Arnel Pineda reveals he considered leaving Journey twice due to “intense” personal struggles.
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Journey is currently performing as part of an extensive farewell tour.
Journey is currently in the middle of a massive farewell tour—but if lead singer Arnel Pineda had gotten his way, the tour might not have happened at all.
In a new in-depth feature with Rolling Stone, Pineda, 58, revealed that he had attempted to leave the band twice due to a series of “personal problems,” though both efforts were unsuccessful.
“I told [Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain] I wanted to retire because of my personal problems. No answer,” he said. “Obviously, they don’t want to find another singer.”
Journey’s representatives did not immediately respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.
Pineda became Journey’s frontman in 2007 after guitarist Neal Schon discovered his pitch-perfect rendition of “Faithfully” on YouTube and invited him to audition. He replaced Steve Perry, who had left the band permanently in 1998.
While stepping into one of the world’s most famous rock bands was a dream come true, nearly two decades of performing operatic hits like “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Open Arms” have strained Pineda’s voice. He has also faced personal challenges, including a contentious divorce.
The singer told Rolling Stone that in 2024 he requested that Cain, 76, and Schon, 72, keep him informed about any farewell tour plans, as his personal issues were “getting more intense,” and he was unsure about committing to a tour.
“I said, ‘I want you to discuss the schedule with me.’ It is what it is now… But then, I was really not happy with how they scheduled this tour. My body has changed,” he said. “I can’t take the cold weather anymore.”
Pineda claims he was not consulted before Journey booked 60 U.S. dates for the Final Frontier tour in 2026, with 40 more planned for the following year. According to Schon, Pineda cannot simply leave the band because their touring contract requires his participation for any tour to proceed.
Much of Pineda’s struggles stem from his divorce from his wife, Cherry Pineda, with whom he shares two children. In 2023, he accused her of adultery in court filings, which she denied. Prosecutors alleged she experienced “verbal assaults, manipulation and coercive behavior,” which he has denied, according to reports from Rolling Stone and Manila Bulletin.
“My personal problem really took a toll on me. That’s why I wanted to prioritize my family. It’s not that I hate touring with [Journey]. It’s like what happened with Steve Perry. He has a hip problem. Me, I have a personal problem that’s taking a toll on me. It’s affecting me emotionally. I told them I was a wreck and needed more time to fix my family. But I still have to do this,” he said.
Despite the disagreements, Pineda emphasized his respect and love for his bandmates.
“I love the guys. I respect them so much. I will remain grateful for what they’ve done for me until the last days of my life,” he said.
Previously, after a challenging performance in Brazil in 2024, Pineda even allowed fans the option to vote on whether he should continue with the band.