In 1981, Steve Perry of Journey performed a live rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’” that proved why many publications ranked him as one of the best singers of all time. The group’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” had become an international smash earlier in the year. The band showcased their incredible musicianship on the single, which would later become their hallmark song, during a 1981 performance in Houston, Texas.
Perry has an incredibly effortless way with his voice, and he sings the song with a birdlike quality. Additionally, he possesses that magnetic charm of a rock star and gets the crowd going wild. Many commenters have noted that, despite the difficulty of doing so, Perry sounds even better in concert than on record. See below for an HD remaster of Journey’s 1981 performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” that they uploaded to their YouTube channel.