Lemoore High alum and rock legend Steve Perry donates $10,000 to band program

Recently, another pair of his biggest fans, who tend to carry a bit of weight around these parts, Debbie Muro – the Lemoore Union High School superintendent and former mayor, Ray Madrigal – started a campaign to convince Perry, a 1967 LHS grad, to return to Lemoore and maybe, just maybe do a benefit concert.

It didn’t hurt that both Muro and Madrigal are also LHS grads – and huge fans of Perry, who rocketed to fame with the band Journey.

According to Muro, the campaign began when local a radio station DJ, KFUN’s Joey Perez, interviewed Madrigal and suggested that the former mayor might consider an effort to convince Perry to return to Lemoore and put on a show.

Steve Perry, who rocketed to rock and roll fame with Journey, is seen here in his 1967 yearbook photo.

Photo Courtesy Lemoore High School

“Ray contacted me, and we started petitions and a social media push,” said Muro. “Steve was aware of the campaign as I saw an interview where it was mentioned to him.”

The local effort to woo Perry started with a Facebook page and interviews with a local radio show, Bacon, Eggs, and Joey. The drive to influence Perry included community events where it collected signatures. Enthusiasts placed signs around town.

Lemoore High School, which runs a low-power FM station, hosted at least two live radio shows, interviewing staff and students. The school’s jazz band also played Journey songs.

"It's great to see Steve Perry continue to give back to our community," said Madrigal. "He is truly one of Lemoore's most distinguished graduates. His generosity will benefit Lemoore High students for years to come."

It turns out the legendary rocker heard all about the effort to return him to Lemoore when a national New York radio station DJ asked him about the campaign. A video of the radio show shows that Perry seemed surprised by the effort and somewhat humbled.

Interestingly, about two weeks ago, an anonymous donor contacted Lemoore’s principal, Rodney Brumit, asking him if the school was interested in a donation, something specifically for the school’s band program. It turns out the anonymous donor was a representative of Perry’s foundation.

So, while Perry hasn’t committed to a local concert, he has responded by committing to a $10,000 donation to the school’s band program, specifically for a new drum line.

Perry even picked up the phone Monday (May 27) and called Brumit. It turns out the Tigers’ principal admits he’s one of Perry’s biggest fans. It was an interesting call. “He (Perry) mentioned his band teacher, Jack Holman, and the influence he had on him as a young musician,” said Brumit. Holman was a longtime teacher who taught music, and at the end of his career was a well-respected English teacher.

“He said he gave Mr. Holman a signed copy of Evolution when it went platinum,” recalled Brumit. “At the end of the conversation, he told me that he was donating $10,000 to the band for a new drum line. We received the check and a letter from the Steve Perry Foundation today (May 30). The Lemoore High School Band is very humbled by Mr. Perry’s generosity. Lemoore High School is a special place.”

Interestingly enough Perry said he often visited Lemoore and cited the longtime principal, Ralph Peterson, whom he referred to as a legend, and who once “urged” him to get a haircut.

Based on this latest gesture from Perry, Lemoore fans might upgrade their effort to woo him to Lemoore. You never know: Don’t Stop Believin’.