Journey from the Phillipines

Everyone loves a good human interest/sob story.

I felt that way after seeing this story about Journey's new lead singer. I didn't know much about the band's history beforehand, but am familiar enough with their music ("Don't Stop Believin' ","The Wheel in the Sky", "Open Arms", etc.) .



The band lost it's lead singer, Steve Perry, back in 1996. They have had two other lead singers since then, but not one who could capture "the Perry magic". Then one night, one of the band members spent the evening watching You Tube until he found this guy, performing a cover of Journey's hit, "(Forever Yours) Faithfully". He called up one of his band mates and told him to run to the computer to hear it for himself.

Arnel Pineda grew up in the Phillipines. His parents were tailors, and as a shy kid, he would always cringe when they came to measure him for new clothes. He knew this always meant that he was getting a new outfit for another singing competition. Arnel says that he was shy singing in front of people unless his mother was there - he loved his mother. After her death from a long illness that left the family bankrupt, Arnel became homeless at just 13. He says that he collected scrap metal to get enough money for food until he started singing in Hong Kong night clubs.

It was in these clubs that he performed covers of many American hits, and where the recording discovered by the original band members was recorded and posted to You Tube. Arnel said that his mother always encouraged him to sing and gave him what he needed to survive (and succeed).

What a way to be discovered! Through You Tube! I personally have a negative musical ability, so there would be no hope for me to hit it big this way. Do you think I could put up a video offering my technical services saying something like, "Will do radar analysis and MATLAB work for food" and be "discovered"?

Journey just put out a new CD and is touring with their new lead singer.