Gerry Martire

Gerry Martire

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Neal Schon Says Journey Is at a Breaking Point

Journey guitarist and founder Neal Schon hasn't been shy about airing out his dirty laundry via his personal social media accounts.

And his latest comments via Twitter, make it seem like Journey is coming to a crossroads.

The problem? Politics and religion. Yes, it's that bad.

The issues Schon is having with his bandmates, particularly keyboardist Jonathan Cain with whom he's been openly feuding for months, would seem irreconcilable had Journey not been on tour all summer and been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame without incident. 

Schon's latest blowup comes after three members of Journey, including Cain and his wife Paula White Cain (the 'spiritual adviser' to President Trump), visited the White House without informing him.

Schon was agitated that bassist Ross Valory, vocalist Arnel Pineda and Cain posed for photos in the White House Press Briefing Room, and that reports indicated the trip was band-sanctioned. Schon insisted that neither he nor the band's management had prior knowledge of the White House visit.

"I don't deserve this BS," Schon wrote in response to another Tweet. "I will cut it all out like cancer."

The guitarist has reiterated that he believes Journey shouldn't mix with politics or religion, factors which will -- and perhaps have -- divided the band and its fans.

"Journey should never be used and exploited by anyone, especially band members for politics or any one religion," Schon wrote on Facebook. "I've been here since 1972 and this has always been our belief."

He added that Cain, Valory and Pineda could have taken a private tour of the White House, but they chose to make their visit a "spectacle."

He says Journey was asked many times to visit the White House during President Obama's administration. The band turned down those invites.

Schon continues to assert his ownership of the band name Journey. While it doesn't seem likely that a group led by any member other than him could perform under the Journey banner, the frequency at which Schon makes this claim indicates the situation is complicated. 

As for what Schon will do without Journey, he's bandied about the idea of doing a blues album with John Waite of Bad English for a long time. He says he may do that in his time away from Journey, which could be as long as 11 months.

But then again, he and Steve Perry seem to still love and respect each other. There can't be two Journey's on the road if one of them has Schon and Perry, that's for sure.

Photo: Getty Images


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