Classic rockers Journey [ tickets ] have stripped the word "temporary" from singer Jeff Scott Soto's nametag, tabbing him as permanent replacement for Steve Augeri.

Soto had been filling in for Augeri--who had been the band's singer since the late-'90s departure of original Journey frontman Steve Perry--since June, when Augieri departed the group's summer tour with Def Leppard after suffering a vocal ailment.

"We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to Journey," the group said in a prepared statement. "We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors."

The group had left the door open for Augeri's possible return following his departure from the tour, with a spokesman saying earlier this year that the singer's condition would be "closely monitored by his physician to determine when he may be able to rejoin the tour."

Augeri will continue to work on his debut solo album, according to the group. The disc, to be titled "In the Moment," is due out next summer.

"With delight and pleasure, I am accepting the offer to continue my tenure with Journey now as their permanent vocalist after the amazing past months we've spent together on tour," Soto said in a press release. "I also pay high respect to Steve Augeri for coming in and helping Journey continue their legacy for nearly the last decade and to Steve Perry for co-creating this legacy. I hope to now add and help drive Journey into the next stage of this band's future."

Perry sang on the band's best-known songs, which include a string of late-'70s and early '80s hits such as "Don't Stop Believin'," "Wheel in the Sky," "Any Way You Want It" and "Open Arms." "Remember Me," a song that Journey contributed to the 1998 soundtrack for the film "Armageddon," was the band's first release to feature Augieri.

Soto, who got his start fronting guitarist Yngwie Malmsteen's band in the mid-'80s, previously worked with Journey guitarist Neal Schon in a side project dubbed Soul SirkUS. He has spent a number of years helming the group Talisman, and has also released several solo albums.

Journey plans to launch a major European tour in March. The full itinerary can be found at Journey's official website.