Steve Perry Reunites with Journey at Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony - But Does Not Perform

Karen Mizoguchi
Updated

Journey fans have stopped believing in a reunion performance.

The American rock band was joined by former lead singer Steve Perry at Friday evening’s Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.

Perry, 68, was there with former bandmates Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Steve Smith and Ross Valory, along with current lead singer Arnel Pineda, who was not included in the band’s honor.

Train’s Pat Monahan inducted them with kind words. “Tonight I’m here to live out a life-long dream, to induct the heart of San Francisco music into the rock hall,” he said before nah nah nah-ing part of “Lovin’, Touchin’, Squeezin’.”

“To Steve Perry, you’re one of a kind. You’re one in a million,” Schon complimented Perry, who returned the favor by mentioning “the magic fingers of Schon’s guitar.”

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In addition, Perry thanked the fans: “You put us here. We would not be here had it not been for you and your tireless love and consistent devotion. You never have stopped. I’ve been gone a long time, I understand that, but I want you to know that you’ve never not been in my heart.”

Though attendees and fans rejoiced at the Journey reunion on stage, many were disappointed when Perry did not participate in the band’s three-song performance - “Separate Ways,” “Lights” and “Don’t Stop Believin'” - that even featured early era members and the night’s inductees, Aynsley Dunbar and Gregg Rolie.

After the induction, Perry did not join the rest of the band to meet the press backstage.

But a bit of good news: Perry and Pineda had their first-ever meeting. “It means the world to me.. waited 35 years for this moment,” Pineda captioned a photo of the pair hugging it out.

One of the sweetest hug you can ever get from one of my heroes and silent mentors..it means the world to me..waited 35 years for this moment..thank you Almighty God!! #TheVoice #StevePerry #oneofthemostmemorable #maximumblessings Thank you so much Mr Steve Perry for your priceless words and graciousness.. @taratogs @curachalang @yulsession @journeymusicofficial You made it happen @yulsession Thank you for making this Fateful and Blessed Meeting with THE VOICE #StevePerry #youwillalwaysbetheOne #zhofallangngfezlak #mayey

A post shared by arnel c. pineda (@arnelpineda2007) on Apr 7, 2017 at 5:25pm PDT

Hours before the start of the ceremony, a rep for Journey told Entertainment Weekly, “We have just spoken with Steve Perry’s manager and he confirmed to us that he will NOT be performing tonight.”

Perry last performed with Journey back in 1991, but sang on their 1996 studio album, Trial By Fire. He officially left the band in 1998; since 2007, Pineda has done vocals for the group.

The Rock Hall also inducted Joan Baez, Electric Light Orchestra, Yes, Tupac Shakur, and Pearl Jam.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Induction ceremony will be broadcast on HBO April 29 at 8:00 pm ET/PT.

This article was originally published on PEOPLE.com