Steve Perry Interview Online

[Moon Beam]

Really appreciate the awesome feedback folks. Really!

You've earned it Andrew.
Fantastic interview, just what I needed after this past week of sadness.
Much appreciation from me to you, Mr Perry and Matt, I loved every line.
Congrats Wombat!

[Yoda]

Fantastic job Andrew! I never thought I would ever get to hear such a great interview with one Steve Perry. He really does sound like he is in a better place in his life now. I'm almost tempted to bring a crew out to California with me to help him finish his studio so that he can get to recording that album...lol!

[Michael Leigh]

FANTASTIC Job, Andrew!!
What a great interview!!
I've read it twice already, and it was great.
SP must have felt pretty comfortable with you, to open up to you!!
CONGRATS on the interview!! WAY TO GO!!
It would be REALLY COOL, to hear the actual audio!!

[Yoda]

FANTASTIC Job, Andrew!!
What a great interview!!
I've read it twice already, and it was great.
SP must have felt pretty comfortable with you, to open up to you!!
CONGRATS on the interview!! WAY TO GO!!
It would be REALLY COOL, to hear the actual audio!!

Especially the part where Perry sings. I believe Andrew when he says Perry still sounds really good, but I would love to hear it with my own two ears!!!

[Tito]

Andrew, how are your knees? JUST KIDDING!!!!

Seriously, good interview overall.

I had to laugh, in my immature mind, with this comment in regards to recording the song, Trial By Fire (in reference to Neal): "As long as he did it in time, then it would just loop and it would allow him to play with himself while we're not there.""

[Tomulator]

GREAT interview Andrew!!!

Thanks for your persistence in getting it...really well done!

I would have really liked to have had you ask him about his voice
and how he has dealt with the obvious "changes" to it through the years...that would
be fascinating!

Next time...

[SteveForever]

I found myself speed reading it, then went back and read it slow-ly, so fun!

I'm glad he compliment JSS and I'm glad he acknowledged that the band needed to move on.

Is he really going to present new music or he just makes new music....?

very nice Andrew!

[Michigan Girl]

Read it upstairs!!
Terrific job, Andrew ...but let me
ask you ...was it as emotional as it came
across in print?!? It had to tug at your heart,
you captured some great heartfelt emotion!!

[Memorex]

Great to hear all he had to say. Sounds like he is finally ready to put it out there and let people take what they will from it. I like it when people can be non-apologetic and just put things out there. We are all different breeds of cat, so not everyone is everyone else's flavor of the month. But at the end of the day, that particular set of circumstances conspired to bring us the greatest music I know. Thanks for bringing that to us Andrew and for having a site that focuses on that style of music.

Also, I know none of this happens without Lora and I'm grateful to her for aligning the stars for us. She does so much for so little in return and I admire everything about her. Steve is lucky to have her and Cyndy around.

[Scarab Pilot]

It's weird but on a certain level this interview has almost given me closure with Steve.

There was so much soul in that interview than i have never seen any other interviewer get out of Steve. We all know he is a very private, reserved person and its amazing what is in this interview.

Andrew, not sure what you did but dont stop doing it. You pulled out such emotion and soul out of Steve - its amazing.

Good job to you and thanks to Steve for letting us in.

[Deb]

Great to hear all he had to say. Sounds like he is finally ready to put it out there and let people take what they will from it. I like it when people can be non-apologetic and just put things out there. We are all different breeds of cat, so not everyone is everyone else's flavor of the month. But at the end of the day, that particular set of circumstances conspired to bring us the greatest music I know. Thanks for bringing that to us Andrew and for having a site that focuses on that style of music.

Also, I know none of this happens without Lora and I'm grateful to her for aligning the stars for us. She does so much for so little in return and I admire everything about her. Steve is lucky to have her and Cyndy around.

True that! And Steve was right on the money in what he said. I've had a few conversations with them and they TRULY don't take sides, they love both Steve's voice and Neal's playing and treasure that music and time with Journey. Two very classy, yet very down to earth gals that love their music just like the rest of us!

Love what he had to say about JSS too.....put a bigass smile on my face! Andrew, that was bar none, THE best Perry interview I've ever read! You have a way of bringing out an openness most times that is especially unreal in this case, I love that he felt so comfortable with you to open up and just chat about so many things. Fabulous interview Andrew, MAJOR BIG KUDOS!!!

[marco17]

I said it in the Journey thread, but Andrew...probably the best interview I've read since being a MR site dweller. And, I say that as someone who certainly appreciates Journey, but is not a rabid fan!

You can now work on MR3 and channel your energy into...."A Night of Fired Journey Front Men" with Soto opening, Augeri in the middle, and Perry closing... I bet Neal would "love" that

[Saint John]

Wait till Saint John wakes up.

I'm extemely happy for Drew, but I'm not reading it. Not today or ever. It's just better that way for Drewsky.

Great interview Drewsky. You did it. Also great that even Perry thinks they should've stuck with Jeff

Well, that's an easy one to decipher. With Soto, they'd have bottomed out, the band would have hit the skids, and Perry's worst nightmare, these guys still going out there without him, would be over.

[Yoda]

Wait till Saint John wakes up.

I'm extemely happy for Drew, but I'm not reading it. Not today or ever. It's just better that way for Drewsky.

Great interview Drewsky. You did it. Also great that even Perry thinks they should've stuck with Jeff

Well, that's an easy one to decipher. With Soto, they'd have bottomed out, the band would have hit the skids, and Perry's worst nightmare, these guys still going out there without him, would be over.

Awwwhhh SJ...just gonna have to let it go man! I don't blame Journey for wanting to move on - and neither does Perry now (he stated so in the interview you claim you'll never read.) At the same time, I don't blame Perry either. I'm just over it. Perry appears to be over it. Neal and Jon are over it. Just let it go.

[perryswoman]

The Best interview ever!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I actually had tears in my eyes when I heard Steve talking about the band. Yep they didn't like eachother alot of the time but I never once thought they didn't luv eachother and you can't really hate if you never luved to begin with! I am still holding out hope they once day the 3 of them can do a concert or two together and if not maybe write and produce together. They were Magic!

Awesome Andrew and no let downs at all!

[Ftloperry]

Andrew this was THE best interview I have read. You really did a great job. Thanks to Steve too for being so gracious to extend the length of your interview.

Really? Thank you!

Your interview showed a side of Steve that others could not get. Steve seemed so comfortable talking to you it was as if Steve was talking to a close friend. You have a great gift Andrew and it showed in this interview. WTG!!

[onmyjrny]

Wait till Saint John wakes up.

I'm extemely happy for Drew, but I'm not reading it. Not today or ever. It's just better that way for Drewsky.

Great interview Drewsky. You did it. Also great that even Perry thinks they should've stuck with Jeff

Well, that's an easy one to decipher. With Soto, they'd have bottomed out, the band would have hit the skids, and Perry's worst nightmare, these guys still going out there without him, would be over.

Awwwhhh SJ...just gonna have to let it go man! I don't blame Journey for wanting to move on - and neither does Perry now (he stated so in the interview you claim you'll never read.) At the same time, I don't blame Perry either. I'm just over it. Perry appears to be over it. Neal and Jon are over it. Just let it go.

Sound advice that SJ will never listen to.

[slucero]

GREAT interview Andrew...


I love the part when he talked about "Anyway".... I think most hardcore fans knew that was about the band... the lyrics are so obvious...

Perry really sounds like he's in a good place...


Well done!

[*Laura]

Oh Andrew...This was such an amazingly emotional read! Tell me...did you hold your breath when he sang? hehe
What I really love is the way you conducted the whole interview and managed to make Steve open up about his feelings and talk about those past (and present) little demons that torment all the huge talents like him...Very insightful and touching.

A passionate singer and a passionate interviewer...can't think of a better encounter. The result is a true gem!

I'm very happy for you, Andrew! Many kudos to you!

[RedWingFan]

GREAT interview Andrew...


I love the part when he talked about "Anyway".... I think most hardcore fans knew that was about the band... the lyrics are so obvious...

Perry really sounds like he's in a good place...


Well done!

Yeah, I was stunned when Andrew said he didn't know what it was about. It's so blatant.

Also, Perry said he didn't think anyone in the band ever heard it. Didn't Cain acknowledge hearing and being moved by it in an interview or something years ago before re-forming in '96?

[Deb]

GREAT interview Andrew...

I love the part when he talked about "Anyway".... I think most hardcore fans knew that was about the band... the lyrics are so obvious...

Perry really sounds like he's in a good place...

Well done!

Yeah, I was stunned when Andrew said he didn't know what it was about. It's so blatant.

Also, Perry said he didn't think anyone in the band ever heard it. Didn't Cain acknowledge hearing and being moved by it in an interview or something years ago before re-forming in '96?

Oh I'm sure Andrew already had a pretty good idea what the song was about, but when Perry asked.........what was he supposed to say........ "Yeah I already know what it's about, don't bother explaining it."

[onmyjrny]

GREAT interview Andrew...

I love the part when he talked about "Anyway".... I think most hardcore fans knew that was about the band... the lyrics are so obvious...

Perry really sounds like he's in a good place...

Well done!

Yeah, I was stunned when Andrew said he didn't know what it was about. It's so blatant.

Also, Perry said he didn't think anyone in the band ever heard it. Didn't Cain acknowledge hearing and being moved by it in an interview or something years ago before re-forming in '96?

Oh I'm sure Andrew already had a pretty good idea what the song was about, but when Perry asked.........what was he supposed to say........ "Yeah I already know what it's about, don't bother explaining it."

Yes, I think he handled that really well. He gave a plausible answer that let Perry expand on his thoughts about the song. It is a shame if the other members of Journey never heard that song. Aside from the lyrics, the raw emotion of the music and vocals is just haunting.

I've never heard Jon say that he heard the song before. But even if he did, there is no guarantee that Steve heard the interview or that Jon discussed it with him.

[Peartree12249]

Wow!!!!! Andrew I'm very impressed. This was a terrific interview. You should be very proud.

Once again, Steve Perry has proved himself to be a class act, a true artist and a gentleman. I found it interesting that Steve's comments were perfectly in character with the type of person I always thought him to be. I doubt he'll ever release new music again, but I'm glad he's in a good place and is enjoying his life. At the end of the day that's the best any of us can hope for.

Thanks Steve! Thanks Andrew! Thanks Lora!

[RedWingFan]

GREAT interview Andrew...

I love the part when he talked about "Anyway".... I think most hardcore fans knew that was about the band... the lyrics are so obvious...

Perry really sounds like he's in a good place...

Well done!

Yeah, I was stunned when Andrew said he didn't know what it was about. It's so blatant.

Also, Perry said he didn't think anyone in the band ever heard it. Didn't Cain acknowledge hearing and being moved by it in an interview or something years ago before re-forming in '96?

Oh I'm sure Andrew already had a pretty good idea what the song was about, but when Perry asked.........what was he supposed to say........ "Yeah I already know what it's about, don't bother explaining it."

I'm sure he still would have expounded on the meaning if Andrew had said, "Yeah, it was about the band wasn't it?"

[mmberry301]

I can't add anymore than other have previously stated.

Awesome interview ...took me 30 mins just to soak it all in. (Had to reread a few exchanges)

Standing O......

[kgdjpubs]

Great interview Drewsky. You did it. Also great that even Perry thinks they should've stuck with Jeff

Well, that's an easy one to decipher. With Soto, they'd have bottomed out, the band would have hit the skids, and Perry's worst nightmare, these guys still going out there without him, would be over.

I don't think Perry was looking at it from a point of how to stick it to Journey. I think he was simply offering his personal opinion that JSS and the band would make some interesting new songs. The fact that both JSS and Perry come from similar backgrounds musically (aka a love of Sam Cooke), and it's no surprise that Perry would like him as a singer. You're getting Steve Perry the music fan in that statement.

I think that JSS might well have been the best for the band as far as writing new music goes. The problem is that he WASN'T the best fit for the endless touring on the old songs--and that is where the big money is at the moment. Look at all the problems that every singer that has done this catalog for an extended period of time has suffered, and JSS's current range is lower than any of them. JSS taking over after ROR might have worked when Journey was still able to get radio airplay and forge a slightly new identity like Hagar with Van Halen. The problem is that it wouldn't work now with the change in musical climate.

[Rick]

That was a fantastic read. Thanks, Andrew. And thanks to Matt for the help on it as well.

Ole Steve gets pretty colorful. Sounds like you guys had a fun conversation

[lindalut]

Great interview Andrew. I just finished reading it. You did a great job.

[bugsymalone]

I bow to the master! First, you interview my fave, Dennis DeYoung and now you get this amazing one from one of my other all-time favorite vocalists!

Beautifully realized and a really interesting read.

Kudos.


Bugsy

[JustMyStyle]

http://melodicrock.com/interviews/steveperry-2011.html

Great interview Andrew.... it sounded as though both of you were
very comfortable with each other.... like 2 friends just chatting it up!!!

Thanks Again.....