Posted on 03/26/2008 6:35:13 PM PDT by RockinRight
Legendary rockers Journey have hired a Filipino fan to front the band after parting ways with Jeff Scott Soto earlier this year.
The band discovered Arnel Pineda, from Quezon City in the Philippines via YouTube, when they saw footage of him singing Journey songs in his homeland with his band The Zoo.
Original frontman Steve Perry was replaced in 1998 with Steve Augeri who was forced to leave the band due to health problems.
But Pineda almost missed his dream job after initially assuming emails from guitarist Neal Schon were a hoax.
My friend Noel picked up the message on YouTube and told me it was from Neal. I thought it was a hoax so I ignored it. Noel said, what if it really was Neal and he wanted to offer you the chance of a lifetime? So I e-mailed Neal back and the rest is history.
The band are currently working on a new album with producer Kevin Shirley, tentatively scheduled for a spring/summer 2008 release.
OK - I know where that is.
The company I work for has an office in Rehoboth Beach.
Oh ok, may I ask what company?
Yeah, I clicked the Don’t Stop Believin’ link. He matches Steve Perry pretty closely.
OMG!!!!!!! This guy is good (ditch the band, but keep the singer) we’re BIG Journey fans in this house.
I can see new CDs being bought with this guy singing.
Actually, they are a great live band, even if you don't like their hit singles - Neal Schon gets to play solos...a lot. ;)
That guy’s got a great voice...
Needs to work on the accent a little, and Steve Perry he’s not, but pretty darn close.
You poor baby. (pat pat pat) I hated to see Steve Perry leave Journey too, but at least the Moody Blues are still together.
(please God, let it be forever)
Okay, in all fairness, he’s okay. Personally, I thought he had trouble with the tempo just a bit. That said, I’d like to hear him on “City by the Bay,” or whatever that song is called.
I was told long ago that the bar districts in the Philipines are chock full of talented mimics. If that’s true, finding a Steve Perry sound-alike there is no big deal.
My all-time favorite is the solo in Stone in love. Awesome!!
Guess they never heard or saw Gregg Rolie.
In 1985 I Saw a Philippino band in Olongapo at the club US Festival on Magsaysay Drive. If you closed your eyes you would have thought Journey was performing. I saw and heard a lot of good musicians and singers in Po city that month.
Thanks, sweetness!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TLurt26ne4
-Their new song...not bad!
Anyone see this guy on the pre-game show yesterday? I thought Journey was great and this guy was very likeable.
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