Journey guitarist Neal Schon has broken his silence on the ongoing drama within the legendary rock band. He expressed his frustration with the legal battles that have plagued the group. His comments came during an interview with Rolling Stone as Journey embarked on their farewell tour.
Schon addressed the continuous legal disputes, particularly his ongoing battle with bandmate Jonathan Cain. He revealed the toll these conflicts have taken on him personally.
“I feel like I get one [lawsuit] served every week from his camp. It’s like, ‘Jesus Christ!’ And learned to defend myself, really,” Schon said. “I remember every aspect of everything that’s gone down. I’ve been sober for 18 years completely, and my memory is sharp. I know everything about every Journey contract, every LLC, every corporation. So I feel very confident about being able to stand up to anything that I need to.”
The guitarist expressed his exhaustion with the legal proceedings. He also shared his desire to focus on what truly matters to him.
“I hate all these attorneys. It’s so nuts. There’s just so much ongoing noise. And I just want some f*cking peace, for real. I’m just really tired of all the legal [battles]. It’s meaningless to me. I don’t have any time for it,” he continued.
Despite the internal turmoil, Schon emphasized his commitment to the music and the fans who have supported Journey throughout their career.
“The music we’ve created together is amazing. And so, you have to celebrate that music with the fans. The fans are incredible. When I’m onstage, I don’t think about any of [the drama],” Schon concluded.
The legal battles between Schon and Cain represent the latest chapter in what has become a prolonged period of internal conflict within one of rock’s most successful bands.
KSEN AM reported that Schon and Cain have taken legal action against one another in ongoing battles over Journey’s finances for years now. The disputes have involved the exchange of lawsuits and cease-and-desist orders. This has created a complex web of legal proceedings that has clearly taken its toll on band members.
The conflict between the two musicians extends beyond financial disagreements. Louder Sound noted that Schon has objected to Cain’s public support for Donald Trump, right-wing causes, and Evangelical Christianity. This tension became particularly visible in 2022 when Cain performed “Don’t Stop Believin'” at a party at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate. This reportedly annoyed Schon.
Despite these significant personal and professional disagreements, both musicians have managed to continue performing together. The band has prioritized their tour schedule and worked to keep their personal disputes from affecting their live performances. This demonstrates a professional commitment to their fans and the Journey legacy.
The ongoing legal drama highlights the challenges that can arise when creative partnerships become entangled with business interests and personal beliefs. As Journey continues their farewell tour, Schon’s comments suggest he is ready to move past the conflicts. He wants to focus on celebrating the music that has defined the band’s decades-long career.
