is the band journey fighting

• Manage Account
• Share this article on Facebook
• Share this article on Twitter
• Share this article on Flipboard
• Share this article on Pinit
• + additional share options added
• Share this article on Reddit
• Share this article on Linkedin
• Share this article on Whatsapp
• Share this article on Email
• Print this article
• Share this article on Comment
• Share this article on Tumblr

Journey’s Neal Schon v. Everyone: Will Band Members Go ‘Separate Ways’?

The band is fighting over a member's Mar-a-Lago performance, suing over the group's Amex account, and hiring and firing managers. But it's still filling arenas.

By Steve Knopper

Steve Knopper

Early in Journey ’s 2022 arena tour, lead guitarist Neal Schon became convinced people were out to get him. So he stationed two off-duty police officers outside his dressing room, according to sources familiar with the tour. And at a Florida show last spring, Schon and his wife, Michaele , sent an assistant into keyboardist Jonathan Cain ’s dressing room to snoop around — to find what, the sources have no idea.

Trending on Billboard

Journey’s latest legal clash it’s over the band’s amex card.

From the outside, Journey’s business might seem easy — perform hits like “Wheel in the Sky,” “Any Way You Want It” and “Who’s Crying Now” in arenas and watch the money roll in. Most of those guitar-piano-and-whoa-oh-oh classics are from the ’80s, when Journey dominated rock radio and MTV, scoring eight multiplatinum albums and six top 10 Billboard Hot 100 singles, and becoming a bridge between ’70s regular-guy bands like Boston , Styx and Kansas and the more dangerous-looking Bon Jovis and Mötley Crües of subsequent years.

Journey has sold more than 75 million albums worldwide, according to a recent lawsuit involving the band, and Billboard Boxscore reports a career gross of more than $352.5 million on sales of 7.6 million tickets. Journey has also cleaned up on synch licensing for decades — the iconic final scene of The Sopranos in 2007 famously used “Don’t Stop Believin,’ ” and the band’s songs have appeared in Caddyshack (“Any Way You Want It”), Talladega Nights: The Ballad of Ricky Bobby (“Faithfully”) and last year’s season of Stranger Things (“Separate Ways [Worlds Apart]”). And the group’s 2022 tour was one of its biggest ever, nearly doubling the pace of its previous standalone tour in 2017, which took 67 shows to gross $31.7 million.

Recently, though, simmering, passive-aggressive, behind-the-scenes tension between Schon and Cain has blown up into dueling lawsuits and cease-and-desist letters, including one over Cain’s performance at Mar-a-Lago. Journey is hardly the only group to tour and make albums amid acrimony between band members; examples include Sam & Dave , The Kinks and Van Halen . But Journey’s personality conflicts have spread to its business far more than most, and sources say the Schons have run off business and road managers, accountants and longtime band members. In February, Journey’s longtime bank, City National, cut ties with the band, according to sources, hampering the group’s ability to easily pay its day-to-day touring expenses. Even Journey’s official webpage abruptly stopped operating for several weeks in early February before it recently reappeared.

At the Jan. 27 opening show of Journey’s 2023 arena tour, which runs through April, Cain and Schon stood at least 20 yards apart at all times, on opposite sides of the stage at the Choctaw Grand Theatre in Durant, Okla. The 3,000 fans singing along to hit after hit clearly energized the band, especially frontman Arnel Pineda , who sprinted and twirled around the stage. But Cain and Schon barely looked at each other, even when Cain sang these lines from “Faithfully,” the 1983 hit he wrote: “Circus life under the big-top world/ We all need the clowns to make us smile/ Through space and time, always another show.” Another show: Check. Circus life: Check. Shared smiles: Absent.

____________________

Neal Schon has been litigious for years. In 2007, he sued his ex-wife’s mother-in-law for blogging that he didn’t pay child support. The mother-in-law, who has since died, said she didn’t say that and the case was eventually dismissed. (After the publication of this story, Schon texted to point out that he had sued The Daily Mail for running a story based on the blog that referred to Schon as a “deadbeat dad,” which led to a settlement with terms that included a public apology from the British tabloid. “It was all false and damaging,” Schon said by text.) In 2019, he sued Live Nation, then-promoter for the band. And in 2020, along with Cain, he sued then-Journey drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory .

That lawsuit settled in April 2021 , for undisclosed terms, and Smith and Valory soon left the band, leaving Schon and Cain to publicly turn on each other in the months that followed. In October, Schon sued Cain in Superior Court in Contra Costa County, Calif., for “improperly” refusing him access to a corporate American Express account representing “millions in Journey funds.” In Cain’s Jan. 13 response, he accused Schon of “completely out-of-control” spending, charging the band’s American Express card for what Cain said were $1 million in personal expenses, including — in a single month last spring — $104,000 for jewelry and clothes, $31,000 to the Bergdorf Goodman department store and $54,000 toward his insurance premiums.

The dispute between Schon and Cain even involves Trump. Cain is married to the ex-president’s spiritual advisor, Paula White-Cain , and he performed “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” at Mar-a-Lago. He also appeared at a Las Vegas “Evangelicals for Trump” event three months before the 2020 presidential election. In December, Schon sent a cease-and-desist letter that called Cain’s Mar-a-Lago performance “deleterious to the Journey brand as it polarizes the band’s fans and outreach.” (Cain declined to comment and Pineda did not respond to interview requests.)

Journey Band Members Agree to Settle $10 Million Lawsuit and Go ‘Separate Ways’

This combative back-and-forth might suggest the central tension in Journey is between Schon and Cain, the remaining members of the group’s megastar era. But numerous music sources who have worked with the band over the years say the lead guitarist is obsessed with controlling the band with Michaele, a fan since childhood, who took an interest in Journey’s affairs soon after their 2013 wedding. The actual conflict, they say, isn’t Schon vs. Cain, but rather Schon vs. everyone. “He’s just an impossible human being,” says an industry source, who has worked with the band. “Jonathan, he’s a good guy: ‘I wrote “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” and I’m blessed.’ Neil’s just ‘I’m a superstar.’ ”

The source refers to a 2018 Tampa Bay Times concert review in which critic Jay Cridlin praised the band’s onstage tribute to the late Aretha Franklin . Schon directly emailed Cridlin afterwards, demanding he change the review — it was Schon who orchestrated the Franklin tribute, not the entire band, as Cridlin had reported. In a Times story he published later about his exchange with Schon, Cridlin wrote, “It seemed odd that Schon would go out of his way to make sure readers knew his bandmates had nothing to do with it.”

The son of a professional singer and a jazz saxophonist and composer, Schon was a teenage guitar hotshot in the early ’70s, when Eric Clapton invited him to jam with Derek and the Dominos onstage at Berkeley Community Theatre, near his home in the Bay Area. Word got around, and both Clapton and Carlos Santana made offers to Schon to join their bands. At 17, Schon picked Santana, then in its post-Woodstock prime, before forming Journey in 1973.

Four years later, frontman Steve Perry ushered Journey into its FM-radio golden age. Perry became the face of the band as Cain underpinned the songwriting with Broadway-style piano and melancholy verses, and Schon electrified the earworms, matching every catchy chorus and Perry high note with a melodic guitar solo.

Over the years, as happens with many successful rock bands, Journey’s business grew into a jigsaw puzzle of financial deals worked out over decades of negotiation. Perry, who quit for good in 1997, landed a deal in which he still makes 1/41 of the band’s net income from recording royalties and touring, after management fees and other expenses. Which means he pocketed roughly $400,000 in 2022 from Journey’s tour alone, according to sources, while sitting at home making TikToks about how much he loves Harry Styles . The remainder is then split among Schon, Cain and Pineda, a cover band singer from the Philippines, whom Schon discovered on YouTube in 2007.

In the early 2010s, according to sources, Schon became more litigious and started spending more money, when he became serious with the former Michaele Ann Holt, whose Oakton, Va., high school friends in the ’80s called her Rock Chic Miss, according to Washingtonian . A Journey superfan and once a Real Housewives of D.C. cast member, Michaele first became famous with her ex-husband, Tareq Salahi , as the White House gate-crashers who joined former President Barack Obama’s 2009 state dinner without an invitation. Two years after that, Salahi reported his wife missing to the police and appeared on TV, begging for her return. “I swear to God, I’m missing my wife,” he said through tears. “This is not a joke.”

It came out later, in Salahi’s divorce filings, that when he made that plea, he neglected to mention that he had already received a call about his wife’s whereabouts. It came from Neal Schon. As Washingtonian reported, Schon told Salahi, “This is Neal. I am fucking your wife.”

In 2013, Neal married Michaele, in a pay-per-view wedding that cost viewers $14.95. One of the three dresses Michaele wore was by Oscar de la Renta. Neal wore a long black coat without a tie. Sammy Hagar and Grateful Dead guitarist Bob Weir attended. So did Omarosa Manigault , the Apprentice villain who later worked in — and still later turned against — the Trump Administration. The San Francisco wedding, held in a white tent, had a winter-wonderland theme, with 36 crystal chandeliers and a four-foot-tall, berry-and-custard white cake. Paying customers could watch for up to 12 hours — more than six times the length of a typical Journey concert. Journey performed, of course, and a portion of the pay-per-view gross went to typhoon relief, a cause Pineda favored. The wedding cost between $1 million and $3 million, according to music-industry sources familiar with the band’s finances.

Journey Takes a Break From Feuding, Returns for Harmonious Concert at Oklahoma Casino

After Michaele left Salahi for Schon, the couple began getting Journey’s publicists to work for them. Emails from the time show Neal and Michaele calling and emailing a publicist late at night, to tweak language and order photos for press releases about Michaele’s divorce. When a publicist responded to an 11:30 p.m. email by saying his business hours were 9 to 5, Neal responded, “sorry we didn’t fit into your biz hours. Lol.” At one point, the publicist emailed, “I rarely answer calls from numbers I don’t have saved. Michaele’s 12:28 a.m response: “Are you still up?”

After she married Schon, ​​Michaele gradually became more involved in various aspects of Journey’s business: She asked to be copied on all band-related emails, according to multiple sources, and sometimes responded by CC’ing as many as 15 other addresses, including those of attorneys and other band employees.

In early 2021, after Smith and Valory settled their lawsuits and left the band, Schon became Journey’s manager.

By the time Schon started managing Journey, he and Michaele had spent six years scrutinizing trademarks and merchandise and ticket sales. And they came to one conclusion: Journey was getting screwed. That meant everyone had to go, so Schon fired or sued managers, accountants, bandmates and promoters, some of whom had worked with the group for decades. John Baruck , who managed the band for 20 years and oversaw its 2017 induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the hiring of Pineda as lead singer and the band’s post- Sopranos renaissance? Gone. Peter Mensch , also one of Metallica ’s managers at Q Prime? Gone. Smith and Valory? Gone, when Schon and Cain jointly sued them for $10 million, claiming the two “launched a coup” to take control of the Journey name and “set themselves up for retirement.”

“I took the bull by the horns and started cleaning things up,” says Schon, 68, with matter-of-fact rock star charm on Zoom audio last summer, throwing in a “ha!” or two to illustrate the absurdity of the music business. “It was a mess, I have to tell you, business-wise. It was set up to be chaotic, so you would never be able to have a clue of how messed up it was.”

Schon and Cain took over as Journey’s co-managers in early 2021, splitting the standard 15% fee. (Cain shared some of his 7.5% with Pineda, according to sources.) The idea was to bring order to the business chaos. “I believe the government calls it ‘chaos merchants,’ ” Schon says, in a charming non sequitur, with a soft-spoken laugh. But Schon also created chaos of his own, sources say.

In 2019, the Schons filed a lawsuit against Live Nation, which promoted Journey’s tours, after Michaele alleged that a security employee at the band’s show at Allen County War Memorial Coliseum in Fort Wayne, Ind., “violently assaulted” her and threw her into a PA system while she was taking photos near the stage. ( Video on YouTube that seems to show the incident includes no evidence of violence, but it’s blurry, distant and missing several crucial seconds of the alleged confrontation.)

The Schons fired three different law firms that represented them in that case, including one that cited an “irretrievable breakdown of the attorney-client relationship.” They also stopped responding to discovery requests and court orders, prompting an Allen County Superior Court judge to mandate a court appearance. When they didn’t show up, the judge held the Schons in contempt and dismissed the suit last March.

In early 2020, Schon and Cain filed their California Superior Court lawsuit against Valory and Smith, claiming the duo’s “coup” to take over one of the band’s business entities, Nightmare Productions Inc., “placed their own greed before the interests of the band, sowing discontent and discord, jeopardizing the future of Journey.” In a counter-complaint, Valory said Schon and Cain were “deceptive, misleading and false,” and that he and Smith tried to protect Journey from their bandmates’ attempts to trademark logos and song titles to use on merchandise for Schon’s side project, Neal Schon Journey Through Time, which toured briefly in 2019. (Valory, who is no longer in the band, did not respond to interview requests; reached on his cellphone, Smith said, “No, I won’t do a phone interview on or off the record, and if you don’t mind, I have to go.”)

Journey Hires Def Leppard Manager Amid Inter-Band Turmoil

After Schon’s enthusiastic Zoom interview last summer, he declined all further requests to comment. Skip Miller , his attorney, responded to an email list of questions by saying, “Please be advised that your email, and the questions and matters therein, are largely incorrect.” He would not specify which parts were incorrect, but said: “As the band’s founder and leader, Mr. Schon puts Journey above all else. Unlike another band member, he doesn’t think Journey should be involved in politics on any side, red, blue or whatever.” Later, he added, “For Neal Schon, it’s all about making great music for Journey’s fans.”

Journey’s blockbuster 2022 ended with Schon suing Cain, his final remaining bandmate from the “Don’t Stop Believin’ ” years. Schon v. Cain , the legal dispute over the band’s American Express account, is pending in California Superior Court, and representatives for both sides would not comment. By early December, Def Leppard manager Mike Kobayashi confirmed Journey had hired him to take over management from Schon and Cain.

By early February, sources say, Kobayashi was no longer manager.

Over Zoom last summer, Schon says he became suspicious of the people handling Journey’s affairs before he started doing it himself. At one point — he won’t give the date or context — he asked band accountants how many fans attended each amphitheater show he played. “You did OK,” came the response, according to Schon. “You didn’t do as well as two years ago, when you had 19,000. You had 18,500, or 17,000.” His conclusion: The band’s representatives were lowballing him.

So, Schon says, “I would pay guys in the parking lot and say, ‘How many cars are here tonight?’ And they’d say ‘Dude, they’re plus-five miles out’ — that means about 23,000. With a band like Journey, that has hits like Journey has, you can’t just try to squash them down in a box and make them believe that they’re no longer big.”

During Journey’s business purge of the last few years, one of the managers Schon fired was Irving Azoff , the uber-manager who represents the Eagles , John Mayer , Jon Bon Jovi , Gwen Stefani and others. Azoff wouldn’t comment for this story, but in his lawsuit against Live Nation, Schon says he developed a “medical condition” and criticizes Azoff for nixing “continued off-duty law enforcement protection” for the Schons during the band’s tour. In exchange for forgoing personal security, Azoff agreed to provide the Schons with private-jet transportation, according to the lawsuit. (Neither Azoff nor Baruck — Azoff’s former college roommate, who worked at his management company for years — would comment.)

Azoff’s team, Schon says on Zoom, “ended up doing some great things,” but frustratingly kept the band in amphitheaters when he insisted to managers for years that Journey should be headlining arenas. “What I did was follow my gut instinct, and it was just time to move on,” he says. “We tried Q Prime for a second, and it seemed like it was going to be alright, but, you know, politics come into play.” (A rep for Q Prime declined to discuss Journey.)

By then, Schon thought, “We don’t need these guys, man,” as he remembers telling Cain. “I swear to God, I’m mostly doing everything, anyway.”

Over the last few years, as Schon and Cain managed Journey, they had help from CAA agent Jeff Frasco and AEG Live CEO Jay Marciano . (Neither would comment for this story.) On Zoom, Schon lists Journey’s switch from sheds to arenas as his top accomplishment as manager, and some in the concert business agree. “It’s a much bigger statement for a band to headline an arena than a single day at an amphitheater,” says New York promoter John Scher , who booked the band in the ’80s. “Could they be doing better with a different manager? They seem to be doing OK now.”

Schon’s other business priority is Journey trademarks. He says he was amazed to learn that since 1973, Journey hadn’t trademarked its name or logo, despite selling T-shirts for years at venues, as well as retailers from Walmart to Neiman Marcus. After the Schons realized this, in 2019, Neal and Cain registered 20 of the band’s song titles with the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, for use on T-shirts, caps and hoodies. (Since Journey’s songs and the recordings are already protected by copyright, this would only cover the song titles for use on merchandise.)

“I’d introduce myself to the CEO and I’d say, ‘I’m Neal Schon, the founding member of Journey, and I now own the trademark for all Journey material. And you guys have kind of gotten yourself in a weird position here, because you’ve been selling tons of Journey merchandise for decades, and we’re seeing peanuts, and I’d like to have an electronic audit,’ ” Schon recalls. “Then a legal team would get on the phone with myself and my wife and they’d say, ‘Well, you know, we weren’t really selling it under the name Journey.’ And I’d go, ‘Well, that’s kind of laughable. I have boxes and cases of stuff in my living room and it’s just from your store and it all says Journey on it.’ ” (A Walmart spokesperson said the company was “not aware of any unlicensed Journey-branded products being sold by Walmart.” A Neiman Marcus spokesperson said he would “need to look into” Schon’s claims, then didn’t respond to follow-up inquiries.)

In fact, the Journey “mark” has been the subject of many years of negotiation among past and present band members. In 1985, the band’s company Nightmare Productions licensed it to a separate partnership, Elmo Partners — Perry, Schon and Cain — according to the complaint in Schon v. Valory .

Ex-Journey Frontman Steve Perry Files to Block Former Bandmates’ Song Title Trademarks

In a September filing to cancel the trademarks with the U.S. Trademark and Patent Office’s trial and appeal board, Perry declared that Schon and Cain sold the rights to the songs they co-wrote and once owned. As of 2019, according to Merck Mercuriadis , CEO and managing partner of U.K. song-investment firm Hipgnosis, his company owns all recording royalties and publishing that previously belonged to Schon, Cain, Valory, Smith and Herbie Herbert , an early longtime manager who died in 2021. Perry argued that Schon and Cain no longer retained the standing to trademark the songs. Plus, the trio’s 1985 Elmo agreement requires “unanimous agreement and consent” among Schon, Cain and Perry to use a trademarked song for T-shirts or other products.

In his filing to cancel the Schon-Cain song trademark action, which cost him $12,000 in fees, Perry accused the duo of making knowingly “false or misleading” statements. In January, Perry abruptly dropped the motion to cancel the trademarks. Schon used the occasion to rip his current bandmate — Cain — on Twitter: “So much for [Cain] trying to throw me under the bus as he claimed I was blatantly trying to rip off [Perry] while collecting the checks for the very diligent work my wife and I did to protect our Merch.”

While federal trademark registration can be important, Journey already had other ways to assert its rights to logos or song titles associated with the band that appear on merchandise. The band could have protected its holdings through “common-law rights,” says Michael N. Cohen , a Beverly Hills, Calif., an intellectual-property lawyer who specializes in trademarks and represents classic rock bands: “Just by virtue of using the mark, you’ve acquired some degree of rights, but those rights are limited.” In other words, Journey has always had the right to make merchandise deals — just by being Journey.

With Kobayashi gone, Schon seems to have taken over again as manager — with the help of Michaele, whom he recently praised on Instagram for serving as the band’s road manager in 2022, even though the band employed experienced road managers throughout the tour. (Kobayashi didn’t respond to requests for comment.)

By February, Journey may have also lost its bank, and with it the ability to easily pay employees and cover expenses on the road. (A representative from City National declined to comment.) As manager, though, Schon understands an important thing about Journey: If the band puts out a new album every now and then — like last year’s Freedom , which didn’t do nearly as well as its classic ’80s material — the arena dates will keep rolling in.

“Let’s be honest: There’s no new Journey fans,” says Brock Jones , a veteran Nashville and Philadelphia promoter and consultant. “It’s about playing the right markets, playing the right rooms, pricing the right tickets and making sure the package is correct.”

At the Choctaw Grand Theatre, before boisterous fans singing along to every “na-na,” Cain manned his red piano at stage right, while Schon soloed constantly at stage left. After the finale, “Any Way You Want It,” the six band members lined up and group-hugged and fist-bumped, happy to perform again after several months off for the holidays. But Cain and Schon stood at opposite ends of the line. They did not hug each other. They did not bump fists with each other. Finally, Schon bounded off-stage — by himself.

Additional reporting by Bill Donahue.

Journey’s 10 Best Songs

Daily newsletters straight to your inbox

More From Pro

Music stocks have biggest one-week loss in nine months.

• By Glenn Peoples

Music Companies Are Asking Superfans to Spend More — But Can They Afford To?

In canada: thomas rhett hosting ccmas and ‘houdini’ co-writer wins socan song award.

• By Richard Trapunski , David Farrell , Rosie Long Decter

Jelly Roll Hit With Name-Dispute Lawsuit From Philadelphia Wedding Band Called Jellyroll

• By Bill Donahue

Inside the Harry Styles-Backed Venue Set to Be the U.K.’s Biggest and Most Sustainable Arena

• By Richard Smirke

Billboard is a part of Penske Media Corporation. © 2024 Billboard Media, LLC. All Rights Reserved.

optional screen reader

Charts expand charts menu.

• Billboard Hot 100™
• Billboard 200™
• Hits Of The World™
• TikTok Billboard Top 50
• Song Breaker
• Year-End Charts
• Decade-End Charts

Music Expand music menu

• R&B/Hip-Hop

Culture Expand culture menu

Media expand media menu, business expand business menu.

• Business News
• Record Labels
• View All Pro

Pro Tools Expand pro-tools menu

• Songwriters & Producers
• Artist Index
• Royalty Calculator
• Market Watch
• Industry Events Calendar

Billboard Español Expand billboard-espanol menu

• Cultura y Entretenimiento

Honda Music Expand honda-music menu

Things you buy through our links may earn  Vox Media  a commission.

Journey Should Probably Go Their Separate Ways

Maybe, just sometimes, not believing in things any longer can be the best idea. Journey have reached an unbelievably dysfunctional point of their lineage as a band, Billboard reports , which stems from a slow burn of issues ranging from the legal to the petty. The main source of strife is allegedly coming from founding member Neal Schon and longtime keyboardist Jonathan Cain, both of whom are still actively touring with the band as of this month. According to Billboard, the duo’s mutual animosity began during Donald Trump’s presidency, when Cain, who is married to Trump’s “spiritual adviser,” performed a private set at Mar-a-Lago — a move that Schon declared in a cease-and-desist letter to be “deleterious to the Journey brand as it polarizes the band’s fans and outreach.” In 2021, Schon went on to sue Cain for “improperly” not allowing him access to the band’s American Express credit card; Cain fired back in January 2022, saying Schon had a pathological spending problem and charged $1 million of personal expenses for himself and his wife, a former Real Housewives of D.C. star who crashed a White House state dinner in 2009. Schon v. Cain is now currently pending in a California court.

The duo’s Journey infighting crescendoed that same year during an arena tour. Schon allegedly hired off-duty police officers to guard his dressing room during performances and, at one tour stop, had an assistant snoop around Cain’s room. Cain caught the assistant and retaliated by hiring off-duty police officers as his own guards. “That’s just the level of pettiness and control and conspiracy they came to believe in,” a source explained.

In an interview with Vulture last year, Schon briefly discussed a Journey legal issue that related to the ongoing saga of gaining control of the band’s official trademark. “We’ve never owned our own trademark. All these years, many people lied to us. My wife and I finally got to the bottom of it after investigating for years,” he said . “We were fought hard by everybody, but we managed to obtain the trademark.” A silver lining to the problem, Schon said, was that it allowed him to open up a discourse with former member Steve Perry, who left the band in the mid-’90s. “We’re talking and getting to know each other again,” he told us, “though not trying to get together musically again, but he’s learning who I am now, through a portion of our business that I’m kind of controlling now.” But is he doing it … faithfully?

• respect the classics
• classic rock
• jonathan cain

Most Viewed Stories

• A Hidden Sexual-Assault Scandal at the New York Philharmonic
• Cinematrix No. 35: April 12, 2024
• No One’s Watching the Best Comedy on Netflix
• The 10 Best Movies and TV Shows to Watch This Weekend
• Civil War Isn’t the Movie You Think It Is
• Fallout Series-Premiere Recap: Orange Colored Sky

Editor’s Picks

Most Popular

What is your email.

This email will be used to sign into all New York sites. By submitting your email, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive email correspondence from us.

Sign In To Continue Reading

Create your free account.

Password must be at least 8 characters and contain:

• Lower case letters (a-z)
• Upper case letters (A-Z)
• Numbers (0-9)
• Special Characters (!@#$%^&*)

As part of your account, you’ll receive occasional updates and offers from New York , which you can opt out of anytime.

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Journey bandmates in legal fight over performance for Donald Trump

Guitarist Neal Schon issues cease-and-desist order to keyboardist Jonathan Cain over performance of Don’t Stop Believin’ at Mar-a-Lago

A member of the rock band Journey has served a fellow bandmate with a cease-and-desist order for performing their hit Don’t Stop Believin’ with several high-profile Republicans for Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month, calling the performance “harmful” to the band.

Keyboardist Jonathan Cain, guitarist Neal Schon and singer Steve Perry co-wrote the 1981 song, which returned to public consciousness 30 years later when it was used in the final episode of The Sopranos.

Cain, 71, is a member of Trump’s inner circle because his wife, the televangelist Paula White-Cain, is the former US president’s spiritual advisor.

In November, Cain performed Don’t Stop Believin’ with Republicans Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kimberly Guilfoyle and Kari Lake for Trump at his Florida resort. On Wednesday, it was revealed by Variety that Schon’s attorney had issued a cease-and-desist letter to Cain over the performance.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Kari Lake sang “Don’t Stop Believin’” along with Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain at a recent event with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. pic.twitter.com/dvSp1z62BX — PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 23, 2022

In the letter, Schon’s attorney noted: “Although Mr Cain is free to express his personal beliefs and associations, when he does that on behalf of Journey or for the band, such conduct is extremely deleterious to the Journey brand as it polarizes the band’s fans and outreach. Journey is not, and should not be, political.

“Mr Cain’s unauthorised affiliation of Journey with the politics of Donald Trump has the band’s fans up in arms, as is demonstrated by a sample of the attached emails and Twitter comments. This has caused, and continues to cause, irreparable harm to the Journey brand, its fan base and earning potential, especially in light of the forthcoming tour.

“Mr Cain has no right to use Journey for politics … he should not be capitalising on Journey’s brand to promote his personal political or religious agenda to the detriment of the band,” the letter continued, calling the performance a “harmful use of the brand”.

The letter also states that Schon’s move does not intend to “further add to the animosity that is currently plaguing the band and the relationship between Mr Schon and Mr Cain”.

The two men are currently fighting over access to the band’s finances, with Schon’s lawyers claiming last month that he had been denied access to the band’s financial records and use of its American Express card . Cain’s lawyers responded by alleging Schon was denied access to the card after he used it on “improper personal expenses” worth more than US$1m.

Schon has not responded to Cain’s counterclaim, writing that he will “be following my attorney’s advice and not speak until we are in court where I’ll not have a problem at all. It is what it is.”

The Guardian has contacted Cain about the cease-and-desist. In response to the claims, a spokesman for Cain told Variety on Wednesday: “Schon is just frustrated that he keeps losing in court and is now falsely claiming the song has been used at political rallies.”

Schon and Perry have previously voiced their displeasure over Don’t Stop Believin’ being played at Trump’s campaign rallies, joining a long list of individuals and bands who have spoken out against their music being used by Trump that includes Neil Young , REM, Queen, Earth, Wind and Fire, the Rolling Stones, Aerosmith, Tom Petty and the widow of Luciano Pavarotti,

In 2017, Schon posted several furious tweets after three members of the group visited the White House and posed for pictures with the then-president.

“I’ve stated how I felt about mixing religion and politics and how our music is not of one religion — Democratic or Republican. This is and has been an issue with myself, Mr Cain and his wife,” Schon wrote in a message he later deleted.

• Pop and rock
• Republicans
• Donald Trump

Most viewed

Breaking News

Journey’s neal schon feuds with bandmate jonathan cain over playing music at trump events.

• View Author Archive
• Follow on Twitter
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

Members of the rock band Journey used to agree the band doesn’t get involved in politics . Now, founding member Neal Schon is making sure it stays that way.

The 68-year-old guitarist sent a cease-and-desist letter on Dec. 16 to attorneys for bandmate Jonathan Cain to prohibit him from playing Journey’s music at Donald Trump events after Cain sang “Don’t Stop Believin'” at a Mar-a-Lago gala last month .

The Post reached out to rep for Cain for comment.

In the letter obtained by The Post, Schon’s attorney claims Journey fans are “up in arms” over Cain’s affiliation with Trump. The keyboardist, 72, has been a part of Trump’s inner circle since his wife, televangelist Paula White, has served as Trump’s spiritual adviser.

Video of Cain’s performance at the November event, where Marjorie Taylor Greene , Kimberly Guilfoyle and Kari Lake acted as background singers, was widely spread on social media .

“Although Mr. Cain is free to express his personal beliefs and associations, when he does that on behalf of Journey or for the band, such conduct is extremely deleterious to the Journey brand as it polarizes the band’s fans and outreach. Journey is not, and should not be, political,” the Schon letter reads.

Cain, Schon and estranged Journey singer Steve Perry are credited as writers of the 1981 stadium anthem, but Schon wants to make a clear distinction between the individual artists and the band.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Kari Lake sang “Don’t Stop Believin’” along with Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain at a recent event with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. pic.twitter.com/dvSp1z62BX — PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 23, 2022

“Mr. Cain has no right to use Journey for politics,” the letter continues. “His politics should be his own personal business. He should not be capitalizing on Journey’s brand to promote his personal political or religious agenda to the detriment of the band.”

The letter’s intent is not to “further add to the animosity that is currently plaguing the band and the relationship between Mr. Schon and Mr. Cain,” which has been tense for many years.

“What Jon Cain has done here violates that duty” to the band and the Journey brand, the letter alleges.

When contacted by The Post, Schon’s attorney pointed to a 2017 radio interview Journey did in Singapore in which Cain agreed the band is “not political” and that members try to “stay in our lane.”

“The best place to stay is neutral, in the center, and just don’t take a side. Keep it to yourself, whatever you think,” Schon declared, adding that, “Politics and music, I don’t think it mixes.”

Cain visited Trump’s White House months after that interview — with the band’s singer and bassist in tow — reportedly without Schon or band management knowing beforehand. This angered Schon, but the two were able to “reset our friendship” to tour with fellow rock legends Def Leppard.

Share this article:

Advertisement

Don’t stop believin’, but do avoid Journey songs for political events, says guitarist

• Show more sharing options
• Copy Link URL Copied!

Members of the rock band Journey can’t quite play their music any way they want it , according to lead guitarist Neal Schon.

On Wednesday, Variety reported that Schon’s attorney served fellow bandmate Jonathan Cain a cease-and-desist letter for performing Journey’s ubiquitous hit “Don’t Stop Believin’” at a November event for Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago. Cain sang the beloved anthem with other notable members of the Republican party, including Marjorie Taylor Greene and Kimberly Guilfoyle.

Schon was not happy about that.

Going beyond Journey’s end with ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ ’

‘Don’t Stop Believin’ ’ as pop-cultural touchstone

June 29, 2009

“Although Mr. Cain is free to express his personal beliefs and associations, when he does that on behalf of Journey or for the band, such conduct is extremely deleterious to the Journey brand as it polarizes the band’s fans and outreach,” Schon’s cease-and-desist letter reportedly said. “Journey is not, and should not be, political.

“Mr. Cain has no right to use Journey for politics,” the letter added. “His politics should be his own personal business. He should not be capitalizing on Journey’s brand to promote his personal political or religious agenda to the detriment of the band.”

In a statement shared with The Times on Thursday, Cain fired back.

“Neal Schon should look in the mirror when he accuses me of causing harm to the Journey brand. I have watched him damage our brand for years and am a victim of both his — and his wife’s —bizarre behavior,” his statement said.

Cain also accused Schon and his wife, Michaele Schon, of “bullying” people who have done business with the band, including “accountants, road managers, and management firms.” Cain alleged that Schon also feuded with fans on social media, and the couple “recklessly [spends] Journey’s money.”

“If anyone is destroying the Journey brand, it is Neal — and Neal alone,” he added.

Former Journey singer Steve Perry on Dodgers anthem: ‘I don’t want to hear it’

This article was originally on a blog post platform and may be missing photos, graphics or links.

Sept. 15, 2009

In tweets posted Wednesday, Schon dismissed Cain as a “ hypocrite ” and claimed his bandmate kept telling “ lies after lies .”

The Times reached out to Schon and representatives for Journey but did not immediately hear back Thursday.

Journey released “Don’t Stop Believin’” in 1981. Cain, whose wife, Paula White, served as Trump’s spiritual adviser, shared writing credits with Schon and singer Steve Perry.

Watch: Steve Perry, formerly of Journey, sings ‘Open Arms’ with Eels

If you’ve been to a Journey show recently and were sitting far enough from the stage, you may have sworn you were hearing the voice of the arena-rock band’s big-lunged frontman, Steve Perry.

May 27, 2014

Tension between Cain and Schon has been brewing for months. In November, Schon filed a lawsuit alleging Cain refused to give him access to records from the band’s American Express account, Billboard reported .

Schon tweeted Thursday that the Amex case, which was pending in November, was scheduled to be heard in February.

The cease-and-desist letter said Cain’s performance at Mar-a-Lago had only “further [added] to the animosity that is currently plaguing the band.”

Amid the musicians’ latest feud, some fans on social media are seeing red over Cain or Schon.

Travel & Experiences

A retail ‘Revelation’ for Journey

The lesson for Journey: Don’t stop believin’, especially if you have Wal-Mart on your side.

June 12, 2008

“They should replace you in journey,” one Instagram follower commented on Cain’s latest post .

“Jonathan!!!! Please keep Journey songs away from that Lunatic Donald Trump!!!,” wrote another. “What are you thinking!!!?????”

Similarly, Schon’s facing his own share of criticism, with Instagram users calling him a “sell out, “ “old washed up fart” and “irrelevant” in the comments.

The band itself is set to continue its Freedom tour in 2023. It will kick off the new year with performances in Oklahoma, Georgia and Virginia. Journey is set to come to Southern California for gigs in Bakersfield, Fresno and Thousand Palms in April.

More to Read

SXSW supports artists boycotting the Austin festival, even as the Texas governor slams them

March 13, 2024

Bad blood: Newsom calls GOP conspiracies about Taylor Swift ‘sad and pathetic’

Feb. 5, 2024

Madonna, Live Nation to ‘vigorously’ fight fan lawsuit about delayed Barclays show

Jan. 25, 2024

The biggest entertainment stories

Get our big stories about Hollywood, film, television, music, arts, culture and more right in your inbox as soon as they publish.

You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.

Alexandra Del Rosario is an entertainment reporter on the Los Angeles Times Fast Break Desk. Before The Times, she was a television reporter at Deadline Hollywood, where she first served as an associate editor. She has written about a wide range of topics including TV ratings, casting and development, video games and AAPI representation. Del Rosario is a UCLA graduate and also worked at the Hollywood Reporter and TheWrap.

More From the Los Angeles Times

Entertainment & Arts

Jeezy wants more than Jeannie Mai divorce: primary custody over 2-year-old daughter

April 12, 2024

Wynonna Judd’s daughter, Grace Kelley, charged with soliciting prostitution and indecent exposure

Drake removed from lawsuit over Astroworld crowd crush that left 10 fans dead

Why the search for the next Gustavo Dudamel is full of hope — and hazards

Journey’s Neal Schon Files Cease-and-Desist Against Bandmate Jonathan Cain for Playing Group’s Music at Trump Rallies (EXCLUSIVE)

By Roy Trakin

• Daryl Hall’s ‘Live from Daryl’s House’ Show Returns After Five-Year Hiatus (EXCLUSIVE) 6 months ago
• John Lydon on Surviving Grief, Donald Trump, the Queen, Sex Pistols Biopic and New Public Image Album: ‘I’m Very Much Alive, You F—ers!’ 8 months ago
• MNRK Chief Chris Taylor on Working With Drake, Death Row Action Figures and the Company’s Next Moves 10 months ago

The members of long-running rock band Journey have long had fractious relations , but an inter-band cease-and-desist order is a new peak: Keyboardist Jonathan Cain, who performed “Don’t Stop Believin’” for Donald Trump at Mar-a-Lago last month with a backing “chorus” including Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kimberly Guilfoyle and Kari Lake, was served with a cease-and-desist order from an attorney for bandmate Neal Schon for that performance.

Cain, Schon and estranged singer Steve Perry are the writers of the 1981 hit, which attained a second life when nearly 30 years later when it was featured in the final episode of the HBO hit series “The Sopranos.”  

Popular on Variety

The letter, obtained by Variety, reads in part: “Although Mr. Cain is free to express his personal beliefs and associations, when he does that on behalf of Journey or for the band, such conduct is extremely deleterious to the Journey brand as it polarizes the band’s fans and outreach. Journey is not, and should not be, political.

“Mr. Cain has no right to use Journey for politics,” the letter continues. “His politics should be his own personal business. He should not be capitalizing on Journey’s brand to promote his personal political or religious agenda to the detriment of the band,” calling it a “harmful use of the brand.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Kari Lake sang “Don’t Stop Believin’” along with Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain at a recent event with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. pic.twitter.com/dvSp1z62BX — PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 23, 2022

Schon’s statement added that it did not intend to “further add to the animosity that is currently plaguing the band and the relationship between Mr. Schon and Mr. Cain,” which has been acrimonious for some time.

“The two haven’t been getting along for a while now,” says an inside source. “This just brings it all to the surface.”

Indeed, the two squared off legally earlier in the fall, with Schon contending that he’s being denied access to the group’s American Express card and its records. Meanwhile, Cain’s lawyer says that Schon’s access to the corporate account needed to have a lid put on it after he allegedly put more than $1 million in “improper personal expenses” on the card.

Schon and Perry previously expressed their displeasure over Trump using the song during his campaign rallies over his earlier election campaigns, as have artists ranging from the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith to Tom Petty. However, since such airings are considered public performances, there is little an artist can tangibly do except publicly distance themselves from the association.

Schon said in 2020, “I’ve stated how I felt about mixing religion and politics and how our music is not of one religion — Democratic or Republican. This is and has been an issue with myself, Mr. Cain and his wife. I’ve had to fight this whole time to protect the brand I built with Steve Perry, way before  Gregg [Rolie]  and I picked Cain to replace himself when he wanted to retire from the road back then. Well frankly, I’m tired of having to defend all by myself.”

The Mar-A-Lago performance was met with chagrin by many fans on social media. “That just ruined the song and the band for me,” one wrote, while another tweeted, “Goodbye Journey… you’re dead to me now.”

More From Our Brands

Peso pluma celebrates mexican heritage music on coachella main stage, kanye west is now facing an $18 million loss on his tadao ando-designed malibu house, arizona coyotes are no more, will move to salt lake city, be tough on dirt but gentle on your body with the best soaps for sensitive skin, fire country poll: would you watch a sheriff fox spinoff, verify it's you, please log in.

Journey members past and present resolve legal dispute, reach ‘amicable settlement’

Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain reach ‘amicable’ agreement with former Journey members Steve Smith and Ross Valory

The legal wrangling between Journey ’s Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain and former members Steve Smith and Ross Valory have been resolved. 

Drummer Smith and bassist Valory were sacked from Journey on March 3, 2020 following claims that they had attempted to stage a "corporate coup d'état" to gain control of one of the band's business entities, Nightmare Productions. Following their dismissal, Schon and Cain sought to claim $10 million in damages from the duo, stating that the pair had “destroyed the chemistry, cohesion and rapport necessary for the band to play together.”

Valory fired back on April 17, 2020 by filing legal papers of his own at California’s Contra Costa County Superior Court, calling the allegations “baseless,” and Schon and Cain’s actions “outrageous”, claiming that pair caused “him to suffer severe emotional distress.”

Thankfully, all this unpleasantness has now been laid to rest. 

A statement released today from Journey’s management, Q Prime, reads:

‘The members of the band Journey who were parties to a recent lawsuit (Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain, Steve Smith and Ross Valory) are pleased to announce that they have resolved their differences and reached an amicable settlement agreement. Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain acknowledge the valuable contributions that both Ross Valory and Steve Smith have made to the music and the legacy of Journey. Ross Valory and Steve Smith wish their former bandmates well and much success in the future. Journey looks forward to continuing to tour and make new music for their dedicated fans around the world.’

Classic Rock wishes all four men continued success with their various endeavours. 

Classic Rock Newsletter

Sign up below to get the latest from Classic Rock, plus exclusive special offers, direct to your inbox!

Classic Rock is the online home of the world's best rock'n'roll magazine. We bring you breaking news, exclusive interviews and behind-the-scenes features, as well as unrivalled access to the biggest names in rock music; from Led Zeppelin to Deep Purple, Guns N’ Roses to the Rolling Stones, AC/DC to the Sex Pistols, and everything in between. Our expert writers bring you the very best on established and emerging bands plus everything you need to know about the mightiest new music releases.

Slash and Chris Stapleton hook up for extremely lively version of Fleetwood Mac's classic Oh Well

Former Saxon bassist Steve Dobson sentenced to six years in prison for child sex offences

The Struts announce Pretty Vicious tour dates

Most Popular

• Skip to Nav
• Skip to Main
• Skip to Footer

As Journey’s History Shows, Infighting is Business as Usual

Please try again

Journey were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame six months ago — but ever since, instead of riding high, the band has been plagued with drama.

Last week, headlines nationwide declared internal strife amongst the kings of ’80s radio due to the presidency of Donald Trump. Guitarist and founding member Neal Schon posted angrily on social media about three of his bandmates visiting the Trump White House on July 31 without him — a visit, he says, the band previously agreed not to do.

“Everybody’s entitled to like and believe what they want but when we’ve had this discussion many many times it was always a no,” Schon tweeted . “Least a heads up since it is a band and one that I started. I think Managment (sic) could let me know.”

To hear publications like Spin and Variety tell it, the band were steps away from breaking up and going their separate ways — a believable notion, as the band had gone though a previous public row two months prior, with Schon claiming that keyboardist Jonathan Cain, the band’s walking ballad factory and a practicing Christian, wanted Journey to play gospel music.

But for music journalist Joel Selvin, who covered the band for years in the pages of the San Francisco Chronicle , the members of Journey fighting with each other is nothing new. When the band was at the top of its game in the early ’80s, frontman Steve Perry exerted control over the group, leading to frequent battling. As detailed in the band’s episode of VH1’s Behind The Music , Perry was the first to eschew the band’s team dynamics, and Selvin says the band never recovered.

“They don’t like each other and they’re tied together financially. They don’t even like the band anymore,” Selvin says.

Selvin should know. One of his oldest friends is former Journey manager Walter “Herbie” Herbert, the band’s Bill Walsh , who guided them from playing jazzy prog-rock for a dedicated following to mainstream radio dominance. Before the band fired Herbert in 1993, he’d helped turn Journey into the hit factory everyone knows — pushing the band to focus on songwriting, finding Steve Perry, and setting up the business side so that their fortunes were equal to their fame. When the band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall Of Fame back in April, each member thanked Herbert for his work.

Now Herbert says he’s been watching the drama from afar, and is disappointed in the band’s quarreling.

“It’s a tragedy,” Herbert says. “It’s all rooted in financial issues, and it’s too bad because it could be the undoing of what is a great business.”

Herbert says the band’s problems stem from one source — Neal Schon. Herbert discovered Schon when he was 15 years old and, after bringing him into the Santana band, he helped the now-guitar hero found Journey in 1973. Herbert has stayed in touch with Schon since parting ways with the band; Schon even sent Herbert YouTube videos of singer Arnel Pineda before the Filipino phenom was brought in as vocalist in 2007. But now Herbert says Schon has taken over the “Steve Perry role” in the band, referencing the former lead singer’s divisive tenure.

“For years and years and years, I treated him like a son. Towards the end there, I would introduce him as, ‘This is Neal Schon, my son. He just didn’t turn out that well.’ It would always be good for a laugh,” Herbert says. “You know the old saying: half in jest and half serious. But then it was getting more and more serious.”

Journey has yet to reply to requests for comment. But looking at Schon’s social media posts, it appears that much of the fighting centers around Cain’s recent embrace of evangelical Christianity and his new wife Paula White, the televangelist who also serves as Trump’s spiritual adviser . Schon has posted videos and other statements critical of White , and has repeatedly stated that the band he founded “ doesn’t need to be tagged with any one religion or politics .”

But Herbert says he’s welcomed Cain’s newfound evangelicalism with open arms . Herbert had issues with Cain from the moment he brought him into the group, and yet the “borderline atheist” says finding God has made the keyboardist “a better Jon Cain.”

“I’d love to be able to say the same for Neal and what he’s doing with his life,” Herbert says.

Along with bitter tweets about his feud with Cain, Schon has discussed going off to do other projects, such as a blues project with former Bad English singer John Waite. But if he breaks up Journey, Schon would lose his biggest moneymaking venture, which Herbert insists would be “stupid on steroids” considering Schon’s many financial obligations.

Currently married to his fifth wife Michaele Schon (formerly Salahi), Schon has paid millions in alimony for previous marriages. To at least one ex-wife, Amber Fazon, he confirmed payments totaling $1.3 million by 2013. Furthermore, according to Herbert, Schon’s divorce settlement with his first wife dictates that she receive half of his royalties from Journey’s best-selling greatest hits album. After getting together with Salahi in 2011, Schon settled a lawsuit by paying an undisclosed sum to his then-girlfriend, former Playmate Ava Fabian.

Selvin says he spoke with one of Schon’s accountants at a party a few years back, and was told that for every hour the guitarist works, 50 minutes of that work goes to paying his alimony. With stories like that going around, stunts like Schon’s decision to turn his 2013 wedding at the Palace of Fine Arts into a pay-per-view event start making sense. (A portion of the pay-per-view profits went to typhoon relief in the Philippines.)

“I’ve managed a dozen bands very successfully and one of the most common problems is a failure to understand commitment,” Herbert says. “That is a tough thing to manage, because they’re basically shitting the bed and wanting somebody to clean up the mess.”

Days after the articles about Journey’s impending breakup ran, Schon tweeted that he wasn’t mad anymore, and that he was merely concerned about “the band’s legacy.” But for Herbert, the public fighting is just as damaging — and if Schon really cares about the band, he says, he’ll stop quarreling with his bandmates.

“This is the mothership,” Herbert says. “Quit fucking around.”

CORRECTION: In the original version of this story, Michaele Schon’s name was styled incorrectly. It is Michaele Schon, not Michaele Salahi-Schon. We apologize for the error.

Thanks for signing up for the newsletter.

Recommended

• Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
• Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
• Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
• Click to copy URL

Journey bandmates Neal Schon, Jonathan Cain in legal war over AmEx card

• View Author Archive
• Get author RSS feed

Thanks for contacting us. We've received your submission.

For those about to… open a line of credit at a competitive APR.

Page Six has learned that two members of famous rock band Journey are in a very un-rock ‘n’ roll legal war over financial records and an American Express card.

Original band member Neal Schon is suing bandmate Jonathan Cain, claiming in court papers that he set up the AmEx card without telling Schon and that “millions of Journey funds have flowed through it.”

Schon’s attorneys also claim in the suit, which was filed in Contra Costa in the Bay Area of California, that Cain hasn’t turned over financial records that allow Schon to know how much the band owes him.

The relationships in the band have been increasingly fractious in recent years, with the members bickering over everything from Donald Trump to an Aretha Franklin tribute .

Apparently – after a previous court showdown with former bass player Ross Valory – Cain and Schon set up a company that operates the band, Nomota, of which they own 50 percent each.

“As a member and manager and founder and leader of Journey,” the papers say, “Schon has the right to access and control Nomota’s books and records. Schon must have unfettered access to Nomota’s records so he can oversee and manage Nomota/Journey.”

But the Journey singer claims that, despite many requests for Cain to turn over key records, Cain has kept him in the dark about their finances.

The papers also claim the suit “is brought to turn the lights on” and obtain “critical financial information” Schon has allegedly been trying to obtain but has been denied.

“Nomota’s records also contain financial information necessary for Schon and his representatives to determine the proportion of Journey’s profits that he’s entitled to as the founder and president of Journey,” the suit states.

“Schon’s right to Journey’s profits is being controlled by Cain — Schon’s bandmate, who Schon brought into the band in the 1980s — and despite all of his requests and efforts, Schon has been unable to get full access.”

The suit continues, “Among other things, the American Express account of Nomota has been set up such that only Cain has control of the account and access to its records. On information and belief, millions in Journey funds have flowed through this AMEX account.”

Advertisement

According to court documents, Cain also allegedly keeps telling Schon he’ll get access to the card – but that he never ends up getting added to it.

In fact, Schon claims he only found out about the card because American Express told him it existed.

Share this article:

JOURNEY AT WAR! Infighting at legendary rock band over songs being played at Donald Trump events

Rock band Journey members may have gone their 'separate ways' on their political stance. 

APOPKA, FLORIDA: Journey band's founding member Neal Schon is making sure the band doesn't remain intact with its value. After 68-year-old guitarist learned that his bandmate and keyboardist Jonathan Cain played 'Don’t Stop Believin' at Donald Trump 's event at the Mar-a-Lago gala last month. Schon has since sent a cease-and-desist letter to attorneys of Cain prohibiting him from playing the rock band Journey's music at Trump's events. 

Schon’s attorney claims Journey fans are “up in arms” over Cain’s affiliation with Trump, cited the letter obtained by New York Post . The 72-year-old has been a part of Trump’s inner circle since his wife, televangelist Paula White has served as Trump’s spiritual adviser. "Mr. Cain has no right to use Journey for politics,” the letter alleges. 

Why did Christine Brown fall out with Meri Brown? ‘Sister Wives’ star reveals she didn’t feel ‘safe’

Discrepancies ‘The Rise’ Review: Second metal album from rap-rock band lacks motivation and direction

During November a viral video made rounds on the internet showing Cain performing at Trump's event, where Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Kari Lake acted as background singers on the famed Journey song Don’t Stop Believin. Cain, Schon, and estranged Journey singer Steve Perry are credited as writers of the 1981 stadium anthem, but the founding member wants to make a clear distinction between the involvement of individual artists and the band.

Marjorie Taylor Greene, Kimberly Guilfoyle, and Kari Lake sang “Don’t Stop Believin’” along with Journey keyboardist Jonathan Cain at a recent event with Trump at Mar-a-Lago. pic.twitter.com/dvSp1z62BX — PatriotTakes 🇺🇸 (@patriottakes) November 23, 2022

“Although Mr. Cain is free to express his personal beliefs and associations, when he does that on behalf of Journey or for the band, such conduct is extremely deleterious to the Journey brand as it polarizes the band’s fans and outreach. Journey is not, and should not be, political,” the Schon letter reads. "Mr. Cain has no right to use Journey for politics. His politics should be his own personal business. He should not be capitalizing on Journey’s brand to promote his personal political or religious agenda to the detriment of the band,” the letter stated, reported New York Post. 

The letter’s intent is not to “further add to the animosity that is currently plaguing the band and the relationship between Mr. Schon and Mr. Cain,” which has been tense for many years. “What Jon Cain has done here violates that duty” to the band and the Journey brand, the letter claimed. To prove the band's principle, Schon’s attorney pointed to a 2017 radio interview Journey did in Singapore in which the keyboardist himself agreed the band is “not political” and that members try to “stay in our lane."

NEAL SCHON's Wife Says Two JOURNEY Bandmembers Are 'Adamantly' Against GREGG ROLIE's Return

Two members of JOURNEY are adamantly against the return of the band's co-founder Gregg Rolie for the upcoming 50th-anniversary tour, according to guitarist Neal Schon 's wife.

Earlier this month, Schon hinted that Rolie would make an appearance on the band's upcoming trek, presumably in the place of longtime keyboardist Jonathan Cain , with whom Neal has been publicly feuding.

However, Michaele Schon says that not every member of JOURNEY is on board with the lineup change. On Thursday (January 12),she took to social media to let fans know that she and her husband were looking forward to "seeing everyone soon on tour" and noted that legendary guitarist Jeff Beck 's recent passing "has shown us that along with so many who are in Heaven now we see how very precious time is." She then added: "TWO BAND MEMBERS are 'adamant 'NO ' fighting against Gregg Rolie to return .

"Life is so precious Neal and Gregg agree , who wants to have that feeling , truly sad . Music is for inspiration and joy!

"Everyone LOVES you Gregg ROLIE and respects who you are and ALL You have been and are to JOURNEY , for without YOU picking up Neal Schön from school , JOURNEY would not exist .

" Neal Schön and Gregg ROLIE will be somewhere Together at least one time this Year in Honor of what they began in 1972.

"Faith . Let's ask God to find a way for them. Let's pray for forgiveness for those who hurt Gregg ROLIE and hope they learn what spirituality is someday."

On Tuesday (January 10), Cain said that he will be hitting the road with JOURNEY next month despite Schon 's suggestions to the contrary.

Less than two weeks ago, Schon addressed Rolie 's participation in JOURNEY 's upcoming run of dates in a social media post. After Neal shared a graphic for JOURNEY 's 50th anniversary on his Facebook page, a fan commented: "I am SO looking forward to this. Please tell me Gregg Rollie is coming along for the ride! He's the better keyboard player and a co-founder it only seems right. Timing couldn't be better either!!!!" In response, Neal wrote: "you'll be seeing him".

Last month, Cain fired back at Schon when the JOURNEY guitarist called him a "hypocrite" for performing the band's 1981 hit song "Don't Stop Believin'" at Donald Trump 's Mar-a-Lago property. Cain , whose wife, Paula White-Cain , is the former president's self-styled spiritual adviser, played the track in November with a backup chorus of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene , Donald Trump Jr. 's fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake .

" Neal Schon should look in the mirror when he accuses me of causing harm to the JOURNEY brand," Cain said in a statement. "I have watched him damage our brand for years and am a victim of both his — and his wife's — bizarre behavior."

An attorney for Schon sent a cease-and-desist letter to Cain after he performed at Trump 's Florida estate.

The latest legal move came a few weeks after Schon filed a lawsuit against Cain in California state court, alleging that Cain set up an American Express card without telling Schon and that "millions of JOURNEY funds have flowed through it." Cain , for his part, accused Schon of misusing the card, citing his "excessive spending and extravagant lifestyle."

A month earlier, former JOURNEY singer Steve Perry took legal action against both Schon and Cain , asking them to stop registering federal trademarks on the names of many of the band's hits.

Rolie was JOURNEY 's first singer, though his role quickly diminished when Perry arrived in 1977. Gregg left JOURNEY in 1980, just before the band achieved its commercial heights.

JOURNEY 's tour with TOTO will kick off on February 4 in Allentown, Pennsylvania. Presented by AEG Presents , the "Freedom Tour 2023" will make stops in Austin, Montreal and Memphis before wrapping April 25 at the brand-new Acrisure Arena in Palm Springs, California.

The 2023 run includes rescheduled dates in Washington, D.C., plus Hartford, Toronto and Quebec, which were postponed last year due to the coronavirus.

Repost from @nealandmichaeleschon • Life is Precious ✝️💜🙏🏻 Jeff Beck has shown us that along with so many who are in Heaven now we see how very precious time is . We look forward to seeing everyone soon on Tour !! NEAL SCHÖN & JOURNEY 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour !! OF A LIFETIME TOUR !! 50 !! TWO BAND MEMBERS of the Journey current LINE UP ARE “adamant “NO against Gregg Rolie to return . Life is so precious Neal and Gregg agree . Who wants to have that feeling , truly sad . Music is for inspiration and joy! Everyone LOVES you Gregg ROLIE and respects who you are and ALL You have been and are to Journey, for without YOU picking up Neal Schön from school , Journey would not exist . Neal Schön and Gregg ROLIE will be somewhere Together at least one time this Year in Honor of what they began in 1972 . Faith ✝️ let’s ask God to find a way for them 🙏🏻 let’s pray for forgiveness for those who hurt Gregg ROLIE and hope they learn what spirituality is someday .We all love you !! ❤️🎼♾️ #untilwemeetagain❤️ @greggrolie @nealschon @journeyofficial @nealandmichaeleschon #love #light #journey #faith @nealandmichaeleschon @carlossantana #amen #respect #fullcircle Posted by Neal & Michaele Schon on Thursday, January 12, 2023

Comments Disclaimer And Information

BLABBERMOUTH.NET uses the Facebook Comments plugin to let people comment on content on the site using their Facebook account. The comments reside on Facebook servers and are not stored on BLABBERMOUTH.NET. To comment on a BLABBERMOUTH.NET story or review, you must be logged in to an active personal account on Facebook. Once you're logged in, you will be able to comment. User comments or postings do not reflect the viewpoint of BLABBERMOUTH.NET and BLABBERMOUTH.NET does not endorse, or guarantee the accuracy of, any user comment. To report spam or any abusive, obscene, defamatory, racist, homophobic or threatening comments, or anything that may violate any applicable laws, use the "Report to Facebook" and "Mark as spam" links that appear next to the comments themselves. To do so, click the downward arrow on the top-right corner of the Facebook comment (the arrow is invisible until you roll over it) and select the appropriate action. You can also send an e-mail to blabbermouthinbox(@)gmail.com with pertinent details. BLABBERMOUTH.NET reserves the right to "hide" comments that may be considered offensive, illegal or inappropriate and to "ban" users that violate the site's Terms Of Service. Hidden comments will still appear to the user and to the user's Facebook friends. If a new comment is published from a "banned" user or contains a blacklisted word, this comment will automatically have limited visibility (the "banned" user's comments will only be visible to the user and the user's Facebook friends).

Journey Members Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain Are Feuding Over Credit Card Excess

Dec. 22 2022, Published 10:21 a.m. ET

All is not well inside of Journey. Recently, the band's two remaining original members have been making their feuding a subject of public interest. Neal Schon, the band's guitarist, filed a lawsuit against Jonathan Cain , the band's keyboardist, leading many to wonder what the two are feuding about and whether it's possible that the whole thing will be resolved amicably.

So, what exactly is going on between these two rock legends?

What's going on with the feud inside Journey?

Neal and Jonathan have not hesitated to air their dirty laundry — not just in court, but also publicly. The lawsuit claims that Neal is being denied access to the band's American Express accounts, while Jonathan's lawyers claim that Neal's expenses had to be brought under control after he put more than $1 million in inappropriate expenses on a corporate card.

“This is a matter that should have been resolved privately,” Jonathan said in a statement about the case. “But I am forced to publicly respond now to Neal’s malicious lies and personal attacks on my family and me in an effort to garner public support for his ill-conceived lawsuit — a lawsuit that has absolutely no merit.”

Neal Schon filed a cease and desist letter against Jonathan Cain.

It turns out, though, that this lawsuit was just the first phase in an ongoing battle between Neal and Jonathan. More recently, Jonathan performed "Don't Stop Believin'" at a rally for Donald Trump at his resort in Florida. Jonathan, who has long been closely associated with the former president, has performed at his rallies before. Now, Neal is seeking to put a stop to that type of performance by sending Jonathan a cease-and-desist letter.

Have a listen right around 9:25mins. Jonathan Cain himself talking about politics and religion not a good idea with our music. One word -hypocrite - just have a listen 👂🏽 https://t.co/fUUYrQcLeq https://t.co/ynxfNxTfsE — NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) December 22, 2022

“Although Mr. Cain is free to express his personal beliefs and associations, when he does that on behalf of Journey or for the band, such conduct is extremely deleterious to the Journey brand as it polarizes the band’s fans and outreach. Journey is not, and should not be, political," the letter reads in part, according to reporting in Variety .

“Mr. Cain has no right to use Journey for politics,” the letter adds. “His politics should be his own personal business. He should not be capitalizing on Journey’s brand to promote his personal political or religious agenda to the detriment of the band."

Neal and Jonathan are fighting over Trump and everything else.

As the feud between Jonathan and Neal continues to escalate, it seems like they're willing to bring all of their disagreements out into the open. The issue of politics, in particular, has been one that long divided the band, as Neal and estranged singer Steve Perry also had issues with Trump's use of their songs at his rallies without Jonathan present.

Ultimately, it's unclear whether all of Neal's legal action will actually amount to much or not. What is clear, though, is that Jonathan and Neal may have done enough feuding to finally do damage to the band they both share. They've been touring through much of this disagreement, but whether that will continue or not remains an open question.

Former Frontman Steve Perry Will Never Reunite With Journey — Here's Why

Singer-Songwriter Paul Simon Is Handsomely Wealthy — Just How Rich Is He?

According to Art Garfunkel, It Seems Unlikely That Simon and Garfunkel Will Ever Reunite

Latest Music News and Updates

• ABOUT Distractify
• Privacy Policy
• Terms of Use
• CONNECT with Distractify
• Link to Facebook
• Link to Instagram
• Contact us by Email

Opt-out of personalized ads

© Copyright 2024 Distractify. Distractify is a registered trademark. All Rights Reserved. People may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.

Why Did Journey Break Up? Creative Differences Drove the Band Apart

The rock band Journey broke up in 1987 primarily due to escalating creative differences and tensions between the band members that proved irreconcilable. Disagreements over musical direction and control ultimately tore the classic Journey lineup permanently apart.

Lead singer Steve Perry wanted to take the band in a more pop-oriented direction while guitarist Neal Schon and drummer Steve Smith staunchly preferred Journey‘s traditional, harder rock sound. This tug-of-war over the band‘s creative vision had been brewing for years and finally reached its breaking point after the album Raised on Radio.

Let‘s take a deeper look at the key factors that led to Journey‘s 1987 breakup after becoming one of the most commercially successful bands of the 1970s and 80s.

Steve Perry‘s Pop Ambitions Clashed with Band

Steve Perry, the instantly recognizable voice behind Journey‘s hits, wanted more control over the band‘s direction. He pushed for a poppier sound while Neal Schon sought a harder, more guitar-driven style true to Journey‘s progressive rock roots.

This quote from a 1987 LA Times article encapsulates the core conflict:

“The band grew apart from my vision of what Journey ought to be, which was more pop-oriented,” Perry told the Times. “And since I was the lead singer who wrote 75% of the songs, I felt I had the right to determine our musical direction.”

But the more pop-focused direction Perry steered on 1986‘s Raised on Radio splintered the band further.

“Steve became more about power and control after the success of ‘Raised on Radio,’” recalled keyboardist Jonathan Cain in a 2022 interview . “He didn’t want Journey to rock anymore.”

Perry‘s solo success with hits like "Oh Sherrie" also emboldened him to shape Journey‘s sound his way, overriding Schon‘s wishes. This exacerbated tensions and drove the divide wider.

Neal Schon Felt Marginalized in His Own Band

As Perry pulled Journey in a pop direction that alienated longtime fans, Neal Schon felt increasingly marginalized as the lead guitarist.

In a 2022 interview with Vulture , Schon explained:

“It’s my band. I started the band. I chose the name. I created the logo. I brought everybody into this band to play their ass off. Journey was founded on virtuosity.”

But Schon lost control as Perry‘s hits gave him more dominance over creative decisions. Raised on Radio marked a tipping point where Schon could no longer recognize Journey‘s core musical identity.

Steve Perry‘s Solo Success Shifted Band Power Dynamics

The success of Steve Perry‘s first solo album, 1984‘s Street Talk, fundamentally shifted Journey‘s internal power dynamics to the singer‘s benefit.

Street Talk sold over 2 million copies and scored two Top 20 singles in "Oh Sherrie" and "Foolish Heart."

This solo success emboldened Perry to increase his control over Journey‘s musical direction at the expense of Neal Schon and Steve Smith‘s wishes.

The band dynamic was no longer a democracy but tilted in Perry‘s favor. And his deepening solo career gave Perry less reason to compromise or commit fully to Journey.

Steve Smith Also Clashed with Perry over Musical Direction

Drummer Steve Smith emerged as another strong voice pushing back against Perry‘s artistic vision for Journey.

In a 2022 Modern Drummer interview , Smith explained:

"Neal and I were not happy with the direction of the band…It really wasn’t a band anymore. It was more Steve Perry’s situation.”

Smith also called out the shift from substantive songs to formulaic pop singles, saying:

“Raised on Radio was the least inspired record we did. We ended up with tracks like ‘Girl Can’t Help It’ and ‘Be Good to Yourself,’ which were written to be hits rather than coming from the heart.”

Clearly the drummer shared Schon‘s discontent as Perry led Journey away from their artistic roots.

The Breakup Had Major Financial Implications

Journey‘s 1987 breakup severely impacted the band members‘ income and net worth. Their earning power depended heavily on album sales and touring revenue.

According to Celebrity Net Worth, Steve Perry‘s net worth peaked at $45 million in 1991 but dropped to $25 million by 2022, adjusted for inflation.

Neal Schon‘s net worth followed a similar trajectory, falling from $45 million to $25 million over the same timeframe as the band dissolved.

This significant financial blow was a byproduct of Journey‘s erosion. As tensions mounted, the economic motivation to stay together faded for Steve Perry.

Steve Perry‘s Fading Commitment to Journey

In the late 80s, Steve Perry‘s commitment to Journey was already waning as he focused on solo projects.

Perry released his second solo album, For Love of Strange Medicine , in 1994 while his bandmates waited in limbo. HeRecording with Journey again seemed doubtful.

Perry‘s final tour with Journey was in 1987, and he declined to make another full album with them after 1986.

His reluctance to continue working together despite Schon and Cain‘s efforts signaled the permanent end of Journey‘s classic lineup.

The Point of No Return

By 1986, the toxic infighting and artistic differences between Steve Perry, Neal Schon and Steve Smith could not be reconciled.

Perry pulled Journey in an increasingly pop direction as he gained more control through his solo success. Schon and Smith resented seeing Journey‘s rock roots marginalized and their voices overridden.

Raised on Radio represented the point of no return where competing visions diverged irreparably. Journey‘s foundation could not withstand the internal tensions.

Though the breakup caused financial pain, Perry seemed creatively liberated and disinterested in compromise. His waning participation inevitably forced Journey‘s split for good.

My Take: Creative Tensions Can Torpedo Even Great Bands

In my opinion, Journey is the classic example of how artistic tensions can torpedo even incredibly successful bands at their peak.

Conflicting creative visions stirred resentment on both sides. And the power struggle between Perry and Schon caused a permanent rift since neither would yield. Each felt justified that their musical direction was the "right" one for Journey‘s path.

Perry deserved credit for expanding their pop appeal tremendously. But stripping away Journey‘s heart and origins clearly alienated Schon, Smith and fans.

Open communication and sincere effort to find common ground could have prevented the complete breakup. But unchecked ego and personal grievances made reconciliation impossible.

This remains both a cautionary tale and tragic waste of phenomenal talent. Maybe if cooler heads had prevailed, Journey could have found balance between pop aspirations and musical integrity.

Sadly sometimes the only solution is a clean break, as Journey learned the hard way. Their story underscores how even legendary bands are vulnerable when individual agendas override the collaboration and chemistry that brought them success.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

Share this:

You may like to read,.

• How Much is a Grammy Worth? An In-Depth Analysis
• What is the best F2P weapon for Raiden Shogun in Genshin Impact?
• Are McDonald‘s Pokémon Cards Real or Fake?
• Is Madden 23 Worth It on PS5? Yes, Here‘s Why:
• Is Hunt: Showdown Pay to Win in 2024? A Detailed Look
• The average age of WSOP Main Event winners is 32
• The Elusive Victini V Card – A Detailed Look at This Coveted Ultra Rare Pokémon Grail
• How Much Cash Can I Get For My Old PS3?

Journey’s Jonathan Cain Talks Band Feud: ‘Let’s Hit Reset’

By Andy Greene

Andy Greene

Just a few months after they were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame last year, Journey  went into complete meltdown mode. The trouble began near the end of their summer tour when guitarist Neal Schon began unloading on keyboardist Jonathan Cain via Twitter and a series of interviews. He was furious that Cain took members of the group to the White House and posed for photos with Donald Trump (Cain’s wife, Paula White, is the president’s spiritual advisor ). He was also upset that Cain, in his view, minimized his contributions to key songs like “Don’t Stop Believin'” and that he was using the band’s platform to share his born-again Christian views with the fan base.

“I’ve stated how I felt about mixing religion and politics and how our music is not of one religion – Democratic or Republican,” Schon wrote on Instagram. “This is and has been an issue with myself Mr. Cain and his now wife, since he married. I’ve had to fight this whole time to protect the brand I built with Steve Perry, way before Gregg [Rolie] and I picked Cain to replace himself when he wanted to retire from the road back then. Well frankly, I’m tired of having to defend all by my self. [ Journey bassist] Ross [Valory] is no help.”

For weeks on end, Schon slammed Cain and Journey’s management via the Internet. It was hard to imagine how that group could continue in the light of such a nasty public spat, and in December, when Schon announced a special charity show with former members of the group , it seemed like he was looking for an exit strategy. But last month, Journey announced a co-headlining tour with Def Leppard that will keep them on the road for much of the summer without any lineup changes.

Jonathan Cain said very little about the Schon feud while it was raging, but when he came into the Rolling Stone office to chat about his upcoming memoir Don’t Stop Believin’ (much more on that closer to its May 1st release date), we asked him about the whole situation.

What’s the status of your relationship with Neal? Are you on speaking terms? At this point, I’ll see him at rehearsals for the tour. That’s the way we always operate. I move forward. I don’t live in the Bay Area anymore. I have a life with Paula in Florida. He’s got a life with [his wife] Michaele in San Rafael. We meet when we get on the road.

Editor’s picks

The 250 greatest guitarists of all time, the 500 greatest albums of all time, the 50 worst decisions in movie history, every awful thing trump has promised to do in a second term.

In your estimation, what caused him to get so angry with you? You’d have to ask him. I can’t speak for him. It was just something that happened. We’ve had a tremendous relationship for 38 years. Any relationship that goes on that long, there’s bound to be bumps in the road. But I think the band and our fans are bigger than all of this stuff. When you read my book, you’ll see the mountains and the struggles that we had to overcome together. There were insurmountable situations where we were like, “How are we going to get out of this one?” Neal and I brought this thing, along with the rest of the guys, back to where it belonged. I’ll always be grateful for that. We’re brothers. I’m proud of that.

Kevin Mazur/Getty; Emma McIntyre/Getty

Jon Bon Jovi is setting the record straight on his relationship with his former bandmate Richie Sambora .

During a Q&A at a screening of the band’s docuseries, Thank You Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story , in Los Angeles on April 10, Bon Jovi, 62, opened up about the pair’s friendship following Sambora’s departure from Bon Jovi in the middle of their 2013 world tour.

Asked whether it was possible he and Sambora, 64, who left the band for personal reasons, could perform on a stage together again, Bon Jovi noted that while his bandmate “didn’t show up” for a series of shows on their tour, there was never a falling out between the duo.

“There was never a fight,” said Bon Jovi. “There was substance abuse, there was anxiety, there was being a single parent, there was a lot of personal issues he was going through. But never to this day did any of us, me or him or David [Bryan] or Tico [Torres], ever have a fight.”

Ke.Mazur/WireImage

“He had some issues that he just couldn't wrap his head around and he wanted to be home more than he wanted to be on the road, but you got to show up for work,” he continued. “So there's no animosity. An integral part of my story for three of the four chapters was my right-hand man, asked to join my band and I was lucky to have met him. But life went on.”

“When he quit the band, it was going to stop because he quit the band. So I don't hold any animosity. Unfortunately, rock and roll's not a life sentence. And I respect the idea that he wanted to stay home and raise his daughter. It's unfortunate for us and for the world, but I am not mad about it.”

Reflecting on his decision to leave, Sambora told PEOPLE in 2021 , “It wasn’t a popular decision by any means, obviously, but there was really almost no choice about it. I had a lot of conscious work to do around [my personal life]. I had people around me that loved me, and it was a good thing I got through it … I realized [daughter] Ava needed me to be around at that point in time. Family had to come first, and that’s what happened.”

Sambora shares Ava, 26, with his ex-wife Heather Locklear . Last month, a source told PEOPLE that 11 years after leaving the band, his daughter still remains his number one priority.

Mike Coppola/Getty Images For The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame

"Richie and Ava are very close. It's his girl," the insider said. "She means everything to him and always has."

A source also shared how Sambora "was feeling demoralized” three years before he exited the group and "personal issues" contributed to his departure.

"There were tensions in the band and Richie had a lot of personal issues," the insider told PEOPLE . "His dad died. Heather divorced him."

Speaking to Ultimate Classic Rock in March, Bon Jovi told the outlet that he and Sambora are not in touch . Phil X replaced Sambora in the band after previously filling in for him during several shows in 2011.

Jo Hale/Redferns; Kevin Mazur/Getty

Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer​​, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. 

“We’re not in contact because he’s not in the organization any longer,” the “Livin’ on a Prayer” singer said. “[That] doesn’t mean that there’s not love forever, but it’s 11 years ago that he just didn’t show up anymore. And there were emotional issues that he was dealing with as a single dad, and there were substance abuse issues that, you know … Phil X had to show up one time, and then Phil X had to show up another time. And then, again, there’s a show that night. What are we gonna do?”

The rocker also revealed that he and Sambora, a childhood friend who was the band’s lead guitarist for 30 years, did not work together on the band’s Hulu docuseries, which premieres April 26.

“Not a word. That was [director] Gotham Chopra. This wasn’t a puff piece and this was no bulls---,” he told the outlet. “This is not us behind the scenes pulling strings. Oh no, no, no. They interviewed Richie in London. I wasn’t there. I had nothing to do with it.”

Related Articles

The Story Behind the Eagles’ “Take It To The Limit”–and the Fight it Caused Within the Band

R andy Meisner penned several songs for the Eagles, but “Take It To The Limit” is arguably his best effort. The high note Meisner hits at the end of the song never fails to impress when listening back to this track. However, this song wasn’t just a successful bout of co-writing for Meisner, it also caused contention within the band. Check out the meaning behind this track and the story behind the backstage fight it caused, below.

Behind the Meaning of “Take It To The Limit” – written by Meisner, Glenn Frey, and Don Henley

A touring musician pushes life to its limits. Endless weeks and months on the road, powerhouse performances every night, and limited sleep are not a cycle just anyone could weather. That’s the onus behind “Take It To The Limit.”

In the lyrics, Meisner says he finds this lifestyle almost too much to bear. Nevertheless, he agrees to keep on pushing forward.

“The line ‘take it to the limit’ was to keep trying,” he once explained . “You reach a point in your life where you feel you’ve done everything and seen everything – it’s part of getting old. And just to take it to the limit one more time, like every day just keep punching away at it.”

You know I’ve always been a dreamer

And it’s so hard to change

Can’t seem to settle down

But the dreams I’ve seen lately

Keep on turning out and burning out and turning out the same

So put me on a highway

Show me a sign

Take it to the limit

One more time

[RELATED: 3 of the Best Eagles Songs Without Glenn Frey or Don Henley on Lead Vocals]

The Fight That “Take It To The Limit” Caused

Though the recorded version of this track sees Meisner flawlessly hit a soaring high note, it wasn’t always easy for him to replicate. It caused him an immense amount of anxiety while on tour.

As the story goes , Meisner was set to perform the track as an encore at an Eagles show but ultimately refused to do so. The decision didn’t sit right with Frey, causing a fight to break out between the two band members.

Meisner left the group soon after, finding himself at odds with the band. Despite the difficulty this song caused, it remains one of Meisner’s finest efforts.

(Photo by Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images)

The post The Story Behind the Eagles’ “Take It To The Limit”–and the Fight it Caused Within the Band appeared first on American Songwriter .

Follow us on MSN: Click here

• Share full article

For more audio journalism and storytelling, download New York Times Audio , a new iOS app available for news subscribers.

• April 12, 2024   •   34:23 How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam
• April 11, 2024   •   28:39 The Staggering Success of Trump’s Trial Delay Tactics
• April 10, 2024   •   22:49 Trump’s Abortion Dilemma
• April 9, 2024   •   30:48 How Tesla Planted the Seeds for Its Own Potential Downfall
• April 8, 2024   •   30:28 The Eclipse Chaser
• April 7, 2024 The Sunday Read: ‘What Deathbed Visions Teach Us About Living’
• April 5, 2024   •   29:11 An Engineering Experiment to Cool the Earth
• April 4, 2024   •   32:37 Israel’s Deadly Airstrike on the World Central Kitchen
• April 3, 2024   •   27:42 The Accidental Tax Cutter in Chief
• April 2, 2024   •   29:32 Kids Are Missing School at an Alarming Rate
• April 1, 2024   •   36:14 Ronna McDaniel, TV News and the Trump Problem
• March 29, 2024   •   48:42 Hamas Took Her, and Still Has Her Husband

How One Family Lost $900,000 in a Timeshare Scam

A mexican drug cartel is targeting seniors and their timeshares..

Hosted by Katrin Bennhold

Produced by Asthaa Chaturvedi and Will Reid

With Clare Toeniskoetter and Lynsea Garrison

Edited by Brendan Klinkenberg and Michael Benoist

Original music by Marion Lozano ,  Rowan Niemisto ,  Dan Powell ,  Pat McCusker and Will Reid

Engineered by Chris Wood

Listen and follow The Daily Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music

Warning: this episode contains descriptions of violence.

A massive scam targeting older Americans who own timeshare properties has resulted in hundreds of millions of dollars sent to Mexico.

Maria Abi-Habib, an investigative correspondent for The Times, tells the story of a victim who lost everything, and of the criminal group making the scam calls — Jalisco New Generation, one of Mexico’s most violent cartels.

On today’s episode

Maria Abi-Habib , an investigative correspondent for The New York Times based in Mexico City.

Background reading

How a brutal Mexican drug cartel came to target seniors and their timeshares .

There are a lot of ways to listen to The Daily. Here’s how.

We aim to make transcripts available the next workday after an episode’s publication. You can find them at the top of the page.

The Daily is made by Rachel Quester, Lynsea Garrison, Clare Toeniskoetter, Paige Cowett, Michael Simon Johnson, Brad Fisher, Chris Wood, Jessica Cheung, Stella Tan, Alexandra Leigh Young, Lisa Chow, Eric Krupke, Marc Georges, Luke Vander Ploeg, M.J. Davis Lin, Dan Powell, Sydney Harper, Mike Benoist, Liz O. Baylen, Asthaa Chaturvedi, Rachelle Bonja, Diana Nguyen, Marion Lozano, Corey Schreppel, Rob Szypko, Elisheba Ittoop, Mooj Zadie, Patricia Willens, Rowan Niemisto, Jody Becker, Rikki Novetsky, John Ketchum, Nina Feldman, Will Reid, Carlos Prieto, Ben Calhoun, Susan Lee, Lexie Diao, Mary Wilson, Alex Stern, Dan Farrell, Sophia Lanman, Shannon Lin, Diane Wong, Devon Taylor, Alyssa Moxley, Summer Thomad, Olivia Natt, Daniel Ramirez and Brendan Klinkenberg.

Our theme music is by Jim Brunberg and Ben Landsverk of Wonderly. Special thanks to Sam Dolnick, Paula Szuchman, Lisa Tobin, Larissa Anderson, Julia Simon, Sofia Milan, Mahima Chablani, Elizabeth Davis-Moorer, Jeffrey Miranda, Renan Borelli, Maddy Masiello, Isabella Anderson and Nina Lassam.

Katrin Bennhold is the Berlin bureau chief. A former Nieman fellow at Harvard University, she previously reported from London and Paris, covering a range of topics from the rise of populism to gender. More about Katrin Bennhold

Advertisement

Jon Bon Jovi Reflects on Richie Sambora Leaving the Band: ‘There Was Never a Fight’

‘I don't hold any animosity,’ Jon shared when asked about the guitarist’s decision to step away from the band for personal reasons.

Jon Bon Jovi is shining a light on where things stand with Richie Sambora more than 10 years after he stepped away from the band.

During a Q&A at a screening of the band’s docuseries, Thank You Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story , Jon, 62, assured music fans there are no hard feelings about Richie’s decision.

“There was never a fight,” he told the audience on April 10 via PEOPLE . “There was substance abuse, there was anxiety, there was being a single parent, there was a lot of personal issues he was going through. But never to this day did any of us, me or him or David [ Bryan ] or Tico [ Torres ], ever have a fight.”

Richie, 64, who previously struggled with painkillers and alcohol, decided to leave the group in the middle of the band’s 2013 Because We Can tour.

At the time, he expressed a desire to spend more time with his family. He shares 26-year-old daughter Ava Sambora with his ex-wife Heather Locklear .

“I ain’t no angel,” Richie told PEOPLE in December 2020. “But I realized, Ava needed me to be around at that point in time. Family had to come first, and that’s what happened.”

Jon agreed that Richie wanted to be home more than he wanted to be on the road. But at the same time, he admitted there was an adjustment after losing his longtime music partner.

“There’s no animosity,” he said during the Q&A. “An integral part of my story for three of the four chapters was my right-hand man, asked to join my band and I was lucky to have met him. But life went on.”

To this day, the Grammy winner respects his former bandmate for prioritizing family — even if he misses rocking out with his buddy.

“I respect the idea that he wanted to stay home and raise his daughter,” he said. “It’s unfortunate for us and for the world, but I am not mad about it.”

Thank You Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story is a four-part docuseries that chronicles the past and uncertain future of one of the most recognizable bands in the world.

Cameras began rolling in February 2022 and followed the group’s journey as they figured out what was next. According to Hulu , “the series relives the triumphs and setbacks, greatest hits, biggest disappointments and most public moments of friction.”

Thank You Goodnight: The Bon Jovi Story premieres April 26 on Hulu.

• Skip to main content
• Keyboard shortcuts for audio player

Pop Culture Happy Hour

• LISTEN & FOLLOW
• Apple Podcasts
• Google Podcasts
• Amazon Music

Your support helps make our show possible and unlocks access to our sponsor-free feed.

'Civil War' envisions a too-near future

Glen Weldon

Walter Chaw

Danielle Kurtzleben

Monica Castillo

Hafsa Fathima

Mike Katzif

Jessica Reedy

Kirsten Dunst as Lee in Civil War. A24 hide caption

Kirsten Dunst as Lee in Civil War.

The new film Civil War depicts a contemporary America torn apart by a military conflict between the federal government and an alliance of secessionist states. Directed by Alex Garland ( Ex Machina ), the film follows a small band of journalists led by Kirsten Dunst's jaded war photographer. They embark on a harrowing journey to the heart of the conflict, encountering brutality and bloodshed along the way.