Continuing a hot streak of showcasing wonderful documentaries, PBS' Independent Lens recently aired, Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey. The documentary, written and directed by Ramona Diaz, is a fascinating look at Arnel Pineda, a struggling singer in the Philippines who was plucked out of obscurity to become the lead singer for legendary American rock group, Journey.
In 2007, Journey were all set to record a brand new album and embark on a nationwide tour. One problem: they had no lead singer. Ever since Steve Perry quit the band in 1998, they had used various replacement singers and were now desperately looking for someone new to fill in. It's the digital age, so guitarist Neal Schon took his search to the Internet and spent hours scouring YouTube for possible candidates. He dismissed Journey cover bands and wanted someone who had "the voice," that right sound that would fit in with the band. Ready to give up, he clicked on one more link and discovered Arnel Pineda.
Pineda grew up in the Phillipines in an incredibly poor family. His mother died when he was twelve and he was left homeless. He would sing at funerals to get some food, and eventually auditioned to be in a band. He made a decent living as a singer, eventually joining a cover band that performed classic rock songs, including those by Journey. His good friend Noel Gomez faithfully recorded his performances and spent hours uploading them on YouTube via the slow connection in a local Internet cafe. One of those videos caught Neal Schon's eye, and the moment he heard Pineda, he knew he has found Journey's new lead singer.
Pineda is an extremely likable and endearing man and his story is simply astonishing. After his many struggles Pineda can now support his family, make his country proud, and earn a living doing what he loves. The movie doesn't glamorize his new life - it's very clear that this is a demanding job and Pineda is constantly worried that he will lose his voice or disappoint the die-hard Journey fans. Being away from his family also takes its toll and the other band members frankly discuss the perils and challenges of achieving sudden fame. But Pineda knows that while his life might resemble a fairy tale, he can't expect it to stay "happily ever after." He recognizes there are ups and downs and ultimately is just grateful for the amazing opportunity he has been given.
Don't Stop Believin': Everyman's Journey is a feel-good documentary packed with good music and insightful discussions about the behind the scenes machinations of rock and roll. It is well worth a viewing so watch it on the PBS website this week or rent it from Amazon. It's a story that needs to be seen to be believed.
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