JOURNEY - OFFICIAL PRESS RELEASE

[Andrew]

JOURNEY WELCOMES ARNEL PINEDA
WITH “OPEN ARMS” TO THEIR FAMILY
AS THE BAND’S NEW LEAD SINGER


December 5, 2007

After much speculation…the wait is finally over.

JOURNEY--Neal Schon (guitar), Jonathan Cain (keyboards), Ross Valory (bass), Deen Castronovo (drums)--is proud to introduce fans all over the world to their new lead singer, Arnel Pineda (“pin-eh-da”). He replaces Jeff Scott Soto, who parted ways with the band earlier this year after stepping in for Steve Augeri, who had to leave the band in 2006 for medical reasons.

Arnel hails from Quezon City in the Philippines and has been singing Journey songs--in addition to original material--with his band, The Zoo, for the past couple of years in clubs all over his homeland. Joining the legendary band is a dream come true for him.

“It’s so exciting to sing with one of the best bands in the world. It’ll be a lot of hard work on my part and I’m actually looking forward to the scrutiny I’ll get from the hardcore JOURNEY fans. I know they’ll expect me to sound exactly like ‘the voice’ (Steve Perry), but that will never happen. I know there's only one Steve Perry in this world.”

When it was time for JOURNEY to look for a new lead singer, the internet came to their rescue. Guitarist Neal Schon wanted someone new to the music business, so he turned to YouTube. After finding Arnel singing “Faithfully,” he knew he had found the perfect frontman.

“I was frustrated about not having a singer,” explains guitarist Neal Schon, “so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted. After watching the videos over and over again, I had to walk away from the computer and let what I heard sink in because it sounded too good to be true. I thought, ‘he can’t be that good.’ But he is that good, he’s the real deal and so tremendously talented. Arnel doesn’t sound synthetic and he’s not emulating anyone. I tried to get a hold of him through YouTube and I finally heard from him that night, but it took some convincing to get him to believe that it really was me and not an imposter.”

Arnel Pineda picks up the story: “My friend Noel picked up the message on YouTube and told me it was from Neal. I thought it was a hoax so I ignored it. Noel said, ‘what if it really was Neal and he wanted to offer you the chance of a lifetime?’ So I e-mailed Neal back and the rest is history.”

“Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to JOURNEY,” continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain. “His personality is very well-suited to our music. He’s a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart. I think fans are really going to love him. With Arnel’s soaring tenor, Journey returns to our heritage sound.”

Schon agrees, “We feel reborn. I think there’s a lot of chemistry between the five of us. At first we were going to go into the studio and just write 4 songs, but now it’s escalated to a lot of great new and diverse material. The stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone’s so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel.”

JOURNEY is currently working on a new album with legendary producer Kevin Shirley, which they hope to release by spring/summer 2008. Details will be announced early next year.

www.journeymusic.com

[somethingtohide]

Well finally...Thanks Andrew

[ScarabGator]

yep, finally!!!! Arnel seems very humble. Now Journey haters-pick it apart!!!

[odessa]

Thanks for the news Andrew and I'm glad it's finally been announced-officially.

[Rip Rokken]

Rock on! Thanks for the news, Andrew!

[Escape Artist]

Thanks Andrew... does this mean the official Journey site will be back online soon?

[Red13JoePa]

NOthing about the classics rerecordings?

[STORY_TELLER]

continues keyboardist Jonathan Cain....With Arnel’s soaring tenor, Journey returns to our heritage sound.”

This speaks volumes to me about why Jeff was dropped. Cain wanted a Tenor voice to sing their hits and he wasn't happy with Jeff's deeper sound.

Curious to see what the new music sounds like, but I won't buy anything without hearing samples first. 30 second clips should be fine guys. Post 'em.

[ScarabGator]

I would like to know when the site will be back up.

[Rip Rokken]

I do have to admit, it's chock full of propaganda, though! Some of it sounds like what we heard when they hired JSS.

[dcvader]

I would like to know when the site will be back up.

Their site is as big of a disgrace as their new line-up. The JRNY site is shit (always has been). A 3 yr old could make a MySpace page that looks better than the current JRNY site.

[ieie]

“I was frustrated about not having a singer,” explains guitarist Neal Schon, “so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody.

I don't even know what to say to that ..

[Rick]

I do have to admit, it's chock full of propaganda, though! Some of it sounds like what we heard when they hired JSS.

Yep, sounds almost exactly like what he said about JSS.

[Ratgirl]

OMG! I cant believe it... jk..
Goodluck Arnel, you got some BIG shoes to fill.

Thanks for the update Andrew.

[Rip Rokken]

I do have to admit, it's chock full of propaganda, though! Some of it sounds like what we heard when they hired JSS.

Yep, sounds almost exactly like what he said about JSS.

This paragraph especially:

Schon agrees, “We feel reborn. I think there’s a lot of chemistry between the five of us. At first we were going to go into the studio and just write 4 songs, but now it’s escalated to a lot of great new and diverse material. The stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone’s so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel.”

Does someone have the announcement of Jeff's hiring to compare it to?

[Andrew]

NOthing about the classics rerecordings?

Not yet. As stated yesterday, the focus will be on new material, which is cool....but it will have to be stonkingly bloody good material!!!!

[piecesofeight]

“I was frustrated about not having a singer,” explains guitarist Neal Schon, “so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted.

That's what it has come to...finding a singer on youtube...

[Escape Artist]

I do have to admit, it's chock full of propaganda, though! Some of it sounds like what we heard when they hired JSS.

Yep, sounds almost exactly like what he said about JSS.

This paragraph especially:

Schon agrees, “We feel reborn. I think there’s a lot of chemistry between the five of us. At first we were going to go into the studio and just write 4 songs, but now it’s escalated to a lot of great new and diverse material. The stuff sounds tremendous. Everyone’s so stoked about it. We feel very fortunate to have found Arnel.”

Does someone have the announcement of Jeff's hiring to compare it to?

Compare Augeri's announcment too... deja vu.

[donnaplease]

[Rip Rokken]

Does someone have the announcement of Jeff's hiring to compare it to?

Compare Augeri's announcment too... deja vu.

Freaking publicists....

[donnaplease]

I'm not surprised, and yet... ugh.

[Saint John]

“I was frustrated about not having a singer,” explains guitarist Neal Schon, “so I went on YouTube for a couple of days and just sat on it for hours. I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted.

That's what it has come to...finding a singer on youtube...

It's an upgrade from the guy that used to clean turkey shit, and that turned out pretty well, huh?

[ieie]

Does someone have the announcement of Jeff's hiring to compare it to?

December 19, 2006 --

"We are so grateful to Steve for all the years he dedicated to Journey," says Journey in a joint statement. "We thank Steve for all his hard work and we wish him only the best in his future endeavors. Over the past few months, we've come to realize that Jeff has proven himself above and beyond that he can sing the hell out of our songs and we're happy to officially welcome him as part of the family. We're excited to start a new chapter with Jeff and we're excited about what the future may bring."

[journeyrock]

Perfect Donna!

[donnaplease]

Perfect Donna!

Hey... I aim to please!!!

[larryfromnextdoor]

I do have to admit, it's chock full of propaganda, though! Some of it sounds like what we heard when they hired JSS.

Yep, sounds almost exactly like what he said about JSS.

no kidding!! that was hysterical .. in a non- funny way,, ive heard this press release before as well,, im excited about this band like i used to be excited about going rattlesnake hunting with a big clothes hanger ..

[Moon Beam]

Thank you for the news Andrew, I'm sure you've had a headache
or two over it.
I hope the cyber sea's ahead for you are calm and sunny.
Good to read that new music is in the works, that may please some of
the die hard fan base.

I still have no words that I can form in a friendly manner for Neal Schon
but I will offer up congrats and good luck to Mr Pineda.

[Matthew]

It's a press release for God's sake. What are you all expecting it to say? That they're all really miserable and are dreading playing live with this weird foreign guy next year?

[Rick]

It's a press release for God's sake. What are you all expecting it to say? That they're all really miserable and are dreading playing live with this weird foreign guy next year?

[mistiejourney]

1. Arnel sounds like a class act, and the man can definitely sing. The only truthful statements, the only ones that came from the heart in that announcement were from Arnel. I wish him well and I am going to feel really bad when they dump on him (I mean that seriously).

2. Let us keep this official announcement front and center to refer to when they do can Arnel. I wish I could remember the one they put out for Steve Augeri and place that next to the one for JSS and now Arnel. How many similarities can you find between the three? I remember Neal GUSHING over JSS.

3. I put waaaay to much energy into this. I'm going to go vomit now.