LOVE ROCKS...Arnel Pineda

[loverocks]

Khaleej Times Online


Sing star

Adam Zacharias

11 February 2010 Arnel Pineda, vocalist for rock megastars Journey, prepares for a Valentine’s Day solo show in Dubai


IT’S BEEN A wild ride for Arnel Pineda since 2007.
The Filipino singer was discovered performing Journey covers on YouTube by Neil Schon, guitarist and founder member of the group who have sold more than 75 million albums in their 37-year career.
But when Schon e-mailed expressing interest, Pineda knocked him back – finding the notion that the Rock and Roll Hall of Famers were randomly asking him to join their ranks a rather hard pill to swallow.
After finally being convinced this might not be a hoax, Arnel auditioned for the band in San Francisco and was promptly installed as their new frontman.
As well as performing all their old classics such as Don’t Stop Believin’ (which currently occupies two of the top 10 slots in the UK singles charts as the original and a cover), Arnel has also sparked interest in the group’s new material.
Along with his new bandmates, he has appeared on programmes including The Oprah Winfrey Show and The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
Meanwhile, Journey’s latest album Revelation hit number five in America in 2008, a phenomenal improvement on previous record Generations which scraped in at a career-low number 170, and unsurprisingly topped the charts in the Philippines as well.

City Times spoke with Arnel ahead of his Valentine’s Day solo show in Dubai.

Is life in an international rock band how you expected it would be?

Yes it is. I was prepared for it during my years of singing – since the age of 15 with my bandmates here in the Philippines. I was exposed to a lot of the behaviours and attitudes of musicians, famous and not. Plus I’ve seen what happens in the music videos of all my favourite international bands over the years.

Describe the feeling you get when you walk on stage in front of tens of thousands of people.

My very first gig in Chile was the most terrifying. But after that I began to adapt, and I’ve developed this sense of professionalism. When I’m about to face those people, who expecting to hear that distinct sound and witness the legacy, I become so focused on what I need to do onstage. Plus there’s that tingling feeling of excitement, and the lingering question of how they’re going to react after I’ve finished each song.

Where do you think you would be if you hadn’t joined Journey?

I would have gone back to Hong Kong with my wife and kids.

Have the rest of the band taught you any lessons on dealing with the crazy world you’ve entered?

I was pretty much expecting how crazy it was going to be, and I was quite prepared – except for the amount of travelling that I go through with the band. Different cities every day, airports, hotels…that’s really the crazy part for me.

What will your solo set in Dubai consist of?

The songs that have played a big part of my evolution as a singer and a songwriter, and I’ll try to do some songs from our Zoology album (with former band The Zoo) too.

Do you enjoy your new role as a Filipino ambassador to the world?

I don’t consider myself an ambassador yet for my fellow men, maybe because I’m still my old self and maintain a simple attitude despite the things I’ve accomplished lately.

Is it hard being a good role model?

It will be quite hard, because we all know that nobody’s perfect. But I’m praying that I will be able to live up to expectation as an ambassador.

How much time do you get to relax outside of Journey, and how often do you see your family?

I am only with Journey when we have to work, and the rest of my free time I can spend with my family. I even brought my family with me last year around America when I toured with the band.

[loverocks]

1st time ni nako i UP with no posts nga significant..
gi kapoi nako.. my time's up, concert na ugma!!!
wohooooo!!! bahala namo diha..hehehe

[twisted_180]

...just bought our VIP tickets yesterday

[loverocks]

...just bought our VIP tickets yesterday

wow!
asa mo na row sa reserved seats?
waaaaaaaaaaaaaa..

[anya]

see you tonight!

[loverocks]

wohooooooo!!!!
just came from the love rocks concert!!!
waaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!! !!
im speechless, di pako ka describe sa ako kalipay..hahaha

kamo, any reviews from the concert sa mga ni attend?
what can you say?ehehe

[loverocks]

early posts on YOUTUBE from the LOVE ROCKS concert!!!!

FOR THE FIRST TIME
YouTube - Arnel Pineda LIVE - For the First Time

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (duet w/ shin)
YouTube - Arnel Pineda and Rachelle Ann Go LIVE - Bohemian Rhapsody


grabe jud c arnel!!!!
waaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!
grabe grabe grabe!!!!

[loverocks]

early posts on YOUTUBE from the LOVE ROCKS concert!!!!

FOR THE FIRST TIME
YouTube - Arnel Pineda LIVE - For the First Time

BOHEMIAN RHAPSODY (duet w/ shin)
YouTube - Arnel Pineda and Rachelle Ann Go LIVE - Bohemian Rhapsody


grabe jud c arnel!!!!
waaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!!!!!
grabe grabe grabe!!!!

[axelrod]

thanks for the video.

musta ang attendance?

[fleur_66]

kinsay duna pa mga videos post ninyo duna pa ko hang over wala pa ko ka get over sa ako enjoyment gabii ganahan ko mubalik balik paminaw sa iya mga kanta, superb ang performance...ako hubby bisan wala kaayo siya kaila ni AP diha na siya search sa you tube b4 sa concert, gisapot na unta kay dugay nasugdan, pag intro gyud og beatles song nawala ang sapot giganahan na mas nindot pa kuno iya version sa kanta ni paul mcartney