Pineda, 58, opens up to Rolling Stone<\/a> in a lengthy new feature about how he twice tried to quit the band due to a number of \u201cpersonal problems,\u201d but was unsuccessful.<\/p>\n \u201cI said to [Neal Schon<\/a> and Jonathan Cain<\/a>] I wanted to retire because of my personal problems. No answer,\u201d he said. \u201cObviously, they don\u2019t want to find another singer.\u201d<\/p>\n A spokesperson for Journey did not immediately\u00a0respond to PEOPLE’s request for comment.<\/p>\n Journey performing in Austin, Texas in February 2023. Pineda has been the frontman of Journey since 2007, when guitarist Schon spotted his pitch-perfect version of \u201cFaithfully\u201d on YouTube and invited him to audition for the group. He joined the rockers in place of singer Steve Perry<\/a>, who exited the band for a second and final time in 1998.<\/p>\n Though becoming the face of one of the world\u2019s biggest bands overnight was a welcome surprise, the 19 years of singing Journey\u2019s operatic hits like \u201cDon\u2019t Stop Believin\u2019\u201d and \u201cOpen Arms\u201d have taken a toll on Pineda\u2019s voice, and the star has also struggled in the midst of a contentious divorce.<\/p>\n The Filipino singer told Rolling Stone that he\u2019d informed Cain, 76, and Schon, 72, in 2024 that if they were planning farewell dates, they should keep him in the loop, as his personal issues were \u201cgetting more intense\u201d and he wasn\u2019t sure that he\u2019d want to commit to a tour.<\/p>\n \u201cI said, \u2018I want you to discuss the schedule with me.\u2019 It is what it is now\u2026 But then, I was really not happy with how they scheduled this tour. My body has changed,\u201d he said. \u201cI can\u2019t take the cold weather anymore.\u201d<\/p>\n Pineda claims he to Rolling Stone he wasn\u2019t consulted before Journey booked 60 dates on the U.S. Final Frontier tour for 2026, scheduled through August, and 40 more for next year. Schon told the outlet that Pineda can\u2019t up and quit the group, as their touring contract allegedly stipulates that no tour can happen without Pineda.<\/p>\n Arnel Pineda in Solvesborg, Sweden in June 2024. Meanwhile, Pineda explained that much of his conflict stems from his divorce from wife Cherry, with whom he shares two children. The star accused Cherry of adultery in court filings in 2023, which she has denied, whereas prosecutors alleged that she endured \u201cverbal assaults, manipulation and coercive behavior,\u201d which he has denied, according to RS and Manila Bulletin<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cMy personal problem really took a toll on me. That\u2019s why I wanted to prioritize my family. It\u2019s not that I hate touring with [Journey]. It\u2019s like the same thing that happened with Steve Perry. He has a hip problem,\u201d Pineda said. \u201cMe, I have a personal problem that\u2019s taking a toll on me. It\u2019s getting in my head, emotionally. I told them that I was a wreck and needed a little more time so that I could fix my family. But I still have to do this.\u201d<\/p>\n Despite the disagreements, Pineda told the outlet that he has nothing but adoration for his bandmates.<\/p>\n \u201cI love the guys. I respect them so much. And I will remain until the last days of my life grateful, and really feeling blessed, for what they\u2019ve done for me,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Pineda previously offered fans the chance to vote him out of the band<\/a> if they so pleased after he struggled to hit the right notes during a Journey performance in Brazil in 2024.<\/p>\n Schon reportedly offered his support, commenting on Facebook, \u201cArnel don\u2019t listen to these blogs\u2026 You\u2019ve kicked ass!\u201d<\/p>\n![\"Journey](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/f1ab25319e9133fc6ebdeb308865d4d8.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Credit: Brian Ach\/Getty Images<\/p>\n![\"Arnel](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/il\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/c904b55b32186283d586bb7f8ee090d5.jpeg\"\/)
<\/p>\n
Credit: Alamy Stock Photo<\/p>\n