Arnel Pineda is a Filipino singer and songwriter best known as the lead vocalist of the American rock band Journey. He has a fantastic voice and a remarkable story of overcoming poverty, hardship, and addiction to achieve his musical dreams. He is also a proud Filipino who represents his country with dignity and pride. He is one of the most successful and influential musicians of his generation.
Arnel Pineda Net Worth
Arnel Pineda net worth as of September 2023 is estimated to be between $18 million and $25 million. He has mainly earned wealth from his career as a singer and songwriter in the Philippines and internationally. He is best known as the lead vocalist of the American rock band Journey, which he joined in 2007. He has also performed with other bands such as Ijos, Amo, New Age, 9mm, and The Zoo. He has recorded several albums and songs with Journey and other artists, such as Revelation, Eclipse, The Frontiers Tour, Owe, After All These Years, Never Walk Away, and Looking Glass. He has also received several awards and honors for his work, including being named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Filipinos by Illustrado Magazine in 2008 and receiving a star on the Walk of Fame Philippines in 2011.
Early Life and Struggles
Arnel Pineda was born on September 5, 1967, in Tondo, Manila, Philippines, to Restituto and Josefina Pineda, both tailors. He had three younger brothers and a passion for singing since childhood. His mother encouraged him to join singing contests and exposed him to her favorite singers like Karen Carpenter and Barbra Streisand.
However, his life took a tragic turn when his mother died of heart disease when he was 13. His father could not afford to pay the rent and support the family, so he moved out and left Arnel and his siblings to their relatives. Arnel dropped out of school and lived on the streets for two years, surviving on odd jobs and scraps. He collected and sold recyclable materials, cleaned scrap metal docked ships, and sometimes ate only a pack of biscuits for two days.
Musical Career in the Philippines
Despite his hardships, Arnel never gave up on his musical dreams. In 1982, when he was 15 years old, he became the lead singer of the Filipino group Ijos. He sang in a pizza parlor and other venues in Manila. In 1986, he joined another band called Amo, which won several rock contests in the Philippines and Hong Kong. They also opened for Robert Palmer in Manila in 1989.
In 1990, he formed another band called Intensity Five, which came second in the Yamaha World Band Explosion Contest. He also won the Best Vocalist Award in the same event. He then joined another band called New Age, which released an album called Ang Tunay na Amo (The Real Boss) in 1990. The album featured the hit song Running Away.
In the early 90s, Arnel suffered various health problems, including voice loss, drug addiction, depression, and attempted suicide. He also had two sons from a previous relationship, Matthew and Angelo. He managed to overcome his challenges with the help of his friends and family. He continued to perform with different bands throughout the decade, such as Most W@nted and The Zoo. He also sang with the Filipino band South Border on their album The Way We Do in 2001.
Journey to Journey
Arnel’s life changed dramatically in 2007 when Neal Schon, the guitarist of the American rock band Journey, discovered him. Schon sought a new lead singer after Steve Augeri left the band due to vocal issues. He found some YouTube videos of Arnel singing Journey songs with his band, The Zoo. Arnel’s voice and resemblance to Steve Perry, the former lead singer of Journey, impressed him. He contacted Arnel through email and invited him to audition for the band in San Francisco.
Arnel passed the audition and became the new lead singer of Journey in December 2007. He debuted with the band at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile in February 2008. He received a warm welcome from the fans and critics alike. He also recorded his first album with Journey, Revelation, released in June 2008. The album sold over one million copies in the US and received positive reviews from critics. It also featured two new songs Arnel wrote: After All These Years and Never Walk Away.
Since then, Arnel has been touring with Journey worldwide, performing in front of millions of fans. He has also recorded two more albums with Journey: Eclipse (2011) and The Frontiers Tour (2017). He has received several awards and honors for his work with Journey, such as being named one of the Top 100 Most Influential Filipinos by Illustrado Magazine in 2008 and receiving a star on the Walk of Fame Philippines in 2011. He has also been involved in various charitable causes, such as supporting typhoon victims in his homeland and raising funds for UNICEF.
Personal Life
Arnel married Cherry Pineda in 2001 after dating for six years. They have two children together: a son named Cherub and a daughter named Thea Chenelle. They live between the Philippines and the US, depending on Arnel’s schedule with Journey. From his previous relationship, Arnel is also a devoted father to his two older sons, Matthew and Angelo. He maintains a close relationship with them and supports them financially and emotionally.
Arnel is known for his humble and friendly personality. He is grateful for his success and does not take it for granted. He is also respectful of his fans and appreciates their support. He often interacts with them on social media and shares his personal and professional updates. He is also a fan of other musicians, such as The Beatles, Led Zeppelin, Aerosmith, Queen, U2, and Bon Jovi.
Height, Weight, and Body Measurements
Arnel Pineda is 5 feet 4 inches (163 cm) tall and weighs about 132 lbs (60 kg). He has a slim body type and an oval face shape. He has black hair and dark brown eyes. His tattoos on his arms represent his musical influences and personal beliefs.
Conclusion
Arnel Pineda is a remarkable singer and songwriter who has overcome many challenges in his life to achieve his dreams. He inspires many people who aspire to pursue their passions and talents. He is also a proud Filipino who represents his country with dignity and pride. He is one of the most successful and influential musicians of his generation.
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