Journey Finds a New Lead Singer, and He’s Filipino ... and He’s Good
His name is Arnel Pineda. First things first — watch this video of him singing Journey’s hit “Faithfully” (backed up by his Filipino band The Zoo):
Hat-tip to C4Chaos for his post “Journey Welcomes Arnel Pineda with Open Arms,” with this fascinating backstory about why guitarist Schon is swooning over a Filipino singer:
Filipinos are hopeless romantics who love music. That’s why ballads are big hits in the Philippines. Journey [was] one of the biggest bands in the Philippines when I was growing up. I remember listening to Journey songs on the radio, in restaurants, in buses, tricycles, and jeepneys. I bet people could still hear Journey songs playing in the background if they take a bus from Alabang to Lawton. Journey songs are that ubiquitous.
That’s why when I’ve heard that Journey’s new lead singer is a Filipino, I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to give it a shout out. Hataw!
Here’s the inspiring background story: Arnel Pineda is the lead singer of the band called THE ZOO. They do Journey cover songs in their gigs and have their videos posted on Youtube. One day Journey’s guitarist Neal Schon was on the look out for a new lead singer. In a Blabbermouth article, Schon said:
“I was frustrated about not having a singer, 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.’ But he is that good, he’s the real deal and so tremendously talented. Arnel doesn’t sound synthetic and he’s not emulating anyone. I tried to get a hold of him through YouTube and I finally heard from him that night, but it took some convincing to get him to believe that it really was me and not an imposter.”
As an aside, I’d love to know how Schon finally convinced him.
Don’t miss the YouTube videos of Arnel Pineda singing the Journey hits “Open Arms” and “Don’t Stop Believing.” The guy certainly has a great voice, and does an incredible Steve Perry. I got chills listening to his version of “Faithfully” above.
Of course, if the band is going to really thrive in its new incarnation, Pineda needs to be able help write great new music, as well. Can he? I haven’t listened much to The Zoo’s original songs on YouTube because the sound quality hurts pretty bad; I find it more distracting for new songs than for familiar tunes.
Here’s more from the Blabbermouth article cited above:
“Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to JOURNEY,” continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain. “His personality is very well-suited to our music. He’s a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart. I think fans are really going to love him. With Arnel’s soaring tenor, JOURNEY returns to our heritage sound.”
Schon agrees, “We feel reborn. I think there’s a lot of chemistry between the five of us. At first we were going to go into the studio and just write four songs, but now it’s escalated to a lot of great new and diverse material. The stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone’s so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel.”
I believe it. In the “Don’t Stop Believing” video beneath the article, I see a guileless sincerity in Pineda’s face that really fits with Journey’s soul as a band.
It will certainly be interesting to see what they’ve come up with. I wish them the best of luck. It would be fantastic to see Journey have a second run of success.
Amazing. He has awesome voice quality =] I’m Filipino myself, but I grew up in Saudi Arabia. I have no idea what’s going on in the Philippines. I can’t wait to go back there! =] I’m in love with his vooooice ^_^
Do I see a Youtube trend here? Just watch this guy belting out audience requested songs at Hard Rock Cafe in Manila. He was “discovered” the same way as Charice Pempengco and now he’s the new Journey frontman. Freakin uncanny. Enjoy you guys.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6HjcCzgCCX0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HMW-CQ1brX0
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTMK-vesLWU
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q1NoFk5sVVE
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dbhKHyoy4S4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KiGITj1pZXw&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sLHOQz8N8Gk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pf-2Rk_uIPU&feature=related
Check out his composition.. “Free Bird” and “Its Over”...
i’ve seen this guy sing in the strip of olongapo back in da days i was in the military. he was with this group (amo band) at club cal jam. i had my eyes
close all sober when i heard a voice that sounds like steve perry. i thougt
it was journey actually. when i look, it was a young boy on stage. i said to myself this guy hopefully will go a long way. that was 1987, it went a long
way alright, but this time it’s for real. those were the best years of my life, it brings back a lot of memories. good luck to you bro! peace out.
As far as the nationality of arnel pineda keeps getting so much attention I dont see the big deal;weather hes hispanic ,african american,or chinese ,what does that have to do with anything.Incase most of you didnt know; steve perry is portugese and Im sure theres probably a lot of proud portugese that dont feel the need to mention that fact every chance they can as if its some rare thing portugese can sing.Hes a person first I dont know what race has to do with anything.
I strongly believe there are other people out there who could sing much better than Arnel, looking for a good break and waiting to be discovered. But right now, the timing is so right for Arnel, its like “it was really meant to be”, he is so lucky as his voice was the right key for Journey’s “notes”, it suit’s the journey sound well. He is such a lucky guy whom can truly replicates SP’s voice very well.. Come to think of it, Arnel is so talented, I’ve seen his other clips, he’s truly good, you can feel the power of his voice within, it can move soul just by the sound of it.
I have read his biography from wilkipedia and honestly I was moved by his life-background, such a heart whelming story.
Well, you now got your chance to make things better for you, and for journey’s fans as well.
To all Journey’s fans out there let us give him a chance, he deserve it, his voice could testify.
Finally, I hope he would do better and would stay humble throughout his journey in his career..
Go man! prove yourself to the world and show them what you’ve got..
Good luck.
hearing him sings brings me to memory lane.
what a powerfull voice... so gifted with emotion and soul.
Life is a Journey...
I used to live in HK and I saw Arnel sing every weekend at a bar called Grammy’s - he was fantastic then as I am sure he is still fantastic. Knew he would make it one day - he’s an awesome guy and friend. Lisa, Karen, Charmaine and Debbie
I coudn’t believe that Journey is back and has a singer so much like the voice of Steve Perry. I am a fans of Journey back in the old days, and Steve Perry’s voice is some what very different from other singers. I’m glad they have a new singer and very suited to the Journey’s type of songs. I wish they will have a concert here in the Philippines, I would gladly be there to witness it. Journey...your beautiful.
I’m a huge journey fan. I listen to their music all the time. I always thought that no one can replace Perry until now. Arnel sounds like Perry but he also has his own distinct voice. All I can say is that Arnel is awsome and good luck to the band.
Man, this guy sounds more like Steve Perry than Steve Perry ever did, if that’s possible. Absolutely incredible performance, and some big shoes to fill. Sitting here watching a Journey concert on VH1 Classic, as skeptical as I was when I saw it was coming on tonight, I’m definitely amazed at how well he rolls these songs out as though he was the one that did them in the first place.
AMAZING, AMAZING... just saw Journey in Denver last night, going to Vegas to see them again next week. The guy is a fire and he is bringing it back. Great feel good story, you go man, rock it out! To: dianalynn, your correct, Race should not matter! But it’s America and as Cornell West has said, RACE DOES MATTER! it’s just how it is. It is awesome for him, his family, his race and country. Living in his shoes, he never imaged either from his race, that he would be the lead singer of a major Rock Band, with a 99 percent white race fan base. Hey but It is, what it is! And what is, is that the guy rocks, and I’m a reborn again Rocker! Rock On! He Rocked it out last night, people were walking to their cars talking about this guy and how they have not been to a concert like that in years. Bring it back Journey.... finally a major concert worth the cost of the ticket!