Who's Cryin' Now (Live 1981)

The Zoo Crew, those groovy hippie DJs at THE ZOO radio station, are spinning "Who's Crying Now (Live 1981)" by Journey for all the Zoo Freaks out there. This track, captured live during the band's 1981 Escape Tour, crackles with the raw energy of a band at their peak. One juicy tidbit comes from Steve Perry himself, who shared in a 2020 interview with Uncle Joe Benson on Ultimate Classic Rock Nights that the song's chorus hit him like a bolt while driving from Bakersfield to San Francisco. He scrambled to record it on his mini cassette player, rain pounding outside, and raced to Jonathan Cain’s house to flesh it out. Cain, fresh in the band, suggested the iconic line "Who's crying now?"—and boom, they wrapped it that afternoon. It’s wild to think such a polished hit was born in a frantic, rain-soaked moment of inspiration.

Another gem from the song’s lore is its live vibe in that 1981 Houston show, later immortalized on DVD. Fans on Reddit still rave about Neal Schon’s guitar solo—haunting and melodic, it’s the kind fans sing louder than the lyrics themselves. Schon even posted on X in 2023, asking if that solo made the song a global smash. Spoiler: it sure helped. The song’s lyrics, painting a stormy love where "one heart burns desire," hit hard, and Billboard called it one of 1981’s most appealing love songs. Oh, and fun fact: R&B legend Randy Crawford dropped a soulful cover in ’92, proving its cross-genre swagger.

Now, let’s rewind to how Journey kicked off. Formed in San Francisco in 1973, they rose from the ashes of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch, with Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie leading the charge. Herbie Herbert, a former Santana manager, saw gold in their prog-rock roots and pushed them toward a tighter sound. Early days were gritty—think endless gigs and three albums that barely cracked the charts. Then Steve Perry joined in ’77, and everything clicked. Their 1978 album Infinity brought radio-friendly hooks, and by the time Escape dropped in ’81, they were arena gods. Schon’s the only original member still rocking with the band, which now includes Arnel Pineda on vocals, keeping the legacy alive.

You can keep up with Journey on their official website, where they’ve got merch and tour updates. They’re active on Facebook, sharing throwbacks and live clips, and their Instagram is packed with tour shots and fan love. Over on X, they post quick updates and interact with fans. For the diehards, check out fan communities like the Journey Fan Club on Facebook or sites like Journey Tribute, where Zoo Freaks can geek out over setlists and rare vinyl. Keep rocking, crew!