Long Island fans of Journey prep for final Nassau Coliseum show

Marie Richer of Shirley, has been a Journey fan since she was 10 years old. You could say it runs in the family: She was introduced to the music of the classic rock band from San Francisco by her older sister, Lisa.

"My sister and I always had a connection with the song ‘Don’t Stop Believin’,’ " Richer, 54, says. "Lisa taught me to believe in my dreams and reach for the stars. She said I can do whatever I want to do if I don’t stop believin’. It instantly got me hooked on the song."

Fast forward to 2015: While leasing a car with Atlantic Honda of Bay Shore, Richer landed in an online commercial where she’s featured singing her favorite song, "Don’t Stop Believin’ " with her son, Rob, while driving a Honda HR-V as part of the #THATSMYSONG series. It turned out to be a bittersweet moment, coming at a time when her sister was suffering from breast cancer.

"Lisa was so excited, saying, ‘Oh my God, my sister is going to be famous!’ " Richer says. "Unfortunately, Lisa didn’t get to see the commercial because it aired the day she passed."

The sisters had plans to see Journey in concert together for Lisa’s birthday, but it never came to be. Richer is fulfilling her sister’s wish by going to see Journey on the band's "Final Frontier Tour," which comes to Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale on Nov. 7. This marks the band’s first show at the Coliseum since 2009.

A lot of the themes of the songs are about perseverance and are filled with positivity. The topics are adaptable to everybody.

— John Zatwarnicki, 58, of Levittown, who's been a fan for over four decades

The group's music has reached people on a level that goes beyond fandom. "Journey makes timeless music that everybody can relate to. You can get lost in their songs," says John Zatwarnicki, 58, of Levittown, who's been a fan for over four decades. "A lot of the themes of the songs are about perseverance and are filled with positivity. The topics are adaptable to everybody."

AMAZING ANDREW

Rosanna Aris-Cirone, of Franklin Square, raised her son, Andrew, on Journey music even before he was born.

"I was playing ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ ’ when he was in the womb," Aris-Cirone, 58, says. "I used to stretch out the headphones on my pregnant belly."

Andrew needed a liver transplant at 6 months old and his mother served as his donor.

"Whenever we would drive to a doctor’s appointment, ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ ’ would come on and he would be clapping in the backseat asking me to turn it up louder," Aris-Cirone says.

In 2009, Andrew passed away at age 7 from a health battle that came on suddenly. "When he died, I promised him that I would go see Journey every time they toured and I have kept my promise," she says. "I have flown to Las Vegas, Atlantic City, Louisville and Mohegan Sun. If they are in the area, I always try to go and see them. Especially now because it’s the final tour."

During each show when Journey plays "Don’t Stop Believin’," Aris-Cirone refuses to be sad.

"It’s a beautiful moment. I don’t sit there and cry," Aris-Cirone says. "I get up and dance because I know my son would not want me to be sad. I celebrate his life instead of mourning."

For Aris-Cirone, it was another Journey song, "Be Good to Yourself," that helped her in the wake of Andrew’s death.

"The song is about no matter what’s going on around you and the pressures that you are under, make sure to always take care of yourself," she says. "It was a very positive message."

SONG FROM THE HEART

At age 8, Josh Brodsky, of Plainview, was drawn to Journey the minute he saw the cover of the band’s 1983 album, "Frontiers."

"I immediately wanted to purchase it," Brodsky, 51, says. "When I listened to the song, ‘Separate Ways’ and heard the way it opens up, I was completely hooked."

When Brodsky married his wife, Sue, in 2005 at Carlyle on the Green at Bethpage State Park, his wedding song was the 1981 Journey ballad, "Open Arms."

"Whenever it comes on the radio, I always turn to the person next to me wherever I am and say, ‘You know, that was my wedding song.’ And they smile at me," Brodsky says. "At the upcoming Nassau Coliseum show, when they play ‘Open Arms’ I’ll turn to the kids and my daughter will look at me rolling her eyes as she does. Then I’ll turn to my wife and say, ‘Remember when we got married to this?’ and she’ll probably roll her eyes as well."

JOURNEY TAKES OFF

Although the band began in 1975, Journey’s commercial breakthrough came in 1978 when singer Steve Perry joined the group for its fourth album, "Infinity." The triple platinum record spawned three hit singles, "Wheel in the Sky," "Anytime" and "Lights." Some fans cite that album as their point of entry.

"Before this album they were this jazzy progressive band. Steve Perry brought in some soul, giving them more rock chops," Gail Flug, 64, of Deer Park, says. "There’s a magic to that album. It made the band more accessible. Many of the prior albums went over people’s heads. This music was radio friendly enough to draw attention."

Flug, who was a card-carrying member of the Journey fan club, likes the touch Journey gave the ballad, "Patiently," above their later ones, "Faithfully" and "Open Arms."

" ‘Patiently’ is a well-crafted song that goes in different directions. It progresses into nice arrangements, which I find interesting," Flug says. "I’m a sucker for a power ballad, but not when it’s so overly sugary. In my opinion, ‘Faithfully’ and ‘Open Arms’ are very clichéd."

Longtime WBAB/102.3 FM DJ Rocky also prefers the earlier Journey years with the 1980 album "Departure." The track "Someday Soon" captured his attention immediately.

"The band took Beatles harmonies and mixed them with some soul harmonies, which made for a cool song," Rocky says. "Years ago, I got to interview former singer-keyboardist Gregg Rolie who said, ‘That’s a song nobody paid attention to but it’s one of my favorite Journey songs. We were surprised as a band that it wasn’t a huge hit.’ For me, I can listen to ‘Someday Soon’ and it’s the summer of 1980. I’m driving my old 1969 Camaro having a good time with my friends. Life was simple."

THE GREAT 'ESCAPE'

By 1981, Journey’s popularity exploded with the chart-topping diamond certified (10 million selling) album, "Escape." The record contained the hits "Who’s Crying Now?," "Open Arms" and the anthem, "Don’t Stop Believin’."

"There are very few songs that I skip on ‘Escape,’ " Zatwarnicki says. "At first, I thought it was kind of mellow. But the more I listen to it, the more I realize the musicianship that is baked into it. Their music has become part of my DNA."

Zatwarnicki feels a kinship with fan favorite, "Mother, Father."

"I think it’s the song that evokes the most emotion. Perry’s voice fits the power of the band," he says. "The song makes you think about family. It’s hard not to be pensive and thoughtful about life when you listen to it."

For WBAB DJ Kathi "Domonique" Lee, the title track "Escape" is her signature song.

"The lyrics are very meaningful to me. I really connect with the line that says, ‘I’ve got dreams I’m living for. I’ll break away,’ " she says. " 'Don’t get in my way, I’ve got things to accomplish' is the message of the song. In fact, my license plate [ESC4PE] is like the album."

Nurse practitioner and author ("Overcoming Life Obstacles") Shayna Melissa Stockman-Lamb, 55, of Medford, uses "Don’t Stop Believin’ " as a motivational message in her workshops.

"I tell my students ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ ’ is about mastering your mindset and retraining your brain," she says. "Sometimes we must change our mindset to change the outcome. The song is very meaningful to me."

THE HONEYMOONERS

When Georgia Korelis-Graziano, 63, of Shirley, went on her honeymoon with husband Dominick at the Grand Wailea in Maui, Hawaii in May 2001, the couple had a chance meeting at the bar. Sitting across from them was another couple on their honeymoon as well.

"We had a night of doing shots and laughing," she says. "I said to the husband, ‘What do you do for a living?’ He humbly said, ‘I’m the lead guitarist for the band Journey.’ "

Being a big fan, Korelis-Graziano was shocked she didn’t recognize Journey guitarist/founder Neal Schon, who was there with his then-wife Amber.

"He didn’t look like the Neal Schon I remembered from growing up," she says. "Neal didn’t have his big head of curly hair and mustache. His hair was cut close to his head and he was clean shaven."

The couples had dinner the next night and exchanged phone numbers to keep in touch.

"After that, we got front row seats and backstage passes every time they played Long Island," Korelis-Graziano says. "I even made a baby blanket for their oldest daughter Aja Jude when she was born."