...

[@howlindonster6131]

Been a long time since I heard this tune.. They were such a bay area powerhouse pre- Steve Perry...

[@dand6838]

best santana soundin era fo journey