The world mourns the loss of the oldest known conjoined twins, Lori and George Schappell, who both passed away at the age of 62 in their Pennsylvania hometown.
Born on September 18, 1961, in Reading, Pennsylvania, Lori and George shared a rare connection, being conjoined at the skull while having separate bodies. They were linked by 30% of their brains and essential blood vessels.
Their incredible life journey came to a close on April 7 at the University of Pennsylvania Hospital in Philadelphia, as noted in their obituary. The specific cause of their passing has not been revealed.
George, who lived with spina bifida, used a mobility device for assistance, while Lori facilitated their movements by pushing and guiding his rolling stool. Their form of conjoined twins is exceptionally rare, affecting only about 2% to 6% of cases of congenital twins, according to NBC Today.
In a landmark moment for their lives, George transitioned in 2007, making them the first same-sex conjoined twins to identify as different genders, as recognized by Guinness World Records. During their trip to London in 2011 to celebrate their 50th birthday, George shared insights about his journey with The Sun, stating: “I knew from a very young age that I was supposed to be a boy”.
Both Lori and George completed their education at the Hiram G. Andrews Center and later worked at Reading Hospital. Despite their physical connection, they each pursued their own passions and hobbies. George followed his love for music as a country singer, captivating audiences globally, while Lori thrived as an accomplished bowler.
Remarkably, the Schappells enjoyed an independent lifestyle since turning 24. Initially, they lived in a care facility, then transitioned to a two-bedroom apartment where they each had their own space. They highlighted the significance of privacy, emphasizing that even with their physical bond, they found ways to enjoy solitude when needed
“Would we ever separate? Absolutely not”, George stated in a 1997 documentary: “My theory is, why fix what isn’t broken?”
Lori echoed this sentiment in a 2002 interview with the Los Angeles Times, saying: “I don’t believe in separation”. Our heartfelt condolences go out to the family and friends of Lori and George during this challenging time.
During the live performance of Journey’s “Don’t Stop Believin’” in 1981, Steve Perry’s vocals were truly phenomenal
In 1981, Steve Perry of Journey delivered a live performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” that cemented his reputation as one of the greatest singers in history. Earlier that year, the song had become a worldwide sensation. During a 1981 concert in Houston, Texas, the band showcased their exceptional talent on this now iconic track.
Perry’s vocal delivery on this song is strikingly smooth and almost ethereal, capturing the magnetic presence of a rock star that electrifies the audience. Observers often comment that Perry’s live performance surpasses his studio recordings in its raw intensity and finesse. For an even better experience, you can watch an HD remaster of Journey’s 1981 Houston performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” on their official YouTube channel.
With 274 million views, this live performance is one of Journey’s most popular videos, ranking third overall on their YouTube channel and number one among their live recordings. The footage comes from their Escape Tour, which supported their seventh studio album, Escape.
Journey played two shows in Houston on November 5 and 6, 1981, but it remains unclear which night “Don’t Stop Believin’” was recorded. The band was clearly in top form during the Escape tour, as evidenced by the popularity of “Who’s Crying Now”, which was also recorded in Houston and was the second most viewed live performance on their YouTube channel.
Fans praised the performance with comments like “No auto-tune, no backing tracks, just exceptional musicianship” and “Steve Perry sings like he’s effortlessly passing a test without studying”. The reaction underscores the awe and admiration for Journey’s live rendition of “Don’t Stop Believin’” in Houston.
The song reached top ten status both in the US and internationally, eventually becoming Journey’s most consistent hit, with 18 platinum awards in the US.
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