RBC Bluesfest Ottawa

JOURNEY is one of the most popular American rock bands of all time. Theirs is a rock 'n' roll saga that started more than 35 years ago in the San Francisco Bay Area. Guitarist Neal Schon left home at 15 years old to join Santana. In early 1973, Walter "Herbie" Herbert, a guitar tech for Santana, floated the idea about forming a new band around Schon, whom he called "the quintessential guitar expressionist of the time." By the early 1980s, Journey had become bona fide superstars, known as much for their music and MTV videos as their visually spectacular concerts that revolutionized the use of big screens and computerized lighting systems.  

Thankfully, they continue to tour and record into the 21st century. Since the group's formation, the band has earned 19 top-40 singles and 25 Gold and Platinum albums. The band's 'Greatest Hits' album — featuring many of their chart-topping hits like "Don't Stop Believin'", "Any Way You Want It", "Open Arms", and "Girl Can't Help It" — is certified 15 times Platinum, bringing Journey into the elite club of Diamond-certified album holders. Journey returned with a blast in 2011 when they unleashed 'Eclipse', an album of brand new material, featuring the line-up of Neal Schon (guitars, backing vocals), Jonathan Cain (keyboards, backing vocals), Ross Valory (bass, backing vocals), Deen Castronovo (drums, percussion, backing vocals) and Arnel Pineda (lead vocals).  

Pineda's arrival on the scene entails a rock odyssey that most kids only dream of. In 2006, lead vocalist Steve Augeri's eight years with the band came to an end. Journey began looking for a singer that could help them recapture their signature sound when, late one night, Schon came across a YouTube clip featuring then-unknown Arnel Pineda performing with a cover band at the Hard Rock Cafe in the Philippines. Pineda's tone, power and ability to sing a wide variety of material, including a couple of Journey classics, impressed Schon greatly. Six weeks later, after spontaneously singing a Journey song for Philippines immigrations officers to prove the reason for his trip, Pineda arrived in San Francisco to meet with Journey. Within a few songs, he had secured the job. The rest is the most recent and important chapter in what has become one incredible JOURNEY.