Full Name | Stephen Ray Perry |
Birthday | January 22, 1949 |
Birth Place | Hanford, California, United States |
Age | 74 Years Old |
Height | 5‘ 7" (1.7 m) |
Net Worth | $60 Million |
Social Media | Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, YouTube |
With his towering vocals and magnetic stage presence, Steve Perry is one of the greatest rock frontmen of all time. He is best known as the lead singer for Journey during their arena rock heyday. Perry‘s soaring tenor and passion helped define Journey‘s melodic power ballad sound on hits like "Don‘t Stop Believin‘." After leaving Journey, Perry went on to have a successful solo career. His new music in recent years proves his voice remains as captivating as ever decades later.
Humble Beginnings in Central California
Steve Perry was born on January 22, 1949 in the small central California town of Hanford. Music was always central in his family – his mother was a vocal coach who nurtured his singing talent from a young age. As a teen, Perry formed his first band and performed at local venues before leaving Hanford for greater opportunities.
Joining Journey and Rise to Fame
After stints in other bands, Perry became the lead singer for Journey in 1977, bringing his soaring tenor voice to their sound. His arrival came just as Journey was transitioning to a more melodic, pop-oriented style. Perry‘s vocals helped rocket Journey to the top – their 1981 album Escape, featuring "Don‘t Stop Believin‘," was their biggest success.
As Journey‘s frontman, Perry delivered powerful performances like raising his arms triumphantly while hitting the iconic high notes in "Don‘t Stop Believin‘." His charisma and connection with audiences cemented his status as one of rock‘s all-time great frontmen.
Life After Journey and Triumphant Return
Exhaustion from tour life led Perry to leave Journey in 1987. He continued writing and recording as a solo artist. Health issues in the 1990s made singing difficult for Perry, but he emerged in 2018 with Traces, his first album in 25 years. His voice had lost none of its emotion and splendor.
Now in his 70s, Steve Perry continues to inspire generations of music fans with his unbelievable vocals. His journey from small town singer to global rock god is a true American success story.
Fun Facts About Steve Perry
- Got the Journey gig by giving them a demo tape on which he sang in various voices
- Once took out a full page personal ad in Billboard to find a girl he met at a Journey concert
- Co-wrote the Journey hits "Open Arms" and "Faithfully" about his girlfriend at the time
- His mother coined the nickname "The Voice" because of his remarkable singing ability
- Steve Perry‘s trademark look included big hair, a headband, and aviator sunglasses