When going to a live concert for a band that has been around for almost 40 years, one might expect wheelchairs and canes to be present on the stage. But that’s not the story when that band is Journey. The performances by Arnel Pineda, Neal Schon, Ross Valory, Jonathan Cain, and Deen Castronovo were majestically fantastic.

Before Journey came the opening acts, which included Loverboy, and Pat Benatar. Loverboy is the band with the big hit “Working for the Weekend” released in ’81. Most of us have heard it with its popular use in commercials, movies, and the very famous SNL skit with Chris Farley and Patrick Swayze (may both rest in peace).

However on this night, Loverboy was out of sorts and fell flat in this gig. Perhaps they were there specifically to make Pat Benatar and Journey look EVEN BETTER. The photographers next to me were relieved when they were called back to the administration office to wait for Pat Benatar to come on stage. Second, their stage presence (if you can call it that) was abysmal. People were taking their sweet time going to the concessions, having phone conversations, and not to mention, shaking their heads during this act. Not the highlight.

And then comes Pat Benatar. If you know Rock music, you should know exactly who Pat Benatar is. She’s famous for her many songs that struck the hearts of our parents. Her hits include, “Hit Me With Your Best Shot”, “Heartbreaker”, “Love Is a Battlefield”, “We Belong” and many more.

When Pat walked onto the stage, the attention was immediately on her. The 59-year-old singer came on wearing clothes that would suit maybe a grandmother on her way to church. I was sweating just thinking about the blistering heat she had to have been experiencing, since the concert was outside at the Gexa Energy Pavilion. But soon as she began belting the notes of her famous songs, the heat was the least of my worries. With powerful lyrics, an unforgettable voice, and emotions you can feel from your seat, Pat did not let the people down.

Anticipation reached its peak and the lights began to dim. Sudden flashes of blue and white lights filled the stage, and screams from the audience members grew. The roar of Neal Schon’s guitar filled the arena, only making the screams louder. Deen Castronovo nonchalantly took his seat behind the monstrous drum set and engulfed the place with the sound of his bass drum and cymbals. Ross Valory and Jonathan Cain walked onstage holding their instruments and waving to the people.

Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better, Arnel Pineda rushed onto the stage and the band immediately jumped right into “Any Way You Want It”. The crowd gladly screamed with approval and sang along.

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Six years ago when the instrumentalists of Journey wanted to go on tour, the front man Steve Perry didn’t agree. Instead the band recruited Pineda from the Philippines when Neal Schon saw YouTube videos of Pineda’s cover band, Zoology. Pineda’s band covered classic rock songs from bands like Led Zeppelin, The Who, Aerosmith, and of course, Journey.

Very skeptical at first, most fans were outraged that Journey was continuing on without Steve Perry. Perry was thought to be the heart and soul of Journey! But Pineda shocked fans across the world upon hearing his angelical voice. Close your eyes while listening to him and you’ll have a very hard time trying to distinguish the difference between Pineda and Perry. Their voices are identical!

With Pineda now leading this legendary group, you can’t stop yourself from smiling. Each of the members (especially the 44-year-old lead singer) are alive with an unstoppable energy. Schon shredding the guitar solos. Cain outstandingly playing each piano chord. Castranovo destroying the drums. Valory entertaining you with his goofy faces. And Pineda jumping around the stage singing pitch perfect songs that you’ve known since your childhood. What could be better?

There’s a lot to praise in Journey’s performance and only one complaint. Neal Schon is an amazing guitar player. Schon is known for his shredding and wailing notes. But perhaps he should tone it down just a tad. It felt at times it was too much. Although that may be the truth, most audience members sat there and admired the wonderful talent with a grin on their face.

Journey is without a doubt, a masterful performance group. They’re old in age, but youthful in their music. Go to their shows. You won’t be disappointed, you’ll be thankful. One does not simply leave a Journey concert unsatisfied.