Steve Perry is Back

Many of you may remember him as the former lead singer of Journey between 1977 and 1997 (apart from a break in the late 80s/early 90s). Nevertheless, whether you've known him before or not, Steve Perry is back with his new song, "No Erasin'" off his forthcoming new album "Traces" due for release sometime in the last quarter of this year.

Take a listen here; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oawl9e-tFVM

Now for those who don't know, Steve Perry joined Journey in 1977 succeing lead singer Robert Fleischman who sang on the 1977 record Next It all began when Journey/Santana manager Walter "Herbie" Herbert heard a song by the Allen Project (in which Steve Perry was singing at the time). Herbert appreciated it and brought Perry in to be a roadie for the 1977 tour.

Things changd from there and with Perry on board, the band made more pop rock music and less progressive rock (that had been theme for their first few records). Steve Perry's Journey debut was the 1978 record "Infinity" on which he wrote the song Patiently with Neil Schon. Other Infinity hits were the Perry-written Lights, Feelin' That Way/Anytime (which was given airtime primarily on AOR stations), and Wheel in The Sky (the song that actually made me a Journey fan). The 1979 record, Evolution included the hit Lovin,' Toucin,' Squeezin'.

The next album with new content was 1980's Departure (coincidentally 20 years later they released Arrival although with "the other Steve)." Departure featured Anyway You Want It and was the last record with original keyboardist/vocalist Greg Rolie (previously of Santana fame).

After Rolie came Jonathan Cain as the new keyboardist. Like with Schon, Perry penned the ballad Open Arms, the third single from their most successful 1981 record Escape (the record shot to the top of the Bilboard Chart). Other noteworthy hits from Escape were Who's Cryin' Now, Don't Stop Believin' - perhaps their "signature song" and often mistitled as "Street LIfe People," Still They Ride, and Stone in Love.

The next record, 1983's Frontiers was the last commercial success. Hits were Seperate Ways, Faithfully, Send Her My Love, After the Fall, and Ask The Lonely. Shortly after the tour, Perry launched his solo career in 1984 to have a hit with Oh Sherrie in 1985 (from his 1984 debut Street Talk) and Foolish Heart towards the end of the decade. Journey then had a hit in 1985 with Only the Young from the Vision Quest movie soundtrack.

The 1986 record Raised on Radio featured the singles Be Good to Yourself, Girl Can't Help It, and I'll be Alright Without You. The album was primarily produced by Steve Perry with help from Jonathan  Cain. With Perry's rise to power, he fired both Steve Smith (drums) and Ross Valory (bass guitar). The band recorded as a trio (Schon, Perry, and Cain) with Bob Glaub and Randy Jackson (bass guitar) and Mike Baird and Larrie Londin (drums). Following this the band disbanded in 1987 releasing their greatest hits package in 1988 (later repackaging it) and Perry continuing on his solo work.

Journey reconvened in 1995 with the Schon-Perry,Smith-Valory-Cain setup. The 1996 comeback Trial by Fire featured the hit When You Love a Woman. The band planned a comeback tour but hit a roadblock in 1997 when Steve Perry injured his knee on vacation. Towards the end of the decade, Steve Augari replaced Steve Perry. The band released Arrival in 2001 and continued touring. Many called Augari "Steve Perry with a perm."

Perry did join Journey for their Hall of Fame induction in April 2017, but as for Perry working with Neil Schon in Journey again? No such luck!

See for yourselves here.

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