Appointed in 1976, Steve Perry's initial contribution to Journey was with the "Infinity" album, a platinum album that set the scene for a string of super selling releases and riches beyond their wildest dreams. Perry's effortless switch from breezy improvisation (La do da) to epic bombast ("Wheel In The Sky") provided a template from which future grandeur would emerge, metamorphosis, broadening the appeal of Journey while rest of the competition looked on aghast.
Perry's reference points evolve from diverse if not unexpected sources, including the R&B of Sam Cooke and Smokey Robinson. These influences would eventually erupt to the surface on 1981's 10 million selling "Frontiers" LP, and the blatant soul strutting of the penultimate Perry fronted Journey album "Raised On Radio" ( especially "Girl Can't Help It") securing his place not only in the hearts and minds of melodic rock lovers but reaching out into a wider world of mass pop culture.
His good natured bonhomie enhanced by boyish looks and the world's most charming smile, knocked fans off their feet. Sporting a formal black tailcoat, performances came alive as he swished around the stage entrancing audiences with charisma that instantly burnt the oxygen right out of the venue. It was pure dynamite.
As the undisputed King of the power ballad Perry reigned supreme. "Faithfully" (from "Frontiers") is sublimely moving. "Who's Crying Now" made me reach for a box of Kleenex, and "Open Arms" was like navigating by moonlight. There are many more of course.
Perry released his first solo album in the wake of "Frontiers" impressive success, 1984's "Street Talk" followed a decade later "For The Love Of Strange Medicine". Journey, meanwhile, went on hiatus 1986-1996, following their comeback album "Trial By Fire", Perry finally vacated the Journey mic stand in 1997, when an injury to his hip while hiking in Hawaii meant he couldn't tour with the group without painful replacement surgery,which, understandably, he was reluctant to undergo.
These days rumours erupt every 6 months that he's on the edge of some kind of comeback- and his mere existence is a reminder that you can't make it up, you have to hear him. In fact you have to hear Perry before you can even imagine that this talent is something that could be even made up.
Finest vocal moment
"Mother, Father" (from Journey's "Escape" 1981)
Perry pushes himself to the absolute boundary of human sensitivity- an emotional masterpiece.
Would have been nice to see Peter Goalby make the list too, the guy had a killer set of pipes (Some review I read somewhere described him as a cross between Lou Gramm and Rick Medlocke, a pretty good combination if you ask me).
Hope ya don't mind me posting this (newbie) but recently heard a guy online who I have never heard of before and he's a Brit called Nigel Bailey sings in the style of one of our other Brit vocalists Steve Overland....... worth checking him out if you haven't already heard him.
Hope ya don't mind me posting this (newbie) but recently heard a guy online who I have never heard of before and he's a Brit called Nigel Bailey sings in the style of one of our other Brit vocalists Steve Overland....... worth checking him out if you haven't already heard him.
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