It's one of those moments that Alanis Morissette would classify as "ironic." But this story isn't about the 1990s vocalist. It's about the band Journey.
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The group known for "Don't Stop Believin'" is currently on its farewell tour. However, its current lead singer, Arnel Pineda, has already attempted to leave the band twice.
Why Wouldn't Journey Let Pineda Leave?
In 2007, Pineda replaced Journey's previous lead singer, the iconic Steve Perry, after guitarist Neal Schon caught his rendition of "Faithfully" on YouTube.
Although Pineda channels his predecessor's vocal style flawlessly, performing classics like "Open Arms" and "Wheel in the Sky" for 19 years has inevitably strained his voice.
Compounding these challenges, Pineda is also dealing with a difficult divorce that has affected him mentally. In court filings, Pineda accused his wife, Cherry, with whom he shares two children, of adultery. She denies the claims and alleges she has suffered "verbal assaults, manipulation, and coercive behavior" from Pineda, which he likewise denies.
"I said to [Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain] I wanted to retire because of my personal problems. No answer," Pienda said. "Obviously, they don't want to find another singer."
PEOPLE reports that in 2024, Pineda asked his Journey bandmates to update him on their plans for farewell tour dates, given that his situation was "getting more intense." He was unsure about joining the tour.
"I said, 'I want you to discuss the schedule with me.' It is what it is now... But then, I was really not happy with how they scheduled this tour. My body has changed," he said. "I can't take the cold weather anymore."
A Journey Tour Can't Happen Without Pineda
Pineda claims he was not consulted before Journey finalized 60 tour dates this year, with 40 more already set for 2027.
According to Schon, Pineda cannot leave Journey. The band's contract allegedly stipulates that no tour can occur without him.
Despite this, Pineda emphasizes that his affection for his Journey bandmates remains unchanged, and his reluctance to tour is unrelated to his relationship with them.
"My personal problem really took a toll on me. That's why I wanted to prioritize my family. It's not that I hate touring with [Journey]. It's like the same thing that happened with Steve Perry. He has a hip problem," Pineda said. "Me, I have a personal problem that's taking a toll on me. It's getting in my head, emotionally. I told them that I was a wreck and needed a little more time so that I could fix my family. But I still have to do this."
