Steve Perry in talks for Journey comeback
Rock supergroup Journey are edging closer to a reunion with legendary frontman Steve Perry.
The Don't Stop Believin' singer has revealed he and former bandmate Neal Schon are in talks to reunite the classic line-up.
He tells Classic Rock magazine, "We’re trying. It’s tough. I’m
doing my best in that area, and I can only do so much."
The news comes less than a year after Perry suffered a cancer
scare, and he admits the health emergency made him take stock of
his life and career.
He adds, "The older I get, the more I do realize how important what
we had all together and how it worked. The older I get... the more
I realize we brought that out of each other. I brought things out
of them, and they certainly brought a lot of my vocal stuff out of
me."
Schon sparked reports that a Perry reunion was in the works last
year (13) when he reached out to the singer on Facebook, writing,
"We had amazing chemistry together. I love him with all the love
and admiration you could even have. Steve, let’s talk soon."
Perry was Journey's frontman from 1977 to 1983. He reunited with
his bandmates twice in the 1990s but was replaced after injuring
his hip in 1997. He returned to join the band at its 2005 Rock &
Roll Hall of Fame induction.
His successors have included Steve Augeri, Jeff Scott Soto and
current singer Arnel Pineda, who was hired after Schon spotted him
on YouTube.com performing with a Journey tribute band in his native
Philippines.
It isn't clear when Perry plans to rejoin the group, but Journey
have North American dates with Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power
booked for May and June (14).