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'."

[fergusona22]

I have seen Journey in 1985 and again just two weeks ago. They were both outrageous shows. Arnel Paneda has the most wonderful voice. And man he could work that stage. He has so much energy. That alone makes you want to dance and sing along. I never heard one bad note. That boy can flat out sing. And what an honor it was to see the original band members perform again. That is one talented group.
Neal Schon is a "Guitar God!!" I loved the interview with the band and Arnel. It just makes you love them even more when you hear the sincerity they all have for one another.
I want to wish them all the luck in the world continuing on. And I hope I get to see them again soon.

[EagleEye2009]

To Neil, give the journey fans the re-union we need with Steve Perry. Add Arnel with it. After that, make more music. Let the rock rock, and the rest fall where it falls. You owe Steve that much. AP, you keep the faith and rock, even without Journey. You have the voice to create your own band. And legacy. Rock on. "Journey Around The World" I always said. My kudoo's to the entire band. Without Exploring, there's no Journey.

[remyo-2009]

Like I said before, why drink Ripple when you have tasted fine wine. Enjoy the latest incarnation of karaoke Journey. I suppose it''s appropriate given the sorry state of the music industry at the moment. Mediocre is, as mediocre does, if that floats your boat.

The Eagles are a perfect example of a world class band, a class act in every sense. They have stayed together, through Hell NOT freezing over...and they have stayed true to their music. No karoake singers allowed!! Henley and Frey have never compromised the quality of their music to make a quick buck. I''ve seen them three times so far on their latest tour. Excellent, excellent!! Their latest CD is yet another masterpiece.

Perhaps, Journey ought ponder quality versus quantity?

[miracle60]

John Blackstone segement in the Sunday Morning show A Summer Song was an eyeopener on the band whose sounds I have not heard for a long time.Thanks to Arnel Pineda who I first heard in Youtube when I was finding links to a Cherice Pempengco video(another 15 yr old treasure from the Philippines that is making raved reviews internationally)Like Neal Schoen I was blown away w/ the voice( my husband thought it was Steve Perry i.e he is more familiar w/ the american rock group band)When I told him it is Filipino singer w/ a band in the Philippines that got him hooked especially when he found out that he is the new frontman of Journey w/ Neil Schoen who happens to be one of his all time great lead guitarist. Just bought 2 sets cd/dvd of Revelations and watch the concert3-4x and got mesmerize w/ the Journey Sounds again after all these years.Thank you CBS for featuring this great group that kept this 60 yr old baby boomer rocking again and to all the Steve Perry diehards MOVE ON.

[sweetmama777]

RemyO, you sound really bitter...there''s more to life than waiting for SP to reunite w/ Journey (which may never happen),so just get a grip of yourself---you''re losing some sense of reality.

[emmyloucui]

Journey... I am so glad you continue to make music for us who continue to love it.....

"Revelation , is a piece of art...a truly magnificent work of art in music".

Pineda, I''ve never heard of you before until now, I think you are one of those who''s gonna be great in your own time.You definitely have great talent!!! Your character and humility is just as inspiring as your own story .. where you have been, and where you are right now... after you were able to triumph againts life''s adversities during those times as you say "when the world is just not to kind on you" ..is truly inspiring!!! Continue to make good music with the rest of journey and we are here to listen!!!

"The world may still not be too kind on you for all the negative things still beings thrown upon you"...but thats part of life...thats how diamonds are made and tested through time"

To journey I dare say to you all....go on with your journey in life...for past is past... it is there to be learned....cherished.... and remembered but should not hinder you or anybody from continuing on with your journey in life...you are one if not the best musician out there...so continue to create beautiful and great music for all of us .... for that is truly what define our lives...

"a continuing journey!!!!!".....

[chieft4]

This question is for all long time Journey fans, I heard from the grapevine that SP was responsible in the firing/replacing some of the original members of the band after he was hired, is there any truth on that? I am an Eagles fan and I really didn''t jump on the Journey wagon until lately when Arnel got hired.
I purchased their Album and I can''t stop watching the DVD (Las Vegas, Planet Hollywood). That is one AMAZING DVD, Jonathan Cain I think wrote or co-wrote all of their Ballads and judging on his reaction, he must be very proud of Arnel''s rendition of the songs because Arnel gives so much passion and emotion to the songs, he sings their new hit "After All These Years" with so much emotion and pain, he''s feelin every word of it and with Deen Castronovo doing the backup vocals, what a great combination. In my own opinion After All These Years will be great if not already is.

[journey4eva]

Great news for all those people hoping that Perry will reunite with Journey. According to the news, yes! it will happen as soon as Beatles reunite...lol
RemyO, Journey is a world class band without Perry. Face the fact, Perry can''t sing anymore. If he is that successful, where is he now? Let me tell you what, most Walmart run out of Journey"s Revelation CD/DVD even before the end of the day. Perry doesn''t care about his fans or else he would be still with Journey. All he cares is about himself. Good thing Journey did not wait for him.

[remyo-2009]

Journey''s record label was ready to drop them before Perry was hired. All the success and wealth came with Perry. Perry was an equal member in the Band, so it was NOT Neal''s band alone.

Augeri NEVER attained the same status or success that Perry brought. And, Neal threw him under the bus in the end. So, who is the jerk? Neal pulled the same stunt on Soto too, to a lesser extent. I give Pineda''s tenure with the band 18 months max. He stage presence is amateurish, his karaoke Perry imitation is lacking and grating.
Azoff crafted the rags to riches fairy tale to sell the new CD along with the bargain basement quality, re-recordings of the Perry classics. This whole Pineda thing is another flash in the pan.

Perry was successful on his own. Foolish Heart, Sherrie, etc. are classic hits in their own right. That said, Perry and Journey, were and are untouchable magic together.
That magic is specific to Perry''s unique brilliance. These guys will reunite. There is glue to mend the stone. And...when the stone is whole again...Journey will once again be a world class band. It will be an amazing event in music history!

[sweetmama777]

i agree with cobrasports. some die hard SP fans are claiming that SP "made" journey implying that the rest of the band members had nothing to do with their success. if that was the case, why didn''t SP form his own band after they went their separate ways. if SP was the only "key" to the success of journey then SP should''ve made it big on his own.

[cousin_rich1]

I have been following Journey since 1984 and have found out as much as I can about them and Im sure there is still alot I dont know. Now I am a big Steve Perry fan as well but lets all face it though, Perry was a jerk ok. Perry didnt even have the guts to tell Ross Valery and Steve Smith or Herbie Herbert that he wanted them to leave. He made Jonathan Cain do all the dirty work, made him look bad. Its Perry''s fault Perry is not with the group now. Neal has tried to mend things but Perry is being....Perry. If you think that if Steve came back to the band and was gonna hit that note on "Wheel in the Sky" your crazy. Journey is Journey with or without Steve Perry. Steve Aguari was great but he lost his voice. Not dont get me wrong now, I love Steve Perry but lets call it what it is. Perry is a controll freak who needs to deal with pride issues ranging from fear to bitterness and needs to appologize for putting the band through hell while he was with them. The new guy is great! I can see he is a speacial man who knows what its like to suffer and be heartboken. I can guarrantee you that he will appreciate us fans more than Perry ever has or ever will. Call me what you want, I call it tough love. Grace and Peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

[chieft4]

AP have said that if SP wants his job back, he can have it. I dare you SP fanatics to get hold of SP and convince him to return Journey as their frontman.
If ever SP decides to return and again the Frontman of Journey, I guarantee you that most if not all of AP fans will back out and leave you guys alone and you will not hear any of these bashing from us, we will accept and respect whatever AP decides to do.

[louro-2009]

as a steve perry fan i just wish that the band journey would just stop calling it journey cause it''s not journey without the voice that made them famous and that neil should call his new band the imposters of journey i know that steve perry did''t write all on his own but without the voice your not the real band why can''t they just write all new material since they think they can go on without steve and call it another name and for you so called fans that support the band jouney now are not real fans love you STEVE PERRY FOR EVER I''M YOUR BIGGEST FAN THEN,NOW AND ALWAYS. I WISH STEVE PERRY COLD FIND AND CALL ME LOL.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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!!

[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.

[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...

[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.