Steve Perry’s Birthday –January 22, 1949

Conversation Starters:

· Happy Birthday to Steve Perry! Which Journey song best displays Steve's awesome voice?

· Happy Birthday Steve Perry! Wish the king of arena rock a good one below!

· Happy Birthday to Steve Perry! Do you think he should reunite with Journey again?

Fast Facts:

· Born on January 22, 1949 in Hanford, CA

· Full name is Stephen Ray Perry

· He is #76 on Rolling Stone’s list of the 100 Greatest Singers of all time

· He played drums in his high school marching band in Lemoore, CA

· He is widely known for the incredible range and power of his voice, one of the best in rock history

· Decided he wanted to be a singer after hearing Sam Cooke’s "Cupid" on his Mom’s car radio

· Almost gave up on music when the bassist of Alien Project, a successful band he was in before Journey, died in a car accident

· His big break came in 1977 when he became the lead vocalist of Journey

· Hits with Journey include "Don’t Stop Believin’," "Who’s Crying Now," "Open Arms," "Separate Ways," and "Faithfully"

· Journey’s 1980 album "Escape" was hugely successful and launched the band into stardom

· He wrote Journey’s most memorable song "Don’t Stop Believin’" with guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain

· Perry reunited with Journey in 1996 and released the album "Trial By Fire" but soon left due to health issues

· Admitted on an episode of VH1’s Behind the Music that he was ousted forcibly from Journey by his band mates in 1986

· In addition to solo work and work with Journey, he contributed to recordings by Sammy Hagar, Jan Hammer, and Kenny Loggins

· A cover of "Don’t Stop Believin" was performed on the TV show Glee in 2009 which introduced the song to a new generation and renewed interest in Journey

· He was a performer on the 1985 all-star track "We Are the World" which raised millions for famine relief in Africa

Billboard Hot 100 Singles:

· 1982, "Don’t Fight It," #17

· 1984, "Strung Out," #40

· 1984, "She’s Mine," #21

· 1984, "Oh, Sherry," #3

· 1984, "Foolish Heart," #18

· 1994, "You Better Wait," #29

· 1994, "Missing You," #74

Billboard Top 200 Albums:

· 1984, "Street Talk," #12

· 1994, "For The Love Of Strange Medicine," #15

Videos:

· "Oh Sherry" Official Music Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qZLBtT9WpDA

· "Strung Out" Official Music Video:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R6oEJ73ezn8

· "Don’t Stop Believin’" Live in New York, 1994:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-W9SatPrhmU

Links:

· Journey’s Official Website:

http://www.journeymusic.com/

· YouTube Channel:

http://www.youtube.com/artist/steve-perry

· Fan Site:

http://steveperryonline.net/

Sources:

http://www.allmusic.com/artist/steve-perry-mn0000757070

http://www.rollingstone.com/music/lists/100-greatest-singers-of-all-time-19691231/steve-perry-20101202

http://www.biography.com/people/steve-perry-20851607

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