No, itโs not Justin Bieber. He is Jonathan OโNeal during his high school talent show when he sang Journeyโs โFaithfullyโ.
Big fans know how unbelievably difficult it is to sing a Journey song. The voice of Journey is the legendary Steve Perry. In fact, he is known as โThe Voiceโ. A nickname coined by another famous frontman by the name of Jon Bon Jovi.
Steve Perryโs voice is instantly recognizable.
He is the only one with the range, the tone, the unmistakable power, and the mind-blowing control. So much so that many other notable names like Brian May of Queen, Randy Jackson, Robert Plant of Led Zeppelin, and many others have lavished praises upon praises on Perryโs voice.
Younger generations, listen to a Steve Perry track.
So for a high school kid like Jonathan to take on a Journey songโฆ Well, heโs got guts. The song โFaithfullyโ was written by keyboardist Jonathan Cain and despite it not having a chorus, it went on to become one of the bandโs most iconic hits with Classic Rock Magazine calling it the greatest power ballad of all time.
Jonathan performs the song in its original key of B-major too, and though he doesnโt have that rockstar tone to his voice, he is able to nail that trademark intro, highway run into the midnight sun.
All that while handling peer pressure.
He takes a few steps here and there on the stage, making sure to keep the audienceโs eyes on him while he goes about singing the words,
โRestless hearts
Sleep alone tonight
Sendinโ all my love
Along the wireโ
The song was written by Cain while on a tour bus headed to Saratoga Springs in New York. He finished it the next day in half an hour attributing it to his Christian faith. The lyrics are a love story. A music man and his lover, being on the road while having to raise a family and all the challenges that come with it while constantly assuring her that he is forever her man faithfully.
Pretty sure Jonathan knows the story.
He sings it with so much emotion considering how hard it is to do. In fact, online viewers are wondering why he isnโt on The Voice. He could definitely make it. Heโs got fans!
โYou are a very talented young man, keep going in that direction, you will make it to the big time!โ
Jonathanโs got the range.
He is also able to control and sustain those high notes when needed which is really impressive considering he was just a high school student here. Jonathan wrote it, and years later, another Jonathan sang it. How cool is that?
Not once does he make a mistake. He sings the entire song, nailing each note, each verse, without running out of breath. You can bet the guys from Journey would be impressed with this kid.
He should sing their other songs!
The song was released in April of 1983 and nearing 40 years later is still very much an icon of rock ballads. Itโs also one of those late-night karaoke with the guys and girls kind of song. And maybe someday, Jonathan can sing it to a girl.
Listen to his amazing rendition of this Journey classic below!
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Source: Jonathan OโNeal, Journey
