Journey finds its sixth lead singer

Journey has a new singer…again! According to a press release, the band welcomed singer Arnel Pineda with open arms to the Journey family this week. Pineda replaced Jeff Scott Soto, who replaced Steve Augeri, who replaced Steve Perry, who replaced Gregg Rolie, who replaced Robert Fleischman, who replaced—wait, that’s it.

For years, Pineda has been singing Journey songs in a band called The Zoo all over his homeland of the Philippines. He got the job after guitarist Neal Schon spent several days watching YouTube videos of bands playing Journey songs. The Zoo’s cover of “Faithfully” sealed the deal.

“It’s so exciting to sing with one of the best bands in the world,” said Pineda. It just goes to show you that if you don’t stop believin’, your dreams just might come true.

While the band and its singers tend to go separate ways (worlds apart) pretty regularly, the current Journeymen think they really got it right this time. “Arnel brings a soulful and passionate voice to Journey,” said keyboardist Jonathan Cain. “He’s a sincere, authentic person with a great smile and a big heart. I think fans are really going to love him.” Rumor has it, they’ve been lovin’, touchin’, squeezin’ since Pineda joined the band.

Schon added, “We feel reborn.” Who’s crying now, Perry?

Got news tips for Paste? Email news@pastemagazine.com.