Journey guitarist Neal Schon recently talked about Journey’s Steve Perry era in a conversation that was shared on Rick Beato.
Rick Beato showered praise on the band’s live performances from that period, noting the quality of their musicianship. Schon responded candidly about his perspective on that time.
Neal Schon opens up on Steve Perry
Beato said, “When I see live videos on YouTube of you guys from back then, you guys sound so good live. The playing is so good.”
“It’s depressing,” Schon responded with a laugh. “Everybody misses Perry. I mean, he’s like, you know, everybody wants him to sing. He just stopped, you know, and I think when you’re a vocalist, you can’t stop. You have to continue. It’s a muscle, you know.”
Schon’s comments highlight the deeper challenges that have shaped Journey’s complex history. His remarks regarding vocal maintenance reflect struggles that Steve Perry faced during his time with the band.
Schon also recently responded to a fan’s criticism about the band’s current lineup. He addressed the comment in a statement shared on X.
The response came after a Journey fan wrote on social media that without original vocalist Steve Perry, the band has lost its authenticity.
The fan said, “Without Steve Perry, they are just a cover band.”
“Yeah, that’s why we continue to sell out everywhere lol,” Schon said in his Twitter response.
Yeah that’s why we continue to sell out everywhere lol 😂
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) September 9, 2025
Schon has also opened up on the vocal range comparison between Steve Perry and Axl Rose in a brief exchange on X.
The Extreme Music Enthusiast account asked Schon which singer has a greater vocal range: Axl Rose or Steve Perry. Schon gave a brief answer.
‘Who has the greater vocal range: Axl Rose or Steve Perry?’ asked The Extreme Music Enthusiast account.
‘Steve,’ Schon replied.
Steve
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) July 21, 2025
Schon’s endorsement of his former bandmate comes with considerable authority. The guitarist has decades-long musical partnership and intimate knowledge of Perry’s vocal capabilities.
