Houston 81 Escape Tour Revisted

[JohnH]

I started off 2010 watching Steve Perry's masterpiece production of the 1981 Houston Escape DVD. It was a great way to start the new year.
What a true blessing for Steve Perry, the members of Journey, and the fans, that on this one very special night, video cameras captured what seems to be
the culmination and spectacular demonstration of their talent, and lifetime experience. Steve Perry's vocal control, power, range, articulation, pharasing, use of dynamics, uniqueness, and energy during his performance certainly makes clear why he is one of the top 10 male rock vocalists in history, and why he will never be replaced, or forgotten. He simply is the most amazing and remarkable performer and on this night, his performance was jaw-dropping to even the most seasoned concert attendee. The DVD also shows the professionalism and excellence that each member of Journey contributed to the band. As Steve has said sometimes, "we were good together." No, Steve, you all were GREAT together, at least from what can be seen on this DVD. A band of brothers for sure. As I neared the end of watching the DVD, I marveled at how the DVD had captured such a significant moment in time of each of their professional careers in music and how the DVD has preserved that moment forever. Voices may fade, relationships may be tarnished, times have changed, but Steve Perry and Journey on one night in Houston in 1981 will always be there for all to see, to rekindle the excitement and sheer joy that once was.

This is a great post!

It's hard to believe but back then this concert was totally cool and great but certainly not the big deal it is now. It certainly was a topic of conversation at school and we loved it. It's kind of like when my mom and I talk about classic cars. They were just cars back in her day- like a Cobalt is nothing to us now. Jesus when I was a kid Journey was just another band- to be enjoyed. We had no idea what we had back then. My own Journey show with Perry in 83 was also awesome...the one and only time I got to see them.

[perryfaithful]

. My own Journey show with Perry in 83 was also awesome...the one and only time I got to see them.

Tell us more please!!!

[TRAGChick]

I saw Perry live 9 times with Journey over the years and every show was just like the Houston DVD.

Hey there....

Wow! 9 times?? I saw the Frontiers and ROR shows - 83 & 86. They sold out the Hartford Civic Center 3 NIGHTS IN A ROW for both Tours....

and the HCC seats over 17,000.

For the life of me, i want to know how his voice didn't break, crack, scramble, blow out, ignite, catch on fire or just go south.

He was able to pull that off night after night because of "vocal rest" - this is when a Singer shuts off completely from everything and everyone and basically takes a "vow of silence", if you will.....now that I think about it, I remember reading interviews where Steve said something about how everyone else was out late having fun, going for drinks, etc. and he was holed up in his hotel room.

Makes sense now.

It's hard enough to sing 3 songs and call it a night let alone what Perry did in his run.

And that's an understatement, with their Catalog of work.

One thing i want to point out is that he never took the easy way out, not one frick'en time in any show that he sang in. I can't tell you how many concerts i have seen where the lead singer had to lower his standards halfway through a show and just try all he could to make it to the end. Really, thats kinda true ffor all singers. But Perry, wow, that should really be mentioned in his BIO for one of his best traits.

Amen. Thank you Steve for taking care of that Voice!

[SP Fan in Oregon]

I started off 2010 watching Steve Perry's masterpiece production of the 1981 Houston Escape DVD. It was a great way to start the new year.
What a true blessing for Steve Perry, the members of Journey, and the fans, that on this one very special night, video cameras captured what seems to be
the culmination and spectacular demonstration of their talent, and lifetime experience. Steve Perry's vocal control, power, range, articulation, pharasing, use of dynamics, uniqueness, and energy during his performance certainly makes clear why he is one of the top 10 male rock vocalists in history, and why he will never be replaced, or forgotten. He simply is the most amazing and remarkable performer and on this night, his performance was jaw-dropping to even the most seasoned concert attendee. The DVD also shows the professionalism and excellence that each member of Journey contributed to the band. As Steve has said sometimes, "we were good together." No, Steve, you all were GREAT together, at least from what can be seen on this DVD. A band of brothers for sure. As I neared the end of watching the DVD, I marveled at how the DVD had captured such a significant moment in time of each of their professional careers in music and how the DVD has preserved that moment forever. Voices may fade, relationships may be tarnished, times have changed, but Steve Perry and Journey on one night in Houston in 1981 will always be there for all to see, to rekindle the excitement and sheer joy that once was.

This is a great post!

It's hard to believe but back then this concert was totally cool and great but certainly not the big deal it is now. It certainly was a topic of conversation at school and we loved it. It's kind of like when my mom and I talk about classic cars. They were just cars back in her day- like a Cobalt is nothing to us now. Jesus when I was a kid Journey was just another band- to be enjoyed. We had no idea what we had back then. My own Journey show with Perry in 83 was also awesome...the one and only time I got to see them.

Thank you.

[JohnH]

. My own Journey show with Perry in 83 was also awesome...the one and only time I got to see them.

Tell us more please!!!

Ah- not too many memories this many years later- but it was a great concert. Opened up with Line of Fire- and they had an actual fireball shoot across the stage! Perry was awesome, remembered Neal had a Floyd Rose for the first time and was using it a lot- but it was a cool addition.

[Art Vandelay]

I saw Perry live 9 times with Journey over the years and every show was just like the Houston DVD.

Hey there....

Wow! 9 times?? I saw the Frontiers and ROR shows - 83 & 86. They sold out the Hartford Civic Center 3 NIGHTS IN A ROW for both Tours....

and the HCC seats over 17,000.

For the life of me, i want to know how his voice didn't break, crack, scramble, blow out, ignite, catch on fire or just go south.

He was able to pull that off night after night because of "vocal rest" - this is when a Singer shuts off completely from everything and everyone and basically takes a "vow of silence", if you will.....now that I think about it, I remember reading interviews where Steve said something about how everyone else was out late having fun, going for drinks, etc. and he was holed up in his hotel room.

Makes sense now.

It's hard enough to sing 3 songs and call it a night let alone what Perry did in his run.

And that's an understatement, with their Catalog of work.

One thing i want to point out is that he never took the easy way out, not one frick'en time in any show that he sang in. I can't tell you how many concerts i have seen where the lead singer had to lower his standards halfway through a show and just try all he could to make it to the end. Really, thats kinda true ffor all singers. But Perry, wow, that should really be mentioned in his BIO for one of his best traits.

Amen. Thank you Steve for taking care of that Voice!

Very good points. The "Elvis has left the building" comment always pissed me off. Would much rather have Perry on top of his game on the stage, rather than at the after show gatherings.

[perryfaithful]

. My own Journey show with Perry in 83 was also awesome...the one and only time I got to see them.

Tell us more please!!!

Ah- not too many memories this many years later- but it was a great concert. Opened up with Line of Fire- and they had an actual fireball shoot across the stage! Perry was awesome, remembered Neal had a Floyd Rose for the first time and was using it a lot- but it was a cool addition.

thanks JohnH