The previously-unknown vocalist was hired in 2006 after guitarist Neal Schon saw him covering Journey tracks in a YouTube video. But nothing could have prepared him for one of his first appearances with the band, in Vina del Mar, a sold-out show which was being televised live across South America.

Schon tells Rolling Stone: "We threw him in the fire, no doubt about it. Two seconds before we go, Arnel is like: 'Can I go home? I don't want to go out.'

"It was fear and loathing to the max � but then he went out, and he went for it, and the audience went nuts."