Steve Perry

One of the most powerful voices in '80s-arena rock, Steve Perry's clarion vocals brought both strength and sensitivity to a string of hits by the band Journey, including "Don't Stop Believin'," "Who's Crying Now," "Open Arms" and "Faithfully," as well as such solo hits as "Oh Sherrie" and "Foolish Heart." Perry's presence as both vocalist and songwriter transformed Journey from a little-known progressive rock band to a mainstream rock band on par with Foreigner or Boston, complete with the sort of rallying anthems and heartfelt ballads that filled arenas throughout the world. But following back to back hit albums in Escape (1981) and Frontiers (1983), Perry began to distance himself from Journey, first by striking gold with his solo debut, Street Talk (1984), and then by attempting to exert a more controlling hand in the band's fortunes. The group came to loggerheads after the release of 1986's Raised on Radio, after which Perry went into retreat for nearly a decade before reuniting for the wildly successful Trial By Fire (1994). But again, Perry and the band found themselves at odds, this time over a proposed hip replacement surgery that would allow him to tour behind the album. He departed again soon after, this time apparently for good. While the band soldiered on with a variety of Perry soundalikes, the core of their library with him proved to be one of the most lucrative catalogs in pop history, which underscored Perry's undeniable importance to one of rock's biggest acts.