Legendary guitarist Neal Schon, a founding member of the American rock band Journey took three of his bandmates, including Filipino singer Arnel Pineda, to task for a recent White House visit.
As reported by Ultimate Classic Rock, Schon posted his displeasure after learning that Pineda, keyboardist Jonathan Cain and bassist Ross Valory visited the White House Press Briefing room apparently without his knowledge. He also angrily took exception to initial reports that it was an official visit by Journey.
The three posed for photos with U.S. President Donald Trump and his White House staff during their visit that already drew mixed reactions from fans. Cain is married to evangelist Paula White, Trump’s spiritual advisor.
In his tweets, Schon said he was never informed by the band’s management nor any of his fellow members about the band’s visit. He clarified that the issue is not about Trump but apparently of the band’s longtime position that they should never be involved in politics or religion.
“I will remain strong and consistent with the belief we’ve always shared and agreed upon—Journey should never be used and exploited by anyone, especially band members for politics or any one religion,” he posted on Facebook last Thursday, August 3. “I’ve been here since 1972 and this has always been our belief. This was with intent to exploit the brand and use the name.”
“The members who attended know my position and the way we’ve always been until now…I had no prior knowledge of this from anyone. Not band members or Management. This clearly shows no respect or Unity, just Divide.”
In a report by Balitang America last July 31, Pineda, who said he was neither a Republican nor a Democrat supporter, downplayed his role in the visit and insisted that it was not about politics.
He said that as a Filipino, he was just thrilled “to see a piece of American history” as not everyone can just visit the Oval Office of the White House.
But Schon countered that White House tours are “done all the time” while pointing out that the visit of Cain, Valory and Pineda “could have been done privately.”
Responding to a Twitter follower who commented that he never thought Pineda would be involved in the visit, Schon minced no words in expressing his disappointment over the singer he himself discovered on YouTube in 2007.
At the time, Pineda was a journeyman performer who had fronted several local bands like Ijos, Amo, New Age, Most W@nted, and The Zoo.
He's living the American Dream … how quickly everyone forgets where they came from. I think the RRHOF has gone to everyone's head. Not me https://t.co/KkhbWrX2JV
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) July 29, 2017
RRHOF means Rock and Roll Hall of Fame where members of Journey in its hitmaking incarnations were inducted. Although Pineda himself was not among the inductee, he sang with the band during the event.
Of the three members who visited the White House, Valory has remained mum while Cain tweeted Biblical references that may or may not refer to his bandmate’s rants. Pineda is the only one who has directly responded to the issues raised by Schon.
reminder..i dont belong to any political group nor inclined to any religious sect.not a single piece of my bone ambition such quest. https://t.co/dU78TQQbRX
— Arnel Pineda (@arnelpineda) August 2, 2017
reminder.i nvr stated nor notioned dat i own @JourneyOfficial.
i have no grandeur illusion.i know my perfect humble place.
my family&friends https://t.co/rAfwIo9zWX— Arnel Pineda (@arnelpineda) August 2, 2017
just so you know..i have no problem being an #expendable #entity.
nothings #permanent in this world.
constant change's our #bestfriend— Arnel Pineda (@arnelpineda) August 2, 2017
whether #deserving or #undeserving of the #americandream
i will always remain #respectful & #grateful— Arnel Pineda (@arnelpineda) August 4, 2017
Pineda’s official entry to Journey resulted in a renaissance for the band, highlighted by sold out arena shows and a return to the pop charts with the 2008 album, “Revelation,” their first to go platinum and crack the Top 10 of the Billboard Hot 200 album charts since 1996’s “Trial By Fire.” Their 2008 single, “After All These Years” is also their first Top 10 Adult Contemporary hit since 1996’s “When You Love a Woman.”
As the controversy continues to simmer, Schon dropped another bombshell last August 4.
How would you feel if u found out that the rest of the band wanted to tour without me? I've always been 100%JRNY and made the right choices
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) August 3, 2017
Implored by fans to fight to keep the Journey name, Schon said that “it’s not going anywhere” as he also tweeted a Wikipedia infographic that shows him to be the only member of Journey to perform on every album recorded by the band.
Everybody have a Real Look at These Statistics of how long each member has been there in JRNY camp z pic.twitter.com/XAoqZVzpS0
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) August 4, 2017
They will not tour with Journey name. Trust me. I've spent way too long building to give up the brand https://t.co/XrhqLwqBAn
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) August 3, 2017
As it stands, the rift between Schon and his present bandmates — especially Cain with whom he has been at odds for quite a while — is not likely to be repaired anytime soon. As Schon contemplates forming a new incarnation of Journey, he has already expressed his interest in bringing back former Journey members Gregg Rolie, whom Cain had replaced on keyboards, and the band’s most famous frontman, Steve Perry.
Journey was most recently part of “The Classics East” concert extravaganza where they shared the stage with the equally iconic Fleetwood Mac and Earth, Wind & Fire.
