DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ – EVERYMAN’S JOURNEY
A rock and roll documentary film by writer/director RAMONA DIAZ, (IMELDA).
DIAZ spent one year traveling with the legendary band, as they initiated their phenom into life as the new JOURNEY front man. A CINEDIAZ INC., DEFINING ENTERTAINMENT Production in association with GAME 7 Films and ARCADY BAY Entertainment.
Speaking with ARNEL PINEDA, the “Everyman” hero, and new lead singer for the paramount Rock Band JOURNEY, he sincerely gives credit, where credit is due – Lead Guitarist NEAL SCHON.
NEAL SCHON, founding father and single original member of the iconic ban JOURNEY, had a Herculean task. He needed to replace STEVE PERRY, the trademark falsetto voice of JOURNEY, for the last several decades, and a major contributor to their classic hits: FAITHFULLY, DON’T STOP BELEIVIN’, WHEEL IN THE SKY, OPEN ARMS and ANYWAY YOU WANT IT.
Imagine the ROLLING STONES having to replace MICK JAGGER. Would audiences accept someone else singing, “Let me please introduce myself, I’m a man of wealth and taste”, by anyone but MICK? – Fat chance.
For NEAL SCHON, whose life metaphor is, Don’t Stop Believin, betting on the impossible was natural. While surfing YOU TUBE, SCHON recognized the – two atoms on a collision course – that he needed, in ARNEL PINEDA. He immediately invited the Filipino singer to San Francisco for an audition with the band. That was December 5, 2007.
The JOURNEY band members, JONATHAN CAIN, Keyboards, ROSS VALORY,Bass, DEEN CASTRONOVO, Drums, were impressed – not convinced, but they agreed to move forward anyway.
Fortunately, for ARNEL PINEDA, those two atoms collided on February 21, 2008 – his debut performance at the International Song Festival in Chile, televised for 25 million people.
PINEDA was blasted into orbit as a 24-carat ROCK STAR, taking his band mates with him, and beginning a whole new JOURNEY, with no end in sight.
This lightning in a bottle miracle, is made all the more spectacular by the fact that ARNEL PINEDA was a homeless man, living in the slums of Manila, and singing for his supper, from the time he was a child of 13 years!
“At a very young age I learned to have respect for all people”, says PINEDA. “You never knew if some pick-pocket or prostitute might be the one handing you a few coins so you could eat that night. I’m so grateful I’m able to put food on my family’s table, and send my children (he has 4), to good schools”.
ARNEL PINEDA has taken the classic Hero’s Journey and given it a twist all his own. PINEDA didn’t slay the Dragon – he became the Dragon. No slight stature or humble demeanor, can conceal this man’s fire within.
Watch the inspiring movie, “DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’ – EVERYMAN’S JOURNEY” in theaters March 8th, and believe for yourself.
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