This superstar classic rock vocalist isn’t slowing down anytime soon. In a recent interview with Consequence Of Sound, Steve Perry discussed everything from his recent Willie Nelson collaboration to the legacy of his old band, Journey.
In the interview, Perry dished on his collaboration with Willie Nelson to benefit the organization Farm Aid. However, he did divulge that he is “really enjoying committing to” a whole catalogue of unreleased music at the moment. New Steve Perry tunes appear to be in the works.
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“I have so much music,” said Perry in the interview. “I’m in my studio right now and as I just look at these speakers, I can tell you that behind those speakers, there’s a lot of unfinished music that I’m really, really enjoying committing to.”
Likewise, when speaking of the legacy of Journey, Perry was more or less positive. For reference, Perry left the famed rock band back in 1998 after the band gave him an ultimatum: Don’t get a necessary hip surgery, or get replaced by another singer. Perry ended up leaving on his own volition permanently. Consequence Of Sound’s Spencer Kaufman asked Perry what he thought about America’s Got Talent contestant Richard Goodall’s recent cover of “Don’t Stop Believin’” that made waves on social media.
“When we [Journey] were writing together, we really were just trying to write great songs,” said Perry. “And to see after all these years, those songs enduring the test of time to the point where a gentleman like this decides to take this song and sing it in competition, not only am I really happy for him, I’m just flattered that he picked that [song].”
Steve Perry and Willie Nelson’s Collab Is a Reimagining of a Classic Journey Song
The newest collaboration between former Journey singer Steve Perry and country star Willie Nelson isn’t a new original song. Rather, it’s a reimagining of a Journey classic from 1983, titled “Faithfully”. According to Perry, the idea to debut a new recording with the country legend had been in the works for some time. Perry and Nelson had known each other for a while.
“I would say back in the early 80s when Journey was touring, we used to go to Texas all the time, and a couple of the shows or a couple of the tours, he [Nelson] came backstage and we got to meet him,” Perry told Consequence Of Sound. “And I never forgot what it was like hearing his voice on the radio growing up and meeting him. It was very iconic for me.”
Perry went on to say that hearing Nelson’s voice on one of his songs was “really an experience.”
Proceeds earned from Perry and Nelson’s collaboration on “Faithfully” will benefit the latter’s Farm Aid organization. The organization, which helps raise money for local family farmers, will also be celebrating its 40th anniversary soon.
“I was raised on a dairy farm in the central San Joaquin Valley, and my grandfather owned that farm,” said Perry. “I know how important farmers really are. […] These are moments that take me right back to the importance of being raised, and farmers.”
Photo by Dimitrios Kambouris/WireImage for Rock and Roll Hall of Fame
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