His famous long black hair has turned grey, but would you recognize this legendary rock star today?
Shoppers at the exclusive Erewhon Market in Calabasas, California, didn’t seem to know who this former chart-topper who had released singles and eight multi-platinum albums with his band in the 1970s and ’80s was.
Jon Bon Jovi once dubbed this soulful singer-songwriter simply as ‘The Voice’ and his impressive range filled stadiums on countless sold-out tours.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and last year Billboard readers voted him their No. 1 favorite rock singer of all time.
In 1985, he was one of 46 selected celebrity vocalists who participated in the iconic song We Are The World to raise funds for Africa.
Have you already guessed who it is?
DailyMail.com spotted this frontman of a legendary rock group shopping at the exclusive Erewhon Market in Calabasas, California.
He was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017 and Jon Bon Jovi once nicknamed this singer ‘The Voice’.
The 75-year-old singer’s long black hair has now turned grey. Her distinctive ‘altino high tenor’ and impressive range filled packed stadiums on countless tours.
The singer, who is ultra reserved, was accompanied by his blonde girlfriend on his outing.
The singer parked his white Mercedes in a disabled space right in front with his sign hanging in the rearview mirror.
It’s former Journey frontman Steve Perry!
DailyMail.com spotted the quiet and modest 75-year-old mingling with other locals busy shopping for high-priced groceries.
He was wearing what appeared to be hiking clothes.
Perry and his blonde girlfriend bought takeout items, including sandwiches from the deli, snacks, sushi and sparkling waters.
He parked his white Mercedes in a handicapped spot directly in front with his sign hanging from the rearview mirror, and could be seen trying to figure out where to leave his shopping cart.
Perry seemed to be in good spirits despite several medical issues that have plagued him over the years.
In 1998 he underwent hip replacement surgery and last year reported two successful surgeries to remove cancerous moles. He battles arthritis and says he “lives on anti-inflammatories.”
The ultra-private singer is known to be moody and avoidant in public. In 2018, the New York Times reported that during an interview with him at a Malibu restaurant, a fan approached him and asked if he was Steve Perry.
“I was Steve Perry,” he replied flatly.
High praise: He’s been nicknamed ‘The Voice,’ a nickname originally coined by Jon Bon Jovi; He is pictured performing in Detroit in May 1980.
Perry (left) is shown being inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in April 2017. He has since let his dark hair turn gray.
Perry was the rock band’s lead singer during their most commercially successful periods from 1977 to 1987, and again from 1995 to 1998, and provided the signature vocals for the hits Don’t Stop Believin’ and Open Arms. The band is pictured in June 1979.
The San Francisco-based band Journey had been around for four years before Perry joined in 1978, but had not had widespread commercial success.
It wasn’t until songs like Don’t Stop Believin’, Oh Sherrie, Foolish Heart and more catapulted the band into the record books with 52 million albums sold, making them the 11th best-selling band, according to the Recording Industry Association. of America.
Perry is said to have invented the power ballad with songs like Send Her My Love, Open Arms and Faithfully.
Like many talented artists, his mercurial personality caused him friction with his bandmates.
Perry left Journey after a decade in 1987 and then briefly reunited with them between 1995 and 1998.
The only child of Portuguese immigrants, he grew up on a dairy farm in central California after his parents divorced when he was eight years old.
He says he was inspired to become a singer after hearing Sam Cooke’s classic song Cupid when he was 12.
Perry left Journey after a decade in 1987, then briefly reunited with them between 1995 and 1998.
Last month he posted a screenshot of a Forbes headline that read: Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ Is Officially the Greatest Song of All Time.’
He has been intensely secretive about his personal life. While he has never been married, he says that he has a daughter and even grandchildren, but declines to give further details.
He is now dedicated to his own projects that bring him joy, such as his Christmas album The Season, which he released in November 2021.
While he has had ups and downs with his former band members, he seems proud of what he was able to accomplish with them.
Last month he posted a screenshot of a Forbes headline that read, “Journey’s ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ Is Officially the Greatest Song of All Time.”
Below he wrote: ‘When this article came out yesterday, I was so emotionally stunned. Being part of a moment like this made me reflect on my parents. By this I mean that even though I lost them both years ago, I was so happy for them because they really are the reason this is happening.
‘My dad was a singer and they were both very musical. So, on behalf of my mom and dad, I thank each of you for so many years of support. Sincerely, Steve Perry.’