<P> Journey released their eponymous debut album in 1975, and rhythm guitarist Tickner left the band before they cut their second album, Look into the Future (1976). Neither album achieved significant sales, so Schon, Valory, and Dunbar took singing lessons in an attempt to add vocal harmonies to Rolie's lead . The following year's Next contained shorter tracks with more vocals, and featured Neal Schon as lead singer on two of the songs . </P> <P> 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 . </P> <P> 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 . </P> <P> 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 No. 8 on the album charts . </P>

When did journey get a new lead singer