A Journey Back

New Lead Singer Helps Bring Legendary Rock Group Back On The Road

(CBS)  Journey has sold more than 70 million records over the years. Now the band is hoping to make the journey back to the top of the charts with the help of a new recruit. John Blackstone has "A Summer Song":

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After thirty years, isn't this too much?

"No, it's not enough," Neal Schon told Blackstone. "We keep looking for more, you know."

They sound just like they did in their 1980's heyday - same licks, same lyrics - but Journey is back with an unlikely lead singer they found … in the Philippines.

"I saw the people, it's like humongous people!" said Arnel Pineda of his first gig with the legendary group. "Like, 'Can I just go home and you know, just give me a ticket back to the Philippines'?"

Forty-year-old Pineda isn't going back home any time soon. And starting next week, he'll be seeing a lot more crowds like this one in Las Vegas when Journey embarks on a worldwide tour … a new journey.

"It's all brand new with this new friend," said bassist Ross Valory. "But it's also like we've returned to where we left off at the same time. It's just easy and comfortable.

"We got the magic back," he said.

Valory remembers Journey in its stone-washed denim, pin-up prime, selling out stadiums and scoring eight multi-platinum albums … all on the soaring tenor of singer Steve Perry.

But when Perry needed a hip replacement in 1996, the band says it waited well over a year for him to have surgery. When he didn't, they replaced him.

It was a split that remains painful, says Schon.

"I've been trying to call him for a long time and he just does not wanta speak. And so we go through channels. We have to go through attorneys, which is really a drag. I'd love to just be able to pick up the telephone and say, 'Hey how ya' doin'? Are you comin' with new music?' I'd love to hear his voice again."

And Journey's fans treasured Perry's voice, too. The two other lead singers who joined in the past decade never captured the Perry magic.

So last summer, when the band's 1981 signature hit "Don't Stop Believin'" closed the much-anticipated finale of HBO's "The Sopranos," viewers were left wondering not only what happened to Tony but, "What ever happened to Journey?"

Deen Castranovo said he was driven nuts by not having a singer and being able to go out on the road. "I couldn't take it. I was goin' crazy."

In desperation Neal Schon hit the information super-highway, searching for a voice that could take Journey into the future by doing justice to its past.

"I think what we were looking for was the legacy sound," Schon said. "It's a tenor voice, you know, with soul and emotion and able to sing a ballad."

Where did he find that voice? On Youtube.

After two days of surfing, he stumbled on a video of Arnel Pineda singing with The Zoo, a cover band in the Philippines, mimicking everybody from Sting to Led Zeppelin.

But when he did Journey's "Faithfully," it was a revelation.

Schon picked up the phone immediately and called keyboardist Jonathan Cain.

"It was 12:00 at night," Cain recalled. "I had a couple of glasses of wine in me. And I was like, 'You gotta be kiddin' me, Neal, right now?' He goes, 'Right now, go to the computer!'"

"Go!" Schon laughed.

"I went," said Cain.

Pineda couldn't believe it when he got a phone call from his American idols: "I was like, 'Are you really Neal Schon? Can I see you on webcam?'"

Schon asked Pineda to fly to the U.S. for an audition. But when he applied for a visa, Pineda didn't expect to be auditioning for the immigration officer, too.

"So you go in and tell them, what?" Blackstone asked. "My reason for going to the United States is …"

"An audition for Journey," Pineda said. "And they went like, 'Really? Journey, as in Journey the band?' And then he asked me if I happened to know 'Wheel in the Sky.' Of course, I know that. And I just sang it right away, and everybody there looked up at me. They were so surprised - 'Woah, what is he singing for?'"

"Anyway, it helped the paperwork come along," Schon said.

Journey's stamp of approval came almost as fast. The band says it knew right away Pineda possessed not just the voice, but the emotion and soul their songs needed. What they wouldn't discover, until later, was why.

"Since I was five years old, when my mom was still alive, she would just call me," Pineda said. "And we would listen to the radio with Barbra Streisand and Karen Carpenter, and she would ask me to sing with her."

His parents were both tailors, and Arnel, the oldest of four boys, always knew when his father walked towards him with a tape measure, it meant new clothes for another singing contest.

"No! No! No! No contest for me!" Pineda laughed. "I hated it because I'm so shy. I can only sing really loud when I'm beside my mother."

But Pineda's mother died when he was just 13, after a long illness that left the family bankrupt. Arnel ended up homeless, sleeping in a Manila park, collecting scrap metal to get enough money to eat.

"For three days I have like a piece of biscuit in my pocket with me," he recalled. "I have to keep it really warm because in three days, that will be my food."

It wasn't until he was older, crooning in Hong Kong nightclubs, that he realized his mother had already given him the only thing he needed to survive.

"She taught you to sing," Blackstone said.

"Yes," Pineda said, crying. "I think it's her voice that carried me all through this pain that I've gone through. And having her with me, she'll always be the biggest, my biggest influence. She taught me to be brave. She taught me how to fight in the world. She was everything to me."

"She's gotta be pretty proud of you right now," Blackstone said.

"I think so," he agreed. "I think so."

Ironically, the man they hired to keep Journey just the same has changed them in ways they couldn't have imagined.

"Arnel makes me a better guy, just knowin' him," Cain said.

"Amen," concurred Castranovo.

Journey's new CD, "Revelation," arrives this week. The three-disc package includes 11 brand new songs, and 11 re-recorded classics, plus a live DVD of a concert in Las Vegas - one heavily attended by Journey's newest fans.

"Journey rocks!" shouts one Filipino boy.

How hardcore fans receive this new Journey remains to be seen, especially those for whom Steve Perry will always be the voice.

"He set the bar high," Valory said. "He's left us with a very highly-valued legacy of music. And the way I think we all feel now is, we have someone to honor that with."

And their Filipino frontman's not just singing those Journey songs, he's living them.

"Just don't give up," Pineda said. "I mean, don't stop believin'."

[dcs1301]

Thanks for interviewing the Journey Band in your show they definitely rockkkkkkkkk!!!!!! I was really touched by the band''s whole interview esp. with Arnel''s not so easy life back in the Philippines and to where he is now.He has gone a long way and what a life lesson to all of us and are pretty much reflected both in their new and classic songs.They are all raw, involves a lot of emotions and always beautiful to listen. I already ordered their new album online plus I have to buy some more at Walmart on June 3 and I cant wait to see them in their live concert here in Tampa, FL. Good Luck to your tour guys and to the crews at CBS Sunday Morning Show you rockkkkk toooooo!!!!!!!!!

[jdburney1]

The only concert I ever attended in my life was a Journey concert in the early 1980s. The clarity of that perfect voice and the amazing songs borne of that era always moved me to tears. I have always considered Steve Perry to be the best male singer I have ever heard. Thank you for this incredible story today. Again, I was moved to tears by the voice and life story of Arnel Pineda. His voice is a fitting tribute to the "legacy" of Journey and can chart a whole new future that is truly his as well. At my first opportunity I will attend the second and last concert of my life: the newly "revealed" Journey.

[markjr07]

hello...my name is mark jr, i''m 7 yrs old and i was the boy who said JOURNEY rocks!!! we were at planet hollywood in las vegas for Journey''s concert with my brothers,cousins,friends and my parents...
To CBS, thank you for featuring me this morning...I LOVE the band, i wish i could meet the whole band in person that would be awesome esp. for my birthday in 2 weeks!!! Good luck guys..see you in Mandalay bay on july 18...rock!!!

[texglam]

this is evident we do live on borrowed time and people are put into our lives for a reason and seasons. we must learn to live in it in the most meaningful way because life is so precious. too bad for all the drama humans bring..they miss so much, even the lessons and gifts they bring. this is a beautiful universal story

[jordan14344]

Thank you CBS Sunday morning for featuring Arnel and Journey on your show. It was a very well done and inspiring segment of the show. Just perfect for a Sunday morning, indeed. Am a big fan of this show and more power to you all...Thanks again, this made my day...

[samifox1]

Beautiful story and Great segment! I''ve always loved Journey and when I heard them again and for the 1st time this morning I thought it was Steve Perry singing. WOW! Arnel, you are so gifted and I''m thankful that I''m here to hear you! Thank you.

[ubelieve]

life''s full of challenges! ap survived, learned from it, appreciated it and thanked god for everything! and he''s rewarded w/ probably different challenge/s of his life as there''s fame! it does look like he''ll remain to be humble. if u''ve seen other yt he still personally meets with his fans, sing w/ them while he''s supposed to be enjoying a vacation with his family, etc. i do adore steve perry. his legacy will remain with ap! more power to journey!

[aldoviz]

This is the best tv interview/segment I''ve seen thus far of the band. Valory hit it dead on when he said that Arnel is with them to honor their past legacy which Steve Perry was part of.

Arnel is not there to parrot Perry but to bring back the heart and emotion of the band''s old and new songs. With Arnel''s humble past and seasoned tenor voice, it''s a natural fit.

[aldoviz]

This is the best tv interview/segment I''ve seen thus far of the band. Valory hit it dead on when he said that Arnel is with them to honor their past legacy which Steve Perry was part of.

Arnel is not there to parrot Perry but to bring back the heart and emotion of the band''s old and new songs. With Arnel''s humble past and seasoned tenor voice, it''s a natural fit.

[remyo-2009]

Very nice human interest piece.

That said, Journey is NOT Journey without Steve Perry. Neal expressed earnest interest in speaking with Steve. So, make it happen! Journey doesn''t need another karaoke singer imitating "The Voice"! Let Arnel finish out this tour, and then get on with the business of a REAL Journey reunion. Time to make amends before it''s too late. The Journeymen and their fans, need to see the greatest band of all time, together again!
Bring back Steve Smith too. The FAB 5 reunion tour!!! Fired up and ready to go, to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!!

[maakisan]

wow.... I can''t believe i''m saying this but the new lead singer does sound like steve. (huge steve perry fan) I just might spend the dollars this time and see them again. But what I didn''t like about your segment is that you didn''t even make the effort to get or seek the comment of steve perry. what did really happen to him.... did the band leave him high and dry?????

[kafji91]

Very inspiring piece. The original Journey crew had found a way to tap a vast market, lacal Filipinos as well as those living overseas. The Philippines is the most westernized-influenced country in Asia, speak English better than Tagalog. If one has to look at the music selection in a typical Filipino home, 99% is probably American. I am so happy that Arnel was given this once in a lifetime opportunity. I look forward to buy their Revelation album.

[dknitter3548]

I thought this story was such an inspirational one ... The new lead singer is great and what a ''survival'' story...I''m an 18 year cancer survivor who was just diagnosed again and been through 2 surgeries since March but am fixable...this story brought tears to my eyes...Mr. Pneda''s mother would be so VERY proud of him!! Such talent and persistence! Bravo and good luck Journey...I''ll be buying your CD....

[remyo-2009]

Steve Perry is alive and well. This is the third karaoke hired gun Neal has trotted out since Perry left the band. None last, because they aren''t Steve Perry! Get over it Neal...Journey is nothing without the REAL voice of Journey. It''s time to make amends, stop the trash talk and get on with the reunion of the REAL Journey. Perry, Schon, Valory, Cain and Smith. Bring back the magic of the FAB FIVE.

[oxymoron41]

What a wonderful and inspiring story. This is by far the best story for today. It brought tears to my eyes as well. Arnel Pineda''s story is a story of survival,perseverance,hard work,humility and of course,recognition by the band of his talent.But, one note, Jon Cain''s statement," knowing Arnel made me a better person". That say''s something about the new kid in the block.

[fireceos]

I would like to hear Mr. Perry''s side of the story.

[jverhagen]

Yes, Steve Perry was a big part of Journey, That voice! There is more to a band than the lead singer. Arnel thank you for bringing me back to the past and shooting me into the future. I''m glad you all are with me.

[ginnyteach]

To everyone who keeps playing the Steve Perry card...
I have been a Journey fan for many, many years. At one time I thought he could walk on water. This band was formed around Neal, it is Neal''s baby. Granted, their popularity didn''t strike hot until Perry joined the band, but he himself, yes Perry himself has publicly stated (fanasylum.com) that his days as a member of Journey are over. Neal has left the door open for him to come back, and Steve has never taken him up on it. I am a Journey fan for the "music" it is the music of Journey that made me a fan, and has kept me a fan. I have met Perry''s replacements, Mr. Augeri and Mr Soto both, and both are fine gentlemen in their own rights. I was at the Las Vegas concert where the DVD was filmed, the excitement in the band was clear, it was present, and it was extraordinary. This is a good time to be a Journey fan, but in my opionion, it always has been.

[jams67-2009]

Journey is the greatest rock band of all time. My first vinyl was "Escape" with the legendary "Don''t Stop Believin''". I was in seventh grade. Throughout high school and college their music followed me. I am 40 now and still consider them my favorite band. Until I saw the Sunday Morning segment I vowed to never see them live without Steve Perry. Arnel changed that. I wish him the best and am looking forward to seeing them live someday soon. Thank you for the wonderful story.

[haoli25]

Just another Steve Perry impersonator.

[navyretired2]

The guy has been through hardships and is now the latest "Philippine Idol" to come out of karaoke, imitating a TRUE artist''s voice. Good for him, congratulations on becoming wealthy beyond any expectations you ever had. Seriously...that''s awesome, a dream come true.

HOWEVER...

This band is NOT Journey, without Perry and Smith. They are EASILY the 2 most talented musicians in the original Journey.

Two words....Seperate Ways.

[chieft4]

NavyRetired2: Correction please, their new Frontman is not Philippine Idol Karaoke guy, he is a seasoned performer. And if you really are NavyRetired, you probably worked with or for Filipinos during your active duty days don''t be so sarcastic about them.
Objective opinions and criticisms are good but you got to be tactful about it "SHIPMATE".

[chieft4]

NavyRetired2: Correction please, their new Frontman is not Philippine Idol Karaoke guy, he is a seasoned performer. And if you really are NavyRetired, you probably worked with or for Filipinos during your active duty days don''t be so sarcastic about them.
Objective opinions and criticisms are good but you got to be tactful about it "SHIPMATE".

[chieft4]

NavyRetired2: Correction please, their new Frontman is not Philippine Idol Karaoke guy, he is a seasoned performer. And if you really are NavyRetired, you probably worked with or for Filipinos during your active duty days don''t be so sarcastic about them.
Objective opinions and criticisms are good but you got to be tactful about it "SHIPMATE".

[chieft4]

NavyRetired2: Correction please, their new Frontman is not Philippine Idol Karaoke guy, he is a seasoned performer. And if you really are NavyRetired, you probably worked with or for Filipinos during your active duty days don''t be so sarcastic about them.
Objective opinions and criticisms are good but you got to be tactful about it "SHIPMATE".

[perrysgirl-2009]

The Journey ended for me when Steve Perry left. He was and will always be Journey. If what Neal has said repeatedly were true about not looking for a Perry sound-alike, than why on earth do they keep trying to replace him with one? All reviews mention his replacements as sounding close to Steve. Why not go with a woman? Because Neal wants to recapture the glory days with Steve without having Steve. Unfortunately, it sounds like childish jealousy. Neal has not been open to Steve as he claims. There are two sides to every story. Maybe Steve just doesn''t want to open old wounds. Sounds like a class act to me! Rock On Steve!

[mrsk60]

I NEVER UNDERSTOOD why Perry wouldn''t continue. I am impressed by Pineda... he sounds more similar to Perry than others in the past. There is much more to Pineda''s sound, you can hear something special in his voice beyond sounding like Perry... emotion like a long lost friend who touches your soul. I am jumping on board this ride. I love the new edition to Journey. Good luck to the boys as they tour...
waiting for the LA concert...

[ammorton66]

Ok...where to start. I am a very big fan of Journey, past, present, and future if need be. I have followed this band since I was 13. I have seen them on the Escape tour with Steve Perry, and as well as a tour with Steve Augeri and he was awesome!!!
Yes, Steve Perry was the best and those days will not be gone for those that like the fact that the new guys have sounded like Perry.
Musicians have a thing about being consistant with music. It is after all their career and more importantly, what they love to do.
When their not doing it, they get lost, and it tends to seem like things are passing them by.
Occasionally this means replacing old members with new.
Dont hold it against them. They just want to keep on doing what they love to do. Steve Perry obviously doesn''t have as much passion for the music as these guys do, or he would be doing something even if it was solo stuff. I haven''t heard anything from him. Mabey we all just dont know the full story behind why he isn''t out there more.
My point here is, dont knock a new guy for getting the opportunity to join and be a part of one of the greatest rock bands ever to date simply because they want to continue to make music for all of us out here who thoroughly enjoy everything they have ever done.
Cut them a break and just sit back and enjoy the ride here. True fans dont walk away that easy, if you do, you dont share the same passion for music as the rest of us. Rock on Journey!!!!!!!

[cajunbrwneye]

I watched the morning show and I was torn in what I heard.I too am a Huge Journey"Steve Perry Fan!"I heard the new lead singers story and I will admit it touched me& yes he kinda sounds likeStevePerry.But he is not StevePerry!I heard it mentioned in the show that Steve had to undergo hip replacement surgery.He wanted the othe members to wait for him till he recovered,they decided to not wait and replaced him.Now they wonder why he won''t take their calls.He most likely felt let down by the members he called friends.AS I admired the new lead singer, I felt the pain that Steve Perry might not return&honestly I don''t blame him.They thought they could find better or as good&they are seeing not everyone will accept it.Steve&Journey will live on for me,all I do is watch the DVDs over&over&listen to his CDs.I will remain aFAITHFUL STEVEPERRY/JOURNEY FAN!Forever your Fan Steve Perry/OrignalJourney(Faithfully)

[cap129]

Aldoviz: Arnel is not there to parrot Perry

Then why did they re-record their greatest hits with Arnel on vocals? If they''re so set on getting new fans, just concentrate on new music; the classics will take care of themselves.

[totally80s]

Anyone who is a fan of the original 80''s rock legends will be extremely disappointed if they plan to go to a concert or buy a CD and hear only the original members. Musicians passions change, they stylistically goes in other directions, some get sick, old, die. Just just get tired of the constant touring and recording (Phil Collins). But it''s the music that lives on, and as long as it''s good rock and roll, who cares if the band has only a spatter of original members?

I went to a concert last summer and saw Foreigner, Styx and Def Leppard and it was an awesome show. While Foreigner and Styx have new vocalists, they do a more than passable job on the classics and if they can bring something new to the table with the new music, all the more better.

Journey has done a fine job with choosing Pineda, and as a former 80''s radio DJ, I am extremely excited to get the new CD in the mail tomorrow (I preordered it back in April)

[totally80s]

Anyone who is a fan of the original 80''s rock legends will be extremely disappointed if they plan to go to a concert or buy a CD and hear only the original members. Musicians passions change, they stylistically goes in other directions, some get sick, old, die. Just just get tired of the constant touring and recording (Phil Collins). But it''s the music that lives on, and as long as it''s good rock and roll, who cares if the band has only a spatter of original members?

I went to a concert last summer and saw Foreigner, Styx and Def Leppard and it was an awesome show. While Foreigner and Styx have new vocalists, they do a more than passable job on the classics and if they can bring something new to the table with the new music, all the more better.

Journey has done a fine job with choosing Pineda, and as a former 80''s radio DJ, I am extremely excited to get the new CD in the mail tomorrow (I preordered it back in April)

[insightful1-2009]

I am also a BIG fan of Journey. I saw them in the 80''s a few times and I loved them then as I do now.

I watched a VH1 special (a year or so ago) on Journey, with Steve Perry soley. And it looked like there has been distension between the original band members for several years now. A bit of power play going on. Journey has been embroiled in legal issues for a while now.

There is no doubt he (Perry) has one hell of a voice, very unique indeed, and trying to find a replacement for him was no easy task. Come on, we are talking about the incredible vocals of Steve Perry! Talented as any band member may be, replacing a member happens in bands all the time.

I will stand behind Journey 100%, will remain a dedicated fan...whether it is Perry or Peneda in the lead vocal position and spotlight. Journey did what needed to be done, finding a lead vocal to master some of their old stuff was an absolute. Can you even imagine an artist, such as Axl Rose, singing Any Way You Want It or many of the other songs that put and kept them on the charts? I think not lol! Finding Peneda was a blessing, for Journey and for their fans like me.

And let''s not overlook the fact that things change and there is still a chance for a full on reunion at some point in time in the future...with Perry back in the group.

[remyo-2009]

I have nothing against Pineda, I just don''t appreciate yet another karaoke version of the great Steve Perry. They tried it with Augeri, Soto and now Pineda.
When you have tasted fine wine, why would you drink Ripple?

Pineda''s vocal capability and stage presence pale in comparison to the once-in-a lifetime genius of Steve Perry. It''s a slap in the face to REAL fans of Journey to have these sub-par re-recordings of Perry''s classic hits in circulation. It''s disgusting greed on Schon''s part. "Revelations" is a snooze, sorry. Pineda is a short term human interest story to promote a mediocre CD.

If Schon really wants to shake up the Universe before he retires, he should humble himself, stop the trash talk and blame game, and reunite with Perry! It would be the concert tour of the century! And... Perry is writing new music!

No mas karaoke singers, bring back *THE VOICE* of Steve Perry!!!

[regalbaby-2009]

After Arnel Pineda of Journey Band, I am informing you of another Filipino who is a 15 year old girl who was raised by a single mother. She insist on her mother for her to join singing contest when she was 7 to make money for the family to have food on the table and survive the harsh world in the Philippines. She was also discovered through You Tube. Invited by one of Koreas top TV show and was featured on E! and was seen by Ellen Degeneres'' staff. Ellen invited her and that was her first appearance on American soil. It was followed by Paul O''Grady Show in England and on Oprah Winfrey Show last May. She was included by David Foster in his fund-raising shows in the opening of MGM Foxwoods in Connecticut and recently at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. You can still check her on You Tube. This will also be a great story. Filipinos turn to singing to forget the hardship in life.

[regalbaby-2009]

Sorry, forgot to state the girls name (from the philippines) -Her name is CHARICE.

[vworlock]

if perry is hiding from everyone and no one ever seen him on how he looks like, hopefully he is not that old and can still stand on his feet after the hip surgery. Well , im sure i would buy the revelation ,I kinda like the voice of the new singer than steve perry, no offense to sp fans.

[vworlock]

if perry is hiding from everyone and no one ever seen him on how he looks like, hopefully he is not that old and can still stand on his feet after the hip surgery. Well , im sure i would buy the revelation ,I kinda like the voice of the new singer than steve perry, no offense to sp fans.

[hopelynn2]

I feel heartbroken about the piece on the news, yes maybe this new guy sounds somewhat like Steve Perry but really come on guys , you know you can''t replace Steve Perry.You have did your best to clone his vocals once again , it''s not there. I totally loved Journey when Steve Perry was there but ,now not the same .

[vworlock]

I guess I like the new guy in Journey now with good vocal and not in tight jeans .

[remyo-2009]

Perry isn''t in hiding? He looks outstanding, simply California gorgeous..as always! And...he can sing like NO ONE else. Schonny needs to get his priorities straight...and make the Reunion happen! Get Smitty too!

[k9roo]

I have been a huge Journey fan for years, they will never be able to replace Steve Perry. They shouldn''t continue as Journey, use another name. Neal needs to stop blaming Steve and take a look at himself. I almost lost all respect for the group years ago when I was a club where they were. Jonathan was very nice and let me take a pic of him as did Randy Jackson. However, Neal was so rude, I waited till he came up to the bar and I asked if I could get a pic of him and he said, "F--- No!" I was speechless, I could have took a pic of him at any time but I felt that would have been very rude. And no he wasn''t drunk. I have every cd, album, cassette and other merchandise I have bought of theirs and I cannot tell you how close I came to destroying all of it and vowing to never buy another item of theirs. Yet, he could not have simply said, no I do not want you to take my pic instead he chose to curse at me. Just to let you all know I am not one of the little groupy girls you sometimes see hanging out at concerts. I''m married and a mother who just happened to really love Journey and their music. Yet, Neal''s rude comment crushed me. So, I believe this is more than likely Neal''s fault that Steve doesn''t want to speak with him. Steve, if you should read this I want you to know that you were the reason I continued to love Journey the way I always did after that encounter with Neal. Journey will never ever be Journey without you.

[remyo-2009]

Neal is using Pineda like he has with all the rest of the karaoke lineup. I''m not buying the whole rags to riches story either. It''s PR. Pineda is 40 years old and he sure wasn''t homeless when they hired him. He has a wife and kids in the old country. They did the same sort of thing when they hired Augeri. They "found" him working at The Gap! Everything Neal does is a dis'' on Perry. He can''t stand the fact that ALL the band''s success came with Perry''s mega-talent! The only way Journey will EVER reclaim the "magic" is a reunion with Perry. Plain and simple.

[remyo-2009]

The Raised on Radio Tour was my favorite. Favorite albumn too. Steve was magnificent. Randy J. too funny in that wild get-up.

[kalogsky]

to all the *** fans of SP,,,i have nothing against your idol and i am not an avid fan of AP...the things that really get me sick is all the comments that you have written, that journey is nothing w/o SP, that SP brings jouney to success, and so on and so forth and blah, blah, blah, and even you want them to reunite where SP doesnt want at all!!! *** YOU!!! you are all ignorant of your own thinking...you are all living in the past...wake up and grown up,,,the success of the band doesnt rely on one person only. it is the whole group who put their effort(S) to get their success and to put their names in the limelight. let me ask u this, do u think SP will be famous if he didnt journey? indeed he has a great voice, but his voice is only recognize bcoz of journey...he did solo right? but look what happend? now hes writing a song??? ok lets see in the future??? the new guy gives a new life to journey, so if u dont like him, stop following jouneys whereabout, you cannot close your eyes that in reality theres another person who can replace your idol,,,or even better than your idol...so,,, are u hurt!!!dammed good...

[charmingmom]

It saddens me whenever I read comments that Journey is not Journey without Steve Perry. Steve Perry is Steve Perry and he has made his legacy to Journey, let us all leave it at that. Now that Journey wants to move on, let them be. To RemyO, I salute your adulation to Steve Perry however, it is unpleasant to read negative comments about Arnel Pineda, "Neal is using Pineda like he has with all the rest of the karaoke lineup. I''m not buying the whole rags to riches story either. It''s PR. Pineda is 40 years old and he sure wasn''t homeless when they hired him. He has a wife and kids in the old country." You don''t know the guy. Give him a break. You may not like him because "he sings Karaoke" but deserves respect. Yes, he wasn''t homeless when he was hired because he worked really hard to be able to provide for his family. His grit, patience and humility brought him to where he is right now.
To those who believe that Journey is not the same without Steve Perry just means that you don''t have any reason to continue following every bit of news about Journey. It''s kind of funny yet annoying that you read and watch anything about Journey then react and make harsh comments.
Let us make peace... Music is suppose to make peace and love not antagonizing each other with harsh and rude comments.

[serene67]

Arnel you are blessed with such a wonderful gift. May GOD use it to soften the hearts of your detractors and make the weak strong. Sing to us from the very depth of your soul, sing to give honor to the giver of life. Sing to give honor to Journey. So fly high Arnel, be free, be strong, stay humble for GOD is with you. May GOD continue to use you and Journey to bring joy to this world. May GOD use your music to inspire and UNITE us. GOD BLESS YOU!!

[remyo-2009]

Charming Mom,

I don''t know if you live in the States, but we have free speech in this country. Journey is NOT Journey without Steve Perry. I been a fan of the Band from the inception, as well as a behind the scenes observer. Steve Perry not only fronted the Band during it''s heyday, he co-wrote nearly every hit.
It''s lamentable to witness this once world-class band resort to a karaoke parody of itself. It does not have to be this way.

That''s my opinion, I''m entitled to it and I''m sticking to it. If it bothers you, don''t read it!

Peace.

[chieft4]

You keep saying they can never replace Steve Perry, wake up, they replaced SP several times already, the first one is quite good and lasted 8 years, the other one with due respect to Soto didn''t work out as well, now here is Arnel Pineda and I agree with the rest of the Journey Band that they now have a Chemistry that they didn''t have for a long time, even SP agrees with that, he said he never really felt to be a real part of the group. Their Revelation album and their worldwide tour will tell how the public will accept Arnel Pineda as their Frontman. I served this country for 23 long years through 3 wars and I really hope you folks are saying what you are saying about Arnel Pineda as die hard fans of SP and not being racist. SP is good as a matter of fact he is quite good but this is a new ERA. Arnel Pineda brings so much character and passion to this group that he doesn''t need any of these bashing, I know it is a free country because guys like me made it to be a free country.

[chudcc]

A few things everyone needs to remember: Neal Schon and Ross Valory are the only true original members of Journey. Perry was added on their third album. So Neal and Ross are entitled to make the call regarding who sings with their band. And yes, it is a business, but the fact that they''re recording new music and not just playing the nostalgia angle gives them more legitimacy. A lot of classic bands reunite without some "essential" member, but saying that it''s not the same, while an understandable sentiment, is unfair to the creative contributions of the other members as well as their dedication to performing for the people who put them where they are. Look at Styx continuing without Dennis DeYoung. Not the same, to be sure, but the rest of the guys keep at it and don''t just sit home waiting for their royalty checks. And to stay away from a show just because one member isn''t there is a disservice to the guys who are playing their butts off for their fans. And don''t forget about Greg Rollie, who sang a lot of Journey''s hits as well. I love Steve Perry, but if he doesn''t want to play, then more power to the guys that do. The new guy is a great talent and deserves to be heard.