Journey is a band whose trademark is the high register of their vocals. But by 2007, they had no singer. After failed attempts at rekindling the fire they once had with original frontman Steve Perry, the American hit makers were on the brink of breaking up, then guitar player Neal Schon saw a YouTube clip of Arnel Pineda.
Pineda, a young singer from the streets of Manilla had impressed Schon with his spot on covers of Journey’s songs. Soon after, Pineda would be the lead singer of the band he was once only a fan of. While this may seem like the story’s conclusion, it was in fact just the beginning. How would a young man from the streets of Manilla deal with the trappings of an American celebrity? And how would a generation of Journey fans react to a new singer who barely even spoke english? Those are the questions that Ramona S. Diaz sets out to answer in a her new documentary entitled Don’t Stop Believin’: Everyman’s Journey.
For Journey fan’s this film is a must see. It is packed with valuable behind the scenes footage and candid interviews with the band’s members. Through this we learn how the stage is prepped for a show and what the band’s tour bus looks like. Those who are not particularly interested in all things Journey may want to skip this one as it really is an hour and half tribute to the band.
Overall, the film contains a broader message which is that while it may be ridiculously hard to make it in the music industry, for those with real talent, overnight success is very possible.
Rating: Sometimes things have to fall apart for better things to fall into place. Poignant film about a band who wrote the soundtrack to so many American’s lives. (8/10)
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