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 rock band Journey. He sang with Journey during their most famous years, from 1977 to 1987, and again from 1995 to 1998.

Steve Perry helped write many of Journey's hit songs. He also had a successful solo career in the 1980s and 1990s. After taking a break, he returned to music in 2018. His powerful singing voice has earned him the nickname The Voice. Rolling Stone magazine ranked him among the "100 Greatest Singers of All Time". In 2017, he was welcomed into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Journey.

In 2023, Billboard magazine listed Steve Perry among the top 50 best rock singers ever. Readers of Billboard also voted him their favorite rock singer of all time.

Early Life and Musical Inspiration

Stephen Ray Perry was born in Hanford, California. His parents were from Portugal. He was an only child. Steve became interested in music because his father, Raymond Perry, was a singer and owned a radio station. When Steve was eight, his parents separated. He and his mother moved to his grandparents' dairy farm.

On his 12th birthday, his mother gave him a gold musical note pendant. Steve still wears it for good luck. At age 12, he heard Sam Cooke's song "Cupid" on the radio. This song inspired him to become a singer.

Starting a Music Career

Early Bands and Challenges

In his early 20s, Steve Perry moved to Sacramento to form a band called Ice. They recorded music in Los Angeles in 1972. However, the band later broke up because they didn't have a manager.

In 1975, Perry formed a progressive rock band called Pieces in Thousand Oaks, California. This group also struggled to get a record deal and eventually disbanded. Steve almost gave up on music after a bandmate, Richard Michaels, died in a car accident.

Joining Journey

Steve Perry was about to quit music when his mother encouraged him to answer a call. The call was from Walter "Herbie" Herbert, the manager of a band called Journey. Herbert had heard a demo of Steve's singing. He thought Steve would be a great new lead singer for Journey.

Steve joined Journey in 1977. He brought a new, more pop-friendly sound to the band. This was different from Journey's earlier progressive rock style. Some fans and band members were unsure at first. But Steve quickly won over new fans with his first album with the group, Infinity. This album included a song he wrote called "Lights". Journey's music changed, and Steve's arrival was fully accepted as the band became more popular.

Steve Perry in 1983, during the Frontiers tour

Journey's Success and Solo Work

Hit Albums with Journey

Steve Perry was the lead singer on nine of Journey's albums. These include Infinity (1978), Evolution (1979), and Departure (1980). Their album Escape (1981) reached number one on the Billboard chart. The song "Open Arms" from Escape was one of their biggest hits. Other popular albums were Frontiers (1983) and Raised on Radio (1986).

First Solo Album: Street Talk

In 1984, Steve Perry released his first solo album, Street Talk. It sold over 2 million copies. The album featured the hit singles "Oh Sherrie" and "Foolish Heart". The music video for "Oh Sherrie" was played often on MTV.

In 1985, Steve Perry was one of 21 singers on the famous charity song "We Are the World". He also recorded a song for the We Are the World album.

A Break from Music

During the recording of Journey's Raised on Radio album, Steve's mother became very ill. He often left recording sessions to visit her. She passed away during the album's production. This was a very difficult time for Steve and the band. Journey went on a break in 1987 after the Raised on Radio tour.

Steve Perry then took a long break from music for seven years. He mostly stayed out of the public eye.

Return to Music and Journey Reunion

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

Journey's classic lineup reunited in 1996 to record Trial by Fire. The album was a big hit. However, before the tour could start, Steve hurt his hip while hiking. He needed hip replacement surgery but was hesitant to have it right away. The other band members waited for a long time. In 1998, they told him he needed to have the surgery so the tour could begin. Steve decided to leave Journey permanently.

Steve Perry in the 21st Century

Steve Perry continued to work on music projects. In 1998, he released a Greatest Hits album that included some unreleased songs. He also recorded two songs for the movie Quest for Camelot.

He appeared with other Journey members at a ceremony on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005. He has said he is unlikely to perform with the band again, but also that "never say never."

In 2014, Steve Perry surprised fans by joining the indie rock band Eels for a few songs at their concerts.

On April 7, 2017, Steve Perry attended Journey's induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He gave a speech but did not perform with the band.

In 2018, Steve Perry released a new album called Traces. It was his first studio album in many years. He described it as a very emotional album. He also released a deluxe version of Traces in 2019, which included his first official music video in 25 years.

Steve Perry has also released holiday music. He put out a three-song EP called Silver Bells in 2019 and his first Christmas album, The Season, in 2021. In 2023, he sang backing vocals and a duet with Dolly Parton on her rock album, Rockstar. He announced a new holiday album, The Season 3, for November 2024.

Steve Perry's Singing Style

Vocal Technique and Praise

Steve Perry is famous for his amazing vocal range. His voice has been called a "high tenor" with a unique sound. Many musicians and critics have praised his singing. Queen guitarist Brian May called him "a voice in a million." American Idol judge Randy Jackson described Perry's voice as "the golden voice." He said Steve created his own style by mixing different music genres.

Critics often say Steve Perry is one of the most recognizable singers of the 1980s. He was voted among the ten greatest rock singers of all time in a 2009 Classic Rock poll. Rolling Stone praised his "technical skills" and "passionate sincerity."

Musical Influences

Steve Perry's main influence was Sam Cooke. He also admired singers like The Beach Boys, Jackie Wilson, Aretha Franklin, and Marvin Gaye. He enjoyed Motown music and English bands from the 1960s.

Songwriting Contributions

Steve Perry was a key songwriter for most of Journey's songs during his time with the band. He also wrote many of his solo songs. His songwriting efforts led to a nomination for the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2020.

In April 2024, Journey's Greatest Hits album reached an amazing 800 weeks on the Billboard 200 chart. Only two other music acts have achieved this milestone.

Personal Life

In the 1980s, Steve Perry dated Sherrie Swafford, who inspired his song "Oh Sherrie". In 2011, he began a relationship with Kellie Nash. She passed away in 2012 after battling cancer.

Steve Perry has mentioned he has a daughter and grandchildren.

Health and Hobbies

Steve Perry had successful hip replacement surgery in 1998. In 2013, he had a mole removed that was found to be melanoma, a type of skin cancer. He had surgeries to remove the cancer cells, and doctors said the surgeries were successful.

Steve Perry is a big sports fan. He supports the San Francisco Giants baseball team. In 2005, he joined the Chicago White Sox in their locker room to celebrate their World Series win. The White Sox had adopted Journey's song "Don't Stop Believin'" as their team anthem.

Discography

Studio albums

Solo

Compilation albums

Solo

• Greatest Hits + Five Unreleased (1998)
• Playlist: The Very Best of Steve Perry (2009)
• Oh Sherrie: The Best of Steve Perry (2010)

EPs

• Silver Bells (2019)

Singles

Solo

With Journey

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

Other appearances

Images for kids

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  Perry in 2019

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  Steve Perry in 1983, during the Frontiers tour

See also

In Spanish: Steve Perry para niños