Steve Perry

January 24, 2005

Well, here we are again. The yearly ritual known as the "BIRTHDAY." This year I can't believe I'm, "45" .... AGAIN....!!

I'd like to thank EVERYONE who sent well wishes to me for my birthday, and EVERYONE who showed up at the Walk of Fame presentation last Friday the 21st. What a magic feeling it was to see you all again.

Seeing the guys in the band was a celebration just like the old days when music was what it was all about. When we were taking pictures in front of the star, Jon Cain was on my right. I said to him, "Do you know what that is down there on that side walk? That's some great songs. Congratulations Jon." Ross Valory was our cello of bass players. It's was fun watching him clowning again. It was really great to see Steve Smith and Aynsley Dunbar after all these years. What perfect drummers these guys were for the music of Journey. I told them both congratulations and that they both busted their asses for this. I told Neal congats' when we were standing there together making fun of "Heckle and Jeckle," or known to their fans as, Mark and Brian from KLOS.

Oh, and by the way, after M&B's on the AIR complete violation of my privacy and still never getting my number, I'd like to make one thing very clear. I thought about this award ceremony for a long time. For the longest time I thought it would be best that I not go, do to our re-break-up in May of 98. I knew it was going to be my decision and my decision ALONE and that no one could sway me into going or not going! After I decided to attend, on the morning of Jan. 20th I headed north to L.A. As I got closer, I turned on KLOS and heard M&B and what they were up to. I QUICKLY turned them OFF so I would still want to attend our event. I'm so glad I went. It was a real thrill to hear all those fans sing "Na Na's" and "Don't Stop Believin'" AND THEN, they sang Happy Birthday to me. Thank you, Thank you, THANK YOU!!!

On Saturday the 22nd I went back to take another look at the star for my birthday and for all my departed relatives. As I was watching people looking at the star, I saw two girls hand their camera to a friend and then they quickly laid down on the sidewalk one on each side of the star. I jumped out of my hiding spot and asked, "Can I lay down, too?" At first they were shocked I was there, and then we took this picture. I took some more pix with a few more fans then figured I better hit the road back. It was a nice birthday.