Journey band, the multi-platinum rock band of the 70's has just got a massive shot in the arm: it's got for itself a new lead singer. Arnel Pineda, a Filipino veteran of music gigs in clubs in the Philippines and Japan, was literally plucked out from the Zoo band (as seen in YouTube) in Quezon City, Philippines, and flown to Marin County to have him auditioned. The rest is the beginnings of a modern Cinderella story.
Arnel Pineda just had two months to let this change of fate sink in and barely two weeks to "acclimatize" himself with the music gods that is Journey Band, and off he went to his baptism of fire: the unforgiving "Monster" of Via del Mar, Chile Festival. 15,000 strong audience who also serve as judges is a tough deal for any seasoned singer. And here comes Journey band's new and un-acclimatized lead singer, this could be nerve-wracking. The result, however, was more than phenomenal.
At first, the crowd was a bit less receptive, and Arnel Pineda of the Journey band seemed to be having the jitters too. Some would even say he seems to have forgotten the lyrics that he seems to be reading them from a teleprompter (if there ever was).
As the show went on, Arnel and the band started to show the flow in their performance. And it's just about right when things just got into the right groove and mood when Arnel Pineda belted out the popular song, "Open Arms". Arnel Pineda just know how to answer Latinos passion for music and he did such an awesome job. After that number, just about everyone got comfortable and the Monster got silent.
Arnel Pineda's singing of "Faithfully" just caught everyone's heart with excitement. What used to be doubts of his capability to be with Journey finally disappeared. The "Monster" was transformed to Arnel and the rest of Journey band, claiming their long lost position of the greatest rock bands of all time.
It was encore number one after the other that was asked of the Journey band. Their final song even took a little bit longer to get going since most of the equipment have been turned off. And it was still so memorable! Arnel Pineda have finally proven that he could deliver what is expected of him to be a part of Journey band.
Neal Schon acted like a very proud father of a son he introduced to everyone, Jonathan Cain (over-heard to be not so pleased with Arnel Pineda) is now proclaiming Arnel "is the real deal", Ross Valory constantly flashes that otherwise so rare smile, and Deen Castronovo gave Arnel a humble vow after the show.
Isn't this just material for a mushy Cinderella story?
It's a Cinderella story for Arnel Pineda and it's complete opposite for Journey band where they take the place of Lazarus who came back from the dead.
Pundits point out that the Journey band has become a "Greatest Hits" band. Schon, Cain, Valory, and Castronovo are living off Journey band's past glory. They have waxed new materials but unfortunately they were tepid at sales. They may still have the loyalty of the band's original followers, but this fan base either moves on to new bands or music, or simply die of old age.
Steve Augeri, and Jason Scot Soto are both outstanding performers, but they just want to have Journey's popularity to go for another mile. Adding Arnel Pineda, Journey band just got retrofitted without changing its old persona. Arnel Pineda's clear high voice, and soulful version of the the songs keeps the old fashion "Journey" atmosphere.
Gradually, Arnel Pineda, as Journey's lead singer, his contributions to the band doesn't end there. Being Asian, his vibrant energy, his really "rock" version and style could provide a new way of penetrating the admiration of today's generation both in America and internationally.
Arnel Pineda just had two months to let this change of fate sink in and barely two weeks to "acclimatize" himself with the music gods that is Journey Band, and off he went to his baptism of fire: the unforgiving "Monster" of Via del Mar, Chile Festival. 15,000 strong audience who also serve as judges is a tough deal for any seasoned singer. And here comes Journey band's new and un-acclimatized lead singer, this could be nerve-wracking. The result, however, was more than phenomenal.
At first, the crowd was a bit less receptive, and Arnel Pineda of the Journey band seemed to be having the jitters too. Some would even say he seems to have forgotten the lyrics that he seems to be reading them from a teleprompter (if there ever was).
As the show went on, Arnel and the band started to show the flow in their performance. And it's just about right when things just got into the right groove and mood when Arnel Pineda belted out the popular song, "Open Arms". Arnel Pineda just know how to answer Latinos passion for music and he did such an awesome job. After that number, just about everyone got comfortable and the Monster got silent.
Arnel Pineda's singing of "Faithfully" just caught everyone's heart with excitement. What used to be doubts of his capability to be with Journey finally disappeared. The "Monster" was transformed to Arnel and the rest of Journey band, claiming their long lost position of the greatest rock bands of all time.
It was encore number one after the other that was asked of the Journey band. Their final song even took a little bit longer to get going since most of the equipment have been turned off. And it was still so memorable! Arnel Pineda have finally proven that he could deliver what is expected of him to be a part of Journey band.
Neal Schon acted like a very proud father of a son he introduced to everyone, Jonathan Cain (over-heard to be not so pleased with Arnel Pineda) is now proclaiming Arnel "is the real deal", Ross Valory constantly flashes that otherwise so rare smile, and Deen Castronovo gave Arnel a humble vow after the show.
Isn't this just material for a mushy Cinderella story?
It's a Cinderella story for Arnel Pineda and it's complete opposite for Journey band where they take the place of Lazarus who came back from the dead.
Pundits point out that the Journey band has become a "Greatest Hits" band. Schon, Cain, Valory, and Castronovo are living off Journey band's past glory. They have waxed new materials but unfortunately they were tepid at sales. They may still have the loyalty of the band's original followers, but this fan base either moves on to new bands or music, or simply die of old age.
Steve Augeri, and Jason Scot Soto are both outstanding performers, but they just want to have Journey's popularity to go for another mile. Adding Arnel Pineda, Journey band just got retrofitted without changing its old persona. Arnel Pineda's clear high voice, and soulful version of the the songs keeps the old fashion "Journey" atmosphere.
Gradually, Arnel Pineda, as Journey's lead singer, his contributions to the band doesn't end there. Being Asian, his vibrant energy, his really "rock" version and style could provide a new way of penetrating the admiration of today's generation both in America and internationally.
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