CONTROVERSY mars the legendary 80s rock band Journey for a series of tweets unleashed recently by their Filipino lead vocalist Arnel Pineda.
Journey, considered as the world’s best-selling bands of all time, is known for their hit songs “Don’t Stop Believing,” “Open Arms” and “Faithfully.”
Arnel P’s tweets
Fans were caught off guard after Pineda posted the following tweets February 5:
“M with the band to sing the legacy. If some of them are tired of me being with them, with all means, they can fire me anytime. And don’t lecture me about spiritual BS”
“all i know? is #ivepaidmydues so stop reminding me where i came from..coz it’s in my heart everyday..
“you just don’t pay attention..i’m not a slave..im a human being like anybody else..
“#wrongiswrong #rightisright that simple..”
What’s going on?
Before Pineda’s scathing remarks, Journey’s founder Neal Schön’s wife Michaele had cryptic posts as well.
“TWO BAND MEMBERS of the Journey current LINE UP ARE ‘adamant NO’ against Gregg Rolie to return.”
“Neal Schön and Gregg ROLIE will be somewhere Together at least one time this Year in Honor of what they began in 1972.”
“Faith, let’s ask God to find a way for them. Let’s pray for forgiveness for those who hurt Gregg ROLIE and hope they learn what spirituality is someday .We all love you !!”
Who is Gregg Rolie?
Rolie is a former keyboardist of the band from 1972-80.
Schön had asked him to join the 50th anniversary freedom tour of Journey.
This prompted speculations that Rolie will replace Jonathan Cain who has an ongoing legal dispute with Schön.
Thus, fans were quick to link Pineda’s and Michaele’s tweets: Michaele must have been referring to Pineda and Cain as the stumbling block to Rolie’s comeback.
A report from Variety magazine said Journey have had “long fractious relations.”
“But an inter-band cease-and-desist order is a new peak,” Variety said.
Schön went to court, asking Cain to stop using the band’s hits during political rallies of the Republicans last month.
Pineda: I have nothing vs Rolie
Pineda was growingly getting frustrated in January about the situation and the rumors circulating about him and Rolie’s impeding return when he tweeted:
“you people are unbelievable…
“whoever’s spreading rumor about me regarding the #GregRolie issue? are maliciously ignorant..i’m not gonna stoop down to your level..” Pineda posted on January 13.
History of Journey and members
In case you are not aware, Journey’s original members were Neal Schön, Ross Valorie, George Tickner and Prairie Prince. Gregg Rolie joined them as their keyboardist.
Rolie left in 1980 but has maintained a good relationship with Schön.
Pineda is the newest member in the band. He was discovered on Youtube in 2007, and became the lead vocalist replacing Jeff Scott Soto.
How this newest controversy will turn out is anyone’s guess but by the way it’s going, Pineda might be coming home sooner than later. We’re just hoping that he’s done enough to continue his own legacy.
