Neal Schon recently commented on Journey’s upcoming ‘Final Frontier’ farewell tour. He addressed the band’s direction and leadership in a statement shared on Rolling Stone.
Schon emphasized his central role in the band’s legacy and decision-making process.
“Well, Jonathan (Cain) had mentioned that he was wanting to say goodbye at the end of this tour. At the time, we had a manager, which we don’t anymore … the old story of that. It always manages to come back to the beginning, which is with me here and sort of running stuff,” Schon said. “The legacy and the heart of the band I have within myself … I’ve been here since day one, and wherever I go, the heart and soul of the band is going to go with me. Journey goes on.”
When asked about Steve Perry’s potential participation in the band’s farewell plans, Schon expressed openness to the former lead singer’s involvement. “I would welcome him, and I’m sure everybody else would, too. If he wanted to just walk on and say hi, this would be the tour to do it, or if he wanted to come on and sing anything or if he just wanted to be a part of it, period,” Schon said.
Schon’s comments arrive as Journey prepares for a historic moment in rock music history. The band has officially announced their farewell tour following five decades of performing together. This signals the end of an era for one of rock’s most iconic acts.
The “Final Frontier Farewell Tour” will kick off in Hershey, Pennsylvania, on February 28, 2026. It will wrap up in Laredo, Texas, on July 2, 2026, according to iHeart. The tour will visit 60 cities across North America, including Milwaukee, New Orleans, Austin, Sacramento, Salt Lake City, Buffalo, and Greenville, South Carolina. Tickets go on sale to the general public starting November 14 at 10 a.m. local time.
The decision to launch the farewell tour was significantly influenced by keyboardist Jonathan Cain’s plans to step away from the band. Cain had expressed his desire to say goodbye at the end of this tour, which became a major factor in the band’s decision to wrap up their touring activities, as reported by Ultimate Classic Rock. This marks a significant transition for Journey, as Cain has been a key creative force in the band’s sound for decades.
Despite Schon’s welcoming remarks about Perry’s potential involvement, there is currently no indication that the former lead singer will participate in the farewell tour. The band’s current lineup, fronted by Arnel Pineda, is set to tour with no confirmation of a Perry reunion, as noted by Greenville Online. Perry left the band in 1987 and has only made rare, brief appearances with Journey since. He remains uninvolved in the farewell tour according to current reports.
Schon’s statement that “Journey goes on” suggests that while this tour may mark the end for the current lineup, his involvement with the name and spirit of Journey may continue in some form beyond the farewell dates. For now, the focus remains on celebrating the band’s legendary catalog during their final tour across North America.
