As reported today, Journey joins the list of first-time nominees to the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. For the full list, please visit rockhall.com

Former lead singer and co-writer of their biggest songs, Steve Perry, had this to say,

"I'm so grateful that the music we created while together has survived the test of time."

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame will again offer fans the opportunity to officially participate in the induction selection process. Beginning October 18 and continuing through 11:59 p.m. EST on December 5, 2016, fans can visit rockhall.com to cast votes for who they believe to be most deserving of induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame. The top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a "fans' ballot" that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2017 inductees. Fans will need to login with a Facebook account or email to vote. Voting is capped at one ballot per day.

The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2017 inductees will be announced in December 2016. The Rock & Roll Hall of Fame 2017 Inductions, presented by Klipsch Audio, will be held at the Barclay's Center in New York in April 2017. HBO will also once again broadcast the ceremony in 2017. Venue and ticket on-sale information will be announced at a later date.

A note from Steve Perry on his birthday :

It's Opening Day for the SF Giants at AT&T Park!

San Francisco Giants superfan, Steve Perry, recently did an interview with Buster Olney for ESPN. Steve's 10-minute interview starts around 39 minutes into the podcast.

Well another year has flown by. It's amazing how that happens.

To be honest, this was a rough year with a lot of emotions, good and not so good.
That's just the way it is for us all.
This birthday is a very mixed bag of thoughts and emotions.

I really have been trying to keep Kellie's promises she asked me to make.
One was that if something ever happened to her, she made me promise to not stay in it too long if possible, and to try and move on.
I never met anyone in my whole life that was so evolved and so unselfish as she was.
It's been two years now since her passing and I'm trying to keep my promise.
She will be loved forever in my heart.

Singing live with the EELS was a very uplifting period of 2014 for me.
"E" and the band were so gracious to ask me to share their stage last year.
They are great and we had a BLAST together.
The audiences were so great and we all had such fun. I will never forget it.
Thank You St. Paul, Thank You Washington, DC and Thank You Los Angeles.

Looking at this picture of me as a baby in my Dad's arms seems like another universe.
I guess it really was. I truly loved and miss Mom and Dad.

Thanks to everyone for all your well wishes.

Thanks for your years of Faithfulness.

I drove up for the Giants dodgers game last night. During batting practice, Hunter Pence walked up and gave me his bat and he pretended to sing with a bag of sunflower seeds as I pretended to bat! I'm pretty sure he sings better than I can hit. What a thrill! He's one of my fave players!

Steve Perry hit the stage for the first time since 1995, for three guest appearances with The Eels.

June 11 @ The Orpheum Theatre in Los Angeles CA:
"It's A Motherfucker" (Eels), "Only Sixteen" (Sam Cooke), "Open Arms," "Lights" & "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" (Journey)

May 31 @ The Lincoln Theatre in Wash D.C.:
"It's A Motherfucker" (Eels), "Only Sixteen" (Sam Cooke), "Open Arms," & "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" (Journey)

May 25 @ The Fitzgerald Theatre in St Paul MN:
"It's A Motherfucker" (Eels), "Open Arms," & "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'" (Journey)

E (Mark Oliver Everett of The Eels) explains Steve's surprise return to the stage and shares the story of their long friendship at Stereogum.com.

Bob Lefsetz analyzes Steve Perry's performance with The Eels and nails it in "Steve Perry Returns ."

Bob Lefsetz sums up the joy of hearing Steve Perry's voice in "Steve Perry At The Orpheum ."

We had a quick chat with Steve and he shared his thoughts on the incredible and surprising events of the past few weeks.

Your three performances with The Eels really blew up social media! The YouTube videos have several million views, you were a trending topic on Twitter and just about all major media outlets picked up the story. Were you surprised by how big the reaction to you joining The Eels on stage was?
SP: Yes, I was very surprised. I woke up in St. Paul MN thinking I'd have a little YouTube leak about the gig and that would be it. After 20 years of not singing Live I really thought I could just stick my toe in the Waters of Love and then go home and start blowing the rust off my pipes……. but that's not what happened. So I flew out for a second one in D.C. and that was even more fun SO-- I did L.A. and that was even more FUN-NER!

After watching your performances with The Eels, we hope you are finally coming back to music. Your fans love you! How did it feel when you walked out on the stage again?
SP: I realized in a nano second as I walked on stage how much I had missed it. I had been away from Live performing for a long time. Walking out on that Stage was like having sex for the first time in 20 years. I didn't have a lot of stamina or restraint ……. but it still felt really AMAZING.

You mentioned that you promised your late girlfriend Kellie that you would sing again. Is that what motivated you to join your friends The Eels on stage?
SP: The promise that was made to her was not that I would sing again but more emotional and personal in nature. Since promises are best fulfilled in secret, I think I’ll keep them that way……. but I am keeping my promises to her.

You've said in the past that you don't read reviews but hopefully you have seen the two amazing blogs posted by famed music industry analyst and critic, Bob Lefsetz. Did you know he was at the L.A. show and what did you think of his comments on your performance?
SP: I did not know he was in L.A. until after he wrote the article. I do not read reviews but I was encouraged by a friend to read his St. Paul and his L.A. ones. Holy Moly……. I was stunned at some of his analogies and kind words. I wish I could have met him after the show. I can honestly say that in my lifetime I have NEVER had anyone say such truthful things about what Rock and Roll once was and should be and then include me in his words.

WTF…….Thanks Muucho Bob.

Would you consider recording a cover of "It's a Motherfucker?" Your take on that song is so beautiful and heartfelt.
SP: Yes, I may record it. When I first met E…… I told him that I wanted to sing that song. It was a song that spoke to me back then and then after losing Kellie, it's speaking to me again on a whole new emotional level.

Would you consider collaborating on new music with E? You two would come up with some great material!
SP: I've known E for many years now and I think that's possible but we both have our own process of writing and we both understand and respect how that works. It can be a very personal, alone process that doesn't lend itself to collaboration. Just listen to "It's a Motherfucker" ……… The reason that song hits me so is because I can feel the solitude and loneliness that's in it and was required to write it.

The Sam Cooke song you did in D.C. and Los Angeles (“Only Sixteen”) was amazing. How did you decide on how you were going to do it?
SP: I have always loved Sam’s songs. A capella versions are something I've been wanting to do for a long time.

A huge part of the pleasure of seeing you on stage again is in witnessing your enjoyment of performing. Reaction from fans has been overwhelmingly positive! What's next for you?
SP: Honestly…. It's been many years since I've tried to sing at live levels. Many years. I think I will start rehearsing at those Live Levels to blow the rust off these old pipes. That's my plan ……. After that is done, I'm sure more thoughts and ideas will appear.

Arnel said he would gladly step aside to let you return to Journey. What are your thoughts? Would you consider a Journey reunion?
SP: I don’t know who or what would make Arnel want to say such a thing. He's their Lead Singer and I only wish him all of the very best! There is no reunion.

Loved your "SPelfie" at the Wash D.C. show. Would you consider doing more of those?
SP: I may do another "SPelfie" very soon.

Even if you don't do a full tour again, would you consider a few televised appearances?
SP: I have been approached about TV but I have never been a big fan of TV appearances. I think it's a loose, fun Rockin' evening in a room with fans that makes life worth living. TV never really represents that. I am getting a bit more open to the idea though……. more than I ever thought I would. So---- I will stay open minded about it and perhaps it will happen……. but I still have my deep opinions and thoughts about it…….

Of the three shows you played (St Paul, D.C. and L.A.), which was your favorite?
SP: The first one was in St Paul and I was truly a bundle of nerves. After 20 years, I guess that is understandable. But it certainly didn’t stop me from having the time of my life! After St Paul, I thought, “Maybe that’s it,” but E said, “Why don’t you come out to do another one,” so I went to Wash D.C. That show felt so much more relaxed for me and I was able to concentrate more on singing. I think I sang bit better in D.C. than St Paul. That was my second gig in 20 years. Driving up from Del Mar to L.A. gave me plenty of time to remember how much of an industry town L.A. is and I was hoping my performance would be good enough. I honestly only wanted to sing again in front of people and so backstage I reminded myself there are several reasons why I wanted to go out there….some you know about and some you don’t. But the bottom line is it’s about rediscovering my love for singing.

I'd like to make clear that the rumor that I have returned to the band Journey is totally untrue and only a rumor.

Sincerely,
Steve Perry

Well a big Hello to everyone. Yes it's that time again and this year it's the big 55. < ha >
Kinda not feeling too up about my birthday but I just was told about some very kind and loving posts that really are helping me, thank you!
One coffee birthday morning, I was telling Kellie that my body was aching and this getting old thing is getting ruff.
She looked at me and smiled and said, "Honey … I would Love to get Old."
Well that kinda puts it in perspective.

A drummer friend of mine, Steve Ferrone. was going to be inducted into the Guitar Center Walk of Fame, and he had told me that Hamish Stuart was going to fly here from Scotland and that I should come down to rehearsal and meet him. Well I was not going to miss that. Then he said that Questlove was not only going to be playing drums too, he was going to do the induction. Holy S*#T I thought……… So I went to rehearsals and in the middle of a run though Steve stopped the band cause he was not happy with the Background vocals of "Person To Person."
I knew what part they were missing but kept my mouth shut……….
Well……. At least for a bit.
Then after they ran though all the tunes……. Questlove showed up and in the middle of the next run through of "Person To Person," I had a musical Tourettes moment and jumped up to a mike and sang the part I felt was missing.
They all turned around and said…. AHHHH HAAHH!!
At the end of the song Steve Ferrone said in his heavy English accent, "Dats Zit, Your In Dha Band, You've passed the au-di-tion."
Then they gave me 2 more tunes to sing BGz and play cowbell on.
Walking out on that stage was a great thrill ……. I loved it so very much……
There was soooo much feel and pocket between Steve and Questlove and the band.
Just about as much feel and pocket that one Portagee boy could ever feel at one time……. SOOOOO GOOD.

Thanks again for all my birthday well wishes and the Love that you all have sent my way……

"You are the Faithful Ones"

Sincerely,
Steve Perry

Here are a few videos from this special evening on Jan 18, 2014: