What happened on the 1994 Steve Perry tour?

[TotoFan77]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

[kgdjpubs]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

cumulative effect of many years. I think the answer is more complicated than just saying it was one tour. I've heard a show from '95 near the end of the tour where he sounded fine. He was hit and miss a bit on that tour. Every singer has some bad nights. Some shows were very good. I know of one that should have been cancelled. Whatever happened was before that tour, and probably in the 80s. Without knowing exactly what was the main cause, it's hard to say what could have been done to prevent it. Some it if was the natural process of getting older and losing some of your depth and/or high range in the process. Obviously in this case, there was more. No telling what it was though, and I doubt we'll ever know.

[Jubilee]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

IMHO the answers to you questions appear to be "No" and "No". To the extent that his voice was "destroyed", the consensus seems to be that it occurred over a period of time, becoming glaringly apparent during the ROR tour. Avoidable? Who's to say. None of us knows what really happened. Now, I know someone will likely come charging in here with a bunch of blather about substance abuse, but the truth is, we just don't know. Could he have taken better care of himself? Maybe. Could be that even under the best of circumstances his pipes simply weren't durable enough to hold up to the kind of beating they were taking every night.

[Rick]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

As others have said, this tour was going on after a lot of vocal damage had been done. His voice started changing in about '82. I don't know if he was one of those people whose voice changed later in life, and when it did, he had to just destroy it to sing the songs he used to sing with ease, or he just toured his voice to death, which is another popular opinion.

[Greg]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

As others have said, this tour was going on after a lot of vocal damage had been done. His voice started changing in about '82. I don't know if he was one of those people whose voice changed later in life, and when it did, he had to just destroy it to sing the songs he used to sing with ease, or he just toured his voice to death, which is another popular opinion.

I actually prefer Perry's post '82 vocals to anything he did prior.

[kgdjpubs]

I actually prefer Perry's post '82 vocals to anything he did prior.

same here. Technically, his voice had declined a bit, but he had far more control over what he could do with his voice from that point forward.

[brywool]

I actually prefer Perry's post '82 vocals to anything he did prior.

Funny, when the topic of Perry's voice and what happened is raised, 9 out of 10 times this comment appears in the thread. No offense there Greg, just noticing it.

FACT is- Perry damaged his chords somewhere between the Escape Tour and Frontiers. From Frontiers on, "the rasp" crept into his voice and became worse and worse. The ROR tour had nights where the rasp turned to cracks. Prior to the Frontiers tour, his voice was always clear as a bell. During the Frontiers tour (the Japan shows illustrate this) his voice could also be excellent. I believe the Japan shows were at the beginning of the tour. I saw their first American show in Tacoma and that was just after the Japanese shows- Perry was a different guy than I'd seen on the Escape tour. He was WAY subdued and his voice was as rough as I'd ever heard it. I saw the ROR tour too and I don't remember the rasp from the Seattle show, but I do have some boots where he's super raspy and changing the notes to lower ones (Philly show). On TBF it sounded like a completely different guy than those earlier albums. Lots of emotion there (cool) but not a lot of range.

I know a lot prefer the "husky" voiced Perry (not me). Not sure why vocal damage comes across as 'sexy' but it sure helped Michael Bolton sell a buttload of records. Sounds like Marge's smokey sisters on the Simpsons. Not sure how that's sexy, but I'm a guy. On the 95 tour I read that he got Bronchitis. THAT can be a major deal for a singer and it can be weeks before you get your voice back. Didn't he cancel the tour at that point?

[conversationpc]

Funny, when the topic of Perry's voice and what happened is raised, 9 out of 10 times this comment appears in the thread. No offense there Greg, just noticing it.

I don't know why it would be funny...For me, "Frontiers" and "Raised on Radio" are my favorite albums vocally for Perry, followed closely by "Escape". I can also hear just a small bit of that rasp in a few places on "Escape".

[brywool]

Funny, when the topic of Perry's voice and what happened is raised, 9 out of 10 times this comment appears in the thread. No offense there Greg, just noticing it.

I don't know why it would be funny...For me, "Frontiers" and "Raised on Radio" are my favorite albums vocally for Perry, followed closely by "Escape". I can also hear just a small bit of that rasp in a few places on "Escape".

Wait....

WHO THE HELL ARE YOU??? I don't recognize you without Marty Feldman looking back at me!


Like I said- no offense. I find it funny that people are drawn to the damaged voice. I liked all the stuff he did, rasp and all. I just prefer his clear voice. Raspy voices sell a lot of records- Bruce, Bryan Adams (Hi Deano!), AC/DC, Rod, etc. I don't hear it on Escape.

[kgdjpubs]

I know a lot prefer the "husky" voiced Perry (not me). Not sure why vocal damage comes across as 'sexy' but it sure helped Michael Bolton sell a buttload of records.

What Michael Bolton has isn't the same thing unless someone can point me to a crystal clear sounding Bolton recording. Some people are just born with a rougher voice.

What I don't like the most about the early Perry stuff is the Mickey-Mouse-on-Helium effect. Just too high-pitched for me. Perry certainly wasn't the only one guilty of this.

[WykkedSensation]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

His voice was pretty good on this tour no matter what a lot of people say. Most of the boots are pretty darned good, especially Atlanta, New Jersey, Philly and Kansas City. The Frontiers (voice changing tour) tour was some 11 years previously and that was a very different Perry.
Imo Perry was a lot better on the FTLOSM tour in 94 than he was in 86 (ROR tour), which was without a doubt the worst Journey (Perry era) tour.
No one, and i say again No one knows if his voice is destroyed, as no one (certainly on this board) has heard it apart from the baseball shit. The last thing i heard (full vocal) from 2000/01 (demo) he sounded stunning.

[brywool]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

His voice was pretty good on this tour no matter what a lot of people say. Most of the boots are pretty darned good, especially Atlanta, New Jersey, Philly and Kansas City. The Frontiers (voice changing tour) tour was some 11 years previously and that was a very different Perry.
Imo Perry was a lot better on the FTLOSM tour in 94 than he was in 86 (ROR tour), which was without a doubt the worst Journey (Perry era) tour.
No one, and i say again No one knows if his voice is destroyed, as no one (certainly on this board) has heard it apart from the baseball shit. The last thing i heard (full vocal) from 2000/01 (demo) he sounded stunning.

On the 94/95 tour things were tuned WAY down. Not just a half step. In some cases it was more than that. He still sang his butt off, but it was in much lower keys and he had issues even though the keys were lowered. Nobody said his voice was destroyed, did they? His voice was damaged during his touring years. I think Herbie has said there's nothing left there and TBF seemed to indicate that his voice had gotten worse than the FLOTSM stuff. AND if you listened to him SPEAK on Behind the Music- oh my god. There's something wrong there AT THAT TIME.

[tater1977]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

His voice was pretty good on this tour no matter what a lot of people say. Most of the boots are pretty darned good, especially Atlanta, New Jersey, Philly and Kansas City. The Frontiers (voice changing tour) tour was some 11 years previously and that was a very different Perry.
Imo Perry was a lot better on the FTLOSM tour in 94 than he was in 86 (ROR tour), which was without a doubt the worst Journey (Perry era) tour.
No one, and i say again No one knows if his voice is destroyed, as no one (certainly on this board) has heard it apart from the baseball shit. The last thing i heard (full vocal) from 2000/01 (demo) he sounded stunning.

I think Steve still sounded pretty good on this one in 1995...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k3ey8IVV5w

[Rick]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

His voice was pretty good on this tour no matter what a lot of people say. Most of the boots are pretty darned good, especially Atlanta, New Jersey, Philly and Kansas City. The Frontiers (voice changing tour) tour was some 11 years previously and that was a very different Perry.
Imo Perry was a lot better on the FTLOSM tour in 94 than he was in 86 (ROR tour), which was without a doubt the worst Journey (Perry era) tour.
No one, and i say again No one knows if his voice is destroyed, as no one (certainly on this board) has heard it apart from the baseball shit. The last thing i heard (full vocal) from 2000/01 (demo) he sounded stunning.

I think Steve still sounded pretty good on this one in 1995...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k3ey8IVV5w

Wow. That's the best I've heard him sound from that tour.

[scarygirl]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

His voice was pretty good on this tour no matter what a lot of people say. Most of the boots are pretty darned good, especially Atlanta, New Jersey, Philly and Kansas City. The Frontiers (voice changing tour) tour was some 11 years previously and that was a very different Perry.
Imo Perry was a lot better on the FTLOSM tour in 94 than he was in 86 (ROR tour), which was without a doubt the worst Journey (Perry era) tour.
No one, and i say again No one knows if his voice is destroyed, as no one (certainly on this board) has heard it apart from the baseball shit. The last thing i heard (full vocal) from 2000/01 (demo) he sounded stunning.

I think Steve still sounded pretty good on this one in 1995...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k3ey8IVV5w

It got cut off at the end......

[scarab]

damn, thanks for sharing that.

saw Steve in MPLS, 2nd gig i believe on that tour. His voice was top notch

and Sass wasnt half bad either!

[brywool]

Yes yer right. Perfect. There is and was never anything wrong with his voice. And the songs were never in different keys either. Why would they be? His voice never lost a thing. He didn't over tour. He didn't damage a thing. I am going to see him sing tonight. I cannot wait.

[froy]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

I saw

Milwaukee
Chicago
Hershey
Pantages 1
Pantages 2

By the time Pantages came around in December Perry's voice was on fire.
Why the guy stopped was beyond me. He had it back in LA I was blown away.

[froy]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

His voice was pretty good on this tour no matter what a lot of people say. Most of the boots are pretty darned good, especially Atlanta, New Jersey, Philly and Kansas City. The Frontiers (voice changing tour) tour was some 11 years previously and that was a very different Perry.
Imo Perry was a lot better on the FTLOSM tour in 94 than he was in 86 (ROR tour), which was without a doubt the worst Journey (Perry era) tour.
No one, and i say again No one knows if his voice is destroyed, as no one (certainly on this board) has heard it apart from the baseball shit. The last thing i heard (full vocal) from 2000/01 (demo) he sounded stunning.

I think Steve still sounded pretty good on this one in 1995...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k3ey8IVV5w

It got cut off at the end......

WOW never knew he did that in 95 he sounded great.

[portland]

Yes yer right. Perfect. There is and was never anything wrong with his voice. And the songs were never in different keys either. Why would they be? His voice never lost a thing. He didn't over tour. He didn't damage a thing. I am going to see him sing tonight. I cannot wait.

Sour Grapes Anyone?

[portland]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

His voice was pretty good on this tour no matter what a lot of people say. Most of the boots are pretty darned good, especially Atlanta, New Jersey, Philly and Kansas City. The Frontiers (voice changing tour) tour was some 11 years previously and that was a very different Perry.
Imo Perry was a lot better on the FTLOSM tour in 94 than he was in 86 (ROR tour), which was without a doubt the worst Journey (Perry era) tour.
No one, and i say again No one knows if his voice is destroyed, as no one (certainly on this board) has heard it apart from the baseball shit. The last thing i heard (full vocal) from 2000/01 (demo) he sounded stunning.

I think Steve still sounded pretty good on this one in 1995...


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6k3ey8IVV5w

Sounds really good to me....after listening to the live show the other night...makes me miss it more

[Gideon]

makes me miss it more

You and your idol have finally reached common ground, then.

[portland]

makes me miss it more

You and your idol have finally reached common ground, then.

Ah Giddy......I almost thought we were in a good place...no such luck??

[Gideon]

makes me miss it more

You and your idol have finally reached common ground, then.

Ah Giddy......I almost thought we were in a good place...no such luck??

You and I are always in a good place. But the teasing must never cease, otherwise the sexual tension will just continue to build up with potentially drastic consequences.

[portland]

makes me miss it more

You and your idol have finally reached common ground, then.

Ah Giddy......I almost thought we were in a good place...no such luck??

You and I are always in a good place. But the teasing must never cease, otherwise the sexual tension will just continue to build up with potentially drastic consequences.

Um Ok?

[Gideon]

makes me miss it more

You and your idol have finally reached common ground, then.

Ah Giddy......I almost thought we were in a good place...no such luck??

You and I are always in a good place. But the teasing must never cease, otherwise the sexual tension will just continue to build up with potentially drastic consequences.

Um Ok?

Clearly you feel it too?

[portland]

makes me miss it more

You and your idol have finally reached common ground, then.

Ah Giddy......I almost thought we were in a good place...no such luck??

You and I are always in a good place. But the teasing must never cease, otherwise the sexual tension will just continue to build up with potentially drastic consequences.

Um Ok?

Clearly you feel it too?

No not really...but if you say so?

[Gideon]

makes me miss it more

You and your idol have finally reached common ground, then.

Ah Giddy......I almost thought we were in a good place...no such luck??

You and I are always in a good place. But the teasing must never cease, otherwise the sexual tension will just continue to build up with potentially drastic consequences.

Um Ok?

Clearly you feel it too?

No not really...but if you say so?

Denial is a classic Loon trait, but I know your heart!

[conversationpc]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

His voice was pretty good on this tour no matter what a lot of people say. Most of the boots are pretty darned good, especially Atlanta, New Jersey, Philly and Kansas City. The Frontiers (voice changing tour) tour was some 11 years previously and that was a very different Perry.
Imo Perry was a lot better on the FTLOSM tour in 94 than he was in 86 (ROR tour), which was without a doubt the worst Journey (Perry era) tour.
No one, and i say again No one knows if his voice is destroyed, as no one (certainly on this board) has heard it apart from the baseball shit. The last thing i heard (full vocal) from 2000/01 (demo) he sounded stunning.

That's what I was going to say. I have a number of boots from that tour and like most of them. He obviously didn't have the range but definitely more control over what he was doing.

[portland]

Saw some bootlegs and he sounds like he's having a hard time. Was this the tour that destroyed his voice? And was there anyway to prevent it?

His voice was pretty good on this tour no matter what a lot of people say. Most of the boots are pretty darned good, especially Atlanta, New Jersey, Philly and Kansas City. The Frontiers (voice changing tour) tour was some 11 years previously and that was a very different Perry.
Imo Perry was a lot better on the FTLOSM tour in 94 than he was in 86 (ROR tour), which was without a doubt the worst Journey (Perry era) tour.
No one, and i say again No one knows if his voice is destroyed, as no one (certainly on this board) has heard it apart from the baseball shit. The last thing i heard (full vocal) from 2000/01 (demo) he sounded stunning.

AMEN