Photo: Getty Images North America
Neal Schon appeared to confirm Wednesday that original Journey keyboardist Gregg Rolie is set to return to the band this year in some capacity for its 50th anniversary tour.
Schon shared a graphic referencing his band's milestone via Facebook. When one commenter wondered if Rolie would be "coming along for the ride," Schon replied: "You'll be seeing him."
The comment seems to assure that the two-time Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Rolie will take the stage with Journey for at least a portion of its upcoming live shows. Schon and Rolie, who met as members of Santana in 1971, have collaborated in recent years during Schon's 'Journey Through Time' concerts celebrating Journey's early work.
Schon's revelation about Rolie comes at a sensitive time for the band, with Schon and Rolie's replacement, Jonathan Cain, embroiled in a legal battle surrounding the band's credit account.
Schon and Cain have feuded publicly before, but the legal nature of this latest row suggests their schism is wider than ever.
The friction has never seemed to affect Journey's music or its live shows, however. Schon and Cain even released a new Journey album, Freedom, last summer.
But that's not to say Rolie's pending return has the endorsement of Cain. Without mentioning any names, Schon suggested early Thursday morning in a Tweet that he is reasserting his rights this year as Journey's lone founding member.
"No one is going to dictate to me at this point what I can and cannot do in regards to Journey. I haven’t been here and not here to take orders- never have and never will. It’s my band and I’ll own it as I should and make the right changes as needed. NS"
When another user followed up with the question, "Who is trying to dictate to you?" Schon replied: "Have a guess.."
Journey is set to perform again later this month at a two-night residency in Oklahoma. The band hits the road February 4 to resume its 'Freedom' tour. Go here for the tour dates. in