Perry's Assessment Of His Performance

[DracIsBack]

Dude,

I seen Reno and Loverboy with Night Ranger last year.

Oh - my English teacher just rolled over in her grave. Friends don't let friends say "I seen"

Reno was in the original key and sounded every bit as good as he did back in the day. Maybe he was on an exceptional day but was VERY GOOD.

He is pretty good, though I think he has some "help" live. It doesn't sound real when he sings the high note on Turn Me Loose, for example.

[Rick]

I agree, Reno still sounds good. I was concerned that he might eat Arnel though, instead of singing with him. Dude needs to jog or something.

[Rick]

Dude,

I seen Reno and Loverboy with Night Ranger last year.

Oh - my English teacher just rolled over in her grave. Friends don't let friends say "I seen"

Reno was in the original key and sounded every bit as good as he did back in the day. Maybe he was on an exceptional day but was VERY GOOD.

He is pretty good, though I think he has some "help" live. It doesn't sound real when he sings the high note on Turn Me Loose, for example.

His tone has changed a good bit too.

[Pacfanweb]

Dude, listen to Hagar and Tyler. Tyler can still hit the high note in Sweet Emotion (WTF knows what it is), he did it on Idol a couple of years ago. I about fell out of my chair. They are in the same age range and sound about the same as they did back in the 70's and 80's too. I think it's vocal muscle strength and chord flexibility. I think it takes hard work and practice to stay in shape range wise. I hope Steve continues to sing and work his pipes. I believe he will get bettter and get more range back with work and time.

2 things: One, Hagar and Tyler have never stopped singing, so their voices didn't just go for years without performing. That helps keep them from dropping off.
Two: Both Hagar and Tyler's voices are noticeably rougher than they used to be. We don't notice the difference as much because their voices changed gradually, and we heard them through every step of it....it's not like Sammy has just started back singing after getting kicked out of Van Halen in 1996 and we're going "damn, Sammy can still sing but his voice is a LOT rougher". Because it is.

I believe Perry's voice will rebound a bit if he continues to use it. No, it's not going to return to what it was even in 1994, but it'll get better than what it currently is.

[Rick]

Dude, listen to Hagar and Tyler. Tyler can still hit the high note in Sweet Emotion (WTF knows what it is), he did it on Idol a couple of years ago. I about fell out of my chair. They are in the same age range and sound about the same as they did back in the 70's and 80's too. I think it's vocal muscle strength and chord flexibility. I think it takes hard work and practice to stay in shape range wise. I hope Steve continues to sing and work his pipes. I believe he will get bettter and get more range back with work and time.

2 things: One, Hagar and Tyler have never stopped singing, so their voices didn't just go for years without performing. That helps keep them from dropping off.
Two: Both Hagar and Tyler's voices are noticeably rougher than they used to be. We don't notice the difference as much because their voices changed gradually, and we heard them through every step of it....it's not like Sammy has just started back singing after getting kicked out of Van Halen in 1996 and we're going "damn, Sammy can still sing but his voice is a LOT rougher". Because it is.

I believe Perry's voice will rebound a bit if he continues to use it. No, it's not going to return to what it was even in 1994, but it'll get better than what it currently is.

This argument doesn't mention that something happened to Perry's voice that was unrepairable. I don't know what it was. A hemorrhaged or torn vocal cord, or both is the most likely thing, because polyps are more easily repaired. I don't know exactly when the first damage was done, but something major happened in the extension of the Escape tour, in 1982. Continuing to sing with the damage did even more. It's amazing he can even speak.

[RSParker]

I'm not really understanding the obscene amount of hatred coming from folks for Perry.

You would think that he personally spit in the cherrios every morning by the comments people make.

Good grief.

[EightyRock]

I'm not really understanding the obscene amount of hatred coming from folks for Perry.

You would think that he personally spit in the cherrios every morning by the comments people make.

Good grief.

It goes with the territory. There are always a few that get off on hiding behind a keyboard, spewing bullshit. Ignore it and carry on. Enjoy what most have wanted to see for years.....Perry on stage, doing what he was born to do and apparently lovin' it! He has worked through his demons much better than some here that thrive on negativity.

[DracIsBack]

This argument doesn't mention that something happened to Perry's voice that was unrepairable. I don't know what it was. A hemorrhaged or torn vocal cord, or both is the most likely thing, because polyps are more easily repaired. I don't know exactly when the first damage was done, but something major happened in the extension of the Escape tour, in 1982. Continuing to sing with the damage did even more. It's amazing he can even speak.

I think that's probably a key point even though I can't prove it. Journey's catalog is brutal to sing. Look at what it did to Perry by the Raised on Radio tour. Look at what it did to Augeri at the end of his tenure. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q7pdgctX2l0

There's a reason why they are starting to tune down Arnel on some nights.

That high catalog, sung by one person, every night, for hours, will destroy singers.

[jrny84]

I'm not really understanding the obscene amount of hatred coming from folks for Perry.

You would think that he personally spit in the cherrios every morning by the comments people make.

Good grief.

It goes with the territory. There are always a few that get off on hiding behind a keyboard, spewing bullshit. Ignore it and carry on. Enjoy what most have wanted to see for years.....Perry on stage, doing what he was born to do and apparently lovin' it! He has worked through his demons much better than some here that thrive on negativity.

Its been pretty rampid on here too. I choose to look at the positive and the fact that "The Voice" after almost 20 years performs on stage. His tone and signauture style is still there.

[portland]

I'm not really understanding the obscene amount of hatred coming from folks for Perry.

You would think that he personally spit in the cherrios every morning by the comments people make.

Good grief.

It goes with the territory. There are always a few that get off on hiding behind a keyboard, spewing bullshit. Ignore it and carry on. Enjoy what most have wanted to see for years.....Perry on stage, doing what he was born to do and apparently lovin' it! He has worked through his demons much better than some here that thrive on negativity.

Its been pretty rampid on here too. I choose to look at the positive and the fact that "The Voice" after almost 20 years performs on stage. His tone and signauture style is still there.

Amen......and to those who can't or won't celebrate that...too bad

[Enigma869]

Perry's departure from Journey resulted in a whole lot of people choosing sides. I was always on Perry's side for one important reason. Without Perry, this section of Melodic Rock wouldn't exist. Without Perry, there wouldn't be 10 people outside of the Bay Area who ever heard of Journey! Without Perry, we simply wouldn't have a connection to the music that we feel connected to. As many will remind you..."Journey existed before Perry". My response to that is quite simple....they did indeed exist before Perry, and nothing illustrates Perry's significance more than that very fact!

[Eric]

I'm not really understanding the obscene amount of hatred coming from folks for Perry.

You would think that he personally spit in the cherrios every morning by the comments people make.

Good grief.

For me - I was JACKED up when I saw that video of Perry singing. My mind raced just like many about how he could do a tour and a new album and maybe some songs with Journey here and there. But then the Perry loons came out and made it about Journey being not as good without Perry and rehashed a bunch of ignorant BS about the split. As excited as I am to hear more from Perry (and believe me - I'd be first line for tix and album) if someone wants to go to the Perry V. Journey card - I'm 100% Journey 100% of the time.

This shouldn't be about that, though.

[Pacfanweb]

Dude, listen to Hagar and Tyler. Tyler can still hit the high note in Sweet Emotion (WTF knows what it is), he did it on Idol a couple of years ago. I about fell out of my chair. They are in the same age range and sound about the same as they did back in the 70's and 80's too. I think it's vocal muscle strength and chord flexibility. I think it takes hard work and practice to stay in shape range wise. I hope Steve continues to sing and work his pipes. I believe he will get bettter and get more range back with work and time.

2 things: One, Hagar and Tyler have never stopped singing, so their voices didn't just go for years without performing. That helps keep them from dropping off.
Two: Both Hagar and Tyler's voices are noticeably rougher than they used to be. We don't notice the difference as much because their voices changed gradually, and we heard them through every step of it....it's not like Sammy has just started back singing after getting kicked out of Van Halen in 1996 and we're going "damn, Sammy can still sing but his voice is a LOT rougher". Because it is.

I believe Perry's voice will rebound a bit if he continues to use it. No, it's not going to return to what it was even in 1994, but it'll get better than what it currently is.

This argument doesn't mention that something happened to Perry's voice that was unrepairable. I don't know what it was. A hemorrhaged or torn vocal cord, or both is the most likely thing, because polyps are more easily repaired. I don't know exactly when the first damage was done, but something major happened in the extension of the Escape tour, in 1982. Continuing to sing with the damage did even more. It's amazing he can even speak.

I guess we'll never know, unless he chooses to tell us. Could have just been the natural aging process. Some singers keep their voices for longer...it's not always clear why. Sammy Hagar, although his voice is much rougher, still can get up pretty high and still sounds like Sammy, although he admittedly doesn't take care of his voice at all.
Sebastian Bach's voice has deteriorated noticeably (and he's much younger), and he takes all sorts of care of his voice.

Perry took care of his voice, other than singing his ass off every night for years in his younger days. But he stopped for almost 20 years. Who knows what he'd still have now had he kept working it?

Elton John's voice went from a tenor to a baritone, but he had surgery that caused that, so that was essentially an injury.

Mickey Thomas still has most of his voice, amazingly. He is apparently just blessed. As is Mike Reno.

Robert Plant lost his high register by the early 80's, and it was completely gone by 1988, for sure. But he smoked. And I don't think he took care of his voice at all, either. Still sounds like Robert Plant in the lower regions, though...just like Perry still sounds like SMFP in his mid-range.

So some singers don't lose much, and some lose it early on, for varying reasons. I don't think there's any particular formula that if followed, would allow all these guys to keep singing into their 60's like they did in their 40's. A lot of it is just luck.

edit: Thinking of more older singers and how their voices have aged:

Tommy Shaw: His has aged well. Not like it was when he was younger, but he retains most of his range.

Dennis DeYoung: His seems slightly lower, maybe "richer"? But still has most of what he's always had.

Billy Joel: Noticeably a fuller, lower voice, but still can sing most of his stuff. I don't pay that much attention, but I'm sure he must tune his older stuff down.

Axl Rose: Always had a weird voice to try and classify. Has lost the power in the high range, though. I saw a video of him singing Sweet Child recently, and instead of full voice like he used to, was using a weak falsetto.

Roger Daltrey: His voice was noticeably lower in their 1989 reunion tour, when he was in his 40's...but sounded great compared to what he has now. But he's 70. (damn, it hurt to type that)

Pete Townshend: Also a lot lower, but then again, he's 69.

Mick Jagger: Another weird voice...and although I'm sure it's a bit lower, he can still sing Stones stuff just fine.

Stevie Wonder: Still has a powerful voice at 64, but he never stopped performing. Of course, not as clear and high as his younger self, but then again, nobody is.

Paul Rodgers: Voice is remarkably intact at 64.

Paul Stanley: More of a screamer than a singer. Voice is noticeably weaker now, but still gets it done. Age 62

David Lee Roth: Voice is GONE. Heavy smoker. That's what killed it, IMO. Might even regain some of it if he'd stop. Odd thing is, he's a health nut otherwise.

[Enigma869]

David Lee Roth: Voice is GONE. Heavy smoker. That's what killed it, IMO. Might even regain some of it if he'd stop. Odd thing is, he's a health nut otherwise.

I never thought Roth was much of a singer, even in his prime. He was a superb front man. He had the personality and ego for it. Voice wise...I never found anything remotely remarkable about his voice. Very average singer, to my ears. Another guy who doesn't sound nearly as good as he used to is Joe Elliott. I think like Roth, he was (and still may be) a smoker. I can't imagine smoking not wreaking havoc on anyone's voice. Joe is only 54, but his voice has aged quite a bit.

[Aaron]

Kelly Keagy and Jack Blades would be a couple of others to consider. They both can still get it done as well.

[AR]

The man has his head on straight and being realistic. Hope he continues doing performances.

[brywool]

Perry... refills the condom bowl in The Eels backstage orgy room. Get a grip, bro.

haha.... WHAT???

[Memorex]

Perry... refills the condom bowl in The Eels backstage orgy room. Get a grip, bro.

haha.... WHAT???

If only TNC's mom had of chosen from such a bowl back in the day, the world would be a little happier.

[Peartree12249]

Oh here we go again!

I for one loved seeing Steve back on stage. Even better, it looked like he had fun. After grieving the loss of someone he loved, it's nice to see him out there enjoying life again. I do believe he's finally ready to release new music. While Steve's voice will never be the same, it can improve, but he needs to use it and work with it. I don't know if he'd ever tour again, but he might do some concerts. Look at Billy Joel he just does a concert at Madison Square Garden once a month and sells it out. He get's his friends to come and perform with him and the fans love it.

[brywool]

Perry... refills the condom bowl in The Eels backstage orgy room. Get a grip, bro.

haha.... WHAT???

If only TNC's mom had of chosen from such a bowl back in the day, the world would be a little happier.

hahahaha this is funny stuff. (I like TNC btw, this is just funny)

[brywool]

David Lee Roth: Voice is GONE. Heavy smoker. That's what killed it, IMO. Might even regain some of it if he'd stop. Odd thing is, he's a health nut otherwise.

I never thought Roth was much of a singer, even in his prime. He was a superb front man. He had the personality and ego for it. Voice wise...I never found anything remotely remarkable about his voice. Very average singer, to my ears. Another guy who doesn't sound nearly as good as he used to is Joe Elliott. I think like Roth, he was (and still may be) a smoker. I can't imagine smoking not wreaking havoc on anyone's voice. Joe is only 54, but his voice has aged quite a bit.

DLR in the same thread as SP??
Watch videos from the last tour- absolutely horrendous. Awful singing voice (and I LIKE VH). Dave was NEVER a good singer live. However, he's so much worse now. Sammy, on the other hand has always been a powerhouse vocalist. I think that his range has dipped a bit in recent years, but he's a great singer.

Speaking of Night Ranger, I just watched their acoustic show that 32 strings and a drum, or whatever it was called, while I never dig Jack's constant "Hey, you know what I'm talkin'about" and "tell em what she said Kelly" lines that he throws into their live tunes- their voices have stood up really well. It was this acoustic show and neither of them were "belting it out". They both had really good vocal control, I was really surprised. Night Rangers always been a great band and that particular DVD is pretty cool. Brad Gillis is amazing in that too.

[Enigma869]

DLR in the same thread as SP??
Watch videos from the last tour- absolutely horrendous. Awful singing voice (and I LIKE VH). Dave was NEVER a good singer live. However, he's so much worse now. Sammy, on the other hand has always been a powerhouse vocalist. I think that his range has dipped a bit in recent years, but he's a great singer.

You do realize this is exactly what I said, right?

[AR]

Where the fuck is Robin Zander in this discussion?

[DracIsBack]

DLR in the same thread as SP??
Watch videos from the last tour- absolutely horrendous. Awful singing voice (and I LIKE VH). Dave was NEVER a good singer live. However, he's so much worse now. Sammy, on the other hand has always been a powerhouse vocalist. I think that his range has dipped a bit in recent years, but he's a great singer.

This. For all of Dave's bravado, arrogance, strutting and front man antics (part of his charm), I always thought he was an absolutely atrocious live singer. Off key, clammed notes, more strut than vocal skill. I always got that people preferred the Roth music over the Hagar music but in terms of technical ability to sing live ... I don't think it's remotely a comparison between Hagar and Roth. Sammy is, IMO, a substantially better live singer.

Billy Joel: Noticeably a fuller, lower voice, but still can sing most of his stuff. I don't pay that much attention, but I'm sure he must tune his older stuff down.

He freely admits he can't sing the higher range any more. He's also a bit of a perfectionist. For example, listen to AN INNOCENT MAN vs. the record. He still gets 'up there' but the key is quite a bit lower.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exSD7rHVI4U

[annie89509]

WOW.... what have I missed?!?... over a million views of the yt video!!! ... and people can't stop arguing in the comments section. LOL.
I never dared raise my hopes, but always thought SP would surprise his fans with something like this. Yes, Steve, we are the Faithful Ones...
You still GOT IT!!!!

Now where is that 2nd performance in Wash DC that someone mentioned about ..... Is that on yt, also ??

[indigo]

Here it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86vD3nsua_s

[annie89509]

Here it is. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86vD3nsua_s

Thanks, Indy... had to watch it a few more times. Never cared much for the song LTS before ... thought SP sounded too girly in those early live versions ... and the song just played on and on with the seemingly never-ending "na-na's"... this reincarnation of the song, however, is just right in length and his now mature vocals are packed with so much soulful delivery that it just swepts people to a great place. The song is perfectly crafted for him to sing ... well, not surprising, since it WAS written by him all those years ago.

[Aaron]

Damn it Drac, bust my balls on content but give me a break on grammar. I got staight A's in high school except D's in English. Thanks for bringing me down bro. Let me know how that English major is paying the bills. Engineering is doing alright for me!

Dude,

I seen Reno and Loverboy with Night Ranger last year.

Oh - my English teacher just rolled over in her grave. Friends don't let friends say "I seen"

Reno was in the original key and sounded every bit as good as he did back in the day. Maybe he was on an exceptional day but was VERY GOOD.

He is pretty good, though I think he has some "help" live. It doesn't sound real when he sings the high note on Turn Me Loose, for example.

[Aaron]

Perry's departure from Journey resulted in a whole lot of people choosing sides. I was always on Perry's side for one important reason. Without Perry, this section of Melodic Rock wouldn't exist. Without Perry, there wouldn't be 10 people outside of the Bay Area who ever heard of Journey! Without Perry, we simply wouldn't have a connection to the music that we feel connected to. As many will remind you..."Journey existed before Perry". My response to that is quite simple....they did indeed exist before Perry, and nothing illustrates Perry's significance more than that very fact!

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ THIS, and now we know what Christ will sound like when we hit the pearly gates! H

[Pacfanweb]

Where the fuck is Robin Zander in this discussion?

He is still okay, not fantastic. Was still fantastic just a few years ago, but seems to have lost a bit of late.

Probably one of the more obvious ones that I missed was David Coverdale. Voice is completely and totally gone, at least anything out of the baritone range. High range is atrocious....it's so bad, I'd be pissed that he was charging me to hear him not be able to sing some of his biggest songs properly.

Listen to a clip of 'Still of the Night' from the last few years....it's tuned down to current Perry-esque levels, and he still can't sing it. Just terrible. I wonder if this is why his band members are bailing on him.