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Former Pres. Bill Clinton, reportedly a big fan of the American rock band Journey, is said to be catching Arnel Pineda’s New Jersey concert on July 25 at the Boardwalk Hall of Atlantic City (the Las Vegas of the US East Coast). Arnel is Journey’s Pinoy lead vocalist.
“Mr. Clinton is set to headline a lecture series of big-name politicians to be hosted by the Atlantic City Hilton Casino Resort. He is scheduled to speak two days before the Arnel Pineda concert,” Edmund Silvestre (of The Filipino Reporter) confirmed news reports.
Edmund added that his paper learned that a staffer of Mr. Clinton has made reservations for six front-row seats at Boardwalk Hall’s Adrian Philips Ballroom, venue of the Arnel Pineda concert that will also feature Filipino belter Rachelle Ann Go and the Ammo Band, the group where Pineda started in the Philippines before he became the lead singer of Journey in 2008 replacing the great Steve Perry. Arnel was discovered by Journey’s lead guitarist, Neal Schon, via You Tube.
Boardwalk Hall officials would neither confirm nor deny the report citing security concerns, but the show’s Fil-Am producer, Mely Pacheco Gabriel of MPG Global Productions, confirmed to The Filipino Reporter that six VIP tickets worth $150 each have indeed been reserved by the former president’s party.
“That’s all we can say right now,” Edmund quoted Mely as saying. “Of course, it will be a big honor if Mr. Clinton would really show up. I was told he’s a big Journey fan and he’s familiar with the life story of Arnel Pineda especially his rise to stardom. It’s Mr. Clinton we’re talking about here that’s why it’s hard to assume that he’ll be there. Besides, he’ll have a hectic schedule that week and will be meeting with political leaders, supporters and fans that’s why we don’t want to just assume that he’ll be in Arnel’s show even if six front-row tickets have been reserved by his people.”
When Edmund asked further, he said that Mely said a Boardwalk Hall official requested that she secure “a special guitar” just in case “a special guest” comes up on stage to jam with Arnel.
The Filipino Reporter also learned that Mr. Clinton and the Filipino rock singer might be staying in one hotel during the duration of their Atlantic City stay.
Arnel is currently in L.A. recording a Journey album and preparing for the band’s world tour next year. His concert with Rachelle Ann Go and The Ammo Band will also be staged in other states. It will be Rachelle Ann’s first concert in the US as a Kapuso star.
“If and when Bill Clinton watches the Atlantic City show, I’m sure he’ll be blown away not only by Arnel and the Ammo Band, but also by Rachelle Ann’s impressive voice and beauty,” Edmund quoted concert promoter Odi Maningas of Las Vegas as saying. “Bill will get a closer look at a Pinay world-class performer just like Charice. Remember that Rachelle is not an ordinary singer, she’s a champion.”
The July 25 Boardwalk Hall concert called Loves to Rock will benefit the Street School Project of Arnel Pineda Foundation.