The Musician

Verified Timeline

Lore & Background

Ross Valory was born on February 2, 1949, in San Francisco. He attended Acalanes High School in Lafayette, California, where he played clarinet, bass clarinet, and guitar. His mother introduced him to jazz, particularly Dave Brubeck's music. He began his career with Frumious Bandersnatch before joining the Steve Miller Band in the early 1970s, releasing an album with them. In 1973, Valory and fellow Frumious Bandersnatch member George Tickner joined with Neal Schon, Santana’s Prairie Prince, and Gregg Rolie to form Journey. Through 2011, Valory played on all of Journey's albums except 1986's Raised on Radio. In 1985, Valory and drummer Steve Smith were dismissed from Journey. After Journey went on hiatus in 1987, Valory, Rolie, and Smith started The Storm, releasing the album Storm in September 1991 and touring with Bryan Adams in March 1992. Valory rejoined Journey in 1996 for the album Trial by Fire. He was nominated for a 1997 Grammy for the song "When You Love a Woman". In 2017, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Journey. In 2020, Valory and Smith were fired again amid a lawsuit alleging they attempted to take control of the band’s name; Valory filed a countersuit, settled amicably in 2021. Valory uses Nashville tuning (B-E-A-D) on his bass. He has been a member of The VU, which released the 2000 album Phoenix Rising, and has performed with The Sy Klopps Blues Band. On January 17, 2024, Valory announced his debut solo album All Of The Above and released the single "Tomland" featuring Prairie Prince and Miles Schon.

In Their Own Story

On March 11, 2008, Jackson released an album produced entirely by himself, *Randy Jackson's Music Club, Vol. 1*, preceded by the single "Dance Like There's No Tomorrow" sung by Paula Abdul. In 2009, he began working with former *Idol* finalist Kimberley Locke, producing her 4th album; the lead single "Strobe Light" was released March 16, 2010. Jackson also manages the Charlotte-based band Paper Tongues, helping them sign with A&M/Octone Records. He spent eight years as vice president of A&R at Columbia Records and four years heading A&R at MCA Records. He hosts a radio top 40 countdown, *Randy Jackson's Hit List*, syndicated by Westwood One, and provides behind-the-scenes information on *American Idol* on the internet radio station Artist Underground.

Reader's Guide

Ross Valory is a founding bassist of Journey, known for his distinctive Nashville tuning (B-E-A-D). He played on all Journey albums through 2011 except Raised on Radio. He was fired from Journey twice (1985 and 2020) and later settled a lawsuit over the band's name. His solo debut All Of The Above was announced in 2024.

Did You Know?

• Valory played clarinet, bass clarinet, and guitar in high school.
• He was a member of Frumious Bandersnatch before co-founding Journey.
• Valory uses a B-E-A-D tuning on his four-string bass, mimicking a five-string's range.
• He was nominated for a Grammy in 1997 for Journey's song "When You Love a Woman".
• His debut solo album All Of The Above features Prairie Prince and Miles Schon.

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