Steve Perry’s Journey

Steve Perry, the powerful voice behind the band Journey's hits, left the band at the height of their fame. After years of touring and recording, he found himself in turmoil, struggling to reconnect with his true self outside the pressures of the music industry. Although success and fame initially brought him pleasure and satisfaction, the constant touring and turmoil of the industry eventually wore him down.

It takes an extraordinary person to step away from such fame, but Perry felt he had no other option. Once he left the spotlight, the rock star more or less withdrew within himself. During this time of introspection, he met a woman named Kellie Nash, a psychologist battling cancer. Their relationship quickly and profoundly impacted Perry, helping him rediscover a sense of purpose and emotional depth that had been missing in his life. Kellie's courage and outlook on life inspired Perry to open up his heart again. Her influence not only brought him personal healing but also rekindled his passion for music, ultimately guiding him back to the studio years later.

Steve Perry and Kellie Nash were together for only a year and a half before she passed away in December 2012. Their relationship was brief but deeply meaningful for both of them. If you were to ask Steve Perry today what has made his life remarkable, he would likely not say being the frontman for Journey; instead, he would tell you about meeting Kellie Nash.

Steve Perry and Kellie Nash

—Mitchell Hegman