Steve Perry biography
Date of birth : 1949-01-22
Date of death : -
Birthplace : Hanford, California, U.S.
Nationality : American
Category : Arts and Entertainment
Last modified : 2012-01-13
Credited as : Singer-songwriter, Rock artist, lead vocalist of the band Journey
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Perry's voice has garnered acclaim from musical peers and music publications. Queen's Brian May described Perry as "a truly luminous singer, in my opinion — a voice in a million"; producer and American Idol judge Randy Jackson opined that "Other than Robert Plant, there's no singer in rock that even came close to Steve Perry".
Perry was ranked #76th in "The 100 Greatest Singers of All-Time" by Rolling Stone, who lauded his "technical skills, pure tone and passionate sincerity." Greg Prato of Allmusic wrote, "If only one singer could be selected as the most identifiable with '80s arena rock, it would have to be Journey's Steve Perry."
"Other than Robert Plant, there's no singer in rock that even came close to Steve Perry," says American Idol judge Randy Jackson, who played bass with Perry in Journey. "The power, the range, the tone — he created his own style. He mixed a little Motown, a little Everly Brothers, a little Zeppelin." When he was 10 years old, Perry heard Sam Cooke's "Cupid" on his mom's car radio, and decided he had to be a singer. After singing in a college choir, he joined Journey at the age of 28, quickly revealing a penchant for quavering, reverb-soaked melodrama that appealed to millions of fans — but few rock critics. Yet his technical skills (those high notes!), pure tone and passionate sincerity now seem undeniable. "He lives for it and loves it," says Jackson. "I just saw him not long ago, and he still has the golden voice."
In a recent interview, former bassist, Sony record executive, and American Idol judge Randy Jackson opined that "Other than Robert Plant, there's no singer in rock that even came close to Steve Perry". Jackson goes on to say "The power, the range, the tone — he created his own style. He mixed a little Motown, a little Everly Brothers, a little Zeppelin." Jackson also puts the rumors to rest about Perry's voice saying "I just saw him not long ago, and he still has the golden voice."Perry was awarded the title of "greatest rock singer" in WROQ's 2010 March Bracket Brawl for the greatest rock singer.
