This past Monday, the legendary band Journey came into town at the Xcel Energy Center with the band Toto as the warm up. Originally, it was supposed to be Billy Idol with Journey, but he had to cancel. Nonetheless, the 80’s came alive.

There was an energy there that night that was big. People from all different walks of life and age groups came to hear the classic songs and for some, like my friend, Mary and I -  relive their youth, if only for a few hours. 

The younger crowd that was there probably had parents play Journey throughout their growing up and fell in love with the music,  like the rest of us. 

The lines were long at every stand where they were selling t-shirts and other memorabilia. Of course, Mary and I got our Journey “Depart from 1980” baseball shirts and put them on before the concert. We were getting ready. 

We made our way to our seats (which were excellent by the way) and listened to some classic rock before Toto came out. You Really Got Me Now by Van Halen was getting us warmed up. 

Toto starts out with, Hold the Line.  The crowd roars and the light show begins. Big screens on both sides of the stage giving close-ups of the musicians and the lead singer.

Toto formed back in 1977 and had only one “original” member, lead guitarist, Steve Lukather. Lead vocalist, Joseph William, came into the band in 1986 and the rest of the members at various points.

The big hits, Rosanna, Africa, 99  to name a few, got the crowd going, dancing and singing along with the band. The energy was growing and getting ready for Journey.

There was an intermission before Journey came out. Everybody went and took a break and came back early to await one of the greatest rock bands out there - my opinion. Anticipation was at an all time high.

All of a sudden the stage lights up and the music starts playing, Stone in Love.  One of my favorites of all time songs, gets the crowd going. Those crazy nights I do remember in my youth, I do recall those were the best times, most of all. 

Oh my gosh, there I was, back to being 19 years old, remembering what life was then at that time - carefree, fun. Mary and I bask in the moment and start dancing like we used to every Friday and Saturday night in the summertime.

One original member of the band, lead guitarist Neal Schon still had it. Up on the big screen behind the stage, playing a solo right before Who’s Crying Now,  blew the crowd away. The talent - unbelievable.

Arnel Pineda was amazing. He took over where Steve Perry left off. If you weren’t looking at the screen, you could have sworn it was Perry. His voice is similar on many levels. He engaged everyone at the concert. He had us singing along to many of the songs. What a great performer.

Jonathan Cain, keyboard/piano, started with Journey in 1980. There was no doubt at age 72, that he still had it. His piano solo leading up to Open Arms drew big applause from the crowd.

The concert ended with Any Way you Want it. People jumping up and down. The best light show I have ever seen at a concert. Nobody wanted the night to end. It had been electrifying. 

We recorded many of their songs, took lots of pictures and left with feeling like we did back in the day. The euphoria lasted into the following day for me. I still was in awe of the bands, grateful for my high school friend Mary and to revel in the moment of 19 - again.