Mystery Mountain

The Zoo Crew is spinning the trippy vibes of Mystery Mountain by Journey from their self-titled debut album, and the Zoo Freaks are surely grooving to its progressive rock pulse. This track, tucked away on the 1975 album Journey, is a deep cut that showcases the band’s early experimental edge. Written by keyboardist Gregg Rolie, guitarist Neal Schon, and original rhythm guitarist George Tickner, Mystery Mountain was born from the band’s roots in San Francisco’s vibrant music scene. According to a 2017 interview with Neal Schon on Rock and Roll Hall of Fame’s website, the song’s mystical, almost otherworldly vibe was inspired by the band’s late-night jam sessions, where they’d chase improvisational riffs into uncharted territory. Schon recalled, “We were just feeling out what Journey could be, pulling from Santana’s energy and prog-rock’s freedom.” The song’s title evokes a sense of exploration, fitting for a band finding its footing.

Not much chatter about Mystery Mountain pops up on social media these days, but a 2020 post from the fan-run Journey Fans Official Facebook group sparked some love for it. One fan called it “the hidden gem of the first album, like a psychedelic hike through a foggy forest.” Another trivia tidbit: the track was part of a demo album recorded before the official release, featuring Prairie Prince on drums instead of Aynsley Dunbar, as noted in Journey’s Wikipedia page. This demo version had a slightly rawer edge, with instrumental flourishes that didn’t make the final cut. While the song never hit the charts like Don’t Stop Believin’, it’s a favorite among diehard fans who dig Journey’s pre-Steve Perry, prog-heavy sound.

Journey kicked off their wild ride in San Francisco in 1973, born from the ashes of Santana and other Bay Area acts. Neal Schon, a guitar prodigy who’d played with Santana at just 17, teamed up with Gregg Rolie, Santana’s keyboardist and vocalist, to form something new. They pulled in bassist Ross Valory, drummer Prairie Prince, and rhythm guitarist George Tickner, initially calling themselves the Golden Gate Rhythm Section. As detailed on AllMusic, their manager, Herbie Herbert, saw potential for a band that could blend rock, jazz, and progressive elements. By summer ’73, they ditched the original name for Journey, debuting live on New Year’s Eve at the Winterland Ballroom. Their early gigs were raw, improvisational affairs, leaning hard into instrumental prowess over pop hooks.

The band’s first album, Journey, dropped in 1975 via Columbia Records, with Aynsley Dunbar replacing Prince on drums. It was a bold, if not commercially huge, start—more akin to Yes or King Crimson than the arena rock Journey later became. Schon and Rolie’s chemistry, forged in Santana’s Latin-rock crucible, drove the band’s sound, while Herbert’s vision kept them grinding. Fan communities like Journey-Tribute.com celebrate this era, noting how the band’s early struggles built their resilience. Today, Journey’s legacy is massive, with over 100 million records sold worldwide, per Wikipedia. You can catch their latest updates on their official website, Facebook, —as well as their X account. Fans also rally on sites like UltimateJourney.com and the Journey Fan Club Facebook group, where Zoo Freaks might find fellow heads swapping stories about the band’s epic journey.