Sherrie Swafford, the former girlfriend of Steve Perry, the legendary singer of the rock band Journey, passed away on November 25, 2022, at the age of 66. She was a yoga instructor and an aesthetician who inspired Perry’s hit solo song “Oh Sherrie” in 1984. She also appeared in the music video of the song, which showcased their love and chemistry. Swafford’s death was due to natural causes, and she was buried in a private ceremony attended by her close friends and family.
A Brief Biography of Sherrie Swafford
Sherrie Swafford was born in 1956 in Shelby, North Carolina, USA. She was a very private person and did not reveal much about her early life, education, or family. She worked as a registered nurse, an aesthetician, and a yoga instructor. She met Steve Perry in the early 1980s and they started dating soon after. They were in a serious relationship for several years, and Perry even proposed to her, but she declined. They broke up in 1985, reportedly due to the stress of Perry’s musical career and the loss of his mother. Swafford never married or had children, and she preferred to stay away from the spotlight after her split with Perry. She maintained a low social media profile and did not talk about her personal life or relationship with Perry.
The Legacy of “Oh Sherrie”
“Oh Sherrie” was the first single from Steve Perry’s debut solo album Street Talk, released in 1984. The song was written by Perry, Randy Goodrum, Craig Krampf, and Bill Cuomo, and it was a tribute to Swafford, Perry’s girlfriend at the time. The song was a huge success, reaching number three on the Billboard Hot 100 and number one on the Mainstream Rock chart. The song also became a staple of Perry’s live performances, both with Journey and as a solo artist.
The music video of the song, directed by Jeff Stein, featured Swafford as Perry’s love interest. The video was a parody of the typical rock video clichés, such as smoke machines, lasers, and scantily clad women. The video showed Perry and Swafford in various scenes of romance and humor, such as kissing, dancing, and fighting. The video also had a meta twist, as it showed Perry breaking the fourth wall and interacting with the director and the crew. The video was nominated for two MTV Video Music Awards in 1985, for Best Male Video and Best Stage Performance.
The song and the video cemented Swafford’s status as Perry’s muse and one of the most iconic rock girlfriends of the 1980s. Many fans admired their relationship and hoped that they would get back together. However, Swafford and Perry remained friends after their breakup, and they respected each other’s privacy. Perry later said that he still loved Swafford and that she was “the one that got away”.
A Final Farewell to Sherrie Swafford
Sherrie Swafford’s death was a shock to many fans and friends of Steve Perry and Journey. Perry expressed his grief and condolences on his social media accounts, and he dedicated a song to her memory. He also thanked her for being his inspiration and his soulmate. Many other celebrities and musicians also paid tribute to Swafford and praised her beauty, grace, and spirit.
Sherrie Swafford will always be remembered as the woman who captured the heart of Steve Perry, one of the greatest rock singers of all time. She will also be remembered as the woman who inspired “Oh Sherrie”, one of the most memorable rock songs of the 1980s. She was a muse, a lover, and a friend, and she will be dearly missed by all who knew her.