Jonathan Cain on the lasting effects of songwriting, survival, and Journey.

The Rock & Roll High School podcast – hosted by music executive and producer Pete Ganbarg, who has won two Grammy Awards – explores the story of modern music one artist at a time, in their own words.

LISTEN TO THE EPISODE HERE

Journey was already a popular band when Jonathan Cain joined them in 1980, but his addition made them one of the most iconic melodic rock groups ever. As a co-songwriter and keyboardist, Cain contributed to the creation of some of the most memorable songs in popular music history, such as “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” “Separate Ways,” and “Who’s Crying Now,” in addition to creating the famous road-life ballad “Faithfully” all by himself.

However, Jonathan’s tale goes well beyond Journey. This episode follows his entire creative journey, from overcoming a terrible childhood tragedy and finding solace in music to his early years with John Waite in The Babys, to Journey’s arena-rock heyday in the 1980s and his more recent development as a solo artist, writer, and devout songwriter.

Cain’s memoir, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” is one of the topics covered: The Man, the Band, and the Song That Inspired Generations; the backstories of Journey’s greatest successes; Cain, Steve Perry, and Neal Schon’s creative synergy; Journey’s current farewell tour; and Jonathan’s next religious solo endeavors.

During the farewell tour:
“The fans are the sole reason I’m still here. It’s a lovely time to say goodbye and conclude this chapter. This year marks our 45th birthday. I felt like we were done after the stadium tour with Def Leppard last year.”

Regarding the fire at the Our Lady of the Angels school:
“On December 1st, when I was eight years old and in the third grade, three nuns and 98 children perished. The first person to leave that school was me. In response to my sorrow, my father responded, “God saved you from that fire for music.”

Regarding “Faithfully”:
“Making ‘Faithfully’ was one of the highlights of my Journey career. I refused to give it to Steve since he wanted it for his solo album. I composed it as a postcard that we might all send home.”

Regarding Steve Perry’s induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame:
“It was appropriate, necessary, and the way it ought to have been. I wish he had joined us in singing that evening. I continued to search the wings, but he never materialized.”

On “Don’t Stop Believin’”:
“We took our time and created everlasting music. We took great attention in both the writing and the singing. We made classic music appear effortless.

Every Thursday, new episodes are released and may be streamed everywhere at https://lnk.to/rrhspodcast or https://www.rockschoolpodcast.com/Season. In-depth interviews with Colin Hay (Men At Work), Gary U.S. Bonds, Richard Gottehrer, Jim Messina (Loggins & Messina), Vernon Reid (Living Colour), Lenny Kaye, Judy Collins, and others are included in Rock & Roll High School 5. Pete Ganbarg’s idea to teach his creative staff at Atlantic Records, where he oversaw A&R for 16 years, a seminar on rock ‘n’ roll history gave rise to the podcast. Previous guests include Graham Nash, Nile Rodgers, The Temptations, Kenny Loggins, Clive Davis, Peter Frampton, Bryan Adams, and many more. Together, the first four seasons have garnered over 150,000 downloads.