Why did he stop singing?

Nobody really knows the reason why he decided to stop singing with Journey.  There were so many mentioned: his mother died, his girlfriend left, he had depression, he was angry, he was confused.  He even said in an interview that he questioned whether he still wanted that life.  Then, he went back, and then again, there were problems: his hip, the band did not even give him a chance.  After that, we heard nothing from either party.  I know they are trying to be respectful of each other, but it seems that, in the silence, they said more to each other than if they had an actual conversation.

Steve felt abandoned by the band - which is why he said he never really felt like he was part of the band to begin with.  He MADE that band famous - let's be clear about that.  I know that all of them were great musicians in their own right, but Steve Perry is what made that band FAMOUS.

On the other hand, the band felt that he was taking them all for granted. By not wanting the surgery that could have made it possible for him to tour with them, he is basically putting all of their musical life ON HOLD.  Why didn't he do the surgery when they asked him to? They wanted to tour - this was their life and their livelihood - and he was holding them all on a leash by not doing what he eventually did later on: the surgery.   When they replaced him with another vocalist - who, according to them sounded like him - but not really - it was a clear statement saying - WE DON'T NEED YOU ANYMORE, STEVE!  So, Steve left - perhaps for good.

However, they never made new music that mattered. Without Steve Perry, Journey became a tribute band - using front men that NEEDED to sound like Steve in order to please a crowd that LONGED FOR STEVE.  It was a ridiculous predicament that placed all of them in the background of the music industry: Legends that no longer had power.

As for Steve, he just disappeared.  Every now then, people see him, and he is A SHADOW of his former self.  I only see sadness in his face, now.  Sadness.  I know, being a singer myself, you want to sing and perform again.  He loved music like nobody! You can see it in the way he sang the songs - the way he performed!! The band took that all away when they decided to replace him.  However, in hindsight, if I were the band, I would probably do the same thing.  I have been with several bands before and, this happens a lot. I know they regret replacing Steve.  I know that in some part of their minds, they know they did something regrettable.  

I can see that they have destroyed his spirit.  His voice is damaged because of the extended hiatus.  When you don't use your voice often - after using it like crazy for years - it's a muscle - it will atrophy.  I can almost hear some of his pipes not working.  He probably needs to consult a doctor for that.

I LOVE YOU SO MUCH, STEVE PERRY!!! If you only knew how much I care about you!!!