Category Archives: News

Journey Lead Singer Conducts Online Poll On Stepping Down: ‘Overwhelmingly Humbling’

A poor show

Lead singer Arnel Pineda of Journey conducted an online poll about whether he should remain with the band following backlash for a performance at the Rock in Rio festival in Brazil, as reported by Hollywood Unlocked. If the poll received one million votes, Pineda said he would be “stepping out for good.”

Following the poll, Pineda confirmed that “good has won” and he thanked his supporters for their continued support.”I read most of your comments for my post. Thank you so much. It’s overwhelmingly humbling,” he responded.

Really amazing
“It’s really amazing how 1 thousand right things you have done will be forgotten just cause of THIS,” Pineda added. The video showed him struggling with ear monitors and hitting the wrong notes, ultimately prompting him to create an online poll for fans to vote on whether he should remain in the band.
His devastation
Pineda expressed his devastation on Facebook, admitting that he felt mentally and emotionally drained.
Mentally and emotionally
“Mentally and emotionally, I’ve suffered already, and I’m still suffering … but I’ll be ok,” Pineda wrote.
Offering you a chance
“So here’s the deal here now,” he wrote. “I am offering you a chance now (especially those who’s hated me and never liked me from the very beginning) to simply text GO or STAY right here.”
Stepping out for good
Pineda added, “If GO reaches 1million… I’m stepping out for good … are you game folks?”
Neal Schon
Journey guitarist Neal Schon encouraged him to ignore the criticism, while Pineda thanked his supporters.
They are all bought
“Arnel dont listen to these blogs,” Schon wrote online. “They are all bought. You’ve kicked ass!”
Discovered on YouTube
Pineda joined Journey in 2007 after being discovered on YouTube. The poll resulted in support for Pineda, he said, “I didn’t do it for some selfish reason, not to feed me with such gratifying feeling, more of a spiritual journey for me and my profound curiosity and what’s winning in his world these days.” He added, “Thank you everyone. To all the rock stars who’ve reached out and said something to defend me, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Now let’s all try to agree on walking with good every day. I love you all, really.”

Jay-Z Vows $250M In Grants For Times Square Casino

This project
Jay-Z’s Roc Nation is a multifaceted entertainment company that merges music, sports, and philanthropy. Most recently, the company revealed a grant initiative designed to assist Hell’s Kitchen and nearby neighborhoods during their potential development of the Caesars Palace casino in Times Square.
“We are New Yorkers. Supporting and providing opportunities for our neighborhoods and community isn’t just a part of Roc Nation’s ethos; it’s our collective responsibility,” Jay-Z said.
Roc Nation currently operates a successful record label with prominent artists, manages professional athletes through Roc Nation Sports, and engages in various charitable initiatives focused on social justice and community development.
“Any proposal that wins a gaming license will undoubtedly profit. Our vision is to give back to New York and ensure that the Broadway community, Hell’s Kitchen, and the surrounding businesses and areas all benefit. And not just for a minute, but for the long-term,” Jay-Z said.
Ongoing grants
Upon receiving approval, the initiative would allocate $15 million for local development and an additional 0.5% of the casino’s earnings for ongoing grants.
Include childcare
This is part of a larger $250 million benefit package that may include childcare, after-school programs, and senior support.
“We partnered with Roc Nation for a reason, and are thrilled to support any Roc Nation-led community initiative that extends the benefits of this project to more New Yorkers,” SL Green Executive Vice President Brett Herschenfeld said.
“We partnered with Roc Nation for a reason, and are thrilled to support any Roc Nation-led community initiative that extends the benefits of this project to more New Yorkers,” SL Green Executive Vice President Brett Herschenfeld said.
Jay-Z emphasized the importance of giving back to the New York community, aiming for long-term benefits.
The world
“We are thrilled to have Roc Nation and Jay-Z join our partnership to bring Caesars Palace to Times Square. They are one of the most pioneering entertainment groups in the world with New York embedded in their DNA,” Caesars Entertainment CEO Tom Reeg said.

‘Morally Confused’: Bill Maher Confronts Henry Winkler Over Hamas

Bill Maher and Henry Winkler

Bill Maher and actor Henry Winkler recently butted heads over Israel’s conduct in the Gaza war. The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas is rooted in historical territorial disputes and national identity issues.

The conflict is widely viewed as a complex issue that has chiefly affected Palestinian territories. Recent escalations have led to significant humanitarian crises, with high civilian casualties and destruction, while international responses remain divided.

“They’re not gonna eliminate Hamas, Hamas is an idea, not a group of people,” Winkler argued.

Destroying Ideas
Maher countered by referencing World War II, suggesting that ideas can be destroyed by conquering regimes. Winkler argued that the conflict serves to radicalize more individuals to join Hamas, to which Maher noted the complexities of military operations and the intentions of the Israeli Defense Forces.
Now Homeless
“You don’t think that all those people that are now homeless, and their families are destroyed, you don’t think that they are now Hamas again?” Winkler pressed.
Morally Confused
“Do you know what’s going on, really, underneath Gaza and all the tunnels and how close they are? I don’t either, but you know who does know? The Israeli Defense Forces,” Maher said. “Now are they perfect? Absolutely not, but again, they’re not the ones purposely killing civilians. They try not to kill civilians. If you can’t understand that difference, morally, then you’re very morally confused.”
The Same Footage
“Are you watching the same footage I’m watching?” Winkler asked. “You think they are trying to kill civilians?” Maher shot back, to which Winkler said, “I think that it is indiscriminate.”
What War Becomes
Despite their disagreements, both maintained mutual respect throughout the conversation. “That’s what war is,” Maher said. “War becomes that. There is no war you can name that didn’t. Sherman burned Atlanta to the ground and it wasn’t just the military people he was killing. It’s a shame, but again, there’s a very simple solution to this: Stop attacking Israel. Jews used to know this.”
Agree to Disagree
“I disagree a little bit with what you’re saying, I don’t think that the head of Israel at this moment is a soulful human being,” Winkler said. “That may be true too,” Maher acknowledged. “I didn’t say he wasn’t, and I didn’t say even that he might not be doing what you suggested he might be doing. What I was saying is that even if those things are true, it could also be true that this is the correct policy, which I believe it is. I think you’ve gone 11 months to do this let’s finish it while we’re there.”