Journey Plays First Show With New Singer They Found On YouTube
You may remember when we wrote about Arnel Pineda, the guy in the Philippines who'd been fronting a Journey-covering band called the Zoo for years, posted some videos showing his great voice on YouTube, and was subsequently discovered by Journey guitarist Neal Schon. We were impressed with his vocal chops in that little half-empty Hard Rock Café -- see what the guy does in front of a packed and enthusiastic crowd with the real members of Journey as his backing band. Hmm, can't say we don't feel a bit bad for the guys from his old crew. Anyhow, this is Arnel's moment to shine -- two tunes after the jump.
(Via Blabbermouth)
He does that faithfully. (Remember this version? Forgot about Steve Perry's mustache.) Now, in honor of Arnel's new dream job, here they are with "Don't Stop Believing."
You have to be a little moved by the real-life overlaps in that one. The new Journey's working on a new album with Kevin Shirley for sometime in '08.
Posted at 1:10 PM in Video
Tags: Arnel Pineda | Journey
at first i thought someone else (a more faithful or diligent reader, perhaps) would've noticed before me. but when i tracked back to the first post mentioned journey, i was sorta shocked:
it's "neal schon," not "neal schion." two inna row and nobody caught it? must be a busy week at the office...
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Awesome. Filipinos represent. I know. But I'm close enough, right?
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As a Filipino, this is undeniably the hugest guilty pleasure I've stumbled upon in a long time...thanks Stereogum!!!
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Not bad at all. If I was more of a Journey fan I'd be stoked.
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Mmmmmmm...chicken adobo.
Oh, yeah, Journey cover bands = $uXX0r.
Mmmmmmmm...chicken adobo.
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thx kevin r hollo, fixed
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I miss Steve Perry.
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I don't like Journey, but props to this guy for getting the break of a lifetime.
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Journey misses Steve perry also. the problem is the guy has a major case of stage fright or "something". Essentially this guys needs to get a little bit of thta early 80s scratchy voice that Steve had..
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That is just cheese personified. Not that Journey with Steve Perry was high art, mind you, but this is just lame.
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I think I saw my mom in the crowd.
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Wow, I can't imagine how amazing it must be for that guy. That'd be like Rivers Cuomo croaking and Weezer calling me up to be their lead singer. Except I have no musical talent.
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great this guy sounds great. alright journey!
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He sounds great, hard to believe he's 40 too, looks like he's about 28. The guitar player in my band is Filipino and is the same way, seems like they age really well.
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damn right Filipinos represent. But why is that when I see that vid, I get a craving for some lumpia shanghai? Guy's got a really good voice though, good luck to him.
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I miss Steve too. Nevertheless, Arnel Pineda's choice was great. This show was performed in Viña del Mar's Festival, in Chile. It was really amazing.
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man, i've seen this guy perform back in the late 80's. if you think it pisses you off for sounding like steve perry. you might hate him real bad after you hear him sing "what about love" by hearts, or do cover of aerosmith, survivor, toto and air supply( i know, them too). he's a real deal! thanks youtube!
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ARNEL PINEDA..YOU ARE AMAZING, CHILE WILL NEVER FORGET YOU..KISSES
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Would you believe this Arnel guy is in his forties???!!! Neal and company sure have the best of both worlds with this frontman. Young enough in body and soul to rock and capture the younger generations but matured enough to deal with as an adult and professional entertainer.
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This guy is a great talent, but he is no Steve Perry. There is only one Steve Perry and it is not fair to compare him to Steve. I am excited for him though and it must be a huge rush singing with such an awesome band.
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Just want to say" I LOVE STEVE PERRY" and "NO ONE " can take h is place Thats like replacing Elvis its not going to happen.However Steve A and this new guy have good voices. I just wish that they can come up with there own songs, Rather than trying to take over Steve perry's fame.
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,Arnels great at impersonating other singers because thats what he does;and I think theres too much hype about him;I personaly think its just the whole fairy tale story that has everyone abuzz.a rags to riches story thats intriguing. But only steve is steve and no one can say anything to change that. If you get a chance to watch journey live d.v.d 1978-1987 you will see steve give some awesome performances and most of them are live in concert not studio enhanced watch for yourself the clarity his voice delivers and each note he hits is on the money.and hes not hard on the eyes either. god bless you steve wherever you are we love you and miss you much
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Stop nay-saying Arnel because you are obsessed with Steve Perry. "god bless you steve wherever you are we love you and miss you much". Seriously? Get a life and get over it- Arnel is a great vocalist and he's selling a lot more tickets than Steve is right now.
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Yes I will continue to give credit where credit is due;and that is wanting to thank steve for being able to share his voice and talent with the world; unlike just mimicking someone elses songs,Steve absolutley has proven his self worthy enough to recieve such compliments and gratitude for sending his love and entertaining us and I will continue to be there and support that even 30 years from now so sorry its touched a nerve but get over it!!!
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Yes I will continue to give credit where credit is due;and that is wanting to thank steve for being able to share his voice and talent with the world; unlike just mimicking someone elses songs,Steve absolutley has proven his self worthy enough to recieve such compliments and gratitude for sending his love and entertaining us and I will continue to be there and support that even 30 years from now so sorry its touched a nerve but get over it!!!
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Arnel has only proven so far to be worthy enough of imitating someone hes not.Many have tried and failed to fill steves shoes;and thats because theres no one else like him.Arnel can mimic the falsettos but when he comes back down his words are obviously slurred and unclear.Sorry Pineda fans but you obviously are band wagon new commers without any true knowledge of what journey with steve perry was all about,Steve was journey and journey was steve and theres no other way to look at it.
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evidently you know nothing between falsetto and a natural tenor because there is no falsetto in the voice of arnel. Steve Perry could use a few lessons from this guy
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Arnel has only proven so far to be worthy enough of imitating someone hes not.Many have tried and failed to fill steves shoes;and thats because theres no one else like him.Arnel can mimic the falsettos but when he comes back down his words are obviously slurred and unclear.Sorry Pineda fans but you obviously are band wagon new commers without any true knowledge of what journey with steve perry was all about,Steve was journey and journey was steve and theres no other way to look at it.
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Well , from a fellow Filipino all I can say is...MABUHAY ARNEL! Way to go! You totally deserve it. All your hard work paid off,
Another pride of Filipinos.
In no time we might just conquer the world! :)
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Well , from a fellow Filipino all I can say is...MABUHAY ARNEL! Way to go! You totally deserve it. All your hard work paid off,
Another pride of Filipinos.
In no time we might just conquer the world! :)
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Well, from a fellow Filipino, all I can say is...MABUHAY ARNEL! Way to go! You totally deserve it. All your hard work paid off!
Another pride of Filipinos.
In no time, we might just conquer the world :)
MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU!
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This is fantastic. I am totally amazed at his talent, and being able to get with one of the most fantastic bands that I loved to listen to and now remember the events that transpired then and now.
It's great that the ability to search, find, and enjoy this is around now...again, a lot of things have changed since the '80's.
I hope I get a chance to see them live. Keep the music going.
Yes, Steve will be missed...but the voice is as much a part of "Journey" as anything.
Keep going!!!
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The guy's not bad, but face it people, he's no Steve Perry. Steve Perry WAS Journey! There'll never be another voice like that. Not ever. One of a kind. They're not Journey without Steve Perry any more than Aerosmith would be without Steven Tyler, The Rolling Stones would be without Jagger. And, although they're great, neither of them compare to Perry. Nope, no such thing as Journey without THAT voice.
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Make no Mistake there is only one Steve Perry the rest are only want a be imposters. Are people so deaf that they can't hear the difference ? Steve should either rejoin the band like David lee Roth did with Van Halen or Journey should go thier "Seperate Ways" no pun intended. Beleive me I was a fan back when Journey first introduced Steve Perry as thier new lead singer at Winterland in San Francisco. This is embarassing . . . . .
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This is in reply to dR. M's comment posted June 13.....What are you talking about (imposters???or impostors)...Arnel's not trying to be a Steve Perry. It's just that he's got the voice. Yeah you feel embarrassed that Journey's present lead singer happened to be a FILIPINO which means FILIPINOS got talents. You just can't admit it, do you? HATAW KABAYAN....GO ARNEL!!! mcoleman of ATL. GA
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Please stop comparing Steve Perry with Arnel. If you are a die hard SP fan so be it but it is so unfair to be calling AP names like impostor,imitator,etc.it just so happen that Arnels voice was the one Neal was looking for to continue singing the Journey songs.Youre right perry4ever Steve was Journey,Journey was Steve,i wont contest you with that.but let me tell you this ,as SP was,(past) then Arnel then is the is(present) and will be....Lets respect one other and stop sourgraping it only points out to one thing,insecurity.Let me just invite you to see the concerts they are in now, you will just be shamed by your comments about AP.Dont try to put a good man down bec. there is always a way that he will be lifted up,Give him a chance bec i for one was not even a Journey fan but bec. of Arnel,this band hit me bulls eye right in the heart! Thanks "NEW JOURNEY" for the music.You make life easier to bare....
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I saw journey on july 9,2008 I think the new singer is great has alot of energy and they put on a great show
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I saw journey on july 9,2008 I think the new singer is great has alot of energy and they put on a great show
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You know..all you people with the negative comments......get over it. I mean, yes Steve Perry was/is a legend and he built the Journey name. But, fact is, he is no longer with the group and they needed to find someone to continue as the front man! So, with that said, they found Arnel. Don't tear Arnel down because he is fronting for the popular band, now. I mean, obviously he is not the same person as Steve Perry. Give Arnel a little credit! I think he does a superb job.
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Erin is so right. Steve Perry was the best and brought the band to it's heights. Steve Perry and Arnel do not sound alike as everyone says, but Arnel is doing a great job. No one can exactly take Steve"s place. Arnel is the closest they could come. Time goes on an changes happen.
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Posted twice by accident. Sorry
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I just love reading those posts from the idiots living in the past.. Steve Perry this, Steve Perry that.. come on!!.. The guy might as well be dead now.. at least of envy to find out that there is someone better out there... and by the way, just by laws of physics, they are two different people!!.. And nobody better than Arnel knows it.. he has said, and very well said, that he is NOT trying to replace Steve Perry... He is just filling in for a job that Perry does not want anymore, and he's doing a great job!!!.. Keep rocking Arnel!!.. Love the Philippines..!!!
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Yes, Steve is a legend I agree 100% He started the legacy sound of Journey but where is he? He doesn't want to sing with the band anymore. For everybody's info he fired Steve Smith, Ross Valerie and even Kevin Shirley cause they can't stand him up being prima donna.
Then promises the band that he will come back after he get a hip surgery in a year that didn't happen. So don't blame Arnel or the band for finding someone to continue what Steve has started, Arnel is not a replacement but a successor and he's doing a great job. They are both great Performers in their own right.
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now that the tour is over and the original composition have been hitting the radios you be the judge guys
platimun with new songs COMMON GUYS
JOURNEY IS ALIVE
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Steve Perry is Journey and Journey is Steve Perry. But he used this band to rise up to his fame....and when he reached his goal, he left Journey. "Persona non grata!"
Give this new kid a break, anyway, he's marvelous!
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he is a perfect fit for Journey and blends perfet
Velvet revolver is looking for a singer in youtube
they should audition this guy
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nlrebqWykvY
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Journey has become a tribute band to Steve Perry. Just doesn't seem right although the new singer is amazing.
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WOW! You're amazing ARNEL. Thank you for sharing your golden voice to the world. We, FILIPINOS, are very,very proud of you.
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