5 Bands Who Improved After Replacing Their Singer (And 5 Who Didn't)
6. Became Worse - Journey
Journey, as most people know them, was led by dynamic vocalist Steve Perry. While Perry wasn't the original singer, it was during his tenure that the band became the international juggernaut that still saturates classic rock radio.
Starting with the intent of being a backup band, Journey quickly changed directions and began working on their own material. It wasn't until the band's fourth album, Infinity, that Steve Perry was hired and the classic Journey line-up was born.
Perry remained with Journey for 13 years (not including an eight-year hiatus). From 1998-2007, Journey entered a lull, cycling through a couple of different vocalists. In 2007 they hired Arnel Pineda; a guy who got the job because he sounded just like Steve Perry.
Guitarist Neil Schon saw a YouTube video of Pineda singing the Journey hit Faithfully. He then called Pineda, had him come in for a two-day audition, and shortly after, Pineda was announced as the new singer for Journey.
It's like the time actor Danny Trejo was turned down for a role that was written for a "Danny Trejo type". Talented as he is, Arnel Pineda still feels like the singer in a great Journey cover band.