Former Journey singer Steve Perry joined alternative rock band EELS in St. Paul, Minnesota on Sunday to perform a pair of classic tunes from his old band.
The crowd at the Fitzgerald Theater saw Perry take the stage with EELS for a track before launching into Journey classics “Open Arms” and “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’.”
Perry’s last live appearance was at the Guitar Center Drum-Off Finals in Los Angeles in January, where he was on hand to support drummer Steve Ferrone’s induction into the Guitar Center Hollywood Rock Walk.
The reclusive singer performed back-up vocals at the event, joining Ferrone and a host of musicians for an all-star jam on "Pick Up The Pieces" by the Average White Band – the drummer was a member of the group from 1974 to 1983.
Watch video of Perry’s Guitar Center performance here.
Journey had their most successful commercial period with Perry, who joined the group in 1977; a string of multi-platinum albums followed, and the band eventually went on hiatus between 1987 and 1996.
Following the release of the 1996 reunion album, “Trial By Fire”, Perry injured his hip while hiking in Hawaii before a tour could begin, resulting in the need for hip replacement surgery when he was diagnosed with a degenerative bone condition.
Perry hesitated rushing in to have surgery for the issue, holding the group’s plans up for almost two full years before they presented the singer with an ultimatum: get the surgery done so they could tour, or a replacement singer would be brought in to the lineup.
Perry refused the request, and Journey hired Steve Augeri in 1998, followed by Jeff Scott Soto in 2006 and, in 2007, Filipino YouTube discovery (and Perry sound-alike) Arnel Pineda, who helped revitalize the band while their 1981 smash, “Don’t Stop Believin'”, emerged as one of the biggest selling songs of the new digital era.
See also:
Journey planning new album
Journey guitarist Neal Schon releases new solo album
Journey guitarist Neal Schon releases Love Finds A Way video
Journey guitarist Neal Schon tops the hennemusic Hot 10
Search Journey at hennemusic
