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 with class. Says Jeff "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". [1]

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
• 2002 - Humanimal - Humanimal
• 2003 - Talisman - Cats and Dogs
• 2005 - Soul Sirkus - World Play
• 2005 - Talisman - Five Men Live
• 2006 - Talisman - 7