Journey guitarist Neal Schon has weighed in on a vocal range comparison between Steve Perry and Axl Rose in a brief exchange on X (formerly Twitter).
The Extreme Music Enthusiast account presented Schon with the question about which singer has the greater vocal range between Axl Rose and Steve Perry. Schon provided a concise response.
‘Who has the greater vocal range: Axl Rose or Steve Perry?’ asked The Extreme Music Enthusiast account.
‘Steve,’ Schon replied definitively.
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.
The Range Planet documented that Steve Perry’s recorded vocal range spans from B♭2 up to C6, covering nearly four octaves. His upper register demonstrates both remarkable power and agility. His lower range is notably less developed than his soaring high notes that became Journey’s signature sound.
Perry’s reputation as ‘The Voice’ extends far beyond technical measurements. 963 KKLZ reported that industry legends like Jon Bon Jovi and Queen’s Brian May have praised Perry as ‘a voice in a million.’ They recognized not just his technical skill but his emotional delivery that made Journey’s hits so distinctive.
The creative partnership between Schon and Perry produced some of rock’s most enduring anthems. Wikipedia noted that the duo co-wrote Journey’s biggest hits, including ‘Don’t Stop Believin’.’ This highlights their long-standing collaboration and mutual respect that continues even after Perry’s departure from the band.
Noise Addicts found that Axl Rose’s vocal range spans approximately five octaves from F1 to B♭6, technically broader than Perry’s range. Schon’s assessment appears to value quality and consistency over pure technical span.
