Evolution (Journey album)
Evolution is the fifth studio album by Journey. Released in March 1979 on Columbia Records, their first album to feature drummer Steve Smith.
It was the band's most successful album at that time, selling three million copies in the US and charting at #20 on the Billboard 200. They retained Roy Thomas Baker as producer, but drummer Aynsley Dunbar was replaced with Steve Smith, formerly with Ronnie Montrose's band.
Evolution features their first top 20 hit, "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'", which was inspired by the classic Sam Cooke top 20 hit "Nothin' Can Change This Love" and reached #16 in the US. "Just the Same Way" featured original lead vocalist Gregg Rolie along with Steve Perry.
Track listing
Personnel
;Journey- Steve Perry – lead vocals
- Gregg Rolie – keyboards, backing vocals, co-lead vocals
- Neal Schon – electric and acoustic guitars, Roland GR-500 guitar synthesizer, backing vocals
- Ross Valory – bass guitar, Moog bass, backing vocals
- Steve Smith – drums, percussion, backing vocals
Production
- Roy Thomas Baker – producer, mixing
- Geoff Workman – engineer
- George Tutko – second engineer
- Greg Schafer – production manager
- Larry Noggle – package design
- Jim Welch – package design
- Alton Kelley – cover art
- Stanley Mouse – cover art
- Sam Emerson – back cover photography, liner photography
- Hiro Ito – liner photography
- Pat Morrow – liner notes
- Herbie Herbert – management
Charts
| Year | Chart | Position |
| 1979 | Billboard 200 | 20 |
| 1979 | RPM100 Albums | 35 |
| 1979 | Swedish Albums Chart | 36 |
| 1983 | UK Albums Chart | 100 |
| 2006 | Oricon Japanese Albums Charts | 273 |
;Singles
| Year | Title | Chart | Position |
| 1979 | "Just the Same Way" | Billboard Hot 100 | 58 |
| 1979 | "Just the Same Way" | RPM100 Hit Tracks | 80 |
| 1979 | "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" | Billboard Hot 100 | 16 |
| 1979 | "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" | RPM100 Hit Tracks | 12 |
| 1979 | "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" | New Zealand Singles Chart | 37 |
| 1980 | "Too Late" | Billboard Hot 100 | 70 |