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JOURNEY Guitarist: Reunion With STEVE PERRY Would Include ARNEL PINEDA


According to The Pulse Of Radio, guitarist Neal Schon says that the only way to see Steve Perry back on stage with JOURNEY would be alongside current vocalist, sound-alike Arnel Pineda. Schon, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, and Pineda spoke to The Huffington Post to publicize the new documentary, "Don't Stop Believin'': Everyman's Journey", which premiered at New York City's Tribeca Film Festival, and talked candidly about what it would take to have Steve Perry ever rejoin JOURNEY, with Schon saying, "I don't think there's any way not to have Arnel at this point. Who can say never? You can never say it's never going to happen. Maybe ten years from now? Six years? Who knows? But if that situation ever came up, I think it would be the both of them. And I think it would be at the point where it's a farewell tour. . . and we're done. That's the only appropriate way to go about it."

He recalled the search to find Pineda after going through two frontmen following Perry's departure. Schon explained, "We needed someone to really nail our catalog. I looked for a couple of days, non-stop on YouTube. It was a different way to go about it, instead of flying people in from all over the world. I looked and looked for like two days, and Arnel popped up at the last minute in a link. I heard the voice and went, 'He's got the high tenor voice.' I realized he was very, very strong and covered a lot of area."

Jonathan Cain added that there's a difference between being a straight mimic and doing what Pineda does. "He's not a tribute band singer," Cain said. "The tribute band singers are scary because they are kind of clones, you know? We did have a guy that we looked at, but he was so much like Steve Perry, it was crazy. It was too creepy. But, it was kind of neat to get next to that and see it for a second. A lot of these tribute guys, they can sing the old stuff, but, you try to put a new song in their mouth and they can't do it."

Pineda was asked if he's ever met Steve Perry. "No, but I've been wanting to," he said. "I hope I can sing with him, you know, side by side. If he would welcome that. That would be awesome. I think, especially the hardcore fans, they would love it."

Steve Perry, who over the years co-wrote such JOURNEY classics with Neal Schon as "Don't Stop Believin'", "Stone In Love", "Lights" and "Any Way You Want It", told The Pulse Of Radio that during the band's heyday, Neal Schon literally had uncut gems flowing from his fingers. "It was challenging, because Neal Schon is a goldmine of potential ideas and he doesn't know, really, which are the best or not — 'cause they're all interesting to him," he said. "But in come my set of ears and he'd play stuff and I'd hear melodies, I'd say, 'Wait, what was that?!' And (he'd say) 'Oh, I don't know, it's just 'diddle-a doh' over this with a fifth. . .' I'd say, 'I don't care what you call it — what was that?' 'I don't know, it's just an idea I came up with last night.' I'd say, 'Well, why don't you keep playing that for a second while I come up with a melody?'"

Honestly, I don't ever see Steve coming back, if it hasn't happened already.

He just simply doesn't seem to have any interest in returning and I suspect that there's probably much more behind his reasoning than any of us are aware of or are allowed to speak of (those J-boys do seem to love to keep mum about such things). They've also proven that they do love the media attention lately, so I suspect this is a carrot that will be dangled for quite some time to keep interest up.

If Perry were to decide to come back for a farewell reunion tour, I really doubt that he'd agree to be Arnel's sidekick. If the present Journey members feel so strongly about having their legendary and present vocalists perform together, shouldn't they also consider including a vocalist that spent about a decade with them?

If this does ever happen, I am certain that the only option, to ensure complete success in going out with the biggest bang possible, is to have Steve Perry performing all vocal duties as a full-fledged reunion. They seem happily 'divorced' and I don't know of any divorcees who would consider another 'roll in the hay' with their exes for old time's sake. But, hey, who knows... Journey has already made quite a few odd decisions in the past.

Until such time, I'm perfectly happy in not attending these current shows. I just don't have any interest in the present Journey and I'm entitled to my opinion. Those that do, go ahead and ENJOY, but don't criticize my distaste and lack of interest in them. It would be like a Jovah's witness trying to convert a Roman Catholic or Orthodox Jew... Ain't gonna ever happen!

Debbie

If Steve Perry did decide to come back and
he refused to take the stage w/AP ...that's the way
it would be ...you're not fooling us.

I agree w/RC^^^ ...it's a carrot to garner
attention and possibly ruffle some feathers.

I truly do not think we will ever see a Journey reunion with Steve Perry. It seems like once Steve Perry makes his mind up, thats it. I think that like others have said he has moved on and does not have an interest in playing with Journey, especially touring. I think in his mind Neal and John destroyed alot of the reputation that Journey had by replacing him with other singers. I also think that there are some deep rooted issues that only Neal and John know about that have really affected Steve Perry.

As far as Arnel Pineda...there is no way that Steve Perry would ever share the stage with Arnel. I think that would just be a bit weird. Steve Perry doesnt want any part of Journey featuring Neal Schon and his circus side show.

I guarantee if Journey ever DID reunite with Steve Perry, it would not include Arnel Pineda or any other lead singer - other than maybe Gregg Rolie.

I think the point here is that it would have to include AP because Perry would only do a couple or a few songs. I don't think there's anyway he could sing for an hour+ straight. No way.


later~

The jab at the tribute singer, which I assume in Jeremy, is ridiculous. JC and NS, you are faulting someone for singing your classic hits perfectly which is the JOB of someone singing in the tribute band. People don't want a tribute singer for Journey to sound like Eddie Vedder. The worst of this jab is implying the tribute singer can't sing new material. Jeremy's album is better than anything they have done with Arnel and maybe post Perry. Not to mention, a good portion of Jeremy's CD is pretty far removed from Journey's sound. They said the same shit about Hugo after they hired SA. Hugo is kind of a clone though. I haven't heard Hugo's original stuff so I do know if he has any originality or songwriting chops.

In Neil's dreams! If Perry wanted to come back, he'd have a meeting with Azoff and tell him how it's going to go down. Azoff would then tell Niel and Cain, Perry and Cain would then bring the band back to relevancy while at the same time telling Neil to try to keep his damn pants on. Assclown.

RedWingFan wrote:In Neil's dreams! If Perry wanted to come back, he'd have a meeting with Azoff and tell him how it's going to go down. Azoff would then tell Niel and Cain, Perry and Cain would then bring the band back to relevancy while at the same time telling Neil to try to keep his damn pants on. Assclown.

I have to disagree. The only way Journey regains relevancy is if they do something totally different, like release a country album (see Bon Jovi, Lionel Ritchie).

Don wrote:

RedWingFan wrote:In Neil's dreams! If Perry wanted to come back, he'd have a meeting with Azoff and tell him how it's going to go down. Azoff would then tell Niel and Cain, Perry and Cain would then bring the band back to relevancy while at the same time telling Neil to try to keep his damn pants on. Assclown.

I have to disagree. The only way Journey regains relevancy is if they do something totally different, like release a country album (see Bon Jovi, Lionel Ritchie).

or Perry-era cuts that never made it to the albums... with Perry singing of course

The world does not need a Journey country CD. God no!! That would be the epitome of pathetic and selling out.

According to Rolling Stone, Journey was a sell out before selling out became fashionable...

This is so silly that to even think that someone like SP joining Journey is as insane as to the likes of Adam Lambert joining AI as a judge. No way in hell. Are you kidding me. It's pretty clear Steve Perry began to understand at the end of Raised on Radio that Neil and John were two god awfull keyboard and guiter players.
Perry was much more defined and brilliant who more than likely was hoping that somewhere from evolution and Frontiers, Herbert would get rid of Neil and Cain and get some talanted Musicians in there. But it never happen and as we know the rest is history. Why would you want to belittle yourself and take a step backwards. Take that step forwards and beyond if you indeed arre planning on a return to the music industry. I have always felt sad for Perry that he had to endure with complacement and these below average band members for his Hall-Of-Fame career. Ughhh.

journey361 wrote:This is so silly that to even think that someone like SP joining Journey is as insane as to the likes of Adam Lambert joining AI as a judge. No way in hell. Are you kidding me. It's pretty clear Steve Perry began to understand at the end of Raised on Radio that Neil and John were two god awfull keyboard and guiter players.
Perry was much more defined and brilliant who more than likely was hoping that somewhere from evolution and Frontiers, Herbert would get rid of Neil and Cain and get some talanted Musicians in there. But it never happen and as we know the rest is history. Why would you want to belittle yourself and take a step backwards. Take that step forwards and beyond if you indeed arre planning on a return to the music industry. I have always felt sad for Perry that he had to endure with complacement and these below average band members for his Hall-Of-Fame career. Ughhh.

Navarro wrote:The world does not need a Journey country CD. God no!! That would be the epitome of pathetic and selling out.

Exactly. Journey needs to be Journey.

Having Arnel on stage with Perry is a huge insult to SP, truly laughable! He deserves more respect than that.

JTRock wrote:Having Arnel on stage with Perry is a huge insult to SP, truly laughable! He deserves more respect than that.

Well, otherwise you'd get a 2-3 song concert and little if any touring. Arnel is not there to insult. He's there to help honor the legacy and keep the band alive.

steveo777 wrote:

JTRock wrote:Having Arnel on stage with Perry is a huge insult to SP, truly laughable! He deserves more respect than that.

Well, otherwise you'd get a 2-3 song concert and little if any touring. Arnel is not there to insult. He's there to help honor the legacy and keep the band alive.

So Arnel is the equivalent of "life support"?

slucero wrote:

steveo777 wrote:

JTRock wrote:Having Arnel on stage with Perry is a huge insult to SP, truly laughable! He deserves more respect than that.

Well, otherwise you'd get a 2-3 song concert and little if any touring. Arnel is not there to insult. He's there to help honor the legacy and keep the band alive.

So Arnel is the equivalent of "life support"?

All this yada yada about honoring a legacy is malarkey. Do you think Pineda would endure the road and being far from home over something intangible like that?
The guy was on his way to Hong Kong to support his family when Journey called. Arnel is there for one thing and one thing only. A paycheck.
And ain't nothing wrong with that so no need to dress it up as anything else.

Don wrote:

slucero wrote:

steveo777 wrote:

JTRock wrote:Having Arnel on stage with Perry is a huge insult to SP, truly laughable! He deserves more respect than that.

Well, otherwise you'd get a 2-3 song concert and little if any touring. Arnel is not there to insult. He's there to help honor the legacy and keep the band alive.

So Arnel is the equivalent of "life support"?

All this yada yada about honoring a legacy is malarkey. Do you think Pineda would endure the road and being far from home over something intangible like that?
The guy was on his way to Hong Kong to support his family when Journey called. Arnel is there for one thing and one thing only. A paycheck.
And ain't nothing wrong with that so no need to dress it up as anything else.

Agreed.

slucero wrote:

Don wrote: All this yada yada about honoring a legacy is malarkey. Do you think Pineda would endure the road and being far from home over something intangible like that?
The guy was on his way to Hong Kong to support his family when Journey called. Arnel is there for one thing and one thing only. A paycheck.
And ain't nothing wrong with that so no need to dress it up as anything else.

Agreed.

Me three ..It is what it is, folks.
Arnel, as great a guy as
he seems, has no more interest in
honoring the legacy than the leaders of the band.
They are forced to live the legacy night after night
because that is what's keeping them fed, period.

Perry holds the cards at this point. If it meant he had to SHARE the limelight...WON'T HAPPEN.

Not being an asshole..but really think about it.

I pray every day that Arnel has a break out single on his own and leaves Schon and Cain scouring youtube again.

AR wrote:I pray every day that Arnel has a break out single on his own and leaves Schon and Cain scouring youtube again.

That would be some great karma.

Navarro wrote:The jab at the tribute singer, which I assume in Jeremy, is ridiculous.

I took it that he was talking about Hugo. His comments (especially being so close it was 'creepy') are nearly identical to what Neal said about Hugo a few years back - I think Hugo even used the quote on his own page.

Rip Rokken wrote:

Navarro wrote:The jab at the tribute singer, which I assume in Jeremy, is ridiculous.

I took it that he was talking about Hugo. His comments (especially being so close it was 'creepy') are nearly identical to what Neal said about Hugo a few years back - I think Hugo even used the quote on his own page.

I assure you Rip that was a dig at me. They tried that same thing with Hugo back around Trial By Fire when Hugo said John Kalodner called him and said he mentioned him to the band as a possible replacement. I don't know the details about that.

But it's pretty well established that I was the only guy they seriously considered, followed by Arnel when Neal and his girlfriend got in a twist about my pregnant wife and what it would mean to touring. The spin since then was always "Jeremey was too much like Perry, we wanted someone who could be their own person," yada yada whatever. It was an easy spin to make, the whole, yuck, cheesy tribute singer thing, as that's easier than explaining what really went down. But I agree it's confusing to people sometimes because I've never been "too much" like Perry and aside from a few gigs at our beginning, always did my own thing with the songs, appearance, and stage persona. We've been one of the few tribute bands that doesn't do the costume gimmick, and I doubt had they seen videos of me parading around in a wig and tails like I did the first year we started out, they would have dared gotten in touch with me.

And had Arnel been an American singing in a cover band in hotels, etc, I'm not sure what distinction could be made between his career at the time, and my career at the time. Certainly I sang all Journey songs, but I spent many years singing Aerosmith, Judas Priest, and Led Zep covers in bars before I became successful with Frontiers. As far as covering a lot of singers, versus being just a Perry clone...Well, I developed my own Danny Gans style impressionist one man show for a time (videos of that were circulated when I was being courted by Journey, one comment mentioned was that I must have attended "clown college,)" which stung a little as it came from someone high in JSS' entourage, but I certainly understand the bitterness at the time.

Here was Neal's quote where he specifically mentioned me:
""Jeremey Hunsicker...He was very good...But he was a bit scary because he was almost too much like Perry. He was almost like a duplicate, probably the closest of anyone out there."

I guess that's a backward compliment. But I don't think I'm too much like Perry, nor do I think I was the closest of anyone out there. I think I was a good singer for the material they needed sung. But certainly not a mimic or clone. But, as I mentioned many times before, it is what it is, and what is put out there in the public is ALWAYS spun and coated with the "story" the marketing people want people to hear.

Speaking of pregnant wives.....I wonder how the touriing is gonna work out with Arnel this year? They are expecting a baby in July. I don't think his wife is gonna be touring with him this year.

Very simple...expect a new singer mid tour. LOL

T-Bone wrote:Reunion With STEVE PERRY Would Include ARNEL PINEDA

No, it wouldn't. Does anyone really believe this? Whatever Perry says, goes. As soon as he expresses interest in re-joining, Arnel would be sent packing on a slow boat back to Manilla. Creatively, at this point, I would welcome a Perry return. His songwriting touch is missed.

The_Noble_Cause wrote:

T-Bone wrote:Reunion With STEVE PERRY Would Include ARNEL PINEDA

No, it wouldn't. Does anyone really believe this? Whatever Perry says, goes. As soon as he expresses interest in re-joining, Arnel would be sent packing on a slow boat back to Manilla. Creatively, at this point, I would welcome a Perry return. His songwriting touch is missed.

In reality, what would Journey do WITH Steve Perry, at this point? Not much, would be my guess. His return would be entirely pointless unless it was for a farewell tour. Journey would not throw away their future touring potential and gamble on what Steve would or wouldn't do. No way would they launch Arnel. Too big of a gamble and my bet says it would be a losing one. Therefore I must respectfully disagree with you.