Filipino Singer, Arnel Pineda, was discovered on YouTube by Journey’s founder and guitarist Neal Schon and went on to become the world famous band’s lead singer. The documentary film entitled: “Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey” opens in US theaters on Friday, March 8, 2013.
Tagged by a US entertainment news as
“one of the most remarkable rock stories of recent years,”
and
“one of the most inspiring stories,”
Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey” details Arnel Pineda’s story with the band, Journey.
Arnel Pineda is a Filipino singer who sang with different local bands to earn his keep. His story is a male version of Cinderella.
Arnel, himself, said:
“Like a Cinderella story, right.”
He was from a poor family; his mother died when he was young, but she had taught him how to sing at an early age. Arnel then experienced singing for food, and sometimes sleeping in the streets with the street children. When he was older, he joined bands for gigs in bars, clubs, and anywhere they would be invited to perform. He said: “I was singing just to survive.”
The legendary Journey Band was then looking for a lead singer. The band was losing hope to find one, when Neal Schon discovered Arnel.
A friend of Arnel, uploaded a video of Arnel singing “Faithfully,” with the Zoo Band. Neal Schon came across the video through YouTube, and the rest is history.
The documentary was produced, directed and written by Ramona S. Diaz, and co-produced by Capella Fahoome Brogden, Josh Green, John Baruck, Nick Detisch, David Paterson, Jung Choi and John Paterson.
Steve Zeitchik of the Los Angeles Times said:
“Even in the age of YouTube discoveries and ‘American Idol’- fueled fame, Pineda’s tale stands out.”
Indeed, Arnel Pineda’s success story is a genuine Cinderella story. Arnel confesses that up to the present, he still is amazed that the miracle happened to him.
Arnel and the Journey Band are hopeful that the film would inspire people never to stop believing in themselves.
Below is the official trailer of Arnel Pineda’s film: “Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey.”
