What is the speculation and or known factual information...

[Rockindeano]

He'll sing again. I heard it from this little birdie, and I believe the birdie

[SteveForever]

Steve Perry's voice is not as it once was (and as stated in other threads, not many vocalists of his era and age have the same voices either). It wasn't as strong as it once was in 96 and even less so now.
The difference with Steve vs other singers - he (to the very best of my knowledge) does not want to sing/perform/record unless he could recapture his very best. It is the perfectionist in him.

I have the utmost respect for this self belief that he has - if he can't do it as good as ever, he won't do it. And that is why he won't return to Journey and wy I believe there probably won't be another solo release either.

Now I have nothing to live for, thanks Andrew.

[STORY_TELLER]

He'll sing again. I heard it from this little birdie, and I believe the birdie

Ummm do tell? PUH-FUCKING-LEASE!!!???

[Andrew]

He'll sing again. I heard it from this little birdie, and I believe the birdie

I'm not so sure...but I sure as hell hope so!

Never say never...

I might add that I strongly believe Steve could make a perfectly magnificent record still if he wanted to. Mr. Perry at 50%, 60% or 75% would still blow most out of the water and I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

[Saint John]

He'll sing again. I heard it from this little birdie, and I believe the birdie

I have heard similar. Touring days, save a song or two, are over though.

[bluejeangirl76]

I might add that I strongly believe Steve could make a perfectly magnificent record still if he wanted to. Mr. Perry at 50%, 60% or 75% would still blow most out of the water and I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

Agreed in full, Wombat. Now... how do we get HIM to believe that and just give up the goods? Come on man, don't be a wedding night virgin... whip off that white dress and give it up, even if it's not best lay ever, it's still better than nothing. And probably still better than most, as the Bat pointed out. Sheesh.

(now there's an image for ya)

[Rick]

I might add that I strongly believe Steve could make a perfectly magnificent record still if he wanted to. Mr. Perry at 50%, 60% or 75% would still blow most out of the water and I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

Agreed in full, Wombat. Now... how do we get HIM to believe that and just give up the goods? Come on man, don't be a wedding night virgin... whip off that white dress and give it up, even if it's not best lay ever, it's still better than nothing. And probably still better than most, as the Bat pointed out. Sheesh.

(now there's an image for ya)

You're scaring me.

[bluejeangirl76]

I might add that I strongly believe Steve could make a perfectly magnificent record still if he wanted to. Mr. Perry at 50%, 60% or 75% would still blow most out of the water and I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

Agreed in full, Wombat. Now... how do we get HIM to believe that and just give up the goods? Come on man, don't be a wedding night virgin... whip off that white dress and give it up, even if it's not best lay ever, it's still better than nothing. And probably still better than most, as the Bat pointed out. Sheesh.

(now there's an image for ya)

You're scaring me.

Why? I didn't say anything that wasn't true.

[Rhiannon]

I might add that I strongly believe Steve could make a perfectly magnificent record still if he wanted to. Mr. Perry at 50%, 60% or 75% would still blow most out of the water and I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

Agreed in full, Wombat. Now... how do we get HIM to believe that and just give up the goods? Come on man, don't be a wedding night virgin... whip off that white dress and give it up, even if it's not best lay ever, it's still better than nothing. And probably still better than most, as the Bat pointed out. Sheesh.

(now there's an image for ya)

You're scaring me.

Why? I didn't say anything that wasn't true.

No, but the image of Perry in a white dress as a demure virgin was difficult to stomach while eating dinner.

[TRAGChick]

I think it's a combination of everything mentioned so far, and more. The idea of "can he still sing" is subjective, especially to the man himself. Let's not forget the psychological aspect to this issue. I mean, we're talking about Steve Perry here. The guy who Cain said would bleed over every song they worked on. He's a perfectionist. He knows what he was capable of in his heyday and what he can or can't achieve now.

I think this is what Perry was mostly referring to when he was interviewed about him producing the live in Houston DVD. He mentioned how emotionally difficult it was for him during that process. I mean, can you imagine watching and listening to yourself at your peak, reliving the love and admiration from your fans at that moment in time, then snapping back to the present and hearing yourself speak with your raspy voice (let alone singing with it)?

If Perry himself isn't happy with the sound of his own voice, he won't sing, especially not performing in a live show let alone a tour. I think that's what's really going on here.

That being said, like liquiddrummer pointed out, raspy as it is, I still like his voice. It's not just the notes the man can hit, it's his overall vocal character. I mean Geddy Lee sings in tune and has hit some amazing notes in his time, but the sound of his voice, its character isn't attractive to me (but I still like Rush ).

I'm more interested in new recorded material from Perry than seeing him live. Sure, I'd be thrilled to see him live, but I'd be just as happy if Perry sat down with Jeff Golub and did a whole album of songs like "Can't let you go" (only more vocally driven). Let him spend a year on it. Build the songs piecemeal in production so he can tweak every lyric to his satisfaction. I'm sure he's capable of doing that. The question is, will he? Probably not, but dare to dream...

THANK YOU SO MUCH for this post ~ I agree completely! BRAVO!! \~/

[StyxCollector]

How old is Dennis DeYoung now? Hell, that guy can still wail just like 1983.

And he's also been continually singing throughout his career as well. Perry has not

DDY's voice isn't exactly what it was in 1983 (neither is Tommy Shaw's), but both have held up pretty well. And I agree a lot of that is continuing to use their instrument. With Steve Perry essentially stopping singing for the most part for 10+ years, I can't imagine the amount of effort to get it back into prime time shape.

[The Sushi Hunter]

There is something else to it that no one yet has considered and that is his hearing. What's his hearing condition? If he's going deaf, that could mess up his ability to sing just as much as the condition of his vocal cords. If he's hard of hearing, he'll have to scream in order to hear himself and that force could also mess up his vocals as well.

[Rockindeano]

He'll sing again. I heard it from this little birdie, and I believe the birdie

I have heard similar. Touring days, save a song or two, are over though.

Yeah, this little birdie flies real close to Perry's home too, doesn't it?

[Rockindeano]

There is something else to it that no one yet has considered and that is his hearing. What's his hearing condition? If he's going deaf, that could mess up his ability to sing just as much as the condition of his vocal cords. If he's hard of hearing, he'll have to scream in order to hear himself and that force could also mess up his vocals as well.

That's a great great question to ask.

[RedWingFan]

There is something else to it that no one yet has considered and that is his hearing. What's his hearing condition? If he's going deaf, that could mess up his ability to sing just as much as the condition of his vocal cords. If he's hard of hearing, he'll have to scream in order to hear himself and that force could also mess up his vocals as well.

That's a great great question to ask.

Well since he doesn't sound like Lou Ferrigno when he talks I'd say he hears just fine.

[Shadowsong]

He'll sing again. I heard it from this little birdie, and I believe the birdie

I have heard similar. Touring days, save a song or two, are over though.

Yeah, this little birdie flies real close to Perry's home too, doesn't it?

[kmjrr]

Here's the video on Steven Tyler's surgery:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/c ... video.html

[Rick]

Here's the video on Steven Tyler's surgery:

http://channel.nationalgeographic.com/c ... video.html

Nice, thanks.

[Rip Rokken]

...I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

Et tu', Brute?

[Playitloudforme]

Hey, I'm a loon. I fully admit it. All I care about is whether or not I can experience it live, as I missed him with Journey and on Strange Medicine tours. I'm guessing not, but a girl can dream.

[Shadowsong]

There is something else to it that no one yet has considered and that is his hearing. What's his hearing condition? If he's going deaf, that could mess up his ability to sing just as much as the condition of his vocal cords. If he's hard of hearing, he'll have to scream in order to hear himself and that force could also mess up his vocals as well.

Nothing wrong with his hearing
but the question as always is
does he want to listen?

[ohsherrie]

He'll sing again. I heard it from this little birdie, and I believe the birdie

I'm not so sure...but I sure as hell hope so!

Never say never...

I might add that I strongly believe Steve could make a perfectly magnificent record still if he wanted to. Mr. Perry at 50%, 60% or 75% would still blow most out of the water and I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

Dit-fuckin'-to!!!

[Liquid_Drummer]

Wonder why he wont give his fans a "State of the Union" ? I just wonder if his voice was damaged from over use or if age just did it to him.

[Tomulator]

For any artist, especially singers I imagine, the inability to "recreate" the note choices he hears in his head (due to his much reduced vocal range), would be the biggest psychological hurdle to overcome in a comback.

SP is a perfectionist...still. He will ALWAYS be a perfectionist.

I have my doubts whether he will ever let his voice out again for the masses to digest.

Frustrates the crap out of me for sure...

[mistiejourney]

I might add that I strongly believe Steve could make a perfectly magnificent record still if he wanted to. Mr. Perry at 50%, 60% or 75% would still blow most out of the water and I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

Agreed in full, Wombat. Now... how do we get HIM to believe that and just give up the goods? Come on man, don't be a wedding night virgin... whip off that white dress and give it up, even if it's not best lay ever, it's still better than nothing. And probably still better than most, as the Bat pointed out. Sheesh.

(now there's an image for ya)

You do have a way with words!

[bluejeangirl76]

I might add that I strongly believe Steve could make a perfectly magnificent record still if he wanted to. Mr. Perry at 50%, 60% or 75% would still blow most out of the water and I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

Agreed in full, Wombat. Now... how do we get HIM to believe that and just give up the goods? Come on man, don't be a wedding night virgin... whip off that white dress and give it up, even if it's not best lay ever, it's still better than nothing. And probably still better than most, as the Bat pointed out. Sheesh.

(now there's an image for ya)

You do have a way with words!

And while I'm at it, I really should revise that statement for accuracy...

Come on Perry, whip of the white dress because you ain't foolin' no one.
We already KNOW you're a great lay and we want more.
Even if you fall asleep halfway through, we'll probably still come.

Better? Alrighty then.

Anyone can come up with a better analogy to Perry's singing than sex, by all means, have at it.

[mistiejourney]

I might add that I strongly believe Steve could make a perfectly magnificent record still if he wanted to. Mr. Perry at 50%, 60% or 75% would still blow most out of the water and I'll also add that there are some old dogs out on the road right now that sound far worse than they ever did and people are still appreciating them (Dokken for example!!!)

Agreed in full, Wombat. Now... how do we get HIM to believe that and just give up the goods? Come on man, don't be a wedding night virgin... whip off that white dress and give it up, even if it's not best lay ever, it's still better than nothing. And probably still better than most, as the Bat pointed out. Sheesh.

(now there's an image for ya)

You do have a way with words!

And while I'm at it, I really should revise that statement for accuracy...

Come on Perry, whip of the white dress because you ain't foolin' no one.
We already KNOW you're a great lay and we want more.
Even if you fall asleep halfway through, we'll probably still come.

Better? Alrighty then.

Anyone can come up with a better analogy to Perry's singing than sex, by all means, have at it.

Nope. The was the, uh, climax to the entire topic!