The world of rock music was abuzz with speculation when rumors started swirling about Arnel Pineda potentially leaving Journey. Pineda, who has been the frontman of the iconic American rock band since 2007, has had a remarkable journey with the group, but recent events have led to questions about his future.
The Viral Performance and Backlash
One of the key events that sparked the conversation about Pineda's departure was the band's performance at the Rock in Rio festival in Brazil. During their set, Pineda struggled to reach the high notes of the band's classic hit "Don't Stop Believin'." The performance quickly went viral, with many fans expressing disappointment. In an interview with entertainment reporter Gretchen Fullido, Pineda opened up about how the backlash affected him. He said, "The 1,000 good things that I've done, they've completely forgotten it just because I committed a couple of mistakes or I messed up the whole song or whatever."
The Pressure of Filling Big Shoes
Stepping into the shoes of Steve Perry, one of the most iconic lead singers in rock history, has been a massive challenge for Pineda. Perry fronted Journey during their most commercially successful period from 1978 to 1987. Pineda admitted, "Representing a band — one of the most iconic bands in America — stepping in the big shoes of Mr. Steve Perry, ang hirap. The pressure is always there, there's stress and anxiety." The constant comparison to Perry has likely taken a toll on Pineda over the years.
Fatigue and Vocal Strain
Pineda also pointed out that fatigue played a significant role in his subpar performance at Rock in Rio. He said, "Fatigue na din. It's out of my control. It's my body talking eh. Parang nagre reklamo na siya so ganun na lang ang kinaya. Maybe I have no excuse but for me, it's a big factor na talagang 'yun na ang naramdaman ko." As a touring musician, the constant travel and demanding performance schedule can take a toll on one's body, especially the vocal cords.
The Social Media Post
Adding fuel to the fire was a Facebook post by Pineda where he left it up to the public to vote on whether he should step out of the band for good. He shared a link to a video that criticized his performance at Rock in Rio and asked fans to comment "go" or "stay," stating that if "go" reached one million, he would leave Journey. However, Pineda later called this a "childish act" and said, "I'm embarrassed that I did that. I mean, I'm 57, tapos suddenly parang naging — it was a childish act. But what do you do? It's just me being human."
Journey's History and Lineup Changes
Journey was formed in 1973 in San Francisco, California. The band has had a series of lineup changes over the years. As of now, the members include Pineda, guitarist/vocalist Neal Schon (the last remaining original member), keyboard/vocalist Jason Derlatka, drummer/vocalist Deen Castronovo, and bassist Todd Jensen. Despite the challenges and lineup changes, Journey has continued to be a popular live act, touring extensively around the world.
Pineda's Future with Journey
Despite the rumors and the tough times, Pineda has assured fans that his journey with Journey will continue. He plans to make up for his lackluster performance at their upcoming gig in Japan. It seems that for now, the band and Pineda are committed to moving forward together, but only time will tell what the future holds for this legendary rock outfit.