As Journey prepares to launch their Final Frontier farewell tour at the Giant Center in Hershey, Pennsylvania, excitement fills the venue just one day prior to the event. This occasion marks guitarist Neal Schon’s 72nd birthday, celebrated with a new electric guitar presented by his wife, Michaele Salahi, known for her role on Real Housewives of D.C.. The crew is engaged in testing pyrotechnic effects for the anticipated highlights of the show, such as “Separate Ways.” Meanwhile, keyboardist Jonathan Cain, who recently celebrated his 76th birthday, is backstage with his wife, Paula White-Cain, a televangelist and senior advisor in the White House Faith Office, as he recovers from a recent knee replacement surgery that resulted in his absence from most of the rehearsals.
The day is busy as the members of Journey finalize their setlist for the opening night, embarking on their sole production rehearsal with the entire band present. Over the next two years, they anticipate performing in markets across America, including lesser-known locations like Laredo, Texas, and Fort Wayne, Indiana, while also contemplating the possibility of scheduling concerts in football stadiums before concluding the tour.
This revitalized popularity may come as a surprise, particularly because Steve Perry, the iconic voice of Journey’s biggest hits and a central figure during their late 1970s to early 1980s success, has been absent for three decades and last toured with the band in 1987. In the wake of the alt-rock revolution that emerged shortly thereafter, Journey was often grouped with other classic rock bands such as REO Speedwagon, Styx, and Foreigner, often regarded as relics of an earlier musical era. However, unlike these contemporaries, Journey has evolved into a formidable touring presence, seemingly gaining momentum with each passing year.
While it’s tempting to credit this resurgence to the inclusion of their music in popular television shows like The Sopranos, Glee, and Stranger Things, the truth runs deeper. Journey’s classics, including “Open Arms,” “Faithfully,” and “Don’t Stop Believin’,” have secured their place within the classic rock canon, winning the hearts of generations of fans. This enduring appeal explains why the band continues to thrive, even with only Schon and Cain remaining from the original lineup.
Before the first rehearsal commences, lead singer Arnel Pineda, who joined the band in 2007, candidly shares that the journey towards this farewell tour was not guaranteed for him. His concerns stem from deteriorating physical health, personal struggles, and allegations of domestic issues that have attracted attention in his home country of the Philippines.
“In 2024, I approached the band and said, ‘If you’re considering a farewell tour, you need to inform me, as my personal challenges are intensifying, and I’m uncertain about participating,’” he explains. “I urged them to discuss the tour schedule with me.” However, the band proceeded without him. “Their answer? There was none. Silence can evoke more than words.”
Disheartened by this lack of communication, Pineda indicated on numerous occasions that he contemplated leaving the band, expressing a desire to retire due to these pressing personal matters. Yet, he received no acknowledgement or feedback. This absence of response led him to infer that the band was unwilling to seek a new vocalist, despite both Schon and Pineda asserting that contractual agreements would impede the tour from advancing without him.
At 58 years old, Pineda reflects on the toll that nearly two decades of performances have taken on his voice. “Jonathan expressed significant concern about my vocal health about eight years back… He suggested, ‘We should consider using a ghost voice to allow you to rest.’ I firmly rejected that idea.” Pineda also denies using Autotune in his recent performances, stating, “If my voice sounds off at times, that’s simply part of being human.”
Share this story