Steve Perry facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Steve Perry
Perry in 2019
Background information
Birth name	Stephen Ray Perry
Born	(1949-01-22) January 22, 1949 (age 76) Hanford, California, U.S.
Genres	Rock
Occupation(s)	Singer songwriter
Years active	1970–present
Labels	Columbia Fantasy

Stephen Ray Perry (born January 22, 1949) is an American singer and songwriter. He is best known as the lead singer of the famous rock band Journey. He sang with Journey during their most successful years, from 1977 to 1987, and again from 1995 to 1998.

Steve Perry helped write many of Journey's biggest hit songs. These include "Don't Stop Believin'", "Open Arms", and "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)". He also had a very successful solo career. People often call him The Voice because of his amazing singing. He was even ranked among the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time" by Rolling Stone magazine. In 2017, he was added to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Journey.

In August 2023, Billboard magazine listed Steve Perry as one of the 50 greatest rock lead singers ever. He was ranked number 30. At the same time, Billboard readers voted him their favorite rock singer of all time. He received 67 percent of all the votes!

Early life and musical start

Stephen Ray Perry was born in Hanford, California. His parents were from the Azores, a group of islands belonging to Portugal. He was an only child. Steve became interested in music early on because his father, Raymond Perry, was a singer. His dad also owned a radio station.

When Steve was eight, his parents separated. He and his mother moved to his grandparents' dairy farm in Lemoore. He went to high school there. On his 12th birthday, his mother gave him a special gold music note pendant. Steve still wears it for good luck. At that age, he heard Sam Cooke's song "Cupid" on the radio. This song truly inspired him to become a singer.

Career journey

Starting out in music

In his early twenties, Steve Perry moved to Sacramento to form a band called Ice. They even recorded music in a famous studio in Los Angeles. Later, he formed another band called Pieces. But neither band got a record deal.

Steve almost stopped making music after a sad event. The bassist in his band, Alien Project, passed away in a car accident. But his mother encouraged him to keep going.

Joining Journey

Steve's mother's encouragement led him to answer a call from Herbie Herbert. Herbert was the manager of a band called Journey. Journey was looking for a new singer. Herbert had heard a demo of Steve's singing and thought he would be perfect.

Steve joined Journey in October 1977. He brought a new, more pop-friendly sound to the band. This was different from their earlier progressive rock style. Some fans and band members were unsure at first. But Steve quickly won over new fans. Their first album with him, Infinity, became very popular. It included the hit song "Lights", which Steve helped write.

Steve Perry sang lead vocals on nine of Journey's albums. These included Infinity (1978), Escape (1981), and Frontiers (1983). The song "Open Arms" from the Escape album was their biggest hit single. It reached number 2 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.

Steve Perry in 1983, during the Frontiers tour

Solo success and a break

In 1984, Steve Perry released his first solo album, Street Talk. It was a huge success, selling over 2 million copies. It featured hit songs like "Oh Sherrie" and "Foolish Heart". The music video for "Oh Sherrie" was played a lot on MTV.

In 1985, Steve was one of 21 singers who performed on the famous charity song "We Are the World". This song raised money for people in need in Africa.

After the Raised on Radio tour in 1987, Journey took a break. Steve's mother had been very ill during the making of that album, and she passed away. This was a very difficult time for Steve. He then took a long break from music for seven years.

In 1994, Steve released his second solo album, For the Love of Strange Medicine. This album was also successful and led to a world tour.

Returning to Journey and leaving again

Journey's classic lineup reunited in 1996 to record the album Trial by Fire. The album was a big hit. However, before the tour could start, Steve hurt his hip while hiking. He needed surgery but was hesitant to have it right away.

The other band members waited for a long time. In 1998, they told Steve that if he didn't have the surgery so they could tour, they would find a new singer. Steve decided to leave Journey permanently.

Music in the 21st century

Steve Perry made a few guest appearances on other artists' songs in the early 2000s. In 2005, he appeared with other Journey members at a special ceremony. This was when Journey received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

In 2014, Steve surprised fans by joining the indie rock band Eels on stage for a few songs. On April 7, 2017, he appeared with his former Journey bandmates at their induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He gave a speech but did not perform.

Steve Perry released a new album called Traces on October 5, 2018. He described the album as a way to express his feelings about losing someone he loved. This was his first studio album in many years. In 2019, he released a deluxe version of Traces and a holiday EP called Silver Bells. In November 2021, he released his first full Christmas album, The Season.

In January 2023, Steve Perry confirmed he sang on Dolly Parton's rock album, Rockstar. He also sang a duet of "Open Arms" with her on the album. In October 2024, he announced a new holiday album, The Season 3, which was released in November 2024.

Singing style and praise

Steve Perry is known for his amazing tenor voice. It has a wide range and a unique sound. Many famous musicians and critics have praised his singing. Queen guitarist Brian May called him "a voice in a million." Randy Jackson, a famous music producer and former American Idol judge, called Steve's voice "the golden voice." He said Steve created his own style by mixing different types of music.

AllMusic writer Greg Prato said that if you had to pick one singer to represent 1980s arena rock, it would be Steve Perry. Rolling Stone magazine praised his "technical skills" and "passionate sincerity."

Steve Perry was greatly influenced by Sam Cooke. He also admired singers like the Beach Boys, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye.

Songwriting

Steve Perry helped write most of Journey's songs during his time with the band. He also wrote many songs for his solo albums. In 2020, he was nominated for the Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Personal life

In the 1980s, Steve Perry dated Sherrie Swafford. He wrote his hit song "Oh Sherrie" for her.

In 2011, Steve started a relationship with Kellie Nash. She was a psychologist and had battled cancer. Steve was with her as she fought cancer again, and she passed away in December 2012.

In a 2019 interview, Steve Perry mentioned that he has a daughter and grandchildren. He chose not to share more details to protect their privacy.

Health

Steve Perry had successful hip replacement surgery in 1998. In May 2013, he had a mole removed that turned out to be a type of skin cancer called melanoma. He had two surgeries to remove the cancer cells. Doctors told him the surgeries were successful, and he did not need more treatment.

Discography

Solo studio albums

• Street Talk (1984)
• For the Love of Strange Medicine (1994)
• Traces (2018)
• Traces (Alternate Versions & Sketches) (2020)
• The Season (2021)
• The Season 3 (2024)

Solo compilation albums

• Greatest Hits + Five Unreleased (1998)
• Playlist: The Very Best of Steve Perry (2009)

EPs

• Silver Bells (2019)

Solo singles (selected)

• "Don't Fight It" (with Kenny Loggins) (1982)
• "Oh Sherrie" (1984)
• "She's Mine" (1984)
• "Foolish Heart" (1984)
• "You Better Wait" (1994)
• "Missing You" (1994)
• "No Erasin'" (2018)
• "We're Still Here" (2018)

Albums with Journey

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

Film and music videos

Films

• 1998: Quest for Camelot – He was the singing voice for King Arthur.

Music videos (selected)

Steve Perry appeared in many music videos throughout his career, both with Journey and as a solo artist. Some of these include:

• "Wheel in the Sky" (1978)
• "Lights" (1978)
• "Don't Stop Believin'" (1981)
• "Open Arms" (1982)
• "Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)" (1983)
• "Oh Sherrie" (1984)
• "When You Love a Woman" (1996)
• "No Erasin'" (2018)
• "We're Still Here" (2018)

See also

In Spanish: Steve Perry para niños