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Steve Perry

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Data updated on 2025-04-04 07:56:46 UTC
Singer, songwriter, and powerhouse vocalist Steve Perry is best known for fronting arena rock legends Journey during their most successful run. From 1977 to 1987, his dynamic range and warm, instantly recognizable tone dominated rock radio, with songs like "Don't Stop Believin'," "Wheel in the Sky," and "Lights" becoming part of the classic rock lexicon. He issued his platinum-selling solo debut, Street Talk, in 1984, followed by For the Love of Strange Medicine ten years later. After a long hiatus, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee returned to music in 2018 and released his third studio LP, Traces. The Season, a collection of Christmas standards, appeared in 2021.

Born Stephen Ray Perry in Hanford, California, on January 22, 1949 (to Portuguese parents), Perry was raised in another California town, Lemoore, during which time he worked at his stepfather's turkey ranch. But by the age of 18, Perry wanted to try fulfilling his rock & roll dreams, so he relocated to Los Angeles. The singer paid the bills by lending his vocals to radio and TV advertisements, as well as working as an engineer at Crystal Studios. In addition to singing, Perry was also a drummer and was involved in several different bands during the '60s and '70s, including such obscure local acts as the Nocturns, Dollar Bills, Sullies, Ice, Pieces, and Alien Project, the latter of which was on the verge of signing a recording contract when the group's bassist died in a car accident, promptly leading to the group's breakup.

Dejected, Perry gave up on music completely and returned to Lemoore to work once more at his stepfather's turkey ranch. But at his mother's insistence, he decided to give music another try. Just as he came to this realization, the manager of the prog rock/fusion act Journey, Herbie Herbert, contacted Perry to see if he'd like to try out for the lead singer spot in the group. Perry was eventually welcomed into the band and Journey's sound shifted away from their early indulgent style and toward a more focused mainstream rock sound. The move paid off; over the course of several albums (1978's Infinity, 1979's Evolution, and 1980's Departure), the Perry-led version of Journey became one of the top U.S. arena rock bands. Founding keyboardist Gregg Rolie was replaced by former Babys member Jonathan Cain shortly thereafter, which would result in Perry finding a perfect songwriting partner. Just when it appeared as though Journey couldn't get any more popular, they scored two of the biggest rock records of the early '80s back to back -- 1981's Escape and 1983's Frontiers -- which confirmed what fans had known for several years: that the group members were the undisputed kings of arena rock (as the two albums spawned such massive hit singles as "Don't Stop Believin'," "Who's Crying Now," "Open Arms," "Separate Ways," and "Faithfully").

While Journey was on a brief break from touring and recording around this time, Perry issued his first solo album in 1984, Street Talk, which unsurprisingly sounded almost identical to Journey and spawned a sizable hit single with "Oh Sherrie" (as well as another minor hit, "Foolish Heart"). Journey regrouped in 1986 for Raised on Radio, and although the album was another sizable hit, it was noticeably not up to snuff when compared to their previous stellar releases. Sensing this themselves, Journey quietly broke up shortly thereafter. Little was heard from Perry subsequently, as a sophomore solo effort slated for release in 1988, Against the Wall, was ultimately shelved. Journey remained out of commission for several years while a pair of compilations, 1988's Greatest Hits and 1992's box set Time 3, proved to be steady sellers. Perry finally got around to issuing a second solo album, For the Love of Strange Medicine, exactly ten years after his solo debut.

In 1996, Journey regrouped for a new studio recording, Trial by Fire, and a proposed tour. But shortly before the tour was to get underway, Perry discovered that he had a degenerative hip condition, which effectively squashed all plans for a reunion tour (Perry's unwillingness to get corrective surgery right away ultimately led to his ousting from the group, as Journey would soldier on with Perry clone Steve Augeri behind the mike). Perry contributed a pair of tracks to the soundtrack for the 1998 Disney animated film Quest for Camelot before a Perry compilation, Greatest Hits + Five Unreleased, was issued later the same year. Perry was interviewed in the early 21st century for an episode of VH1's Behind the Music that focused on Journey, during which the singer told his side of the story of his ousting from the group and the happenings behind the scenes.

Apart from appearances on albums by Jeff Golub and David Pack, Perry stayed quiet throughout much of the 2000s. He resurfaced in 2014, appearing on-stage with Eels at a concert in St. Paul, Minnesota. The following year, he revealed that he was working on a new album. That record, his first in 24 years, was titled Traces and appeared in October 2018. Three years later Perry returned with The Season, a set of warmly delivered holiday favorites. ~ Greg Prato, Rovi

Genres

: album rock

Total plays

355.3 million
Updated on 2025-04-04

Monthly listeners

1,864,051

Followers

687,192

Top Cities

  1. Philippines
    71,825 listeners
  2. Chile
    25,053 listeners
  3. Philippines
    35,252 listeners
  4. Philippines
    30,474 listeners
  5. Philippines
    34,018 listeners

Related artists

Most popular tracks

Track Plays Duration Release date
Oh Sherrie
Oh Sherrie
110,604,700 3:49 1984-04-01
Foolish Heart
Foolish Heart
102,724,735 3:40 1984-04-01
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Bryce Miller/Alloy Tracks Remix
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Bryce Miller/Alloy Tracks Remix
69,925,077 2:45 2022-04-12
Any Way You Want It
Any Way You Want It
10,148,632 2:32 2012-06-08
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Steve Perry & Bryce Miller Extended Remix
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) - Steve Perry & Bryce Miller Extended Remix
9,332,160 3:16 2022-07-01
Don't Fight It
Don't Fight It
5,802,201 3:38 1982-01-01
We're Still Here
We're Still Here
4,025,822 4:06 2018-10-05
Strung Out
Strung Out
3,964,719 3:45 1984-04-01
I Stand Alone
I Stand Alone
2,686,838 3:43 1998-12-01
She's Mine
She's Mine
2,595,561 4:27 1984-04-01
No Erasin'
No Erasin'
2,545,622 4:07 2018-10-05
Captured by the Moment
Captured by the Moment
2,299,620 3:49 1984-04-01
Go Away
Go Away
2,096,931 4:07 1984-04-01
You Better Wait
You Better Wait
1,683,339 4:52 1994-07-15
Missing You
Missing You
1,627,389 3:48 1994-07-15
No More Cryin'
No More Cryin'
1,089,312 4:29 2018-10-05
Open Arms
Open Arms
931,497 3:17 2023-11-17
Most of All
Most of All
886,801 4:23 2018-10-05
Silver Bells - Edit
Silver Bells - Edit
753,577 3:30 2019-11-01
For the Love of Strange Medicine
For the Love of Strange Medicine
753,478 5:51 1994-07-15
In the Rain
In the Rain
745,885 4:07 2018-10-05
It Won't Be You - Writing Demo
It Won't Be You - Writing Demo
731,299 4:26 1998-12-01
You Belong to Me
You Belong to Me
721,053 4:08 2018-10-05
If Only for the Moment
If Only for the Moment
708,875 4:11 1984-04-01
Only the Young - Steve Perry & Bryce Miller Remix
Only the Young - Steve Perry & Bryce Miller Remix
672,935 3:36 2023-10-27
When You're In Love (For the First Time)
When You're In Love (For the First Time)
642,703 4:08 1998-12-01
Forever Right Or Wrong (Love's Like a River)
Forever Right Or Wrong (Love's Like a River)
623,306 4:32 1998-12-01
Sun Shines Gray
Sun Shines Gray
593,960 3:58 2018-10-05
Easy to Love
Easy to Love
586,010 4:03 2018-10-05
If You Need Me, Call Me - Demo
If You Need Me, Call Me - Demo
571,920 4:22 1998-12-01
I Need You
I Need You
562,727 2:60 2018-10-05
You Should Be Happy
You Should Be Happy
558,932 3:25 1984-04-01
Melody
Melody
519,420 4:06 1998-12-01
I Believe
I Believe
515,957 4:13 1984-04-01
Winter Wonderland
Winter Wonderland
511,040 3:20 2021-11-05
We Fly
We Fly
471,333 3:57 2018-10-05
Running Alone
Running Alone
459,130 4:07 1984-04-01
What Was
What Was
435,305 3:57 1998-12-01
Anyway
Anyway
407,036 4:18 1994-07-15
It's Only Love
It's Only Love
395,490 3:49 1984-04-01
The Streets of Kinsale
The Streets of Kinsale
386,704 3:00 2023-04-28
I Am
I Am
379,864 4:53 1994-07-15
Somewhere There's Hope
Somewhere There's Hope
325,090 6:05 1994-07-15
Young Hearts Forever
Young Hearts Forever
296,660 4:41 1994-07-15
Against the Wall
Against the Wall
281,635 4:44 1998-12-01
Don't Stop Believin'
Don't Stop Believin'
264,152 5:24 2009-04-01
Listen to Your Heart
Listen to Your Heart
254,133 3:31 1994-07-15
Stand Up (Before It's Too Late)
Stand Up (Before It's Too Late)
248,095 4:48 1994-07-15
Donna Please
Donna Please
219,327 4:02 1994-07-15
Harmony
Harmony
212,882 3:57 1984-04-01
Tuesday Heartache
Tuesday Heartache
210,083 5:59 1994-07-15
Can't Let You Go
Can't Let You Go
204,621 5:58 2003-01-01
The Christmas Song
The Christmas Song
192,252 3:31 2021-11-05
Summer of Luv
Summer of Luv
187,863 4:25 1998-12-01
Once In a Lifetime, Girl
Once In a Lifetime, Girl
185,355 4:53 1998-12-01
One More Time
One More Time
183,613 3:30 1994-07-15
Don't Tell Me Why You're Leavin'
Don't Tell Me Why You're Leavin'
180,313 3:12 1984-04-01
It Could Have Been You
It Could Have Been You
179,576 4:19 2024-05-07
White Fool - Reimagined (feat. Steve Perry)
White Fool - Reimagined (feat. Steve Perry)
160,396 4:23 2022-04-08
A Brand New Start
A Brand New Start
158,467 4:55 2005-01-01
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
I’ll Be Home For Christmas
157,711 2:46 2021-11-05
オープン・アームス
オープン・アームス
154,988 4:03 2008-09-10
If You Need Me Call Me
If You Need Me Call Me
154,406 5:49 1994-07-15
Missing You - Live In San Francisco, CA - December 1994
Missing You - Live In San Francisco, CA - December 1994
142,090 4:14 1994-07-15
Ola
Ola
137,038 4:05 2000-01-01
Friends of Mine
Friends of Mine
121,988 3:30 1994-07-15
Maybe This Year
Maybe This Year
106,482 3:38 2022-10-28
Can't Stop
Can't Stop
100,398 4:08 1994-07-15
What A Wonderful World
What A Wonderful World
90,343 4:01 2024-10-11
No Erasin’ - Acoustic
No Erasin’ - Acoustic
81,185 4:03 2020-12-04
Could We Be Somethin' Again
Could We Be Somethin' Again
78,404 3:20 2019-03-15
Angel Eyes
Angel Eyes
76,251 4:19 2019-03-15
October in New York
October in New York
75,653 4:04 2019-03-15
Don't Stop Believin' (Arr. for Guitar)
Don't Stop Believin' (Arr. for Guitar)
74,897 4:23 2020-10-18
Silver Bells
Silver Bells
73,711 5:03 2019-11-01
Call on Me
Call on Me
70,740 4:13 2019-03-15
Most of All - Radio Mix
Most of All - Radio Mix
69,235 4:25 2020-12-04
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
67,740 1:53 2018-12-21
Blue Jays Fly
Blue Jays Fly
64,126 2:58 2019-03-15
I Need You - Acoustic
I Need You - Acoustic
63,202 2:58 2020-12-04
Auld Lang Syne
Auld Lang Syne
62,716 2:06 2021-11-05
Call Me Irresponsible (feat. Ray Perry)
Call Me Irresponsible (feat. Ray Perry)
56,093 3:05 2024-11-08
My My My
My My My
54,928 2:23 1984-04-01
This Christmas
This Christmas
53,167 3:24 2022-10-28
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
51,805 3:02 2021-11-05
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve
50,591 3:57 2021-11-05
Makes No Difference
Makes No Difference
47,463 4:52 1984-04-01
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Remix
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Remix
44,957 1:56 2019-11-01
Sun Shines Gray - Alternate Mix
Sun Shines Gray - Alternate Mix
38,996 3:47 2019-07-19
Most of All - Stripped
Most of All - Stripped
33,182 4:32 2020-12-04
You Belong to Me - Stripped
You Belong to Me - Stripped
32,696 4:06 2020-12-04
No More Cryin’ - Acoustic
No More Cryin’ - Acoustic
27,229 4:28 2020-12-04
We’re Still Here - Acoustic
We’re Still Here - Acoustic
26,607 3:56 2020-12-04
Sun Shines Gray - Acoustic
Sun Shines Gray - Acoustic
21,876 3:44 2020-12-04
The Christmas Song - Steve Perry Commentary
The Christmas Song - Steve Perry Commentary
9,940 0:39 2021-11-26
Open Arms (Arr. for Guitar)
Open Arms (Arr. for Guitar)
9,590 3:04 2021-01-17
Step By Step
Step By Step
9,534 2:26 2012-07-02
I’ll Be Home For Christmas - Steve Perry Commentary
I’ll Be Home For Christmas - Steve Perry Commentary
8,691 0:48 2021-11-26
Jingle Bell Rock
Jingle Bell Rock
7,905 3:18 2024-11-08
Let It Snow
Let It Snow
6,824 2:33 2024-11-08
Auld Lang Syne - Steve Perry Commentary
Auld Lang Syne - Steve Perry Commentary
6,684 0:41 2021-11-26
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Steve Perry Commentary
Santa Claus Is Coming To Town - Steve Perry Commentary
6,420 0:55 2021-11-26
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) [Arr. for String Quartet]
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) [Arr. for String Quartet]
6,196 4:34 2014-06-01
Winter Wonderland - Steve Perry Commentary
Winter Wonderland - Steve Perry Commentary
5,848 0:44 2021-11-26
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer
5,662 3:06 2024-11-08
Ginny Come Lately
Ginny Come Lately
5,533 2:38 2015-03-09
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve - Steve Perry Commentary
What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve - Steve Perry Commentary
5,484 0:45 2021-11-26
Silver Bells - Steve Perry Commentary
Silver Bells - Steve Perry Commentary
5,295 0:53 2021-11-26
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Steve Perry Commentary
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas - Steve Perry Commentary
5,059 1:01 2021-11-26
'Twas The Night Before Christmas
'Twas The Night Before Christmas
4,994 3:23 2024-11-08
Everybody Dance Now 8 - Party Mix
Everybody Dance Now 8 - Party Mix
4,483 6:25 2011-04-26
Ginny Come Lately
Ginny Come Lately
3,754 2:35 2013-04-25
Step By Step
Step By Step
1,990 2:26 2015-09-18
Intro - Steve Perry Commentary
Intro - Steve Perry Commentary
< 1000 0:09 2021-11-26
Outro - Steve Perry Commentary
Outro - Steve Perry Commentary
< 1000 0:13 2021-11-26

New releases

The Season 3
The Season 3
2024-11-08
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
What A Wonderful World
What A Wonderful World
2024-10-11
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
It Could Have Been You
It Could Have Been You
2024-05-07
[Core4]
Only the Young (Steve Perry & Bryce Miller Remix)
Only the Young (Steve Perry & Bryce Miller Remix)
2023-10-27
[Columbia/Legacy]
The Streets of Kinsale
The Streets of Kinsale
2023-04-28
[The High Kings]
The Season (Deluxe Edition)
The Season (Deluxe Edition)
2022-10-28
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) [Bryce Miller/Alloy Tracks Remix]
Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) [Bryce Miller/Alloy Tracks Remix]
2022-04-12
[Legacy Recordings]
The Season (Commentary)
The Season (Commentary)
2021-11-26
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
The Season
The Season
2021-11-05
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
Traces (Alternate Versions & Sketches)
Traces (Alternate Versions & Sketches)
2020-12-04
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
Silver Bells
Silver Bells
2019-11-01
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
Sun Shines Gray (Alternate Mix)
Sun Shines Gray (Alternate Mix)
2019-07-19
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
Traces (Deluxe Edition)
Traces (Deluxe Edition)
2019-03-15
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
2018-12-21
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
Traces
Traces
2018-10-05
[BMG Rights Management (US) LLC]
Greatest Hits
Greatest Hits
1998-12-01
[Columbia/Legacy]
For the Love of Strange Medicine (Expanded Edition)
For the Love of Strange Medicine (Expanded Edition)
1994-07-15
[Columbia/Legacy]
Street Talk (Expanded Edition)
Street Talk (Expanded Edition)
1984-04-01
[Columbia/Legacy]