Arnel Pineda (born September 5, 1967) is a Filipino singer-songwriter and is currently the lead singer of the American rock band Journey. Arnel Pineda was born in Sampaloc, Manila, Philippines. His mother instilled his love for singing at an early age, encouraging him to sing along to songs from her favorite singers like Karen Carpenter and Barbra Streisand. Growing up, his parents entered him in many singing contests.
In February 2007, videos of Arnel Pineda (who was then with the Zoo Band) performing cover songs by Journey began appearing on YouTube.com and on June 28, 2007, Neal Schon of Journey sent an e-mail to Pineda inviting the latter to audition for Journey. Pineda debuted as the lead singer of Journey on February 21, 2008 at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival held at the Quinta Vergara Amphitheater in Viña del Mar, Chile.
When Arnel Pineda had a concert at the Waterfront Hotel in Lahug last February, CESDEV Nursing volunteers Arniel Aranas and Don Jade Canama had the chance to get up close and personal with the singer who has proven to the world that Filipino talent is, without a doubt, WORLDCLASS!
