Filipino vocalist Arnel Pineda has been the frontman of Journey since 2007, after being discovered through a YouTube video of his Journey tribute band. His voice is really similar to Steve Perry’s, so it was something that really impressed many fans and that’s why he has been with the band for so long. But last September 15, he was criticized for his performance on the Brazilian festival Rock in Rio, in Rio de Janeiro.
In a post on his Instagram page a few days ago, the musician addressed his performance and said that if enough fans told him to go on the social network, he would leave the group.
Arnel said: “No one more than me feels so devastated about this… it’s amazing how 1 thousand right things you have done will be forgotten just because of this. Mentally and emotionally, I’ve suffered already, and I’m still sufferring..but I’ll be ok. So, here’s the deal…I am offering you a chance (especially those who never liked me from the beginning) to text GO or STAY.”
He continued:
“If GO reaches 1million… I’m stepping out for good. God bless all of you and thank you once again to all of the fans who believed in me since day 1,” Arnel Pineda said.
But Journey already continued their tour and after the Rock in Rio show, they already played in Santiago, Chile and Pasadena, California. The band has an ongoing legal battle between Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain, who are battling in court over the band’s finances.
The current Journey line-up has Neal Schon (Guitar – Original member), Jonathan Cain (Keyboards, piano – Since 1980), Deen Castronovo (Drums – Since 2021), Arnel Pineda (Vocals – Since 2007), Jason Derlatka (Keyboards – Since 2019) and Todd Jensen (Bass – Since 2021).
The band still has a few tour dates scheduled in October and December.