In a 2022 interview, Neal Schon shared his belief that he played a pivotal role in saving Arnel Pineda’s life. But what led the guitarist to this realization? Let’s take a closer look at their relationship.
Back in 2007, Journey was in need of a new lead singer. Schon’s search led him to a cover band from the Philippines. It was there he stumbled upon a video of Pineda, a singer with a voice that matched the band’s needs. Impressed by Pineda’s vocal range and his ability to recreate the classic Journey sound, Schon reached out with an invitation for an audition.
This invitation was not merely a ticket to join a rock band but, as Schon saw it in 2022, an opportunity to provide Pineda with a platform to flourish and escape the challenges he faced back home:
“Arnel is just a gem. He’s more amazing right now than he was when I first found him in Manila 15 years ago, when he was homeless and he was in dire straits. I was searching for the new singer for Journey, and I chose YouTube to look all over the world for the singer. When I heard his voice, I knew that he was it — with no other thought.”
Schon’s decision to approach Pineda was met with skepticism from both his bandmates and management. However, Schon was unwavering in his belief that Pineda was the right fit for Journey:
“It hit me emotionally in my heart. I went, ‘That is the voice. He is the voice. I know he can do it.’ And so I stuck to my guns, with a lot of resistance from many — from within the band and from management. They all thought I was crazy. I said, ‘I know I’m right. So get him over here.’ We got him over. And he proved that I was right again.”
Pineda’s following performances with the band further solidified Schon’s initial belief. Referring to a show they played, Schon noted:
“The show we just played the other night, he sounded phenomenal through the whole show. … And he’s very excited about some of the new direction that we took that allows him to show how creative he can be without having to emulate our other albums, which is a requirement for any singer that would come into Journey. It’s either that or you throw away all the hits that you ever had. And what do you do? Start from ground zero again? It doesn’t make sense.
So I knew when I found Arnel that I had found a true chameleon, like no other singer I’d ever heard. He is amazing. I love him. He’s a true warrior.”
Pineda, at the time, was living in Manila and had faced a string of personal and professional challenges. He was on the brink of giving up on his musical aspirations. From performing in small clubs in Manila to headlining concerts in arenas worldwide, his career took a sharp turn when he joined Journey.
However, the dynamic between Schon and Pineda wasn’t always smooth.
The heart of the controversy traces back to a series of tweets in April 2023. Schon, addressing speculations about Pineda and fellow band member Jonathan Cain potentially exiting the band after their current tour, assured fans that such an event ‘won’t happen.’
However, things took a turn when Schon labeled both Pineda and Cain as ‘narcissists and pathological liars,’ agreeing with a fan who labeled them ‘nobodies.’ A fan was quick to point out the significance of Cain’s contributions, noting that he co-wrote about 90% of the current tour’s setlist. Additionally, the fan reminded Schon of his own decision to bring Pineda on board due to the singer’s vocal resemblance to former member Steve Perry.
Arnel Pineda, upon seeing these exchanges, stated that if the band wished to part ways with him, they simply needed to inform him. After some time, Schon quickly clarified his comments. He emphasized that his reference to ‘nobodies’ was aimed at internet trolls trying to stir drama, not Pineda or Cain. He acknowledged Pineda’s vocal talent and asserted that while Pineda would surely have found success in his own right, his collaboration with Journey had an effect on it.
Shortly after, Schon directly apologized to Pineda for the misunderstanding, even hinting at external influences trying to see the band’s current success derailed. In a follow-up to the heated exchanges in May 2023, Schon once again took to Twitter to clarify the status of his relationship with Pineda. Responding to a fan’s claim that the duo had reconciled, Schon stressed that their friendship had remained intact throughout, indicating that the public fallout was largely due to misunderstandings and external speculations.
