Rock legends Journey have found their new singer online. Bandmates Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Ross Valory and Deen Castronovo introduced Arnel Pineda to fans in a statement released late on Wednesday. He replaces Jeff Scott Soto, who quit the band earlier this year.

Journey discovered rocker Pineda after guitarist Schon stumbled upon tribute band The Zoo, while surfing the Internet, desperately trying to find a replacement for Soto.

The Zoo, who were fronted by Pineda, had become such a live favourite in the frontman's native Philippines they had financed a series of videos and posted them on community website YouTube.com.

The thrilled singer says, "It's so exciting to sing with one of the best bands in the world. It'll be a lot of hard work on my part and I'm actually looking forward to the scrutiny I'll get from the hardcore fans. I know they'll expect me to sound exactly like (original singer) Steve Perry, but that will never happen. I know there's only one Steve Perry in this world."

Schon is delighted with his discovery - because he came close to abandoning his talent search: "I was starting to think I was never going to find anybody. But then I found The Zoo and I watched a bunch of different video clips that they had posted."

The "Don't Stop Believing" hitmakers are working on a new album, which they hope to release next spring.

(This news article provided by World Entertainment News Network)