Happy Birthday, Steve Perry

Stephen Ray Perry

b. January 22, 1949

American singer and songwriter

Lead singer of Journey

1977-1987 & 1995-1998

Noted Journey songs -

"Any Way You Want It", "Don't Stop Believin'", "Open Arms", "Who's Crying Now", "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)"

Full-time return to music in 2018

No. 76 on Rolling Stone's 100 Greatest Singers of All Time

No. 30 on Billboard's 50 Greatest Rock Lead Singers of All Time

Inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Journey in April 2017

- Career -

• Early career

Pieces - a progressive rock band, formed in Thousand Oaks, California, included Tim Bogert, Denver Cross, and Eddie Tuduri, disbanded after a year and a half when they could not secure a record deal

Alien Project - based in Banta, California...nearly gave up music when the band's bassist, Richard Michaels, died in a car accident

• Journey era

Herbie Herbert - Manager of (struggling) San Francisco band, Journey...upon receiving an Alien Project demo of "If You Need Me, Call Me", he was informed by producer Scott Matthews that Perry would be a great replacement for frontman Robert Fleischman (never signed with Herbert and did not fit well with Journey's progressive rock style)

Herbie Herbert - Informed the band that Perry was their new lead singer after a soundcheck performance in Long Beach, California

Steve Perry

- Pop-influenced style

- Public debut on October 28, 1977 in San Francisco to mixed reception

- First album with Journey:

Infinity..."Lights" co-wrote with lead guitarist, Neal Schon

"Perry's arrival was fully accepted"

- Lead vocals on 9 Journey albums:

• Infinity (1978)
• Evolution (1979)
• Departure (1980)
• Dream, After Dream (Japanese film soundtrack, 1980)
• Captured (live album, 1980)
• Escape (1981)
• Frontiers (1983)
• Raised on Radio (1986)
• Trial by Fire (1996)

- Escape...No. 1 on Billboard Top LPs & Tape..."Open Arms" No. 2 on Billboard Hot 100...No. 6 Billboard 200 (1982)...No. 34 Billboard 200 (1983)...Certified 3x Platinum in Canada...Certified Diamond in the U.S.

- Outside of Journey, Perry sang backing vocals in many Sammy Hagar songs (such as the 1980 "Run For Your Life") and as a duet with Kenny Loggins (1982 No. 17 single "Don't Fight It")

- Outside of Journey, Perry released his 1984 debut solo album, Street Talk...No. 12 Billboard 200 (1984)...No. 59 UK Albums...Certified Platinum in Canada...Certified 2x Platinum in the US..."Oh Sherrie" was his biggest hit as a solo artist (No. 3 on Billboard Hot 100)

- Outside of Journey, Perry was one of 21 singers to perform on the USA for Africa all-star benefit song, "We Are the World"...Recorded "If Only for the Moment, Girl" for the We Are the World album

- Reunion for Raised on Radio recording and tour...During this time, Perry's mother became ill and passed away during production...Perry's presence during sessions were constantly paused when he left to visit his mother...Toll on the band and Perry...Hiatus in 1987 after the album's tour

- 1989 - Perry joined Bon Jovi to perform "Bring It On Home to Me" (by Sam Cooke) & "Reach Out" (Four Tops) at the Shoreline Amphitheater in Mountain View, California

- 1991 - Brief Journey reunion at the Bill Graham tribute concert ("Laughter, Love and Music") for "Faithfully" & "Lights" at Golden Gate Park in San Francisco

- 1994 - Second solo album, For the Love of Strange Medicine, and Strange Medicine world tour

- 1996 - Journey reunion to record Trial by Fire...No. 3 on Billboard charts...Platinum certification before the end of the year...Perry suffered a hip injury before the Trial by Fire tour and was unable to perform

- Trial by Fire ultimatum by Journey members Jonathan Cain & Neal Schon - If Perry did not undergo hip replacement surgery and go through with the tour after recovery, they would replace him.  Perry rejected the demand and ultimately announced permanent departure from Journey.

- 1998 - Solo compilation album, Greatest Hits + Five Unreleased

• 21st Century

- Backup vocals on Hawaiian native Tommy Tokioka's 2000 album, Happy to Be Living ("I Wish You Were Mine" & "An Angel Above Me")

- Collaborated with American jazz guitarist, Jeff Golub, on "Can't Let You Go" for the album, Soul Sessions (2003)

- Appeared with Journey at a ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame (January 2005)

- "Don't Stop Believin'" - Unofficial anthem for the Chicago White Sox in their 2005 World Series win since 1917 (Perry was a San Francisco Giants fan though)

- Playlist: The Very Best of Steve Perry (released by Sony Legacy in January 2009)

- April 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction - Perry gave an acceptance speech but did not perform due to the new lead singer, Arnel Pineda

- Traces - Third solo album released in October 2018

- Cover of "Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas" (December 17, 2018)

- March 2019 - Deluxe version of Traces, with five bonus tracks & music video (first in 25 years, for "We're Still Here")

- November 2021 - First-ever Christmas album, The Season

- January 2023 - Backing vocals on Dolly Parton's album, Rockstar, and duet cover of "Open Arms" on the album

- November 2024 - Second holiday album, The Season 3

- Style -

Vocal technique and acclaim ... Songwriting

- Discography -

Solo albums ... Solo compilation albums

EPs (Silver Bells)

Solo singles

Other Appearances

- Filmography -

Films 

Music Videos

(Wikipedia)

Whether as a frontman or as a solo artist, Steve Perry has a profound wealth of success.  His journey leading to Journey and acclaim with fans and critics was intriguing and worthwhile because his vocals and the band helped shape the music industry in the 20th and 21st Centuries in an unexpected way.  Perry's generation, the generation prior to me, my generation, and those I know just shy of my age are lasting fans of albums and songs still heard on the radio today.  

On that note,

Best wishes on your most Happy Birthday, Steve Perry :)