Why Journey’s Iconic Frontman Steve Perry Went Radio Silent for 20 Years

Steve Perry, the legendary voice behind Journey’s rise to superstardom, stunned fans and the music industry by disappearing from the spotlight for nearly two decades. His career was marked by a soaring, operatic tenor that helped transform Journey from a jazz-rock band into one of rock’s greatest stadium acts during the late 1970s and 1980s.

Inspired by Sam Cooke’s soulful voice as a child, Perry joined Journey in 1977, steering them to fame alongside guitarist Neal Schon. The band’s shift to emotive ballads and hard rock anthems resulted in multi-platinum albums and sold-out tours.

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However, the immense pressures of fame and relentless touring took their toll. In 1987, Perry stepped back due to burnout, explaining that his voice is his instrument, and when he felt depressed, weary, and lost, he was unable to perform.

Perry’s 1996 comeback with Journey’s Trial by Fire album was disrupted by a severe hip injury requiring surgery. His hesitancy to undergo the operation led to tensions and an ultimatum from the band: get surgery or they would tour without him. Perry chose to leave permanently and retreated from music for years.

A deeply personal loss also shaped his hiatus. Perry fell in love with psychologist Kellie Nash, who battled terminal cancer. Her death in 2012 was devastating, but she made him promise never to isolate himself again.

Honoring that promise, Perry returned in 2018 with a deeply reflective solo album Traces, sharing raw emotion shaped by grief and love. Even after his long absence, his influence persists with timeless hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” still capturing hearts across generations.

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