Steve Perry (musician)

Stephen Ray Perry (born January 22, 1949, in Hanford, California) is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey.

Early years

Steve Perry is the only child of Raymond F. Perry (formerly Pereira, meaning pear tree) and Mary C. Quaresma and is of Portuguese heritage . Steve grew up interested in music, as his father was a vocalist. He also counts Sam Cooke and Al Jolson among his early inspirations. The Perry family was close-knit until Ray left when Steve was 7. His mother later remarried, and Steve remained extremely close to her. On his twelfth birthday, Mary presented Steve with a gold eighth note necklace, which he still wears for good luck.

Related Topics:
Portuguese - Sam Cooke - Al Jolson - Eighth note

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The family moved to Lemoore, California during Steve's teen years. While in Lemoore, the young long-haired singer continued to pursue his interest in music. He attended high school there, drumming in the marching band as well as in extracurricular bands. He attended Visalia, California's College of the Sequoias for a short time after graduation, where he took first tenor in the choir there. Steve's mother encouraged his musical growth during this time.

Related Topics:
Lemoore, California - Drumming - Marching band - Visalia, California - College of the Sequoias - Tenor - Choir

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Steve Perry moved to Los Angeles and fronted the band Alien Project in his mid twenties. He nearly gave up music when the bassist of that band, Richard Michaels, was killed in a tragic car accident. Filled with grief, Steve returned to Lemoore and decided not to continue his singing career, instead following in his stepfather's trade of turkey farming. But at the urging of his mother, Steve answered a call from Walter "Herbie" Herbert, manager of the struggling San Francisco band Journey.

Related Topics:
Los Angeles - Turkey farming - Walter "Herbie" Herbert - San Francisco - Journey

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