The man known as THE VOICE. Many singers have had this nickname but I wouldn't be wrong to say that it's most commonly associated with this guy. He was the lead singer of AOR band Journey from 1978-1987 and again in 1996. He is known for his high crooning voice, melismatic and melodic style, great high notes, very emotional performances and most of all, incredible live performances which almost always surpass studio performances. He has released 2 solo albums (in 1984 and 1994).

A quick guide through his voice over the years:

1. Early period -1978-1982
During this time his voice was at it's highest and cleanest and the style of singing at most melismatic and vocal run oriented. During the later half of this period he entered his absolute peak where the clarity and excellent high range were combined with a fuller tone and more power in his voice. His live singing was incredibly consistent. Some of the best performances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SXEc6lXlHM0 - Winds Of March, a ballad showing his excellent delicate and melodic style.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egBGfIW6 ... re=related - Something To Hide, great phrasing and amazing falsetto runs in the end with one sustained A5.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kkyZ2fgXlM - Sweet And Simple, very nice melismatic singing and the great A5 which is IMO the most impressive vocal moment I've ever heard.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcAcDySpskk - Mother Father live from Houston, probably his finest hour.

2. Mid period - 1983-1987
In this period Perry changed his vocal approach, started using voice which is more raspy and reminiscent of old soul and R&B singers. It include less high notes, but usually his tone was richer and fuller than before. The use of falsetto and clean head voice was also smaller, he began pulling more chest and sang more raw. During Frontiers (1983) album and tour, he still hadn't defined that style totally so it was a mix of what I described and his early period. There were many high notes and he didn't have that much rasp (esp live). After that he recorded his first debut album which had him at his rawest and roughest, it sounded like a different guy. He also sang in lower keys and explored his low register more than ever. During Journey's next album and tour (1986), he still had much rasp in his voice, but sang in higher ranges again.
Key perfomances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wU_XCpC6HdE - His most emotional performance, Faithfully
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pieRFJXGBOA - This song seems to be a favourite in this forum!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=te1CVVlaJzA - From his solo record, notice the different tone he is using.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kond1EfwLTk - The ending is one of his best moments.

3. Later period - 1994-1996
Seven years we heard nothing from this man. Now when he came back everyone heard that his voice isn't gone at all. It did lower significantly and had that rasp, but he was still an able and powerful singer. In fact, this period has him at his most powerful high chest voice. Esp during his second album For The Love Of Strange Medicine and subsequent tour (1994) he did some serious belting. In his last album with Journey, Trial By Fire (1996), he opted for a more restraint approach, but his tone was maybe at his best. Performances:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO8nBYddc1c
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7dPkpvp ... re=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C-1I5OED37g

This guy is one of the smoothest and professional sounding singers ever. Agreed on Sweet and Simple, it's one of the most vocally impressive things I've heard.

Here's an interview with Steve from 1980:

http://steveperryfanclub.homestead.com/ ... urney.html

He talks about his influences, singing, what he does to keep his chords in shape etc. Interesting read.

Insane singer, love Stevie

Where is he now? the more recent vid i found on youtube is of 1994 on a solo tour i think singing Journey songs

This is probably the last recorded Steve Perry vocal, it's from 2005 and he does backing vocals on this song:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LuJt1RlQ1yE

You can clearly hear it's him...

Wow! That's a downright awful song, but Steve's voice is gorgeous. So much depth and character, incredible to think that he's pretty much stopped recording when he's still got that voice.

It would be great if someone like Arjen or Tobias Sammet were to get Steve to do some guest vocals on a future album, give him a tender ballad to sing.

Yes, there are rumours about his next solo album but it's never been confirmed...

And getting him on Ayreon or Avantasia would be just wonderful!

Steve talked about using falsetto, can anyone post something that shows his falsetto? Is there any falsetto in Mother, Father? i thought that was all in full

he's just talking about his regular falsetto, on stuff like wheel in the sky which is one of the best sustained falsetto notes possible.....listen to that victor, during the solo.....

Here are some of the best Perry falsetto moments:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JcAcDySpskk - 4:56
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=egBGfIW6CRM - 2:58, he starts singing with the guitar and ends on the sustained A5 followed by a short run, amazing control right there.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qx2BQ3GEfRA - 3:11, sustain, than a crazy run
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5kkyZ2fgXlM - 2:46, this is the most impressive vocal thing I've ever heard (the note is A5)

Respect towards the vocalist raised by 50%!

What did you like the most?

The angelic singing in "Mother, Father" live version and that incredible run in "Sweet and Simple"!

Yes, it's incredible how soft his singing in Mother, Father is...and he gets up to G5 there...

And I really have no comment on Sweet And Simple...

Hah wouldn't have picked em better myself!

Also few additions, the ending to Patienly, Chicago 79:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dGXvKOhSOfs - 4:50
and Journey with Albert King 78:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4kSeTPhdp38 - 0:50 - very impressive switch back to chest, 6:35 - superb run with his highest note, B5