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Journey Band Reborn With Filipino Lead Singer 
By: zachjer cuello
Journey band, the multi-platinum rock band of the 70's has just got a massive shot in the arm: it's got for itself a new lead singer. Arnel Pineda, a Filipino veteran of music gigs in clubs in the Philippines and Japan, was literally plucked out from the Zoo band (as seen in YouTube) in Quezon City, Philippines, and flown to Marin County to have him auditioned. The rest is the beginnings of a modern Cinderella story.
Arnel Pineda just had two months to let this change of fate sink in and barely two weeks to "acclimatize" himself with the music gods that is Journey Band, and off he went to his baptism of fire: the unforgiving "Monster" of Via del Mar, Chile Festival. 15,000 strong audience who also serve as judges is a tough deal for any seasoned singer. And here comes Journey band's new and un-acclimatized lead singer, this could be nerve-wracking. The result, however, was more than phenomenal.
At first, the crowd was a bit less receptive, and Arnel Pineda of the Journey band seemed to be having the jitters too. Some would even say he seems to have forgotten the lyrics that he seems to be reading them from a teleprompter (if there ever was).
Eventually, everything started to warm up. But it only got really hot and cozy when the Journey band's lead singer belted out the very popular ballad, "Open Arms." Latinos are a very passionate people, Arnel Pineda, a Filipino, sang passionately-and boy, it was awesome. After that song, everything went well like everybody found their comfort zone. The "Monster" was tamed!
Arnel's version of the song "Faithfully" just melts everyone's heart. All the doubts looming about this Pinoy talent just disappeared. The "Monster" was brought to Arnel and the rest of Journey band, finally the band regained their position to be among one of the best rock bands of all time.
It was encore number one after the other that was asked of the Journey band. Their final song even took a little bit longer to get going since most of the equipment have been turned off. And it was still so memorable! Arnel Pineda have finally proven that he could deliver what is expected of him to be a part of Journey band.
Neal Schon acted like a very proud father of a son he introduced to everyone, Jonathan Cain (over-heard to be not so pleased with Arnel Pineda) is now proclaiming Arnel "is the real deal", Ross Valory constantly flashes that otherwise so rare smile, and Deen Castronovo gave Arnel a humble vow after the show.
This is something like a substance of a mushy Cinderella story, really?
What an opposite situation where it is like a Cinderella story for Arnel Pineda while Journey band is the Lazarus who came back from the dead.
Some musical big wigs coined Journey band has become a "Greatest Hits" group. Schon, Cain, Valory, and Castronovo are riding the wave of Journey's past glorious moments. They attempted some new materials but they did not seem to hit the sales records. They might still posses the admiration of the original fan groups, but this fans base could either go for other bands or genre, or they could just rot and die of being old.
Steve Augeri, and Jason Scot Soto are equally great singers but they simply try to extend Journey band's life span. With the inclusion of Arnel Pineda, the band is repackaged without losing its old aura. Arnel Pineda's clear tenor sound, powerful voice and soulful rendition of the song keeps the sound and feel that is "Journey."
However, Arnel Pineda, as Journey band's lead singer, doesn't end his contributions to the band there. His being Asian, his youthful energy, his really "rock" rendition of the fast ones provide Journey band a chance to be discovered by the younger generation not only from continental USA but globally.
Article Source: http://www.uberarticles.com/articles
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