A.J. Pierzynski talks Steve Perry

[Babyblue]

I know we all want to hear Steve sing again.

He just may not be able to sing like he used to.
I appreicate what he has given us in the past.

After all this time, he might have even developed some health issues.
That can be a reason for all the delay. I mean he is 62.
We are all aging a little more each day.
That being said, we all have our own aches and pains we live with daily.

Last week we lost Clarence Clemmons he was only 69 and had health problems for a few years now.
He will surely be missed. He was the soul of the E Street Band.

I hope that Steve takes care of himself and I wish him only the best.

Peace.

TV : )

So true my friend! We Love You Stevie!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Babyblue]

One of the best things that Steve could do for up and coming singers is to come out and admit that he lost his voice and explain WHY he lost his voice.

Rich the Lost Guy

It's not lost.....it just isn't what it used to be and Steve being the perfectionist, doesn't have the confidence to move forward. Plus there's the issue about physical discomfort when singing for any length of time.

Thanks Andrew I had always believed this We Miss & Lov Ya Stevie

[Greg]

I enjoyed his voice on "I Stand Alone". He may not sound like the Steve Perry of the early 80's, but that's OK with me. I've always liked the raspy version of his voice a little better anyway.

[Liquid_Drummer]

One of the best things that Steve could do for up and coming singers is to come out and admit that he lost his voice and explain WHY he lost his voice.

Rich the Lost Guy

It's not lost.....it just isn't what it used to be and Steve being the perfectionist, doesn't have the confidence to move forward. Plus there's the issue about physical discomfort when singing for any length of time.

Man, WTF can happen to your voice that it causes discomfort to sing ? Geesh. That sounds terrible.

[S2M]

One of the best things that Steve could do for up and coming singers is to come out and admit that he lost his voice and explain WHY he lost his voice.

Rich the Lost Guy

It's not lost.....it just isn't what it used to be and Steve being the perfectionist, doesn't have the confidence to move forward. Plus there's the issue about physical discomfort when singing for any length of time.

Man, WTF can happen to your voice that it causes discomfort to sing ? Geesh. That sounds terrible.

Agreed. If Brian Johnson/Bon Scott fared ok, Espee should too...

[scarygirl]

One of the best things that Steve could do for up and coming singers is to come out and admit that he lost his voice and explain WHY he lost his voice.

Rich the Lost Guy

It's not lost.....it just isn't what it used to be and Steve being the perfectionist, doesn't have the confidence to move forward. Plus there's the issue about physical discomfort when singing for any length of time.

Man, WTF can happen to your voice that it causes discomfort to sing ? Geesh. That sounds terrible.

Agreed. If Brian Johnson/Bon Scott fared ok, Espee should too...

The lead singer of Expose (a huge 80s girl group) couldn't sing for several years due to a parlyzed vocal chord? A similar thing happened to the lead singer of the Spin Doctors. Maybe that is what happened to Steve.

[Liquid_Drummer]

It think it is what happened at least partially. It sounded like it during the Behind the Music taping. His speaking voice was bad, He sounded like Joe Pesci with cold. Poor guy.

[tammy]

Hmm, wonder if AJ is still friends after blurting that out?
I keep thinking back to Shania Twain and what happened to her voice...of course, her vocal cords are fine, it is the constriction of the muscles surrounding them due to psychological reasons (but in the past she was a workaholic & never took time off to rest during sickness & had taken steroid shots to get through, so who knows what that did). It was hard to watch her struggle to sing in her documentary show, she was so distressed to hit the notes & she is a perfectionist, too. But, she seems to have overcome her trepidation & fear and signed up for 2 yrs in Las Vegas! Maybe, she came to realize that she may never sound the same but still wanted to connect to her fans one more time. I never knew much about her or listened to her music but I read her book and I am just amazed at her life growing up & her survival...a true rags to riches story.
Nobody knows what the case is with Steve except Steve...and, as much as it would be a dream to see him sing again, reality is reality. I've heard on t.v. Elton John & Paul McCartney and they sound different...well, like men in their 60s...but, they never had the soaring high notes & intense emotion that SP is known for so if he were to sing again he would obviously be compared to his own past by the critics & "some" fans. A lot of fans would just want to see him again, regardless.

[Christopher]

Jessica: Do you know what? Now it’s good that I know you because I’ve always said that when I get married one day, Steve Perry will be singing at my wedding. He just doesn’t know it yet.

A.J.: He won’t do it! He doesn’t have his voice. He lost his voice so he won’t do it much.

I've been saying this (well not just me, but many of us who have reason to know) for years and years and years....and it gets so tiring with people who have no idea, that say "oh yes he can".....grr.....umm...no....he can't. It's not an insult....I take no joy in it....but he can't.

[onmyjrny]

He can...he can't...it hurts him to...he can sing but not tour. Lots of rumors flying around, and there always has been since the cancer rumor early in his career. And there are plenty of people out there that DO take joy in passing along this kind of information. It's hard to know what the truth is! I tend to believe those without some sort of agenda though.

[Art Vandelay]

He can...he can't...it hurts him to...he can sing but not tour. Lots of rumors flying around, and there always has been since the cancer rumor early in his career. And there are plenty of people out there that DO take joy in passing along this kind of information. It's hard to know what the truth is! I tend to believe those without some sort of agenda though.

Yup, lots of side-show carnival barkers here.

[swataz]

Outside of Andrew, who has ties to the industry, obviously, some other people who post these 'insights' here may very well know the real story and are relating it, albeit in a clandestine "I know this" kind of way. We'll probably never know because they are cloaked in anonymity due to the very nature of the Internet and their affiliation with Steve, if legitimate.

Blowing that cover may blow up what ties or friendships (loose term here) that they may have with him.

Sadly, the only TRUE confirmation we will ever get is from Steve Perry himself, and based on his love for privacy (which I understand) and his personal pride, this may never happen.

Do I want to hear the man sing again? Of course I do. I don't believe I ever will, though.

[Christopher]

He can...he can't...it hurts him to...he can sing but not tour. Lots of rumors flying around, and there always has been since the cancer rumor early in his career. And there are plenty of people out there that DO take joy in passing along this kind of information. It's hard to know what the truth is! I tend to believe those without some sort of agenda though.

Yeah, I DO understand that there's town-cryers form all sides...and why people doubt or don't want to believe. For what it's worth, I have no agenda.

Of course...this is the internet...and I COULD just be saying that...lol....but I'm not.

[swataz]

He can...he can't...it hurts him to...he can sing but not tour. Lots of rumors flying around, and there always has been since the cancer rumor early in his career. And there are plenty of people out there that DO take joy in passing along this kind of information. It's hard to know what the truth is! I tend to believe those without some sort of agenda though.

Yeah, I DO understand that there's town-cryers form all sides...and why people doubt or don't want to believe. For what it's worth, I have no agenda.

Of course...this is the internet...and I COULD just be saying that...lol....but I'm not.

I don't have any doubt what you are saying is true. Just would be nice if Steve would admit that to his very loyal and avid fanbase and well, let them down easy, ya know?

[onmyjrny]

I agree with you, BUT...I'm guessing it would be a very hard thing for him to come to terms with and even admit to himself. Maybe he has been hoping it would get better? Time has a way of slipping away from you sometimes...maybe he is just starting to accept reality?

CHRISTOPHER- yea, I'm with you! I'm not sure why you would have any reason to say that unless you knew something! It seems like recently there have been several reports with the same news from those who do know the truth.

Still a big part of me hopes he releases something tomorrow and proves you all wrong!

[Christopher]

He can...he can't...it hurts him to...he can sing but not tour. Lots of rumors flying around, and there always has been since the cancer rumor early in his career. And there are plenty of people out there that DO take joy in passing along this kind of information. It's hard to know what the truth is! I tend to believe those without some sort of agenda though.

Yeah, I DO understand that there's town-cryers form all sides...and why people doubt or don't want to believe. For what it's worth, I have no agenda.

Of course...this is the internet...and I COULD just be saying that...lol....but I'm not.

I don't have any doubt what you are saying is true. Just would be nice if Steve would admit that to his very loyal and avid fanbase and well, let them down easy, ya know?

I do too....to be honest....not fair keeping everyone's hopes up.

[escapefan]

He can...he can't...it hurts him to...he can sing but not tour. Lots of rumors flying around, and there always has been since the cancer rumor early in his career. And there are plenty of people out there that DO take joy in passing along this kind of information. It's hard to know what the truth is! I tend to believe those without some sort of agenda though.

Yeah, I DO understand that there's town-cryers form all sides...and why people doubt or don't want to believe. For what it's worth, I have no agenda.

Of course...this is the internet...and I COULD just be saying that...lol....but I'm not.

I don't have any doubt what you are saying is true. Just would be nice if Steve would admit that to his very loyal and avid fanbase and well, let them down easy, ya know?

I do too....to be honest....not fair keeping everyone's hopes up.

I think that is what most of us have wanted, but yet he has chosen to stay silent.. and yes I realize he doesn't owe us anything.

[steveo777]

He can...he can't...it hurts him to...he can sing but not tour. Lots of rumors flying around, and there always has been since the cancer rumor early in his career. And there are plenty of people out there that DO take joy in passing along this kind of information. It's hard to know what the truth is! I tend to believe those without some sort of agenda though.

Yeah, I DO understand that there's town-cryers form all sides...and why people doubt or don't want to believe. For what it's worth, I have no agenda.

Of course...this is the internet...and I COULD just be saying that...lol....but I'm not.

I don't have any doubt what you are saying is true. Just would be nice if Steve would admit that to his very loyal and avid fanbase and well, let them down easy, ya know?

I do too....to be honest....not fair keeping everyone's hopes up.

I think that is what most of us have wanted, but yet he has chosen to stay silent.. and yes I realize he doesn't owe us anything.

Yeah, really. Way to thank all those fans who supported him all those years. Just break it to us......that your voice is broken and we
won't be getting any new music. It ain't that hard to say. It might hurt for a minute, but we'll be ok. Tell it to us straight.

[whirlwind]

He can...he can't...it hurts him to...he can sing but not tour. Lots of rumors flying around, and there always has been since the cancer rumor early in his career. And there are plenty of people out there that DO take joy in passing along this kind of information. It's hard to know what the truth is! I tend to believe those without some sort of agenda though.

Yeah, I DO understand that there's town-cryers form all sides...and why people doubt or don't want to believe. For what it's worth, I have no agenda.

Of course...this is the internet...and I COULD just be saying that...lol....but I'm not.

I don't have any doubt what you are saying is true. Just would be nice if Steve would admit that to his very loyal and avid fanbase and well, let them down easy, ya know?

I do too....to be honest....not fair keeping everyone's hopes up.

I think that is what most of us have wanted, but yet he has chosen to stay silent.. and yes I realize he doesn't owe us anything.

Yeah, really. Way to thank all those fans who supported him all those years. Just break it to us......that your voice is broken and we
won't be getting any new music. It ain't that hard to say. It might hurt for a minute, but we'll be ok. Tell it to us straight.

I really don't think that he really know's if he can or can't sing anymore. He is probably hopeing , just as much as we are, that something he does will make it possible to bring it back to what ever degree it is worthy in his eyes, if it be simply a case of confidence or in a lower key. If it is a lower key, the Journey hits could take on a whole new and beautiful concept. Someone else stated that they liked his more raspy vocals and I did also.

[Babyblue]

He can...he can't...it hurts him to...he can sing but not tour. Lots of rumors flying around, and there always has been since the cancer rumor early in his career. And there are plenty of people out there that DO take joy in passing along this kind of information. It's hard to know what the truth is! I tend to believe those without some sort of agenda though.

Yeah, I DO understand that there's town-cryers form all sides...and why people doubt or don't want to believe. For what it's worth, I have no agenda.

Of course...this is the internet...and I COULD just be saying that...lol....but I'm not.

I don't have any doubt what you are saying is true. Just would be nice if Steve would admit that to his very loyal and avid fanbase and well, let them down easy, ya know?

I do too....to be honest....not fair keeping everyone's hopes up.

I think that is what most of us have wanted, but yet he has chosen to stay silent.. and yes I realize he doesn't owe us anything.

Yeah, really. Way to thank all those fans who supported him all those years. Just break it to us......that your voice is broken and we
won't be getting any new music. It ain't that hard to say. It might hurt for a minute, but we'll be ok. Tell it to us straight.

I really don't think that he really know's if he can or can't sing anymore. He is probably hopeing , just as much as we are, that something he does will make it possible to bring it back to what ever degree it is worthy in his eyes, if it be simply a case of confidence or in a lower key. If it is a lower key, the Journey hits could take on a whole new and beautiful concept. Someone else stated that they liked his more raspy vocals and I did also.

I do to as well.

[JohnH]

Guess Andrew was spot on.. He can't sing anymore... darn it.

True enought

There goes the 50 songs..

Well darn...is he just talking on those 50 or what? LOL. For sure, there's no way he could do it live anymore, but he's got to have some kind of voice even if it's just lower.

[Pacfanweb]

I'm starting to think the dude probably can still sing a bit, but he's just simply a huge procrastinator. He doesn't HAVE to sing for a living. He doesn't HAVE to record.....no contract to require an album by a particular date. He'd LIKE to make one, but I think he just gets up in the morning and thinks "eh, maybe tomorrow, I'm going to the baseball game/Disneyland/U2 concert/etc."

I mean, can he sing Stone in Love in the original key anymore? Probably not. But I don't think in any way that he can't sing at all....come one, can he raise his voice? That's part of what singing is. Yelling in tune. You telling me he can't yell at someone now? I seriously doubt it.

I've mentioned this before, but Elton John was originally a tenor, and is now a baritone. People still love him and go to his shows. He sings his same old songs in his newer voice, and people still sing along and love it.

Perry could do the same thing, IMO. Just make it clear up front we won't be hearing the old stuff "like he used to do it". Do it in whatever key you can manage. You'll still sound like Steve Perry. And people will still love it. Just DO it. Don't keep teasing people with "I'm going to rent some studio time and record this stuff", etc, or hint at how you still might tour one day.

Normally, I'd say you don't owe us anything, but if you keep promising that you'll do something, then I think you at least owe us a "when" or a "no, I never will or and "I simply cannot".

[Rick]

I'm starting to think the dude probably can still sing a bit, but he's just simply a huge procrastinator. He doesn't HAVE to sing for a living. He doesn't HAVE to record.....no contract to require an album by a particular date. He'd LIKE to make one, but I think he just gets up in the morning and thinks "eh, maybe tomorrow, I'm going to the baseball game/Disneyland/U2 concert/etc."

I mean, can he sing Stone in Love in the original key anymore? Probably not. But I don't think in any way that he can't sing at all....come one, can he raise his voice? That's part of what singing is. Yelling in tune. You telling me he can't yell at someone now? I seriously doubt it.

I've mentioned this before, but Elton John was originally a tenor, and is now a baritone. People still love him and go to his shows. He sings his same old songs in his newer voice, and people still sing along and love it.

Perry could do the same thing, IMO. Just make it clear up front we won't be hearing the old stuff "like he used to do it". Do it in whatever key you can manage. You'll still sound like Steve Perry. And people will still love it. Just DO it. Don't keep teasing people with "I'm going to rent some studio time and record this stuff", etc, or hint at how you still might tour one day.

Normally, I'd say you don't owe us anything, but if you keep promising that you'll do something, then I think you at least owe us a "when" or a "no, I never will or and "I simply cannot".

He never promises it, he just says he's thinking about it and has been working on some demo's and stuff like that. Very smart how he words things. I hope he does that to keep his fans interested in case he does find some kind of medical treatment that works for him. Meaning that he continues to hope that some day he will be able to do it again. I doubt there is anything though that will bring his voice back to a level he's comfortable with.

[sp old ldy]

Thanks Rick for that, I agree with you 100%. I too think he can still sing, there are people that have heard him sing recently and say he still has it. I tend to believe them more that the fact that he never had hip surgery, that's when he lost his voice, PURE BULLSHIT!! Sherries father was an orthopedic surgeon and since Steve kept in touch with her family, maybe her father put him in touch with a good surgeon, so he probably had surgery in Bakersfield.

[slucero]

I singer of Perry's stature can probably see any vocal doctor on the planet... and I'm betting he has..

[steveo777]

I singer of Perry's stature can probably see any vocal doctor on the planet... and I'm betting he has..

And.....say the rest of it.

[slucero]

nothing much left to say... the in-action speaks for itself...

Perry can have his choice of world class:

Musicians
Producers
Voice trainers
Voice doctors

taking into account his his reticence to "get back on the train" due to it's demands... the only logical conclusion one can draw is that there is another reason, and that has to be the health/condition of his instrument, his voice.

I can't fault Perry either... singing is such a personal, emotional thing... It's incredibly painful to have a gift so rare as he has (had), that when it diminishes in any way, its devastating...

[steveo777]

nothing much left to say... the in-action speaks for itself...

Perry can have his choice of world class:

Musicians
Producers
Voice trainers
Voice doctors

taking into account his his reticence to "get back on the train" due to it's demands... the only logical conclusion one can draw is that there is another reason, and that has to be the health/condition of his instrument, his voice.

I can't fault Perry either... singing is such a personal, emotional thing... It's incredibly painful to have a gift so rare as he has (had), that when it diminishes in any way, its devastating...

And, there you said the rest of it. It is what it is. People seriously need to lower their expectations and realize that he gave us a golden era, something that only comes
once in a lifetime. I can't fault him either. When the man performed, in his prime, he gave it all he had and then some. If he can't do it anymore I believe he's the type
of guy that isn't going to go out and give a half assed performance and compromise.

[onmyjrny]

I'm starting to think the dude probably can still sing a bit, but he's just simply a huge procrastinator. He doesn't HAVE to sing for a living. He doesn't HAVE to record.....no contract to require an album by a particular date. He'd LIKE to make one, but I think he just gets up in the morning and thinks "eh, maybe tomorrow, I'm going to the baseball game/Disneyland/U2 concert/etc."

I mean, can he sing Stone in Love in the original key anymore? Probably not. But I don't think in any way that he can't sing at all....come one, can he raise his voice? That's part of what singing is. Yelling in tune. You telling me he can't yell at someone now? I seriously doubt it.

I've mentioned this before, but Elton John was originally a tenor, and is now a baritone. People still love him and go to his shows. He sings his same old songs in his newer voice, and people still sing along and love it.

Perry could do the same thing, IMO. Just make it clear up front we won't be hearing the old stuff "like he used to do it". Do it in whatever key you can manage. You'll still sound like Steve Perry. And people will still love it. Just DO it. Don't keep teasing people with "I'm going to rent some studio time and record this stuff", etc, or hint at how you still might tour one day.

Normally, I'd say you don't owe us anything, but if you keep promising that you'll do something, then I think you at least owe us a "when" or a "no, I never will or and "I simply cannot".

Vocalists can and do lose their singing voices. Julie Andrews is an example of one who did. The more time that goes by, the more he talks about how he WANTS to come back, but then doesn't, is drawing me over to the side that he probably can't. But I really, really hope that I am wrong and someday you say "I told you so!"

[Infinity Vocalist 2010]

I came across a special-order singing program while looking at the musician ads on Kijiji (didn't buy it) but it had a free introduction video and testimonials... the guy who started it seems pretty genuine. I wonder if Steve knows about it. I'm going to look up the link to share. It was very unusual, and it said that singing scales, posture, and breath control (the way most of us are taught all there), are in fact detrimental... It was quite interesting to say the least. I can't say if it helps or not, I just sing as I usually do.

I am a die-hard fan of the Steve and I too would love to hear him again. I also wouldn't be too hurt if he just came out and admitted that, hey, I can't sing anymore. Nothing will change the fact that he inspired me to become a singer. I'm nuts about him. Just like Sam Cooke inspired him, he did the same for me.

Anyway, here's that link.

http://www.thesingingzone.com/