Years before he coined the phrase: "Don’t Stop Believin’".
Steve Perry, singer, songwriter, and former lead singer of the multi-platinum selling musical group called Journey, was born on January 22, 1949, in the central California agricultural town of Hanford. He is a first-generation Portuguese-American. His parents, Raymond F. Perry and Mary C. Quaresma, emigrated from Portugal (Azores Islands) to the United States when they were little. The family’s original surname was Perrera (meaning pear tree), having been changed several generations back.
From a very early age Steve showed an interest in music, his main influence being his father, who was a vocalist. Steve has vivid memories of his childhood influences to music. He recalled being around three years old sitting in a darkened local theatre with his grandparents, looking up at the stage and watching his mother being one of the dancers and his father singing his heart out. He knew right then he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps. Raymond sang Little Stephen to sleep, and the little boy would go around the house belting out in the high C’s, driving his mother batty. The Perry family was close-knit though Steve’s father Ray left when Steve was seven; the call of the road having been too great for him. His mother Mary later remarried. On Steve’s twelfth birthday his mother gave him an eighth note necklace to symbolize the fact that she believed in his musical aspirations. He often wears it for good luck and to special events.
The family moved from Hanford to Lemoore, California during Steve’s teen years. While in Lemoore a young and hopeful Steve continued to pursue a musical career. He attended high school in Lemoore and participated in school activities such as track, playing drums in the school marching band and putting together the school yearbook. He also spent his high school and teen years as part of a band, called The Sullies, which his mom managed and in which Steve played the drums and sang. While with The Sullies they participated in a Battle of the Bands. They beat out 80 bands and won the chance to play at the Fillmore Theater in San Francisco. The judge that night was a very instrumental man in San Francisco’s music industry, Mr. Bill Graham. To a young teenage Steve that win proved what his mother was already sure of, he had talent. After high school he attended Visalia California’s College of the Sequoias, where he took first tenor in the choir. Though after a short time he discovered college wasn’t for him, he decided Los Angeles was the place to expand his musical aspirations. Steve sought to make connections both in LA and San Francisco. He worked as a second engineer at Crystal Studios and did voiceovers to pay the bills, but making it big as a singer/musician was his ambition.
During his time in L.A., although Steve performed with a variety of bands and worked with a number of musicians, years passed before he and good friend Craig Krampt formed a budding successful group called Alien Project. Just as they were on the verge of signing a recording contract, the bassist, Richard Michaels, tragically lost his life in a car wreck on the 4th of July weekend in 1977. Disheartened, Steve all but gave up on the music business. After the death of the bassist the group soon disbanded and Steve decided to return to Lemoore having given up on music. During his time back in Lemoore he worked alongside his stepfather on a turkey farm. Just as he began to accept the fact that music was done for him, through the urging of his loving mother he answered a call from Walter "Herbie" Herbert, who was manager of the struggling San Francisco band Journey.
Herbie Herbert realized that Journey definitely needed the young singer to be in this band. Journey started as a predominately fusion rock band. After releasing three albums of music that were met with lukewarm sales and virtually no radio airplay; their record label, Columbia, told them they needed to get a front man to lead the singing or they were going to be dropped.
"If You Need Me, Call Me"
It was a match made in heaven. Steve officially joined Journey in the fall of 1977. ".......the first thing that happened was that I met the band in San Bernardino, where they were opening for Thin Lizzy. I met them backstage and sang them a song I had written, ‘Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'.’ I sang it live in a backstage locker room that had great echo. That was the first time I sang for the band with the hope of being accepted.” (Steve Perry)
"The next thing I knew, I found myself sharing a room with Neal Schon in Denver -- where Journey was opening for an ELP tour (Emerson Lake Palmer). That night Neal and I sat in a hotel room and wrote ‘Patiently.’ It happened in about ten minutes. The lyrics reflect exactly what was going on with me at that moment, waiting ‘for your lights to shine on me, for my song inside of me.’ I really wanted to join the band.” (Steve Perry)
Journey’s lead singer joined on October 28, 1977 in San Francisco. When Steve joined Journey their musical style changed dramatically from the previous course it had been running. The style may have taken a left turn with the addition of Steve’s soaring voice but his unique voice beckoned fans back to the band. They may have been different from the previous Fleischman era but regardless the band still rocked.
"Why Can’t This Night Go On Forever"
In Journey’s case, talent met ingenuity and after many hours of hard work the group was catapulted into fame. In a fast paced whirlwind of touring and performing, energy was high and Journey was surrounded by it all. They had turned out "Infinity"(1978), "Evolution"(1979), "Departure"(1980), "Dream After Dream"(1980, Japanese sound track), "Captured"(1980, a live album), "Escape" (1981, which went to #1 on the Billboard charts) and "Frontiers" (1983), all of which they toured behind. Amongst his accomplishments with Journey, Steve released a successful solo album in April, 1984 after "Frontiers" debuted and the tour had ended. Steve’s biggest hit as a solo artist was "Oh Sherrie" written about his girlfriend at the time, which peaked at #3 on the Billboard Charts. Also, the accompanying music video featuring the actual Sherrie was a big hit on MTV. Other singles include "Foolish Heart"(peaked at #18), "She’s Mine"(peaked at #21) and "Strung Out"(peaked at #40). There were many nods to Steve’s former band Alien Project, the title "Street Talk" was in fact the original name for the band. Steve also dedicated the album to Richard Michaels of Alien Project, also the drummer on the album Craig Krampf was a former member of Alien Project. "Street Talk" was certified 2x Platinum (1,000,000) in sales by RIAA.
After Steve’s success with his solo career he debated doing another Journey album but Steve’s ailing mother Mary convinced him otherwise. As sick as she was she simply answered, “Journey” and so he went back to the band. As production was under way on Journey’s new album, "Raised on Radio," Steve’s beloved mother, who believed in him so much, died on December 4th 1985. She passed after a long struggle with a debilitating illness in the arms of her son. Although Steve may be loved by millions, she will always be the person who loved him most. Also, as if that loss wasn’t enough, he and his girlfriend Sherrie officially called it quits not long after his mother’s death. Steve didn’t take much time to grieve over his major loss. He poured himself into his work, completing the "Raised on Radio" album. Then he continued to give all he had, night after night, to his millions of fans during the album’s tour. After the tour it was apparent to him and his band mates that he no longer wished the night would go on forever. After so many years of touring and the loss of his mother, Steve wanted time to see what was left standing in his life, or as he says, "I was toast.” By 1987 the group that had entertained and captivated millions needed a break. They disbanded that year. Steve tried again to pick up his previously successful solo career by recording his second solo album titled "Against The Wall" in 1988. Though it was shelved by Sony executives, the reason: "They weren’t sure of the musical direction he was heading in!" Steve was astounded by their reasoning but being bound by contracts there was nothing he could do; it was shelved. Steve then decided he wanted to explore the normalcy of having a regular life and because of this the man that was called the Voice sunk back into the crowd and for many years enjoyed having a normal life. In 1991 Steve did come out of his hiatus to perform a two song set with Journey at a Bill Graham tribute, though no other plans surfaced to reunite, and that performance remains as the last time Steve ever performed with Journey in any sort of concert situation.
"Missing You"
For many years fans had missed the Voice and in 1994 Steve made clear that he had been missing his fans. In 1994 he reappeared with another solo album "For The Love Of Strange Medicine" a highly successful album that was backed by a tour. It was the mid-‘90s and the Voice was back on stage again. Night after night he held the audience in the palm of his hand. The album was certified gold having sold 500,000 copies.
Two years later in 1996 even more news surfaced concerning Steve. It was announced the Voice was back with Journey and an album and tour were scheduled. The new album was titled "Trial By Fire" and it had become a success. A particular track from the album "When You Love A Woman" was nominated for a Grammy. Though the group had been bestowed quite a few honors, they had never won a Grammy. (The Grammy was won by the Beatles that year.) As excitement of the tour stirred, Steve took off to Hawaii for some rest and relaxation before the tour. Sadly, though, while on his vacation a health complication arose; something was terribly wrong with his hip. After making it home it was discovered that he was suffering from a degenerative bone condition and he’d need a hip replacement. He was reluctant to jump into surgery and wanted to postpone the tour. In 1998 he was given an ultimatum by his band mates to either rejoin and move on with tour plans or they’d move on without him. He decided to leave Journey permanently and on May 8th 1998 it became official, Journey had lost the Voice. Fans around the world were shocked and grieved for the loss of the Voice as tensions remained high between the band and Steve.
"Missing You".........still
From 1998 - 2005 news of Steve was rare, he had settled back into a normal life after the upset between himself and his former band mates. Though throughout the years he has poured his talents into the film industry. In 1998 he contributed two songs to Warner Bros. animated movie "Quest for Camelot". Also in 1998, references were made to him and his music in the movie "BASKETball". A few years later in 2001 he consented to participate in an episode of VH1's "Behind The Music" that focused on Journey. Also two years later he acted as music consultant on Patty Jenkins’ film "Monster" in 2003. More recently he has contributed his voice to background vocals on David Pack’s album “The Secret Of Moving On” which has been climbing the charts since early 2006. Also, on January 21st 2005, Journey was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame, an event Steve was not scheduled to appear at but surprised many fans, as well as ex-band mates, when he did appear. He, in fact, was the only member that spoke of the "unsung heroes" or Journey crew members as well as the fans.
In the past year he has surfaced in the news more and more. Due in part to his appearance at the star event as well as the Chicago White Sox adopting "Don’t Stop Believin’" as their unofficial team anthem. Steve in fact joined the team when they won the World Series. He even stepped up to the podium and sang along with the baseball players to "Don’t Stop Believin’," though unofficial, it was indeed the first time he had sang in public in quite a while. Also for the past few years he has been busy reissuing Journey’s albums, as well as his two solo CD’s, including his greatest hits compilation. He currently has no solid plans for a new album.
Since 1978 Steve has touched millions with his music revealing the truly unique and warm hearted person he is. His voice continues to reach and dramatically touch people daily, having spanned many generations. And as long as there are ears to reach, his voice and music will never stop reaching. The lyrics make a song good; the Voice makes a song GREAT!
Special thanks go to Amanda and Annie for writing up this biography.
