Roy F. McCampbell's Blog

It was a very happy homecoming for Jonathan Cain when he visited Leyden High Schools on Nov. 12 to sign copies of his new book “Don’t Stop Believin’: The Man, The Band, and the Song That Inspired Generations.”

The keyboardist and backup vocalist for Journey, who helped write the band’s best-known song, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” is a 1968 Leyden graduate.

Enjoyed going back to visit the old neighborhood where I spent my teen years in Schiller Park with @Paula_White! Lots of memories 👍🏻Blessed to speak at West Leyden last night where they featured my memoir, Don’t Stop Believin’ 🎶📚

RJ McCampbell and Jonathan Cain of Journey and an alumni of East Leyden High School and former resident of Schiller Park

Jonathan Cane provides a lyrical tour of his music:

https://youtu.be/7HHCSQajkQI

Cain was joined by Leyden 1972 graduate Ned Colletti, author of “The Big Chair: The Smooth Hops and Bad Bounces from the Inside World of the Acclaimed Los Angeles Dodgers General Manager.”

Both authors spoke to students at four sessions.

Cain reminisced about his years at Leyden.

“I loved homecoming. The prom was great. We had it at the Drake Hotel. I remember singing with the band my senior year,” he said. “I had great teachers, and the coaches were all strong.”

In terms of activities, Cain said that he wanted to play basketball, “but I was too small. I did cross country and gymnastics, and I played baseball through my sophomore year.”

He also played music in high school with his band the Futurists.

Cain initially began writing the book to chronicle his experience as a survivor of the 1958 fire at Our Lady of the Angels School in Chicago, which led to the deaths of 92 students and three nuns.

“It struck me that none of the survivors from the Our Lady of the Angels School fire had been published,” he explained. “I wanted to set the record straight and remind the world of the 

tragedy. And also retrace the story of my journey to Journey.”

“A lot of times tragedy brings revelation,” Cain noted. “Tragedy can bring redemption. My father lit a fire in my heart after that. He gave me the gift of music, and his blessings and his confidence. ‘My dad matters’ is going to be my theme this year. Maybe my book inspires young men to look after their children the way my dad did.”

The most difficult aspect of writing that book for Cain was his desire to be transparent.

“There were times I stumbled and didn’t always do the right thing,” he explained. “You have regrets about the way you handle certain situations. I had to come clean with it and tell the truth. Nobody likes to blow up a family and a marriage but when it happens, it happens. Even at the pinnacle of somebody’s career, you can do stuff that you wish you didn’t. ”

Jonathan Cane is a bit anecdotal:

https://youtu.be/l126XmeDskY

Of course, writing about the fire was also painful.

Cain has been married to his third wife, Pastor Paula White, senior pastor of New Destiny Christian Center in Orlando, Fla., since April of 2015.

What people will learn from the book that might most surprise them is “my heart for God,” Cain said. “I wanted to be a priest, and I ended up marrying a pastor. I repented and I feel like I’m on or. I repented and I feel like I’m on my track where I’m supposed to be.”

That includes writing Christian worship music. He is currently working on his third album that expresses his faith.

“I’m creating a music ministry,” Cain explained. “I’m going to speak to younger people and help them with their music.”

Cain is also involved with the Make-A-Wish Foundation. “Journey helped raised over $100,000 this year on the road,” he reported.

Cain talked to the students about the process of writing a book and, hopefully, inspire them. “And teach them that blessings take hard work,” Cain said.

Jonathan Cane ends the evening on a musical note:

https://youtu.be/9bX5XgHWHjM

Cain and Colletti concluded the day at an evening event in the newly finished West Leyden library where many members of the community as well as students were hosted

Ned Colletti, East Leyden Class of 1972