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Separate Ways The Band brings the music catalog of Journey to the Rowland Theatre, 127 N. Front St., Philipsburg, at 7 p.m. May 18.
"Tickets have been flying out the door," said Rowland promoter Chuck Banas of Tyrone. "Ticket sales have been brisk. The band put it on their Facebook page and we're drawing from a five county area. We're excited."
"This is the closest you will ever get to the early mid-'80s lineup of Journey live ever. You will get to experience the subtle nuances, inflections, harmonies and visual gratifications of seeing the original Journey show," Banas said. "From our standpoint, it's important that everyone realize that Separate Ways The Band aren't Journey impersonators. They bring the highest level of musicianship to the audience out of true respect for the music of Journey."
Separate Ways The Band is composed of lead vocalist and founder Danny Gagliano, keyboardist/vocalist Mick Loro, lead guitarist/backing vocalist Michael Corsaro, bass guitarist Paul Vassa and drummer Tommy Stewart.
Gagliano, who naturally looks like a younger Steve Perry, Journey's outstanding vocalist, told the Mirror that people began commenting on the resemblance when he was singing karaoke in the early '80s.
When he and a friend found out Perry was giving an interview at a radio station near them in 1994, they hung out to meet the rocker.
"We took photos together and he signed autographs for us. My friend was asking all kinds of questions, but I just stood there in shock with my mouth hanging open. I was starstruck," Gagliano recalled. Perry didn't comment on his doppelganger, but a member of his entourage did. "He said, he's a younger version of you.'"
Perry's Journey scored 19 Top-40 singles, six of which hit the Top 10, and 25 gold and platinum albums, in addition to the 18-time platinum RIAA Diamond Certified Greatest Hits album.
Journey fans can expect to hear Separate Ways The Band perform "Don't Stop Believin'," "Open Arms," "Separate Ways," "Faithfully," "Anyway You Want It" and many more.
Journey has enduring appeal, Gagliano said, because their songs are so relatable.
"Each song has been a soundtrack to each person's life. Each person identifies with each song and relates differently and has a special place in their hearts for these songs," Gagliano said.
Journey's songs are "challenging," musically and vocally, and the band painstakingly seeks to recreate the sound. Perry is known for his wide vocal range.
One of Gagliano's favorites to sing is the lesser-known "Mother, Father."
"People love that song. It's musically challenging and vocally it kicks my butt. I love singing it," Gagliano said. "I love singing all of them."
Many things can influence his vocal abilities, from the weather to what he eats, so Gagliano doesn't smoke or drink and may arrive a day early for a gig to get better rest.
"It's so hard. But every day is different because my voice is my instrument and so many things can influence it."
Such painstaking attention helps the audience's enjoyment.
"It's my band that I started 23 years ago, so I take a lot of pride in it. I love it," he said. "It's all about the show for me."
Mirror Staff Writer Patt Keith is at 814-949-7030.