Ross Valory

Infobox musical artist
Name = Ross Valory


Img_capt = Ross Valory with Journey on September 16, 2008 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Photo by Matt Becker
Background = non_vocal_instrumentalist
Born = birth date and age|1949|2|2
San Francisco, California, USA
Instrument = Bass guitar
Occupation =
Genre = Hard rock, Melodic rock
Associated_acts = Journey, The Storm
Label =
Years_active =
URL = [http://www.rossvalory.com www.rossvalory.com]
Notable_instruments =

Ross Lamont Valory (born February 2, 1949 in San Francisco, California) is Journey's noted bass player. Along with Neal Schon, he is the only original member of the band still performing with the group. Aside from his termination from the group during the "Raised on Radio" album sessions (and subsequent tour) in 1986, Ross has played on all of Journey's albums. He was replaced on bass in the studio by Bob Glaub and for the "Raised on Radio" tour by famed American Idol judge Randy Jackson.

In a band that creates its vibe with haunting bass lines and bass and chord contrasts, he plays an essential role. One of the innovations that Ross Valory uses (it is not known if he is the inventor) is to string a four-string bass with the bottom four strings of a 5-string set. Thus, instead of the usual 4-string arrangement--E-A-D-G--his bass is strung as B-E-A-D. This adds the five string depth to the songs, while allowing the quick fingering of a four-string neck.

He also plays keyboards, guitar and the recorder.

Ross Valory also played for The Vu, The Storm, Frumious Bandersnatch and the Steve Miller Band.

External links

* [http://www.rossvalory.com/ Ross Valory Official Site]
* [http://myspace.com/rossvalory Ross Valory Official MySpace Site]
* [http://www.journeymusic.com/ Official Journey Website]
* [http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/001255.html 2005 Ross Valory Interview]
* [http://www.therosszone.com/ Ross Valory Fansite]