When and why did Steve Perry leave Journey?

Journey helped define the soundtrack for the 1970s and 1980s, with hits that are still remembered as some of the greatest songs ever written. However, the band could not count on the lead singer Steve Perry for most of their existence.

Journey was founded in 1973, a union of several experienced musicians who sought to create a new sound experience. Because the jazz fusion project did not work as well as Journey had hoped, the band was forced to experiment with new genres and invite new members. The version of Journey we all know and love began in 1977 when Perry joined as the band’s lead singer and songwriter. As a frontman, he made history by using his vocal talents to turn hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Open Arms” into the anthems of a generation.

Although Journey’s explosive success made them one of the biggest musical influences of the 1980s, Perry left the band in 1987. It would be the first time, but not the last, that Perry and Journey went in different directions.

Why did Steve Perry leave Journey in 1987?

In 1987, Journey was at the height of its success. Since Perry joined the band, they have released hit after hit, drawing millions of fans worldwide to their live performances. However, to fans’ despair, Perry left Journey to pursue a solo career.

The position of lead singer gave Perry the attention he needed to ensure he would succeed in his solo career. Furthermore, since Perry had creative differences with Journey, he was able to focus his creative energy by flying solo without making concessions or negotiating with other band members. Additionally, things were somewhat tense within the band before Perry’s departure, with the singer firing founding bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith during the recording of the 1986 album. Grew up on the radio — the two would return to the band in 1995. So his departure was not entirely shocking. Still, Perry’s absence affected Journey.

Journey would remain popular without Perry, but they never repeated the success of their 1980s run. Likewise, Perry is mainly remembered for the songs he wrote or co-wrote for the band, not for his solo career. However, it is not surprising that he would rejoin the group in 1995, a new partnership that lasted only three years.

Why did Steve Perry and Journey split in 1998?

With Perry back in the fold, Journey released a new studio album in 1996, Trial by fire. The album received three hit singles and a Grammy nomination, with fans eager to see the band hit the road again for another world tour. The tour plans were derailed after Perry’s skiing accident the same year. He needed hip surgery to get back on stage in time for the tour, but he refused to have it. His Journey companions waited for him until 1998, at which point they decided that the future of the band was more important than one person’s selfish decisions.

The same year, Journey hired voice actor Steve Augeri, creating a successful partnership until 2006. In 2007, singer Arnel Pineda became the band’s lead singer, a role he still holds. As for Perry, he attended a few special presentations with the team, but mostly stayed in the shadows. His story is a bitter reminder that a band is bigger than its frontman, no matter how important they think they are.

Source disclaimer: The above article is partly based on the book The Untold Story of Journey by Neil Daniels.