“Metamorphosis”
By Jim Culp
June 6, 2022
When I began listening to Rock
and Roll music, it was on rare and scarce occasions. I didn’t have anything to
play cassettes on, and only had three. These had been passed down to me and my
brother by our older brother Jeff, who was now off in some foreign land with
the USMC. I had “Hobo’s Lullaby” by Arlo Guthrie; “Greatest Hits” by Jim Croce;
and “the Best of Waylon Jennings” on cassette. I plugged them into anything
that played them whenever I could to hear all those wonderful songs that these
artists produced.
It was 1978. My immediate
family (Mom, Step-Dad, brother Dave, and myself) moved to Silver City, New Mexico
in the fall of that year. Silver City was a melting pot of many brands of
people. There were still tons of hippies there, and many people aspiring to be
music artists.
I was 12. For the next two
years, my brother and I were exploring the areas around our home, meeting new
people, and adjusting to our new life. We went to school at our church… and
became part of a scholastic endeavor called Accelerated Christian Education.
I guess going to church Sunday
and Monday night, as well as Wednesday night wasn’t enough to ensure that we
turn out “good people.” At age 14, Mom decided that we would go to public
school, and that meant my brother Dave going to his junior year of high school,
and my going to 8th grade at the Junior High.
We’d both meet new friends,
new enemies, and learn a ton of new stuff…good and bad.
In 1981, Journey released
their record “Escape.” It would shatter previous records, give Journey
thousands more fans, and propel the band into the big time. Somewhere along the
line, I acquired a small cassette player and headphones. This (and many other
things in the next two years) would bring about many changes to my life. I had
joined the chess club; and played chess every morning before classes started to
get ready for the regional tournament. My brother Kevin Martin was also there,
and he and I were good friends. Two months later, we were headed to the
regional tournament in Deming, New Mexico. I listened to both sides of “Escape”
for the 60 miles there, and the 60 miles back.
My brother Kevin beat me out
of the championship, but we took 1st and 2nd place in the
region.
“Escape” was a record of
incredible songs like “Don’t Start Believin,” “Who’s Cry’in Now,” and “Open
Arms.” Journey packed massive stadiums and shattered records for at least three
years after the release. This was back when the line-up of Journey consisted of
the most incredible talent a band could possess…including Steve Perry on
vocals, Neal Schon on lead guitar, Jonathan Cain on keyboards, Ross Valory on
bass, and finally Steve Smith on drums.
I remain an ardent fan of
Journey today, even though they have a different set to guys on the
microphones. Hey, that is what happens over a period of 49 years.
Rock on Journey…you are
forever in our hearts.
-Jim
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