Arnel Pineda
Arnel Pineda is a famous Filipino singer, now
recognized internationally. He is the current and new lead vocalist of a
famous international band, Journey who popularized songs as Open Arms
and Faithfully. However, he also released songs recognized in the
Philippine music scene. Among his influences were the likes of Steve
Perry, John Farnham, Freddie Mercury, Sting, Survivor, Heart, The
Beatles, Van Halen, Aerosmith, U2, Warrant and Deep Purple.
Arnel Pineda was born on September 5, 1967, a native from Sampalok, Manila Philippines. Being the eldest of four broods, Arnel heads the crew. His mother managed to let her children study in a Catholic school and indeed, Arnel is an academic performer during his elementary years. Her father worked as a tailor and her mother already passed away. With three married brothers, he supported his youngest brother in university. Arnel has three sons, Matthew (19 years), Angelo (11years) and Cherub (2 years).
Arnel almost attended all singing activities in school. He sung for School Glee Club, joined Rondalla Troupe and performed during school programs. His first glory came before finishing his elementary studies when he was tapped to represent the school in national quiz tilt. He sang Celeste Legaspi’s Gaano Kita Kamahal. He was on the national television for the first time.
On 1982, Pineda on his 15th year, became a lead singer of the band named Ijos Band later called as Yjoz. Some members of Yjoz formed another band, Amo on 1986. Amo won the Rock Wars contest in the Philippines.
It was the Amo who entered and won the Philippines leg of the Yamaha World Band Explosion on 1988. They proceeded to the finals in Hong Kong however did not win due to some technicalities. They sang Bohemian Rhapsody, the same song that the band won. But the rules stated that the winning song must be an original composition.
Amo continued to play live in Quezon City, Olongapo City and Makati City. They even opened for Robert Palmer in Manila on 1989. On 1990, Arnel and other members of Amo formed another band named Intensity Five. The band participated in the Yamaha World Band Explosion, Arnel Pineda was announced as the Best Vocalist and Intensity Five came in as the first runner up.
Later that year, Amo was divided and five of its original members split from the band leader, Ulysis Ablang. They formed new band with Pineda dubbed as the New Age. This occurred prior to the release of Amo’s one and only album entitled Ang Tunay Na Amo, which was released on 1990 under BMG Records, spawning a hit song, Running Away. The remaining Amo’s members continued as The Boss Band.
New Age played regularly at Fire and Rain in Makati City. During one of the performances, an agent discovered New Age on 1991 and invited them to perform in Hong Kong at a very popular entertainment restaurant called Grammy’s. For many year, New Age performed six nights a week.
1994 saw Pineda’s health problems which almost destroyed his talent. He went to his homeland and undergone recovery. After 6 months, he was able to sing again and went to Hong Kong to assume his responsibilities for the band. On 1998, dressed in skeleton outfit, New Age members called themselves The Rolling Bones and performed in Igor, the premiere theme restaurant/nightclub in Hong Kong.
Arnel Pineda caught the attention of a record label, Warner Bros on 1999 and recorded his solo album, the self-titled Arnel Pineda. The album spawned ten songs, mostly slow ballads and 2 upbeat ones, one of which carries Latin style. His songs Iiyak Ka Rin and Sayang became a karaoke favorite in Asia and a radio favorite respectively. He also sang one song, Looking Glass from the album of South Border’s album, The Way We Do.
On 2004, New Age was reformed when a female singer shared the lead vocals with Pineda and called themselves Most W@anted. They played at The Cavern Club in Hong Kong, 3-4 sets Monday through Saturday.
Being encouraged by Bert de Leon, a well-respected Filipino talent manager and TV director, Arnel Pineda moved back to the Philippines with his faithful guitarist, Monet Cajipe and formed The Zoo with Emil Bondoc on bass, Edgar Mendoza on keyboards and Makoy Alcantara on drums. Signed with Bert de Leon’s campany, Sundance Entertainment Corporation, The Zoo performed in several nights a week at clubs in Manila and Olongapo. On September 2007, the band released their debut album and the only album with Pineda as the vocalist. The album was entitled Zoology, released under MCA Universal. The album featured 12 original tracks and a cover of Pain in My Heart. Five of the songs were written by Arnel and the others were co-written by Arnel and Mark Valliente.
Noel Gomez, a long time fan and friend of Arnel Pineda has uploaded many videos in YouTube, covering songs of popular bands as Journey, Survivor, Aerosmith, Air Supply, The Eagles, Kenny Loggins and many more. Journey on that time was in desperate looking for a singer who would still sounds like Journey. They happened to stumble in YouTube and saw Arnel performing their songs. On June 8, 2007, Journey’s guitarist, Neal Schon contacted Noel Gomez for Arnel Pineda’s information. Schon e-mailed Arnel, inviting the latter to audition for the Journey. At first, Arnel dismissed the email but after some persuasion of Gomez, Arnel replied to Schon’s email. Ten minutes after, Schon made a call and on August 12, 2008, Pineda with his manager, de Leon, flew to Marin Country for a two-day audition. Though Arnel was welcomed warmly, he described the audition as nerve-wracking tense.
Finally, on December 5, 2007, Arnel Pineda was proudly announced as the new lead singer of the international band, The Journey. The new Journey released its first album with Arnel Pineda as its new vocalist entitled Revelation on June 2008.
Arnel is up to the call of showcasing his talent and proving his worth. In 25 years of performing, he already possessed a sufficient badge of achievements and proof. Now, Arnel made a new journey and the next 25 years hopefully, will be moments of validations.
Albums
Arnel Pineda was born on September 5, 1967, a native from Sampalok, Manila Philippines. Being the eldest of four broods, Arnel heads the crew. His mother managed to let her children study in a Catholic school and indeed, Arnel is an academic performer during his elementary years. Her father worked as a tailor and her mother already passed away. With three married brothers, he supported his youngest brother in university. Arnel has three sons, Matthew (19 years), Angelo (11years) and Cherub (2 years).
Arnel almost attended all singing activities in school. He sung for School Glee Club, joined Rondalla Troupe and performed during school programs. His first glory came before finishing his elementary studies when he was tapped to represent the school in national quiz tilt. He sang Celeste Legaspi’s Gaano Kita Kamahal. He was on the national television for the first time.
On 1982, Pineda on his 15th year, became a lead singer of the band named Ijos Band later called as Yjoz. Some members of Yjoz formed another band, Amo on 1986. Amo won the Rock Wars contest in the Philippines.
It was the Amo who entered and won the Philippines leg of the Yamaha World Band Explosion on 1988. They proceeded to the finals in Hong Kong however did not win due to some technicalities. They sang Bohemian Rhapsody, the same song that the band won. But the rules stated that the winning song must be an original composition.
Amo continued to play live in Quezon City, Olongapo City and Makati City. They even opened for Robert Palmer in Manila on 1989. On 1990, Arnel and other members of Amo formed another band named Intensity Five. The band participated in the Yamaha World Band Explosion, Arnel Pineda was announced as the Best Vocalist and Intensity Five came in as the first runner up.
Later that year, Amo was divided and five of its original members split from the band leader, Ulysis Ablang. They formed new band with Pineda dubbed as the New Age. This occurred prior to the release of Amo’s one and only album entitled Ang Tunay Na Amo, which was released on 1990 under BMG Records, spawning a hit song, Running Away. The remaining Amo’s members continued as The Boss Band.
New Age played regularly at Fire and Rain in Makati City. During one of the performances, an agent discovered New Age on 1991 and invited them to perform in Hong Kong at a very popular entertainment restaurant called Grammy’s. For many year, New Age performed six nights a week.
1994 saw Pineda’s health problems which almost destroyed his talent. He went to his homeland and undergone recovery. After 6 months, he was able to sing again and went to Hong Kong to assume his responsibilities for the band. On 1998, dressed in skeleton outfit, New Age members called themselves The Rolling Bones and performed in Igor, the premiere theme restaurant/nightclub in Hong Kong.
Arnel Pineda caught the attention of a record label, Warner Bros on 1999 and recorded his solo album, the self-titled Arnel Pineda. The album spawned ten songs, mostly slow ballads and 2 upbeat ones, one of which carries Latin style. His songs Iiyak Ka Rin and Sayang became a karaoke favorite in Asia and a radio favorite respectively. He also sang one song, Looking Glass from the album of South Border’s album, The Way We Do.
On 2004, New Age was reformed when a female singer shared the lead vocals with Pineda and called themselves Most W@anted. They played at The Cavern Club in Hong Kong, 3-4 sets Monday through Saturday.
Being encouraged by Bert de Leon, a well-respected Filipino talent manager and TV director, Arnel Pineda moved back to the Philippines with his faithful guitarist, Monet Cajipe and formed The Zoo with Emil Bondoc on bass, Edgar Mendoza on keyboards and Makoy Alcantara on drums. Signed with Bert de Leon’s campany, Sundance Entertainment Corporation, The Zoo performed in several nights a week at clubs in Manila and Olongapo. On September 2007, the band released their debut album and the only album with Pineda as the vocalist. The album was entitled Zoology, released under MCA Universal. The album featured 12 original tracks and a cover of Pain in My Heart. Five of the songs were written by Arnel and the others were co-written by Arnel and Mark Valliente.
Noel Gomez, a long time fan and friend of Arnel Pineda has uploaded many videos in YouTube, covering songs of popular bands as Journey, Survivor, Aerosmith, Air Supply, The Eagles, Kenny Loggins and many more. Journey on that time was in desperate looking for a singer who would still sounds like Journey. They happened to stumble in YouTube and saw Arnel performing their songs. On June 8, 2007, Journey’s guitarist, Neal Schon contacted Noel Gomez for Arnel Pineda’s information. Schon e-mailed Arnel, inviting the latter to audition for the Journey. At first, Arnel dismissed the email but after some persuasion of Gomez, Arnel replied to Schon’s email. Ten minutes after, Schon made a call and on August 12, 2008, Pineda with his manager, de Leon, flew to Marin Country for a two-day audition. Though Arnel was welcomed warmly, he described the audition as nerve-wracking tense.
Finally, on December 5, 2007, Arnel Pineda was proudly announced as the new lead singer of the international band, The Journey. The new Journey released its first album with Arnel Pineda as its new vocalist entitled Revelation on June 2008.
Arnel is up to the call of showcasing his talent and proving his worth. In 25 years of performing, he already possessed a sufficient badge of achievements and proof. Now, Arnel made a new journey and the next 25 years hopefully, will be moments of validations.
Albums
- Arnel Pineda (solo album)
- Sayang
- Bitin
- Iiyak Ka Rin
- You’re The One
- Free Bird
- Mi Vida, Mi Amor
- For My Own Good
- Isa Pang Pagkakataon
- It’s Over
- Problema
- Zoology (with The Zoo)
- Gimik
- I Gave It All
- Pain In My Heart
- Paumanhin
- So Wrong
- Manhid
- Soulmate
- Too Satisfied
- Hiling
- Ewan Ko Ba
- Gimik
- I Gave It All (Acoustic Version)
- Gimik (Acoustic Version)
- The Way We Do- South Border “Looking Glass”
- Revelation (with Journey)