Journey’s Neal Schon Says He ‘Didn’t Make Anybody Come on Tour’ After Singer Arnel Pineda Claimed He Tried to Quit the Band

**Neal Schon Addresses Arnel Pineda’s Exit Claims Amid Journey’s Farewell Tour**

As Journey embarks on what is termed their farewell tour, guitarist and co-founder Neal Schon has responded to recent statements made by the band’s lead vocalist, Arnel Pineda, regarding his desire to leave the group. The exchange reveals an underlying tension concerning the demanding nature of touring, particularly following Pineda’s remarks about the rigours of the band’s schedule and his feelings of being sidelined in decision-making processes.

In a Facebook post from April 5, Schon publicly clarified that he has never coerced any member of the band into making decisions against their will. His comments came in the wake of a feature by Rolling Stone that highlighted the challenges faced by the band during the ongoing tour. “Journey has always been about the music and the fans first,” he stated, suggesting that external commentary does not capture the complete situation within the band.

The Rolling Stone article, published on March 31, included insights from Pineda, who voiced his frustrations about the heavy touring schedule. Pineda, who became part of Journey in 2007 after being discovered by Schon for his spirited cover of “Faithfully” on YouTube, asserted that he had communicated to bandmates Schon and Jonathan Cain his intent to retire due to personal issues, but felt unheard.

Pineda articulated his struggles with live performances, particularly managing his voice and coping with the emotional toll of a contentious divorce from his wife, Cherry. He remarked, “I have a personal problem that’s taking a toll on me. It’s 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.”

In his response, Schon acknowledged that the pressures of long-term touring can impact members differently: “There are moments where people feel the pressure differently. I respect that and I have nothing but appreciation for what everyone brings to the stage.” He also reaffirmed that no one has been restricted from making their own choices, while underscoring the group’s commitment to fulfilling contractual obligations related to their tours.

The guitarist noted the complexities involved in planning a tour of this scale, which encompasses numerous logistical elements and requires coordination with management, agents, and promoters. He emphasised that everyone involved is made aware of their contractual responsibilities, a sentiment echoed by both Schon and Pineda when discussing the band’s agreement with tour promoter AEG.

Furthermore, in comments under his Facebook statement, Schon directly countered Pineda’s comments about external pressures, stating, “Dude, no one’s making him stay. He’s his own man.” He expressed his desire to set the record straight and defend his stance against what he perceived as mischaracterisations of his role within the band.

Despite the tensions, there’s an underlying respect expressed between Schon and Pineda. Schon affectionately referred to Pineda as a “total martyr” and “a warrior,” while Pineda reciprocated the sentiment in the Rolling Stone piece, saying he still loves his bandmates and feels grateful for their support throughout his journey with them.

As Journey prepares for upcoming tour dates scheduled through August, both Schon and Pineda appear to be navigating the complexities of their working relationship while maintaining a commitment to their music and fans. The conversations surrounding their dynamics reflect not only the challenges of life on the road but also the personal struggles that can accompany prolonged public performances.

In conclusion, the current situation highlights the often unwelcome pressures faced by artists, exacerbated by relentless touring schedules and personal challenges. While the band continues its farewell tour, the ongoing dialogue between Schon and Pineda illustrates the complexities of maintaining both professional and personal relationships in the high-stakes world of rock music.