Ex-JOURNEY Singer STEVE PERRY Dismisses Idea Of New Collaboration With NEAL SCHON

Steve Perry has told Rolling Stone that he can't imagine working with Neal Schon in any capacity again or even re-establishing the friendship.

The former JOURNEY singer, who originally left the band more than three decades ago, made his comments in response to Neal's frequent public calls for a renewed collaboration.

"I'm not sure that's possible without stirring up hopes of a reunion," Perry said. "Please listen to me. I left the band 31 fucking years ago, my friend. You can still love someone, but not want to work with them. And if they only love you because they want to work with you, that doesn't feel good to me."

Steve, who claims to feel no bitterness toward anyone in JOURNEY, even though he's seen the members only twice in the past 20 years, had "a look of disgust," according to Rolling Stone writer Andy Greene, when he was asked about keyboardist Jonathan Cain's new memoir, "Don't Stop Believin'".

"I don't really care to read Jonathan's book," he said. "And I'd appreciate if you didn't tell me about it. I don't need to know. It's none of my business."

This past summer, Schon told the Detroit Free Press that he would love to collaborate with Perry on an R&B-style project. "I think Steve has an amazing, soulful voice, and I know he loves R&B," the guitarist said. "I don't think he'd ever want to do a JOURNEY record again. It's just too hard. [The notes are] way, way up there, and last time I heard him sing, his voice was a lot lower. But it was still very soulful. You can sing R&B and soul music and not need five octaves in your voice. [With JOURNEY], he set the bar so high for himself and for anyone else."

Perry reunited with JOURNEY for the first time in years as they were inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame in April 2017. The iconic singer appeared onstage with his former bandmates as they each gave speeches, but did not perform with the group later in the event.

During his speech, Perry praised each of JOURNEY musicians as well as the band's current singer, Arnel Pineda, who was not being inducted into the Rock Hall. "I must give a shoutout to a man who sings his heart out every night, Arnel Pineda," Perry said.

Perry's final full concert with JOURNEY took place in early 1987. He later rejoined his bandmates for a brief performance in 1991 to honor late concert promoter Bill Graham. He also appeared with JOURNEY when they received a star on the Hollywood Walk Of Fame in 2005.

Photo credit: Myriam Santos