Neal Schon Addresses Arnel Pineda’s Claims About His Departure from the Band
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Journey faced a potential split two years ago, as revealed by recent statements from band members.
In a post on Facebook, Journey co-founder and lead guitarist Neal Schon addressed claims from frontman Arnel Pineda, who suggested he was hindered from leaving the band on two occasions. “There’s been some recent press and speculation that doesn’t reflect the full picture,” Schon noted in his statement.
Although Schon did not specify which press coverage he was referring to, his remarks follow a March 31 feature in Rolling Stone in which Pineda discussed hesitations about joining Journey’s current farewell tour. Pineda indicated that in 2024, he requested discussions with his bandmates regarding the tour schedule, citing age and “personal problems” as significant considerations affecting his participation. He alleged that the band moved forward with planning a 60-date tour without his input.
“It is what it is now… But then, I was really not happy with how they scheduled this tour,” Pineda stated in the article. He recounted sending an email expressing his dissatisfaction, which went unanswered. Pineda claimed he communicated his desire to retire from the group on two separate occasions, again receiving no response.
Both Schon and Pineda acknowledged that leaving the band isn’t straightforward. They recognized that their contract with AEG, a major live entertainment company, requires Pineda’s presence for touring. This point is reiterated in Schon’s Facebook post.
“Touring at this level involves many moving parts, and decisions are made collectively with our team, including management, agents, and promoters,” Schon wrote. He added that in long-standing bands, individual members might experience differing pressures. “For clarity, no one was ever prevented by me from making their own personal decisions,” he stated.
Schon echoed the contractual obligations mentioned in the Rolling Stone piece, saying, “At the same time, we were all advised by our representatives that there are contractual obligations tied to touring that need to be honored.”
In conclusion, Schon emphasized his commitment to delivering “the best possible experience and keeping the music alive” for fans.
Journey’s Final Frontier Tour will continue through August, featuring performances across the U.S. and a stop in Vancouver.
