Steve Augeri
Encyclopedia
Steve Augeri is an American
rock
singer best known for his work with Tall Stories, Tyketto
, and Journey
.
from 1998 to 2006. Augeri recorded three albums during a successful eight-year tenure with the group that brought one of the world’s most accomplished rock groups back to the stage to perform for their millions of fans worldwide.
Steve Augeri, the son of Joseph and Emma Augeri, was born on January 30, 1959, and raised in the Bensonhurst
neighborhood of Brooklyn
.
He attributes his love and inspiration of music to his father, Joseph, and their many years of listening to Sinatra, R&B, Soul
, and Country music
on their Emerson clock radio. His grammar school music teacher, Fredrick Torregrossa, also had a direct influence by encouraging Augeri to develop and improve upon the potential of his voice and by casting him to sing Puccini’s "La Donna Mobile" in the school’s 4th grade musical.
Initially studying woodwinds at New York City’s High School of Music and Art, Augeri switched to bassoon and soon discovered his love for classical music.
Attending, and then teaching at, French Woods Festival for the Performing Arts summer camp, he supervised children from ages 6–16 for their Rock Band classes which as he states, was surely the original “School of Rock
.” When Augeri’s tuition check for college bounced, he returned home to start a rock and roll band. Working as a session vocalist, as well as bartending and waiting tables, it was not until 1984 when Augeri received his first break and was hired as background vocalist for one of the world’s most renowned hard rock guitarists, Michael Schenker
of UFO
and Scorpions
fame.
While in the market for a new guitar at Manny’s Music on NYC’s 48th St., Augeri met Jack Morer (guitarist) who together would form the critically acclaimed Epic Records recording and performing group "Tall Stories", along with Kevin Totoian on bass guitar, and Tom De Faria on drums. Tall Stories was nominated for “Best Debut Album”, and Augeri for “Best Debut Male Vocalist”, at the 1992 New York Music Awards. Although Tall Stories raised more than a few eyebrows and made the melodic rock scene take notice, the rapidly changing rock landscape influenced the band to strum its last power chord in Paris on New Year's Eve 1995.
Never one to stay idle for long, Augeri soon forged a song-writing bond with Brooke St. James of Geffen’s hard-melodic rock band Tyketto, which in turn led to an invitation to join the group as their lead vocalist. The album Shine was released in 1995, with a subsequent tour of Europe resulting in the album Take Out & Served Up Live in 1996.
The challenge of balancing life at home as a husband to Lydia Augeri (née Cirillo), and on the road as a musician, became even more complicated as 1996 drew to a close and he and Lydia welcomed their son Adam to the world. Augeri decided to stay closer to home and return to his father’s profession of carpentry by accepting a position with the GAP
as a maintenance manager for their network of stores in New York City.
In 1997, just short of his one-year anniversary with the corporate clothing giant, and after an introduction from guitarist Joe Cefalu, Augeri received a phone call from both Jonathan Cain
and Neal Schon and was offered an audition to front the legendary rock band Journey.
In 1998, Augeri was officially named the group’s fourth lead vocalist and the first "official" lead vocalist since the departure of Steve Perry
. For the next eight years Augeri and the band toured nearly endlessly to reclaim their standing as one of America’s premier rock bands. The song "Remember Me", from the seven-times-platinum soundtrack album from the movie Armageddon, represents Augeri’s recording debut with the band, followed by the album Arrival
in 2001, and the EP "Red 13", in 2002. The album Generations, released in 2005, would be his last studio album with the group, after his departure due to illness mid-tour in 2006. A final testament to his and the band’s success is attained when the live DVD of their Las Vegas concert, recorded in December 2000, titled Journey 2001, acquired platinum status.
Augeri’s departure did not diminish the requests of the many charities both he and wife Lydia supported over the past decade, all of which receive continued support with personal appearances and live performances: Journey to the Cure (Breast Cancer Foundation), Little Baby Face Foundation
, Diamond Angels (Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital), and March of Dimes.
As of 2010, Augeri is set to release his first solo album, tentatively titled In The Moment. The album will be followed by a world tour that will showcase material from his entire career and feature a new group of musicians.
In 2010, Steve released the single "Riverside". He released another single entitled "Photograph" in September 2011.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
rock
Rock music
Rock music is a genre of popular music that developed during and after the 1960s, particularly in the United Kingdom and the United States. It has its roots in 1940s and 1950s rock and roll, itself heavily influenced by rhythm and blues and country music...
singer best known for his work with Tall Stories, Tyketto
Tyketto
Tyketto is a New York City based hard rock band. The group was put together in 1987 by former Waysted vocalist Danny Vaughn ; Brooke St. James , Jimi Kennedy , and Michael Clayton completed the lineup....
, and Journey
Journey (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
.
Career
Drawing from a range of diverse musical influences to deliver a unique and personal take on the genre of melodic rock, Steve Augeri is an American rock singer best known as the lead vocalist for the rock group JourneyJourney (band)
Journey is an American rock band formed in 1973 in San Francisco by former members of Santana. The band has gone through several phases; its strongest commercial success occurred between the 1978 and 1987, after which it temporarily disbanded...
from 1998 to 2006. Augeri recorded three albums during a successful eight-year tenure with the group that brought one of the world’s most accomplished rock groups back to the stage to perform for their millions of fans worldwide.
Steve Augeri, the son of Joseph and Emma Augeri, was born on January 30, 1959, and raised in the Bensonhurst
Bensonhurst, Brooklyn
Bensonhurst is a neighborhood located in the southwestern part of the New York City borough of Brooklyn.-Geography:Sometimes erroneously thought to include all or parts of such neighborhoods as Bath Beach, Dyker Heights, and Borough Park, or to be defined by the streets where the concentration of...
neighborhood of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
.
He attributes his love and inspiration of music to his father, Joseph, and their many years of listening to Sinatra, R&B, Soul
Soul music
Soul music is a music genre originating in the United States combining elements of gospel music and rhythm and blues. According to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, soul is "music that arose out of the black experience in America through the transmutation of gospel and rhythm & blues into a form of...
, and Country music
Country music
Country music is a popular American musical style that began in the rural Southern United States in the 1920s. It takes its roots from Western cowboy and folk music...
on their Emerson clock radio. His grammar school music teacher, Fredrick Torregrossa, also had a direct influence by encouraging Augeri to develop and improve upon the potential of his voice and by casting him to sing Puccini’s "La Donna Mobile" in the school’s 4th grade musical.
Initially studying woodwinds at New York City’s High School of Music and Art, Augeri switched to bassoon and soon discovered his love for classical music.
Attending, and then teaching at, French Woods Festival for the Performing Arts summer camp, he supervised children from ages 6–16 for their Rock Band classes which as he states, was surely the original “School of Rock
School of Rock
School of Rock, also called The School of Rock, is a 2003 American musical comedy film directed by Richard Linklater, written by Mike White, and starring Jack Black...
.” When Augeri’s tuition check for college bounced, he returned home to start a rock and roll band. Working as a session vocalist, as well as bartending and waiting tables, it was not until 1984 when Augeri received his first break and was hired as background vocalist for one of the world’s most renowned hard rock guitarists, Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker
Michael Schenker is a German rock guitarist, best known for his tenure in UFO, in addition to his solo band. He first rose to fame as a founding member of the Scorpions, then achieved fame in the mid 1970s as the lead guitar player for UFO. Since leaving UFO in 1978, he has been leading the...
of UFO
UFO (band)
UFO are an English heavy metal and hard rock band, who were formed in 1969. UFO became a transitional group between early hard rock and heavy metal and the New Wave of British Heavy Metal...
and Scorpions
Scorpions (band)
Scorpions are a heavy metal/hard rock band from Hannover, Germany, formed in 1965 by guitarist Rudolf Schenker, who is the band's only constant member. They are known for their 1980s rock anthem "Rock You Like a Hurricane" and many singles, such as "No One Like You", "Send Me an Angel", "Still...
fame.
While in the market for a new guitar at Manny’s Music on NYC’s 48th St., Augeri met Jack Morer (guitarist) who together would form the critically acclaimed Epic Records recording and performing group "Tall Stories", along with Kevin Totoian on bass guitar, and Tom De Faria on drums. Tall Stories was nominated for “Best Debut Album”, and Augeri for “Best Debut Male Vocalist”, at the 1992 New York Music Awards. Although Tall Stories raised more than a few eyebrows and made the melodic rock scene take notice, the rapidly changing rock landscape influenced the band to strum its last power chord in Paris on New Year's Eve 1995.
Never one to stay idle for long, Augeri soon forged a song-writing bond with Brooke St. James of Geffen’s hard-melodic rock band Tyketto, which in turn led to an invitation to join the group as their lead vocalist. The album Shine was released in 1995, with a subsequent tour of Europe resulting in the album Take Out & Served Up Live in 1996.
The challenge of balancing life at home as a husband to Lydia Augeri (née Cirillo), and on the road as a musician, became even more complicated as 1996 drew to a close and he and Lydia welcomed their son Adam to the world. Augeri decided to stay closer to home and return to his father’s profession of carpentry by accepting a position with the GAP
Gap (clothing retailer)
The Gap, Inc. is an American clothing and accessories retailer based in San Francisco, California, and founded in 1969 by Donald G. Fisher and Doris F. Fisher. The company has five primary brands: the namesake Gap banner, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Piperlime and Athleta. As of September 2008,...
as a maintenance manager for their network of stores in New York City.
In 1997, just short of his one-year anniversary with the corporate clothing giant, and after an introduction from guitarist Joe Cefalu, Augeri received a phone call from both Jonathan Cain
Jonathan Cain
Jonathan Cain is an American musician, best known for his work with The Babys, Journey and Bad English.-Early life:...
and Neal Schon and was offered an audition to front the legendary rock band Journey.
In 1998, Augeri was officially named the group’s fourth lead vocalist and the first "official" lead vocalist since the departure of Steve Perry
Steve Perry (musician)
Stephen Ray "Steve" Perry is an American singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the rock band Journey from 1977–1987 and 1995–1998. Perry had a successful solo career throughout the late 1980s and early '90s.Perry's voice has garnered acclaim from musical peers and music...
. For the next eight years Augeri and the band toured nearly endlessly to reclaim their standing as one of America’s premier rock bands. The song "Remember Me", from the seven-times-platinum soundtrack album from the movie Armageddon, represents Augeri’s recording debut with the band, followed by the album Arrival
Arrival (Journey album)
-Japanese Edition:-Personnel:*Neal Schon - lead guitar, backing vocals*Ross Valory - bass, backing vocals*Jonathan Cain - keyboards, backing vocals*Deen Castronovo - drums, backing vocals*Steve Augeri - lead vocals-External links:*...
in 2001, and the EP "Red 13", in 2002. The album Generations, released in 2005, would be his last studio album with the group, after his departure due to illness mid-tour in 2006. A final testament to his and the band’s success is attained when the live DVD of their Las Vegas concert, recorded in December 2000, titled Journey 2001, acquired platinum status.
Augeri’s departure did not diminish the requests of the many charities both he and wife Lydia supported over the past decade, all of which receive continued support with personal appearances and live performances: Journey to the Cure (Breast Cancer Foundation), Little Baby Face Foundation
Little Baby Face Foundation
The Little Baby Face Foundation provides free facial surgery for children born with facial deformities, including microtia, atresia, cleft lip and palate, facial palsy, hemangioma and hemifacial microsomia...
, Diamond Angels (Joe DiMaggio Children’s Hospital), and March of Dimes.
As of 2010, Augeri is set to release his first solo album, tentatively titled In The Moment. The album will be followed by a world tour that will showcase material from his entire career and feature a new group of musicians.
In 2010, Steve released the single "Riverside". He released another single entitled "Photograph" in September 2011.
With Journey
- Song "Remember Me", from the movie soundtrack "Armageddon", 1998
- ArrivalArrival (Journey album)-Japanese Edition:-Personnel:*Neal Schon - lead guitar, backing vocals*Ross Valory - bass, backing vocals*Jonathan Cain - keyboards, backing vocals*Deen Castronovo - drums, backing vocals*Steve Augeri - lead vocals-External links:*...
(2001) - Red 13Red 13-Personnel:* Steve Augeri – lead vocals* Neal Schon – guitars, vocals* Ross Valory – bass, vocals* Jonathan Cain – keyboards, guitar, vocals* Deen Castronovo – drums, percussion, vocals-External links:**...
(EP - 2002) - Generations (2005)