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Arnel Pineda Rumored to Want Out of Journey

by Jeff Giles February 7, 2014 7:22 AM

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey- ... da-rumors/

This has been quite the week for Journey rumors: Steve Perry seemed to say he was talking to the band about a reunion, which his former bandmates quickly denied, and now those ever-talkative anonymous sources are saying current vocalist Arnel Pineda wants to be let out of his contract.

The news comes courtesy of Classic Rock Magazine, which quotes MelodicRock.com founder Andrew McNeice as saying Pineda’s days with the group could be numbered. “The Journey tours are being scattered and are fewer due to a request from Arnel,” reads the quote (which we’ve been unable to find elsewhere). “He told the group it has gotten to be too much pressure leaving family at home and singing almost every night. He’s asked to leave in 2015.”

Pineda’s looming burnout comes in spite of what seem to be dedicated efforts on the part of his bandmates. “They got him a bus for him and his family, but his wife says it’s too hard to travel with two babies, and their boy has school,” continues the report. “Arnel stated that he does not want to record a new album with Journey because that would just mean more work. He is very stressed right now and angry with Neal [Schon].”

However, in a recent update at MelodicRock, McNeice seems to dash cold water on those rumors, saying Schon recently reached out to him to say, “Rumors couldn’t be further from the truth. Arnel and I are solid … VERY SOLID… We are very much looking forward to getting out there this year and kicking some ass. We will be in rehearsal for 3 weeks prior to the tour and we will be revamping things to keep it fresh. I’m also heading to rehearsal with the original Santana band for a record to be recorded later this year titled ‘Santana 4.’ Journey is solid as we are and planning on touring all through 2015 as well as 2014.”

For now, all this means is that people remain interested in a reunion of that classic Journey lineup — and even though whether it would even work is highly debatable, these rumors won’t be going away anytime soon.

Well, well well, this has been an interesting couple of weeks of rumors. And as they say where there's smoke, there's fire. Two articles about Arnel looking towards the future, making his own music, and quiting the band. Plus compliants of not wanting to make new music. I was wondering why they hadn't put out more new music with their shiny new singer. Even if they didn't do a full album, they could release singles on Itunes and Google Play.

Then there's Steve Perry- singing in public and saying on camera that he and Neal are "trying" a reunion. Yet, Frontiers Records seems to be the one wanting to hold Journey back. Why? Shouldn't they be salivating to have Steve Perry under some kind of contract?

Once again, Journey destroys another singer. If Journey does get back together, I hope they ask Gregg Rolie and Smitty too. Arnel seems to have caught "Gregg Rolie Disease" where a singer in a popular band that wants to quit and go home to his family. Here's not going to be able to earn "mail box money" if the Pineda Era Journey music isn't used in other media, and once he leaves Journey- nobody's going to care about his documentary. I predict once he's gone, he'll drop off the face of the earth.

Arnel Pineda Denies Rumors He Wants Out of Journey (Updated)

by Jeff Giles February 7,

http://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey- ... da-rumors/


This has been quite the week for Journey rumors: Steve Perry seemed to say he was talking to the band about a reunion, which his former bandmates quickly denied, and now those ever-talkative anonymous sources are saying current vocalist Arnel Pineda wants to be let out of his contract.

The news comes courtesy of Classic Rock Magazine, which quotes MelodicRock.com founder Andrew McNeice as saying Pineda’s days with the group could be numbered. “The Journey tours are being scattered and are fewer due to a request from Arnel,” reads the quote (which we’ve been unable to find elsewhere). “He told the group it has gotten to be too much pressure leaving family at home and singing almost every night. He’s asked to leave in 2015.”

Pineda’s looming burnout comes in spite of what seem to be dedicated efforts on the part of his bandmates. “They got him a bus for him and his family, but his wife says it’s too hard to travel with two babies, and their boy has school,” continues the report. “Arnel stated that he does not want to record a new album with Journey because that would just mean more work. He is very stressed right now and angry with Neal [Schon].”

However, in a recent update at MelodicRock, McNeice seems to dash cold water on those rumors, saying Schon recently reached out to him to say, “Rumors couldn’t be further from the truth. Arnel and I are solid … VERY SOLID… We are very much looking forward to getting out there this year and kicking some ass. We will be in rehearsal for 3 weeks prior to the tour and we will be revamping things to keep it fresh. I’m also heading to rehearsal with the original Santana band for a record to be recorded later this year titled ‘Santana 4.’ Journey is solid as we are and planning on touring all through 2015 as well as 2014.”

For now, all this means is that people remain interested in a reunion of that classic Journey lineup — and even though whether it would even work is highly debatable, these rumors won’t be going away anytime soon.

Update – Through his representatives, Pineda has sent us a statement strongly denying this story:


“I am as happy to be in Journey today as I was when I first joined the group. Next to my family in Manila, Journey is my family. When I’m not working, I spend time at home with my wife and kids, and my Foundation. Now, I am busy preparing for our tour with Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power. I wish whoever is making up these lies would put their time to good use and stop spreading these false stories.” – Arnel Pineda

heck, its probably Journey management doing it.. just to keep their name in the press...

"any press is better than no press at all"...

Must be a slow day in the Perry loon camp.

And where did I ever quote that Arnel's days could be numbered.

Those assholes are just making shit up. Twice in one week.

Who says Herbie Herbert's tactics aren't still a part of Journey? This sounds like Journey's management and Frontiers Records are trying to pit Arnel, Steve, and the fans against each other. One minute rumors are being leeked that Arnel's unhappy- the next minute he has to deny them. One video shows Steve Perry wanting to reconcile with Neal- Neal leaves multiple messages on Facebook and in the press wanting to at least talk to Perry. Then the next minute there's denials about anything official happening, all's well in both camps, and no singer is joining or leaving.

I think it's highly ironic that Arnel's "complaining" about having to cover Steve Perry when covering famous rock stars is what he's been doing for the last 20 years. Yet, he doesn't "want" to record a new album because that's too much work? Huh??? Aren't those two contradictory statements?

I can't help but speculate that Frontiers is worried that if Steve Perry wanted back into Journey...... Sony would try and steal Journey back and they'd leave them for a major record deal. Of course major record deals are a thing of the past and how many '70s bands still have them?

Which does beg the question "Why would Steve Perry throw out that he's working on his end to reconcile with Journey/Neal Schon- if it's not really true?" To stir the pot? To gain some press? To test the waters? To get Neal's reaction/attention? Someone's not telling the complete truth. I wouldn't at all be surprised if Neal and Steve had spoken and it's just a big old secret.

A big FU to ClassicRock magazine, who through crappy journalism managed to completely screw up my reporting of FACTS in Journey this week and FALSELY credited MR.com with stating Arnel wanted to leave Journey.

Now Blabbermouth are using the ClassicRock report to further the bullshit.

All week I have been posting official comments from the band refuting any problems including comments from Neal Schon himself.

This latest story comes from some crap that was posted on my FB wall by a third party, which was quickly deleted.

To say the comments came from me is irresponsible, lazy and misleading journalism.

If there is enough grounds, I say sue these assholes.

Arnel Pineda Denies Rumors He Wants Out of Journey (Updated)

by Jeff Giles February 7, 2014 7:22 AM


Read More: Arnel Pineda Denies Rumors He Wants Out of Journey (Updated) | http://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey- ... ck=tsmclip


This has been quite the week for Journey rumors: Steve Perry seemed to say he was talking to the band about a reunion, which his former bandmates quickly denied, and now those ever-talkative anonymous sources are saying current vocalist Arnel Pineda wants to be let out of his contract.

The news comes courtesy of Classic Rock Magazine, which quotes MelodicRock.com founder Andrew McNeice as saying Pineda’s days with the group could be numbered. “The Journey tours are being scattered and are fewer due to a request from Arnel,” reads the quote (which we’ve been unable to find elsewhere — see below for an update on that). “He told the group it has gotten to be too much pressure leaving family at home and singing almost every night. He’s asked to leave in 2015.”

Pineda’s looming burnout comes in spite of what seem to be dedicated efforts on the part of his bandmates. “They got him a bus for him and his family, but his wife says it’s too hard to travel with two babies, and their boy has school,” continues the report. “Arnel stated that he does not want to record a new album with Journey because that would just mean more work. He is very stressed right now and angry with Neal [Schon].”

However, in a recent update at MelodicRock, McNeice seems to dash cold water on those rumors, saying Schon recently reached out to him to say, “Rumors couldn’t be further from the truth. Arnel and I are solid … VERY SOLID… We are very much looking forward to getting out there this year and kicking some ass. We will be in rehearsal for 3 weeks prior to the tour and we will be revamping things to keep it fresh. I’m also heading to rehearsal with the original Santana band for a record to be recorded later this year titled ‘Santana 4.’ Journey is solid as we are and planning on touring all through 2015 as well as 2014.”

For now, all this means is that people remain interested in a reunion of that classic Journey lineup — and even though whether it would even work is highly debatable, these rumors won’t be going away anytime soon.

2/7 Update – Through his representatives, Pineda has sent us a statement strongly denying this story:


“I am as happy to be in Journey today as I was when I first joined the group. Next to my family in Manila, Journey is my family. When I’m not working, I spend time at home with my wife and kids, and my Foundation. Now, I am busy preparing for our tour with Steve Miller Band and Tower of Power. I wish whoever is making up these lies would put their time to good use and stop spreading these false stories.” – Arnel Pineda

2/8 update: McNeice has denied making the quotes attributed to him in Classic Rock, declaring on his Facebook page that, “This latest story comes from some crap that was posted on my FB wall by a third party, which was quickly deleted.”

Way to bury updates in an article UCR....

Classic rock says sorry to me for falsely quoting in Journey piece - http://www.classicrockmagazine.com/news ... are-solid/

No comments from either Blabbermouth and UCR.

Steve Perry, Journey reunion '100 percent' not happening, says one report

Steve Spears
Thursday, February 13, 2014

http://www.tampabay.com/blogs/80s/steve ... ne-report/

Steve Perry fans aren't going to like this. A writer at MelodicRock.net says there's absolutely no truth to rumors that Perry and his former bandmates in Journey are talking about a reunion.

"I can 100 percent confirm there has been no business/reunion communication between the camps," Andrew J. McNeice reported, according to RTT News. "[W]hile everyone is on good terms, with no issues, there are no plans for any kind of reunion or attempts to work together in the foreseeable future."

McNeice based his report on a conversation with Journey's management, but I maintain that getting the FULL truth out of Journey's management is like getting the unfiltered news out of Russia during the Sochi Winter Games: It doesn't happen. Neal Schon runs a tight operation over there, and loose lips sink ships.

Do I think Arnel Pineda is tired of the long tours and wants out? You bet I believe those rumors. But bringing back Perry means the spotlight shines a little brighter on Steve than the rest of the band, and I don't think Neal's cool with that. Just a feeling I get by reading between the lines.

I also absolutely believe Perry should rejoin the band, for at least one more album and one more tour. And I'll keep writing that until the day it happens.

[Last modified: Thursday, February 13, 2014 5:04pm]

tater1977 wrote:But bringing back Perry means the spotlight shines a little brighter on Steve than the rest of the band, and I don't think Neal's cool with that.

If it meant more $$$ for Neal, then I don't think he really cares. That's been proven by history. The only person preventing Perry from making a "triumphant" comeback is Perry himself. I have to say, alot of older singers (see Meat Loaf, Coverdale, Jamison, Augeri, Bobby Kimball) really start to have problems over time. As much as we all love Perry, I respect him for bowing out with grace and knowing when to drop the mic.

Here's another aspect: why would Arnel be rumored to want out of Journey? If he wanted out, wouldn't he have already left? People quit bands all the time. What a stupid rumor. The fact that any professional media source would run it is hilarious.

Archetype wrote:Here's another aspect: why would Arnel be rumored to want out of Journey? If he wanted out, wouldn't he have already left? People quit bands all the time. What a stupid rumor. The fact that any professional media source would run it is hilarious.

Two words - contractual obligations. Tours and albums have a great deal of money and obligations attached to them. It would be absolutely moronic to embark on either without making sure each integral member of the band were legally bound. For example, It's fairly common knowledge that Sammy Hagar would have walked from the 2004 van halen reunion tour, if he wasn't facing a multi-million dollar breech of contract suit.

To swing this back home, this particular rumor regarding Arnel might be stupid....but not because nothing is holding him back from walking out. In fact, considering a band with such historical lead singer turmoil - it's kinda stupid to consider that Journey *wouldnt* legally tie Arnel up in it's interests.

I *never* trust anything coming out of nomota...EVER! And neither should anyone else. At the end of all of this -- it's all just damage control coming from the someone as trustworthy as Neal Schon or someone with Neal's gun to his head.

I still think there's some fire to this smoke. *Remember*...Arnel has been caught speaking freely to the press before....the lack of real action by this band (like *cough* going back into the studio *cough*) or the very sketchy and head scratching touring package this summer ... Suggests to me that there is some trouble in jrny. I might not be vindicated for another year or so....but mark my words, I think something's not right.

I agree...it wouldn't surprise me at all if Arnel wants out and moves on from the band after this tour.

If that is true, what is to stop Neal and Perry from agreeing to one last concert...Maybe reach out to Gregg and other members to perform. Everybody would say they are doing it for the fans...but, it would make a huge payout for blu-ray sales. Maybe write a few songs and perform and record them live. Neal would want to do it, and Perry would do it to be the final singer of the band.

Makes sense to me.

And, when the rumors of Perry joining for what became the TBF reunion came out, that was denied too, by Perry's side becazuse of the FTLOSM tour. Neal was all "We'll get Perry to join even if we have to hold him down and torture him..." But, by then, they already knew. So, all of this is more smoke and mirrors and it's hard to REALLY say what the truth is.

Why I do NOT expect to happen is a tour with Perry. Maybe a concert...slim chance of an album of new music, but not much...depends on how much new and decent stuff Perry REALLY has and if Neal wants it to be "Journey"...but recording them live (like HSAS) is easiest...and no chance of a tour with Perry. I just don't believe Perry can do it.

strangegrey wrote:

Archetype wrote:Here's another aspect: why would Arnel be rumored to want out of Journey? If he wanted out, wouldn't he have already left? People quit bands all the time. What a stupid rumor. The fact that any professional media source would run it is hilarious.

Two words - contractual obligations. Tours and albums have a great deal of money and obligations attached to them. It would be absolutely moronic to embark on either without making sure each integral member of the band were legally bound. For example, It's fairly common knowledge that Sammy Hagar would have walked from the 2004 van halen reunion tour, if he wasn't facing a multi-million dollar breech of contract suit.

To swing this back home, this particular rumor regarding Arnel might be stupid....but not because nothing is holding him back from walking out. In fact, considering a band with such historical lead singer turmoil - it's kinda stupid to consider that Journey *wouldnt* legally tie Arnel up in it's interests.

I *never* trust anything coming out of nomota...EVER! And neither should anyone else. At the end of all of this -- it's all just damage control coming from the someone as trustworthy as Neal Schon or someone with Neal's gun to his head.

I still think there's some fire to this smoke. *Remember*...Arnel has been caught speaking freely to the press before....the lack of real action by this band (like *cough* going back into the studio *cough*) or the very sketchy and head scratching touring package this summer ... Suggests to me that there is some trouble in jrny. I might not be vindicated for another year or so....but mark my words, I think something's not right.

Oh, and one last thing...

I really feel that Eclipse was this bands last gasp for air. Neal had an audience to give his new vision of Journey to...and it was mostly rejected. Rejected meaning it did not sell like Revelation...with all the hype, and all of the excitement, it landed with the thud of a giant turd. It was a step down on the ladder to a 'come back'. it seems to me that so much was put into Eclipse for so little gain, or a loss in Wal-marts case, that I doubt anybody sees any value in releasing another album with Arnel.

If Arnel is looking to release new music, waiting around for Journey probably isn't his best bet. If the right people are whispering in his ear he may leave for this reason also.

So, I'm not surprised at all about the packaged tours and touring without album releases...and the hype of reworking , or whatever, the set list s probably just exaggerated and propaganda to get you all excited over hardly anything.