Can any 58 year singer reach the high notes?

[weatherman90]

Ann Wilson still sings all the old hits in the original keys.

That's exactly what I was just about to say. Ann is incredible.

[WickedGail]

Eric Carmen of The Raspberries Birthday 8/11/49 saw him do two reunion shows last week at the Highline Ballroom in NYC. He still has the pipes and the years have been good to him looks wise too......

Gail

[Moon Beam]

Eric Carmen of The Raspberries Birthday 8/11/49 saw him do two reunion shows last week at the Highline Ballroom in NYC. He still has the pipes and the years have been good to him looks wise too......

Gail

Love Eric Carmen and The Raspberries!
How long was the show?

[Abitaman]

Kevin Chalfant and Dennis DeYoung are the first two that come to mind!-ERIC

[Ehwmatt]

Admittedly outside of the AOR genre, but Graham Nash can still hit every single high harmony live. Just saw Crosby & Nash Oct 7th in Cleveland, and he was incredible. He's incredible... don't feel like looking up his birthday by now but he's gotta be in his 60s

[stevew2]

[quote="BobbyinTN"]Ann Wilson still sings all the old hits in the original keys.[/quote]
I know but she is a woman,she natraully had that hi range

[Marc S]

stevew2
know but she is a woman,she natraully had that hi range

I think its more a question of her power than her range. She still has the power in her voice, and yes as a female her voice is naturally higher.

[TigerBite]

Lots of professinal OPERA singers can.
SP is NOT a professional opera singer.

[stevew2]

[quote="Marc S"][quote]stevew2
know but she is a woman,she natraully had that hi range[/quote]

I think its more a question of her power than her range. She still has the power in her voice, and yes as a female her voice is naturally higher.[/quote] She is still got it.

[Fire99]

Hi Everyone,

I'm not a huge poster on here so hi to everyone ive not spoken to before.

Firstly Glenn Hughes is definitely a guy who has been very lucky to have kept an exceptionally strong voice. Its not to everyones cup of tea but man it has phenominal range and strength.. He really has been blessed in latter life.

Regarding Steve Perry etc. Well i've only recently listened to Journey to any extent and to be honest i think it would be seriously a bit much to expect SP to sing Journey songs in the same key, hitting the same notes now as when they were recorded back in the 80's.

If you listen to most artists who have done a few years and its common practice to alter the keys to aid the vocalist.

Examples that spring to mind: Bon Jovi down-tune 'Living on a Prayer' and did over 10 years ago when i saw them at Wembley Stadium.
Queensryche 'Take Hold of the Flame' is around a tone lower than on the original recording.

David Coverdale has really managed to 'rebuild' his voice over recent years and has somehow recovered and cleaned up his range no end. However when i have seen Whitesnake in concert over the past few years the songs are a good semi-tone to a tone lower..

The point is, regardless of vocal abuse, these singers have aged and frequently part of the aging process is the lowering of the voice pitch. Nothing to be ashamed of.

I think people are expecting miracles if they think all artists will repeat night after night for decades songs in the same pitch and strength as one-off performances on the recordings..

I'd be more than happy to see Steve Perry sing Journey songs with slightly altered keys and arrangements to compliment the fact he's over 20 years older than when most Journey songs were written.

cheers,

Nick

[texafana]

"I'd be more than happy to see Steve Perry sing Journey songs with slightly altered keys and arrangements to compliment the fact he's over 20 years older than when most Journey songs were written."

Yah, but would the masses? And more importantly, would it matter so much to SP that he would rather not tour? I hope he comes back and gives his fans at the least instead of "infinity" perhaps a "finality" tour.

[yak]

I think what Steve sees as the expectations of the fans is a big reason why he isn't doing anything.

There's no doubt that he can absolutely still sing. Too many people who are in positions to know have said that he can for me to think otherwise. I doubt that he can still sing in the same key that the Infinity thru Escape material was written in though. I see no reason to expect that he could.

However, ever since 1997 the fanbase that supported the band going on with Augeri has been trying to justify that mistake by saying Steve Perry couldn't sing the songs in the original keys anymore anyway. Until JSS, that was the primary justification given for the "Perry who?" and "Who needs Perry?" posts that were all over the Journey messageboards.

Steve Perry has been treated like shit by the portion of the fanbase that supported Augeri. It was as though there was nothing great about his voice but the high notes . FTLOSM and TBF have both been bashed on the boards because he sang in a lower register. Why would he want to sing now when he knows he'll just get skewered if he doesn't hit the high notes?

Good Lord, does this stuff never end? Who cares? You sound as though you know Perry personally, and therefore know how he thinks.

The last week has taught me that life is WAY too short to gripe about things that aren't going to change. Isn't it enough to know that S & C are now reviled by a majority of their so-called fan base? What more do you want?

Seriously, Sherrie, I have moved on; why can't you?

[conversationpc]

Good Lord, does this stuff never end? Who cares? You sound as though you know Perry personally, and therefore know how he thinks.

The last week has taught me that life is WAY too short to gripe about things that aren't going to change. Isn't it enough to know that S & C are now reviled by a majority of their so-called fan base? What more do you want?

Seriously, Sherrie, I have moved on; why can't you?

Post of the day award

If Perry comes back, great. If not, I'm not going to lose sleep, complain about it, or waste my time hoping he does.

[Monker]

Lots of professinal OPERA singers can.
SP is NOT a professional opera singer.

Nowadays, I would say it is questionable to say he is a professional singer of any type.

[Monker]

This guy is the same age as Perry and I don't think he has lost ANYTHING.

After getting past thinking it was funny that he chose this song...It's pretty amazing to know that he is almost 60 and can still sing like that.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KpSL0AjH7CY

[Monker]

However, ever since 1997 the fanbase that supported the band going on with Augeri has been trying to justify that mistake by saying Steve Perry couldn't sing the songs in the original keys anymore anyway.

No, the justification is that Perry showed no interest in being a part of the band following the initial promo for TBF. The tour was axed because of him. Period. He deserved to be fired.

Until JSS, that was the primary justification given for the "Perry who?" and "Who needs Perry?" posts that were all over the Journey messageboards.

Those words were all over the forums simply because Journey did not need Perry to continue on.

Steve Perry has been treated like shit by the portion of the fanbase that supported Augeri.

And, Journey itself was treated the same by those who took up the argument which you are now making.

It was as though there was nothing great about his voice but the high notes .

There was a LOT that was great about his voice. But, the simple fact is that if he did not have the range he did on Infinity thru ROR, I doubt those songs would have sounded as they are...and it is at least questionable if they would have become as popular.

FTLOSM and TBF have both been bashed on the boards because he sang in a lower register.

Those albums are 'bashed' because they are mediocre albums...just as Generations is.

Why would he want to sing now when he knows he'll just get skewered if he doesn't hit the high notes?

Because it is supposed to be something he loves to do. Obviously it does not float his boat any longer.

[Journey69]

After hearing the Guff tune, seeing SP sing DSB with the White Sox, I'm not 100% convinced SP could sing the older classic Journey tunes. Seeing a tribute band singer not handle all the notes can be forgiven, but regardless of his age, no one would ever give SP any slack if he did not sing the older songs like the originals. He would get raped by the press and legions of fans would post their disappointment with his performance IF he couldn't vocally handle it. Unlike other bands where it's "ok" if the lead vocals are not spot on, (The Police, Van-Halen), Journey with SP would be pretty much all about SP at that point. SP is a perfectionist, he probably is not coming back because he doesn't want to, he probably is not coming back because he simply can't do it anymore. I'm SURE we'll see some kind of music release from SP in the coming months/years, but my guess is it will be in a much softer, lower register voice, than we're used to. Wouldn't surprise me to see some kind of "jazz/ballad" hybrid from SP in the coming years.

So, does anyone know any male 58+ year old singer that could hit those classic Journey high notes?

I agree with this and stated it before.. Listen to TBF and see how many high notes were hit.. Listen to Infinity..Nothing comes close to Sweet and Simple,Something to Hide and Winds of March..In fact the only guy I think that could do it,and God rest his soul...is Brad Delp! I went to a Boston Concert here in Minneapolis,and he even admitted he needed help from Fran Cosmo to hit the highs in More than a feeling..Which to me is comparable to Sweet and Simple.. Thoughts..? Why doesn't anyone ever mention the talented Brad Delp? He was Steve Perry's close to equal from the other side of the country.. He had the soul and the high range..

[Ehwmatt]

First of all, the "masses" would never know if the songs were in a different key and SP came out to sing them. Honestly. Second of all, I think SP could still do it.

[Journey69]

First of all, the "masses" would never know if the songs were in a different key and SP came out to sing them. Honestly. Second of all, I think SP could still do it.

Really? He might be able to do it once..But not night after night.. Did he ever sing sweet and simple,something to hide or winds of march in concert.. ? No one can sing those songs night after night and talk the next day.. Who know's if he even keeps up practice..I would just be happy if he cut some albums in the studio and didn't tour..

[Ehwmatt]

First of all, the "masses" would never know if the songs were in a different key and SP came out to sing them. Honestly. Second of all, I think SP could still do it.

Really? He might be able to do it once..But not night after night.. Did he ever sing sweet and simple,something to hide or winds of march in concert.. ? No one can sing those songs night after night and talk the next day.. Who know's if he even keeps up practice..I would just be happy if he cut some albums in the studio and didn't tour..

I'm glad you said that, that's kind of my point anyway... maybe some of the most vocally "acrobatic" songs would be tough for him, but then again, they always were. I've heard boots of him not quite hitting some of those notes from the 70s and 80s. But he could definitely do the catalog great justice now imo. When you're that good, you just don't "lose it." I'm not a Perry fanboy at all btw, I loved when Augeri was in the band and regularly listen to Arrival and some cuts from Generations.

[Journey69]

Augeri was good..Loved Journey's songs with him..I liked Generations,except for the ones that deen and Steve didn't sing.. Most anyone can sing the Journey catalog,Some are easier than others,but some are damn near impossible at parts...once again sweet and simple,something to hide,winds of march..I bet brad delp could have done it in his prime!

[Journey69]

Let this one bake your noodle..How about Steve Perry singing More than a feeling..That would be outstanding!! I would pay just about anything to hear that!

[ohsherrie]

Good Lord, does this stuff never end? Who cares? You sound as though you know Perry personally, and therefore know how he thinks.

The last week has taught me that life is WAY too short to gripe about things that aren't going to change. Isn't it enough to know that S & C are now reviled by a majority of their so-called fan base? What more do you want?

Seriously, Sherrie, I have moved on; why can't you?

Seriously, Sherrie, I have moved on; why can't you?

I didn't start this topic, bring Steve Perry's name into it, nor was I the first to defend his situation.

Seriously Yak, when are you going to move on from stalking me?

[yak]

Seriously Yak, when are you going to move on from stalking me?

Hey Sherrie......Accusing somebody of "stalking you" is serious business.

I called out all your hypocrisies, warts and all, which are thicker than a San Fran fog, a long time ago, toward a majority of people who post on this board, including the owner, and because of that I am Mark David Chapman?

Nice to see you still live your life surrounded by visions of delusional paranoia. You seriously need a reality check, and you need one right now.

The problem is that you never come up with a refreshing view as to why your favorite singer is doing, or not doing, whatever. We've heard it all here, ad nauseum. It's old and tired. My comment was based on that fact. You keep posting because you seriously believe Perry or his "people" read this board.

Like I said...Who cares?

Life is way too short.....

I have moved on............

[mistiejourney]

Good Lord, does this stuff never end? Who cares? You sound as though you know Perry personally, and therefore know how he thinks.

The last week has taught me that life is WAY too short to gripe about things that aren't going to change. Isn't it enough to know that S & C are now reviled by a majority of their so-called fan base? What more do you want?

Seriously, Sherrie, I have moved on; why can't you?

Post of the day award

If Perry comes back, great. If not, I'm not going to lose sleep, complain about it, or waste my time hoping he does.

Dave, I didn't recognize you without the Marty Feldman avatar!

[mistiejourney]

You guys might laugh at this, but I'm a huge fan of Robin Gibb as a solo artist, in addition to his work when the Bee Gees were recording.

He is 58 years old and still hits every note in the same key he did when he was 17 - his voice is actually stonger and richer than it was when he was younger. I have his last solo CD, "Magnet" and it's great. I'm not talking falsetto stuff, either, although he can do that as well as Barry.

The fact the the Bee Gees never toured their voices out might have something to do about that - the last big tour they did was in 1989 and they just did sporadic concerts after than (Barry's health kept them off the road, as far as I could tell). Robin has toured as a solo act.

He has two new songs on his my space and the voice is still there.

[mick]

Les Carlsen from Bloodgood can still hit them. I saw them perform a few months ago and he can still do it. Amazing!

[Journey69]

Some are just luckier than others with their voice staying intact..You can hear when SP talks his voice has changed..If he could sing his tougher songs and hit the notes I would be shocked..I'm sure if he was back in Journey,they would adjust for the change in his voice..

[brightonrock]

My vote would be for Rik Emmett (x-Triumph)..still hits those notes every time I see him !!

BR

[Rip Rokken]

This guy is the same age as Perry and I don't think he has lost ANYTHING.

After getting past thinking it was funny that he chose this song...It's pretty amazing to know that he is almost 60 and can still sing like that.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=KpSL0AjH7CY

Man, I didn't realize Donald Trump could sing like that! Not bad!