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Steve Perry Tribute Singer Hugo Valenti Joins Journey Onstage in Fukuoka, Japan

August 31, 2026

Journey in concert at PNC Bank Arts Center

Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain called longtime Steve Perry tribute vocalist Hugo Valenti up to the stage on August 29, 2026, during the band’s set at the first-ever Greatest Rock event in Fukuoka, Japan. Valenti sang “Faithfully” with Journey, nearly three decades after he was briefly in contention to become the band’s lead singer when Perry left in 1998.

Cain told the Fukuoka crowd: “We’ve got a special treat for you tonight. He’s comin’ all the way from New Jersey to visit Japan, and I thought we’d have him sing a song for you tonight.”
Valenti has fronted Journey tribute acts for 21 years, starting Voyage in 2005 (now led by Pedro Espada) before forming Hugo, The Ultimate Journey Tribute.
Five different vocalists handled lead vocals across Journey’s 20-song Fukuoka set.
Night Ranger also performed at the inaugural Greatest Rock event.

How Hugo Valenti Almost Became Journey’s Singer in 1998

When Steve Perry exited Journey in 1998, Valenti was briefly considered as a possible replacement. He told Melodic Net in 2007 that Sony executive John Kalodner called to tell him Perry was out of the band and that he was preparing to fly to Los Angeles to meet and rehearse with the group.

Valenti has said the plan fell apart because his likeness to Perry was seen as a liability for the band moving forward. Journey ultimately hired Steve Augeri instead.

Guitarist Neal Schon backed up that account in a 2003 interview with Melodicrock.com, saying Valenti’s video appearance struck him as too close to Perry’s own look and calling the resemblance “weird.” Schon added that he considered Augeri the more compelling vocalist at the time. Valenti’s own website says he was told directly that he resembled Perry too closely to take over the role.

Five Singers Shared the Mic at Journey’s Fukuoka Set

Journey spread lead vocal duties across five performers during their 20-song Fukuoka performance. Arnel Pineda handled the bulk of the set, drummer Deen Castronovo took the lead on “Lights” and “Anytime” (with Cain joining in on the latter), and keyboardist Jason Derlatka sang “Of a Lifetime” and “Suzanne” before Valenti closed out the guest-vocal rotation with “Faithfully.”

Journey Setlist, Greatest Rock, Fukuoka, Japan, August 29, 2026

“Be Good to Yourself”
“Stone in Love”
“Ask the Lonely”
“Only the Young”
“Lights”
“Of a Lifetime”
“La Do Da”
“Escape”
“Chain Reaction”
“Dead or Alive”
“Anytime”
“Who’s Crying Now”
“Open Arms”
“Suzanne”
“Wheel in the Sky”
“Faithfully”
“Don’t Stop Believin'”
“Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin'”
“Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)”
“Any Way You Want It”

Fans React to Valenti’s Cameo

Footage of the moment circulated widely on social media, with some viewers reportedly convinced they were watching an actual reunion with Steve Perry rather than a tribute performer. Others speculated that Valenti’s appearance might have doubled as a trial run for a future Journey lineup without Pineda, who has previously taken part in a Journey tribute show himself.

What’s Next for Hugo Valenti and Journey

Valenti’s group, Hugo, The Ultimate Journey Tribute, is set to play September 11 at Sinatra Park in Hoboken, New Jersey. Journey, meanwhile, is scheduled to pick its Final Frontier farewell tour back up in North America on September 12 and continue through November 28, 2026.

Journey Final Frontier Tour Dates, 2026

September 12: Los Angeles, CA, Crypto.com Arena
September 14: San Diego, CA, Pechanga Arena San Diego
September 15: Phoenix, AZ, Mortgage Matchup Center
September 17: Stockton, CA, Adventist Health Arena
September 19: Portland, OR, Veterans Memorial Coliseum
September 21: Seattle, WA, Climate Pledge Arena
September 24: Edmonton, AB, Rogers Place
September 26: Calgary, AB, Scotiabank Saddledome
September 27: Saskatoon, SK, SaskTel Centre
September 29: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Life Centre
October 2: Grand Forks, ND, Alerus Center
October 4: St. Paul, MN, Grand Casino Arena
October 5: Chicago, IL, United Center
October 8: Tulsa, OK, BOK Center
October 10: San Antonio, TX, Frost Bank Center
October 12: Biloxi, MS, Mississippi Coast Coliseum
October 13: Birmingham, AL, Legacy Arena at the BJCC
October 16: Sunrise, FL, Amerant Bank Arena
October 17: Orlando, FL, Kia Center
October 19: Atlanta, GA, State Farm Arena
October 21: Nashville, TN, Bridgestone Arena
October 22: Louisville, KY, KFC Yum! Center
October 24: Baltimore, MD, CFG Bank Arena
October 25: Newark, NJ, Prudential Center
October 28: Philadelphia, PA, Xfinity Mobile Arena
October 29: Providence, RI, Amica Mutual Pavilion
November 2: Detroit, MI, Little Caesars Arena
November 4: Toronto, ON, Scotiabank Arena
November 6: Wilkes-Barre, PA, Mohegan Arena at Casey Plaza
November 7: Uniondale, NY, Nassau Veterans Memorial Coliseum
November 10: Boston, MA, TD Garden
November 12: Cleveland, OH, Rocket Arena
November 14: Greenville, SC, Bon Secours Wellness Arena
November 16: St. Louis, MO, Enterprise Center
November 18: Houston, TX, Toyota Center
November 20: Dallas, TX, American Airlines Center
November 22: Denver, CO, Ball Arena
November 24: Anaheim, CA, Honda Center
November 27: Las Vegas, NV, MGM Grand Garden Arena
November 28: San Francisco, CA, Chase Center

More Info

Watch Longtime Steve Perry Impersonator Hugo Valenti Finally Guest With Journey | Rolling Stone
Steve Perry Lookalike Sings with Journey in Japan: Videos, Set List | ultimateclassicrock.com
Journey performed in Japan with Steve Perry’s doppelgänger | chaoszine.net

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