Kevin Chalfant

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Kevin Chalfant is a singer/songwriter and a native of Streator, Illinois. He obtained a BMI award for co-writing and singing on one of the most frequently aired rock radio hits of 1992 and 1993 (“I’ve Got A Lot To Learn About Love” by The Storm). He was the voice of the legendary Alan Parsons Project during its later years.

1 707
2 The Storm
3 Journey prologue is passed
4 Following the star, coming full circle
5 Links

[edit] 707

Chalfant's first national success came when he joined AOR group 707 in 1982. With Chalfont on lead vocals, the band enjoyed its biggest hit, Mega Force, which peaked at #12 on Billboard's album chart. That success, however, was not enough to assuage internal conflicts and the group disbanded before a follow-up could be recorded.

[edit] The Storm

Chalfant later formed The Storm in 1990 with former Journey members Ross Valory (bass), Gregg Rolie (keys) and Steve Smith (drums). Journey was a multi-platinum band that was itself no stranger to internal conflict, and had undergone several personnel changes over the years. Early vocalist/keyboardist Rolie had left to pursue a solo career in 1980, and Valory and Smith had been replaced in the studio and on tour in 1986. Chalfant and Valory had dabbled in the studio with a side band called The Vu (pronounced "The View"), as the mega-band's turmoil simmered and its next step was considered. By 1989, Journey had splintered completely into a series of solo projects and side bands, and The Storm started brewing.

Released by Interscope Records, The Storm surged to the number three slot on the Billboard album chart. The band's first single, “I’ve Got A Lot To Learn About Love,” hit the national Top 10.

When it came time to release the second Storm album in 1993, however, the band found their label, Interscope, entrenched in the burgeoning rap scene. The band's sophomore effort, "The Eye Of The Storm," was not released until 1996, and by then the winds powering The Storm had died out.

[edit] Journey prologue is passed

By 1994, Journey had been on a nearly eight-year hiatus, and the late-70s lineup was poised to regroup, minus singer Steve Perry, who was in the midst of releasing a second solo album. Chalfant stepped in to tackle Perry's parts for a live performance in San Francisco, and the result proved to be a good fit. He was invited to formally join the band, and Chalfant began writing material with Rolie, Neal Schon, and Jonathan Cain in anticipation of a full album and tour. By 1995, however, Journey's stars had realigned yet again, and Steve Perry returned for a brief, Grammy-nominated reunion of their early-80s lineup instead, leaving Rolie, Ramos and Chalfant suddenly on their own again.

[edit] Following the star, coming full circle

Chalfant relocated back to his native Illinois and took a couple of years off. Upon his return to music, he has brought his spirituality 1 into the fore. In 2003, he toured as the lead singer for the Alan Parsons Project. Chalfant released an album of traditional gospel songs and hymns, "Back To Square One", with proceeds going to benefit former Chicago Bear, Jerry Stillman. A Christmas CD featuring fans caroling along with Chalfant and his band was released in December, 2005.

Chalfant is currently signed as the lead singer for Kansas City AOR favorite Shooting Star. Their seventh album, "Circles" (2006), marked his debut with the band. The music Chalfant recorded with 707 and The Storm is currently in the process of being re-released and will soon be available on Chalfant's web site, along with his European-distributed Two Fires recordings and his most recent pair of albums.

Kevin is also in the midst of producing the debut album for the highly popular Illinois Valley rock band, Fickles Lot.