Ross Valory Net Worth | Celebrity Net Worth

What Is Ross Valory’s Net Worth?

Ross Valory is a renowned American musician with an estimated net worth of $10 million. He is most recognized for his role as the former bassist of the legendary band Journey. Founded in San Francisco in 1973, Journey released their self-titled debut studio album in 1975. Valory contributed to all of the band’s studio albums with the exception of “Raised on Radio” (1986) and “Freedom” (2022). Their iconic 1981 album “Escape” ascended to the #1 spot on the “Billboard” 200 chart. Journey achieved great success with a string of hit singles such as “Wheel in the Sky,” “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’,” “Any Way You Want It,” “Who’s Crying Now,” “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Open Arms,” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” and “When You Love a Woman.” Valory has also played with other notable bands including The Storm, the Steve Miller Band, and Frumious Bandersnatch. In 2017, he and his Journey bandmates were honored with induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

In March 2020, Valory was dismissed from Journey after allegedly attempting to seize control of the entity that manages the copyright for the band’s name. This attempted move would have allowed Valory and drummer Steve Smith to license the band’s name independently from the other members. They were unaware that the company they sought to take over did not actually own the rights to the band’s name and other intellectual property; those rights were held by a different company, Elmo, established by Steve Perry, Jonathan Cain, and Neal Schon in 1985.

Early Life

Ross Valory, born Ross Lamont Valory on February 2, 1949, in San Francisco, California, was raised in Lafayette, California, where he attended Acalanes High School. From a young age, he played guitar, clarinet, and bass clarinet. According to his official website, “For Valory, music has been a lifelong obsession, beginning with growing up listening to his mother’s records–anything from Handel’s ‘Messiah’ to Ray Charles, Mozart to Brubeck– and she gave him his initial lessons on piano and ukulele. He sang in church choirs starting at age four and continued in competitive a cappella choirs, eventually singing with the Oakland Men’s Chorus.” Ross formed his first band, Little Jimmy and the Goodtimers, while in high school.

Career

Valory began his career with the band Frumious Bandersnatch, and after departing from them, he played on the 1971 Steve Miller Band album “Rock Love.” It was Jim Nixon, the manager of Frumious Bandersnatch, who connected Ross with Journey, leading to the release of their debut album in 1975.

Journey’s fourth album, “Infinity,” released in 1978, achieved 3× Platinum certification in the U.S. and reached #21 on the “Billboard” 200 chart. The singles “Wheel in the Sky” and “Lights” both went 2× Platinum. Their subsequent albums, “Evolution” (1979) and “Departure” (1980), were also certified 3× Platinum, with “Departure” peaking at #8 on the “Billboard” 200. “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'” from “Evolution” received 2× Platinum certification, while “Any Way You Want It” from “Departure” achieved 4× Platinum status.

The band’s seventh studio album, “Escape,” released in 1981, received a Diamond certification (10× Platinum) and topped the “Billboard” 200 chart. This album included their biggest hit, “Don’t Stop Believin’,” along with other successful singles like “Who’s Crying Now” and “Open Arms.”

“Rolling Stone” magazine named “Don’t Stop Believin'” one of the “500 Greatest Songs of All Time,” and in 2022, it was preserved in the Library of Congress’s National Recording Registry for its cultural, historical, and aesthetic significance. Journey’s 1983 album “Frontiers” reached #2 on the “Billboard” 200 chart and achieved 6× Platinum status, featuring hits like “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” and “Faithfully,” which earned 4× Platinum and 6× Platinum certifications, respectively.

Valory, along with drummer Steve Smith, was let go from Journey during the recording sessions for the 1986 album “Raised on Radio.” Following this album, the band took a hiatus until 1995. In the interim, Valory contributed to Todd Rundgren’s album “2nd Wind” and co-founded The Storm with Smith and former Journey member Gregg Rolie. The Storm released a self-titled album in 1991 and “Eye of the Storm” in 1996.

Ross rejoined Journey in late 1995, and the following year saw the release of the album “Trial by Fire,” which went Platinum and reached #3 on the “Billboard” 200 chart, featuring the Platinum single “When You Love a Woman.” The band subsequently released albums including “Arrival” (2000), “Generations” (2005), “Revelation” (2008), and “Eclipse” (2011), with “Revelation” earning Platinum status and reaching #5 on the “Billboard” 200.

Valory and Smith were again dismissed in 2020, following which they faced a lawsuit from their former bandmates for “attempted corporate coup d’état.” The lawsuit claimed that Valory and Smith were trying to take control of Nightmare Productions due to a misbelief that it governed the Journey name and trademark. An amicable settlement was eventually reached. In 2024, Valory is set to release his debut solo album, “All of the Above.”

Personal Life

Ross married Diane Oakes on March 28, 1971. The Journey hit “Wheel in the Sky,” released in 1977, originated from a poem Diane composed titled “Wheels in My Mind.” After their divorce, Ross married his current spouse, Mary.

Awards and Nominations

Journey received a nomination for Favorite Pop/Rock Album at the American Music Awards in 1983 for “Escape,” and in 1997 they were nominated for a Grammy in the category of Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group with Vocal for “When You Love a Woman.” The band earned a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2004, and in 2011, they were honored with the Legend of Live Award at the “Billboard” Touring Awards. Additionally, they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.