Título: Journey (band)
Seção: 1977-1980: New musical direction
Background: Journey is an American rock band that formed in San Francisco in 1973, composed of former members of Santana and Frumious Bandersnatch. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between 1978 and 1987. During that period, the band released a series of hit songs, including "Don't Stop Believin'" (1981), which in 2009 became the top-selling track in iTunes history among songs not released in the 21st century. Its parent studio album, Escape, the band's eighth and most successful, reached No. 1 on the Billboard 200 and yielded another of their most popular singles, "Open Arms".

Conteúdo: Journey's album sales did not improve and Columbia Records requested that they change their musical style and add a frontman, with whom keyboardist Gregg Rolie could share lead vocal duties. The band hired Robert Fleischman and transitioned to a more popular style, akin to that of Foreigner and Boston. Journey went on tour with Fleischman in 1977 and together the new incarnation of the band wrote the hit "Wheel in the Sky"; however, management differences resulted in Fleischman leaving within the year.  In late 1977, Journey hired Steve Perry as their new lead singer. Herbie Herbert, the band's manager, also hired Roy Thomas Baker as a producer to add a layered sound approach as Baker had done with his previous band, Queen. With their new lead singer and talented new producer, Journey released their fourth album, Infinity (1978). This album set Journey on their road to stardom with their first RIAA-certified platinum album. This album, with their hit song "Wheel in the Sky" (#57 U.S.), set Journey on a new path with a more mainstream sound to make their highest chart success to date.  In late 1978, manager Herbie Herbert fired drummer Aynsley Dunbar, who joined Bay Area rivals Jefferson Starship shortly thereafter. He was replaced by Berklee-trained jazz drummer Steve Smith. Perry, Schon, Rolie, Smith and Valory recorded Evolution (1979), which gave the band their first Billboard Hot 100 Top 20 single, "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" (#16); and Departure (1980), which reached N

user: What happened in 1977?

assistant: The band hired Robert Fleischman and transitioned to a more popular style,

user: Why did they change their musical direction?

assistant: Journey's album sales did not improve and Columbia Records requested that they change their musical style and add a frontman, with whom keyboardist Gregg Rolie could share lead vocal duties.

user: What was Robert's role with the band?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER

user: Did they release any new albums?

assistant: Journey released their fourth album, Infinity (1978).

user: Did Infinity do well?

assistant: This album set Journey on their road to stardom with their first RIAA-certified platinum album.

user: Did it have any hit singles?

assistant: This album, with their hit song "Wheel in the Sky" (#57 U.S.), set Journey on a new path with a more mainstream sound

user: What else did you find interesting?

assistant: In late 1978, manager Herbie Herbert fired drummer Aynsley Dunbar,

user: Why did he fire him?

assistant: CANNOTANSWER