Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain reflects on Steve Perry’s departure from the band and the challenges of finding a new lead singer

Jonathan Cain, keyboardist for the iconic rock band Journey, has opened up about the challenges of finding a new lead singer after Steve Perry left the band in 1998.

In an interview with Fox News Digital, Cain said that Perry was “fragile” when he rejoined the band in 1996 after a brief hiatus. The singer was struggling with physical pain due to a degenerative bone condition, and he was also not gung-ho about touring again.

“I could tell he was not up for it, physically and emotionally,” Cain said.

After Perry left the band for good, Journey recruited Steve Augeri as a replacement. However, the move was met with backlash from fans who felt that Perry was irreplaceable.

“Some felt Journey wouldn’t be Journey without Steve Perry,” Cain said. “But you know, I felt that the music was bigger than us.”

Cain said that Augeri did an admirable job as the band’s lead singer, but he ultimately felt that the band needed a new direction. In 2007, Journey found their new frontman in Arnel Pineda, a Filipino singer who had been covering Journey songs on YouTube.

“You could tell he had the pipes,” Cain said. “But he had to learn 20 years of Journey and sing it in a couple of weeks. He didn’t have a lot of studio chops. But he stepped up to the game.”

Pineda has been with Journey since 2007, and he has helped the band to regain their popularity. The band is currently celebrating their 50th anniversary, and they are still touring with Pineda.

Cain said that he has no hard feelings towards Steve Perry, and he is proud of what Journey has accomplished with Pineda as their lead singer.

“‘Don’t Stop Believin” is about getting on the midnight train, and you can go anywhere – everything is possible,” Cain said. “That’s what we accomplished together. We soared and we made it work. We did the best that we could. And I’m proud of what we’ve done, all of us.”