Steve Perry has dismissed reports suggesting a sensational return to Journey, following claims from band members that the door was wide open for a guest appearance, per ultimateclassicrock.com.
The speculation intensified after keyboardist Jonathan Cain revealed that guitarist Neal Schon had reached out to Perry regarding the band’s upcoming Final Frontier tour. Cain had suggested that the legendary frontman was “thinking about it,” adding optimistically: “He didn’t say no—leave it at that.”
However, Perry has now broken his silence to clarify his position, issuing a direct statement to fans to “gently put the rumours to rest.” While expressing deep gratitude for his legacy with the group, the singer confirmed he will not be joining the 100-show trek.
“I completely understand why people would hope for that,” Perry said. “The music we created together means a great deal to me too. But I’m continuing to explore new creative work and really enjoy working on new music that reflects where I am today.”
Perry first departed the “Don’t Stop Believin'” hitmakers in 1987, briefly returning for the 1996 album Trial by Fire. Since 2007, the band has been fronted by Arnel Pineda, whom Cain recently described as a “singing machine.”
Journey’s final tour is scheduled to begin on February 28 in Hershey, Pennsylvania. While Perry remains focused on his solo career – having most recently released the album Seasons in 2021 – he concluded by thanking fans for a loyalty that has “never gone unnoticed.”
•Featured image: Steve Perry/Getty Images
