Journey’s Remarkable New Lead Singer

[FLICKOFLASH]

It defied logic when ’80s rock band Journey recently offered the job of vocalist to Arnel Pineda, a 40-year-old father of three from the Philippines’ Quezon City. Frontman for a Filipino rock and cover band called the Zoo, Pineda had played little more than dimly lit small- and medium-sized rock clubs in his homeland when he received the phone call that made him Journey’s third singer since original vocalist Steve Perry left in the late ’90s.

Impressed by footage of Pineda performing Journey covers on YouTube, longstanding Journey guitarist Neal Schon contacted Pineda in August of ’07 and flew him to California to audition for the job.

“I was frustrated about not having a singer,” Schon has said, “so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found the Zoo, and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted. After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true. I thought, ‘he can’t be that good.’”

In December, Journey publicly announced that Pineda was their new vocalist and that they’d embark on a world tour. Hired out of obscurity, Pineda will soon find himself performing before global audiences.

Some may call it luck, but Pineda was prepared for this opportunity. His mother, a tailor who died when he was 13, groomed him to begin performing at age 11—after two years of in-house rehearsal—as a contestant in local singing competitions. He went pro at 15, initially performing in malls and eventually in nearly every music venue in the Philippines. Only in mid-life did he begin to study technique and take voice lessons.
It’ll be a lot of hard work on my part," Pineda said in a statement. "I’m actually looking forward to the scrutiny I’ll get from the hardcore Journey fans. I know they’ll expect me to sound exactly like the voice, but that will never happen. There’s only one Steve Perry in this world.”

Pineda’s soaring tenor will revisit Journey’s legacy, and then some—the quintet is currently working on a new CD with Pineda on vocals; due out in July 2008. They’re also expected to tour early this year.

In an interview with Pineda shortly after Journey’s announcement, he grinned and said, “If my mom was alive today, she would be so proud of me.”


YouTube - Journey - Don't Stop Believing (The Zoo)

 

[WildeStarr]

they need to get Steve Perry back, anyone else is just a fill in. I have heard that Steve can't sing that well anymore like he used to, not sure if that is true or not.

 

[dizmal]

It defied logic when ’80s rock band Journey recently offered the job of vocalist to Arnel Pineda, a 40-year-old father of three from the Philippines’ Quezon City. Frontman for a Filipino rock and cover band called the Zoo, Pineda had played little more than dimly lit small- and medium-sized rock clubs in his homeland when he received the phone call that made him Journey’s third singer since original vocalist Steve Perry left in the late ’90s.

Impressed by footage of Pineda performing Journey covers on YouTube, longstanding Journey guitarist Neal Schon contacted Pineda in August of ’07 and flew him to California to audition for the job.

“I was frustrated about not having a singer,” Schon has said, “so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found the Zoo, and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted. After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true. I thought, ‘he can’t be that good.’”

In December, Journey publicly announced that Pineda was their new vocalist and that they’d embark on a world tour. Hired out of obscurity, Pineda will soon find himself performing before global audiences.

Some may call it luck, but Pineda was prepared for this opportunity. His mother, a tailor who died when he was 13, groomed him to begin performing at age 11—after two years of in-house rehearsal—as a contestant in local singing competitions. He went pro at 15, initially performing in malls and eventually in nearly every music venue in the Philippines. Only in mid-life did he begin to study technique and take voice lessons.
It’ll be a lot of hard work on my part," Pineda said in a statement. "I’m actually looking forward to the scrutiny I’ll get from the hardcore Journey fans. I know they’ll expect me to sound exactly like the voice, but that will never happen. There’s only one Steve Perry in this world.”

Pineda’s soaring tenor will revisit Journey’s legacy, and then some—the quintet is currently working on a new CD with Pineda on vocals; due out in July 2008. They’re also expected to tour early this year.

In an interview with Pineda shortly after Journey’s announcement, he grinned and said, “If my mom was alive today, she would be so proud of me.”


YouTube - Journey - Don't Stop Believing (The Zoo)

wow this is very much like a movie i just watched todays ago, it was called rock star and had mark wehlberg, jennifer aniston and good old zakk wylde. Its the with the video,instead of being on youtube (set back in the 80's) 2 friends that were groupies of this band(steel dragon) shot a vid and handed it to the band members and was casted, a very good movie, suggesting everyone to watch it!

 

[LPCollector]

This guy is good!
He has Steve's tones, but it seems like he was trying to add his own inflections in that YouTube video.
I used to work for Journey. I guarantee Journey's manager and business partner Herbie Herbert wont let the new singer fluctuate from the recording in the least little bit. Herbie is an ass to the "little people".
Mark

 

[NewtoyLPVM]

You be the judge: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HjcCzgCCX0&feature=related]YouTube - Journey - Faithfully (Cover by The Zoo)[/ame]

 

[lp59aholicDon]

For guys who have been to the Phillippines, there are TONS of outstanding guys who can nail/ imitate bout anyone you can think of thats worth their salt as a musician The Cover bands that would play in the clubs outside the Naval base at Subic were even many times far better than what you could find in Manila's best clubs . Right after HS , I did tech work for a a mostly Filapino Band in Saipan who had formed and been brought from Guam. These guys were dubbed THE Best band in GUam, and had lines two blocks long on Friday and Saturday nights to come hear them play, They had an escape door off the back of the stage , because local gals would try to pull their clothes off in one of Guams best night spots The bands name was BCC

 

[FLICKOFLASH]

YouTube - Journey's discovery of Arnel Pineda

 

[FLICKOFLASH]

YouTube - Journey Vocal comparison

 

[NewtoyLPVM]

When I did WESTPACs in the late seventies, there was a Rock/Hard Rock/Metal band at the Sierra Club in Olongapo city called Frictions. Oh my!

 

[WildeStarr]

For guys who have been to the Philippines, there are TONS of outstanding guys who can nail/ imitate bout anyone you can think of thats worth their salt as a musician The Cover bands that would play in the clubs outside the Naval base at Subic were even many times far better than what you could find in Manila's best clubs . Right after HS , I did tech work for a a mostly Filapino Band in Saipan who had formed and been brought from Guam. These guys were dubbed THE Best band in GUam, and had lines two blocks long on Friday and Saturday nights to come hear them play, They had an escape door off the back of the stage , because local gals would try to pull their clothes off in one of Guams best night spots The bands name was BCC

I have been there. Dad is a retired Navy Captain. We were in Japan (NAF Atsugi) in the mid 70's and we went to the Philippines for a few weeks vacation.

 

[b-squared]

This guy is awesome. He'll do well.

Like others here, I saw many bands in Angeles City (City of the Angels, ha) that were outstanding. Filipino bands do well on cruise ships and at resorts--they have some red-hot musicians.

I can't wait to see the tour!

BB

 

[coldsteal2]

That guy is AMAZING!! congrats!!! wow!!

Ive seen alot of amazing bands in the PI

 

[b-squared]

...Seen some other pretty amazing things there, as well...

BB

 

[WolfeMacleod]

YouTube - Journey Vocal comparison

They did a story about this on our local radio station's The Bob Rivers Show morning show several weeks ago. I think they hadJ Schon on the phone, too.

I really like this guy's vocal inflections. "Faithfully" has always "nearly" brought a tear to my eye, but Steve's vocal inflections never quite did it.
This guy does. His inflections are just a little more soulful than Steve's.
And I do like Steve's voice....

 

[ZoomZilla]

I think this guy sings better than Perry. When he does Boston songs, it almost sounds like he is not using a falsetto. He rocks!

 

[coldsteal2]

...Seen some other pretty amazing things there, as well...

BB

HEE HEE HEE

 

[coldsteal2]

I think this guy sings better than Perry. When he does Boston songs, it almost sounds like he is not using a falsetto. He rocks!

I think so to, without a doubt

 

[HolyGrail]

This guy is good!
He has Steve's tones, but it seems like he was trying to add his own inflections in that YouTube video.
I used to work for Journey. I guarantee Journey's manager and business partner Herbie Herbert wont let the new singer fluctuate from the recording in the least little bit. Herbie is an ass to the "little people".
Mark

Hi LPC,
That's odd . Herbie has always been great to me.
When they did " Dream after Dream " . I called Herbie & asked for
a copy and he sent me Journeys personal Album .

 

[madialex]

I got chills on the song faithfully. If he just changes his inflection and doesn't hold the notes on some parts I think he will be a dead ringer For Steve Perry. Not taking away from Perry, I don't think there will ever be anyone near his caliber.

 

[WildeStarr]

I think this guy sings better than Perry.