Only The Young

The Zoo Crew is spinning the classic track "Only The Young" by Journey, featured on the Vision Quest (Original Motion Picture Soundtrack), and it’s a song with a heartfelt backstory that resonates deeply with fans. One of the most poignant stories about this song involves a 16-year-old fan named Kenny Sykaluk from Rocky River, Ohio, who was battling cystic fibrosis. His mother reached out to Journey through the Make-A-Wish Foundation, sharing how much her son loved the band. Journey visited Kenny in the hospital, bringing an early demo of "Only The Young," making him the first person outside the band to hear it. Tragically, Kenny passed away the next day, but the band was profoundly moved by the experience. Keyboardist Jonathan Cain shared in a VH1 Behind the Music interview that the visit left a lasting impact, with singer Steve Perry breaking down emotionally and guitarist Neal Schon reflecting on how it put band tensions into perspective. Journey dedicated performances of the song to Kenny during their Frontiers tour, and it became a symbol of hope and resilience, peaking at #9 on the Billboard Hot 100 in March 1985.

Another piece of trivia about "Only The Young" is its unusual journey to release. Written by Steve Perry, Neal Schon, and Jonathan Cain, the song was originally intended for Journey’s 1983 album Frontiers but was pulled at the last minute in favor of other tracks like "Back Talk" and "Troubled Child." The band then sold the song to the group Scandal, who released it on their 1984 album Warrior. However, Journey reclaimed the track for the Vision Quest soundtrack in 1985, where it became a top-10 hit. Posts on X from the account @landofthe80s over the years (2020–2023) have highlighted this, noting how the song’s inclusion on the soundtrack, alongside Madonna’s "Crazy for You," helped elevate its popularity. The song’s lyrics, with lines like “Only the young can say / They’re free to fly away,” capture a youthful spirit of defiance and hope, perfectly aligning with the coming-of-age themes of the Vision Quest film.

Journey’s origins trace back to San Francisco in 1973, born from the ashes of prog-rock and jazz fusion scenes. The band was initially formed as the Golden Gate Rhythm Section, a backup group for Bay Area artists, under the management of Herbie Herbert, a former Santana roadie. The lineup included Santana alumni Neal Schon on guitar and Gregg Rolie on keyboards and vocals, alongside Ross Valory on bass, George Tickner on rhythm guitar, and Prairie Prince on drums. After a failed radio contest to name the group, roadie John Villanueva suggested "Journey," and the name stuck. Their debut performance was at the Winterland Ballroom on New Year’s Eve 1973, followed by a massive show at Hawaii’s Diamond Head Crater. Early albums leaned heavily into jazz fusion, but the band pivoted to a more accessible rock sound with the arrival of Steve Perry as lead vocalist in 1977. Perry’s powerful voice and songwriting, combined with Schon’s guitar prowess and Cain’s keyboard melodies after he joined in 1980, propelled Journey to global fame with hits like "Don’t Stop Believin’" and "Open Arms" from their 1981 album Escape.

Fans can connect with Journey through their official website, where they share tour dates, music, and merchandise. Their Facebook page keeps followers updated with nostalgic posts and concert announcements, while their Instagram offers behind-the-scenes glimpses and throwbacks to their ‘80s heyday. On X, Journey engages with fans through updates and retweets of fan content. For dedicated Zoo Freaks looking to join the community, fan-driven spaces like the Journey Fans Facebook Group provide a place to share memories, discuss songs like "Only The Young," and celebrate the band’s legacy. Another fan hub, Journey Band Wiki, offers detailed discographies and trivia, perfect for diving deeper into the band’s history. These platforms keep the spirit of Journey’s music alive for fans worldwide.