Jeff Scott Soto

Jeff Scott Soto (born November 4, 1965, in Brooklyn, New York) is an American rock singer best known for being vocalist on Yngwie Malmsteen's first two albums. His style is typical of heavy metal vocalists of the 1980s, but he is also influenced by classic soul music singers such as Sam Cooke as well as Steve Perry of Journey and Freddie Mercury from Queen.

The bands Soto has been involved in included Axel Rudi Pell, Eyes, Talisman, Takara, Humanimal, Human Clay, Kryst The Conqueror, Redlist, The Boogie Knights and Soul Sirkus.

Jeff has sung background vocals on several albums by artists such as Lita Ford, Steelheart, Fergie Frederiksen, Glass Tiger, House Of Lords, Stryper, Saigon Kick, and many others.
He has released several solo albums as well.

Jeff also sang for the fictional band Steel Dragon, which featured Zakk Wylde, for the soundtrack of the movie Rock Star along with Michael Matijevic of the band Steelheart, whose second album featured Jeff on background vocals.

He has also sung lead vocals on an album inspired by the TV series Biker Mice From Mars.

In 2006, Soto replaced Steve Augeri in Journey due to an acute throat infection that caused Augeri to leave the tour. On December 19, Soto was confirmed as the official lead singer for Journey and a press release was posted on the band's official site. On June 12, 2007 it was announced on the same website that Journey had officially dismissed Jeff as their lead singer. Though Soto's fans met the dismissal with outrage, Soto himself addressed the issue by saying "I was looking forward to a long, prosperous future with these guys but it seems they wanted something different than I brought to the table. No love lost though, they know what's best for the preservation of their legacy. I wish them all the best but now it's time to continue working on my own path again".

Discography:

Solo albums

1994 - Love Parade
2002 - Holding On (EP)
2002 - Prism
2003 - JSS Live at the Gods (live)
2004 - Believe in Me (EP)
2004 - Lost In The Translation
2006 - Essential Ballads

Lead Vocals

1984 - Yngwie Malmsteen - Rising Force
1985 - Yngwie Malmsteen's Rising Force - Marching Out
1988 - Kuni - Lookin' For Action
1989 - Kryst the Conqueror - Deliver Us From Evil (Credited as Kryst the Conqueror)
1990 - Eyes - Eyes
1990 - Talisman - Talisman
1991 - Skrapp Mettle - Sensitive
1992 - Axel Rudi Pell - Eternal Prisoner
1993 - Axel Rudi Pell - The Ballads
1993 - Talisman - Genesis
1993 - Takara - Eternal Faith
1993 - Eyes - Windows Of The Soul
1993 - Biker Mice From Mars - Original Soundtrack
1994 - Axel Rudi Pell - Between The Walls
1994 - Talisman - Five Out Of Five (Live In Japan)
1994 - Talisman - Humanimal
1994 - Talisman - Humanimal Part II
1994 - Gary Schutt - Sentimetal
1995 - Takara - Taste of Heaven
1995 - Axel Rudi Pell - Made In Germany (Live)
1995 - Talisman - Life
1996 - Axel Rudi Pell - Black Moon Pyramid
1996 - Human Clay - Human Clay
1996 - Talisman - BESTerious (Compilation)
1996 - Talisman - Best of... (Compilation, differenat from above)
1996 - Yngwie Malmsteen - Inspiration
1997 - Axel Rudi Pell - Magic
1997 - Human Clay - u4ia
1997 - The Boogie Knights - Welcome To The Jungle Boogie
1998 - Takara - Blind in Paradise
1998 - Takara - Eternity: Best of 93 - 98 (Compilation)
1998 - Talisman - Truth
2001 - Steel Dragon - Rock Star Original Movie Soundtrack (Various Artists)
2002 - Humanimal - Humanimal
2003 - Talisman - Cats and Dogs
2005 - Soul Sirkus - World Play
2005 - Talisman - Five Men Live
2006 - Talisman - 7