Why Journey’s iconic frontman went radio silent for 20 years
Years later, after college and early stints in local bands, Perry, 28 at the time, joined Journey in 1977, bringing with him a soaring, operatic tenor and raw emotional depth that would redefine the band’s sound.
“They were really an amazing performing band. But they didn’t have any quote ‘hit records,’ and weren’t on the radio much,” Perry told GQ in 2008 of his early days with the now iconic band.
At the time, Journey was known more for its jazz-rock fusion than chart-topping hits. But everything changed when he teamed up with guitarist Neal Schon. Together, they steered the band into a new era – blending hard rock with heartfelt ballads – and launched Journey into stadium-rock superstardom.
‘Oh Sherrie’
Just as the band was reaching its peak, Perry was in a relationship with a woman named Sherrie Swafford, who inspired his 1984 solo hit “Oh Sherrie” – the first solo track he released while still a member of Journey.
