Farewell Tour

[The_Noble_Cause]

Regarding the planned upcoming 26-27 tour involving longer deeper sets etc., I was informed that this is a "farewell" tour. An announcement will be made by end of the year. Make of that what you will. I have no further info.

[Onestepper]

While I think it's probably time (assuming they aren't going to do any new music), I have a hard time thinking NS would give up the gravy train. Even if he goes out on his own, it wouldn't compare to the income that the band gives him. Just my opinion.

[TageRyche]

As with pretty much every band, it's a "Farewell...until we need another big check" tour.

[ebake02]

So many bands and singers have had “farewell tours” only to come after so I stopped believing these a long time ago. Also, Neal is a lifer so I can’t picture him ever retiring from the road.

[Journey/Survivor]

I saw TNC's post last night, and I was thinking that I can see Cain and Pineda leaving Journey after a 2026 tour. But I can't see Schon or Castronovo leaving Journey in the next year or two.

I think that Schon, Castronovo and probably Jensen would continue on. Ideally with Rolie in the band, but I doubt that that will happen.

If Schon could convince Sammy Hagar to join Journey, and if they had a lineup of......
Lead Vocals: Sammy Hagar
Lead Guitar: Neal Schon
Keyboards and Lead Vocals: Gregg Rolie
Drums and Lead Vocals: Deen Castronovo
Bass: Todd Jensen (Or someone else)..........

They could generate some buzz, and with 3 very good lead singers they could probably handle the lead vocals without it being too stressful on one guy the way that it largely is for Pineda at this current stage in his career.

Hagar could even take over some of the rhythm guitar playing that they would lose with the absence of Cain in the band.

[scarab]

If the Mark of Cain is in the band I don't care if they did dream after dream in entirety the band w9nt get a dime from me.
Why doest he go back in time and instead of holding baby
Ms White he can @$&^#! her.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Why doest he go back in time and instead of holding baby
Ms White he can @$&^#! her.

That's pretty extreme, but I do appreciate the lyrical reference to Generations' "Knowing That You Love Me."

[FamilyMan]

Can't see Cain leaving Journey.

[JohnH]

Sammy Hagar hates touring and has said last year was the last time. I know people say that line as much as the farewell BS, but I believe him. That 2024 tour was a lot for him. He can still do fly outs and residencies. He's not joining Journey.

[scarab]

Cain is now Paula's B*tch.
He does whatever she says.
Oh yeah. When she says jump. Cains bailing.
I just wish she'd say jon go jump off a &%$^%!

[Journey/Survivor]

Sammy Hagar hates touring and has said last year was the last time. I know people say that line as much as the farewell BS, but I believe him. That 2024 tour was a lot for him. He can still do fly outs and residencies. He's not joining Journey.

I didn't really figure that he would join Journey. I was just throwing out a hypothetical option that I figured could be good if both he and Schon were interested in doing that.

[FamilyMan]

Cain is now Paula's B*tch.
He does whatever she says.
Oh yeah. When she says jump. Cains bailing.
I just wish she'd say jon go jump off a &%$^%!

Why would Paula want Cain to leave Journey? It's a gravy train. It keeps big money rolling in... It keeps his profile high, which helps her ministry.

[The_Noble_Cause]

Today's news (Jon leaving Journey) prompted me to listen to some of his most recent interviews.

On an October 2nd edition of The Strang Report podcast (no idea what this is), Jon says the following at 20:27:

"I'm coming with an EP at the end of the year and then of course we go on the Journey tour, umm, uhh, in 2026 on our farewell journey tour, so i'll be saying goodbye to that and I'll prolly move on to ministry."

https://youtu.be/rprRTxAIze0?si=VvTDRK3uQJX_XuQp

[ebake02]

Why would Paula want Cain to leave Journey? It's a gravy train. It keeps big money rolling in... It keeps his profile high, which helps her ministry.

He can talk about retirement all he wants, we all know he’ll still milk that gravy train off the road as much as possible. Journey is the only reason people know who he is.

[youkeepmewaiting]

Na I think you're probably wrong now, he will definitely be able to get a new lucrative audience from all the right-wing religious lunatics

Why would Paula want Cain to leave Journey? It's a gravy train. It keeps big money rolling in... It keeps his profile high, which helps her ministry.

He can talk about retirement all he wants, we all know he’ll still milk that gravy train off the road as much as possible. Journey is the only reason people know who he is.

[Monker]

Why would Paula want Cain to leave Journey? It's a gravy train. It keeps big money rolling in... It keeps his profile high, which helps her ministry.

He can talk about retirement all he wants, we all know he’ll still milk that gravy train off the road as much as possible. Journey is the only reason people know who he is.

I doubt many people know who Jonathan Cain is.

I remember back when "The Hunger" came out for Michael Bolton. This is back in 1987...not too long after the ROR tour. So, Journey was very much NOT out of the public mind. Bolten went on David Letterman to sing "Dock of the Bay". Dave introduced him as, "...and now Michael Bolton and....that guy from Journey." He did not know NEAL SCHON's name. So, if Neal is just "that guy from Journey" back in 1987, I definitely do not believe the general public knows the name of that guy behind the red piano. I'm sure some do, but not that many. I do not think it helps Paula's ministry....I think Paula's ministry helps him about as much as Journey does, maybe more.

[Art Vandelay]

Why would Paula want Cain to leave Journey? It's a gravy train. It keeps big money rolling in... It keeps his profile high, which helps her ministry.

He can talk about retirement all he wants, we all know he’ll still milk that gravy train off the road as much as possible. Journey is the only reason people know who he is.

I doubt many people know who Jonathan Cain is.

I remember back when "The Hunger" came out for Michael Bolton. This is back in 1987...not too long after the ROR tour. So, Journey was very much NOT out of the public mind. Bolten went on David Letterman to sing "Dock of the Bay". Dave introduced him as, "...and now Michael Bolton and....that guy from Journey." He did not know NEAL SCHON's name. So, if Neal is just "that guy from Journey" back in 1987, I definitely do not believe the general public knows the name of that guy behind the red piano. I'm sure some do, but not that many. I do not think it helps Paula's ministry....I think Paula's ministry helps him about as much as Journey does, maybe more.

Perry was their identity still at this time. I remember hearing Journey when I was a kid. I was 10 in 1983. I knew who Perry was. I didn't know any of the other band member names until I got their Greatest Hits cassette. I did know their initials from the Atari game.
I remember when Bad English played the Chestnut Cabaret in Philly. This was either just around or just before the first album was released. It was mentioned in the Daily News as a supergroup featuring John Waite and two guys from Journey.
When I saw Steve Smith and Vital Information back in 2001, there was a table of older couples sitting next to us. Someone asked who was playing that night. One of the others said some band with the drummer from Foreigner.
So yeah, to the everyday fan Journey was Steve Perry.

[Journey/Survivor]

Perry was their identity still at this time. I remember hearing Journey when I was a kid. I was 10 in 1983. I knew who Perry was. I didn't know any of the other band member names until I got their Greatest Hits cassette. I did know their initials from the Atari game.
I remember when Bad English played the Chestnut Cabaret in Philly. This was either just around or just before the first album was released. It was mentioned in the Daily News as a supergroup featuring John Waite and two guys from Journey.
When I saw Steve Smith and Vital Information back in 2001, there was a table of older couples sitting next to us. Someone asked who was playing that night. One of the others said some band with the drummer from Foreigner.
So yeah, to the everyday fan Journey was Steve Perry.

Wasn't Ron Wikso with The Storm before he was with Foreigner?

I'm fairly sure that the first two times that I ever saw Wikso in concert was with The Storm, and then a few years later I saw him with Foreigner.

I think that Schon, Cain, Rolie, Valory, etc, etc are pretty big names with people who pay attention to music beyond being the casual listener who only cares about hit songs and who doesn't pat very close attention to music in general.

I remember when Bad English formed that I was hearing kind of the opposite of what you mentioned about them. I was hearing Schon and Cain along with that singer who's name I can't remember.

[Art Vandelay]

Perry was their identity still at this time. I remember hearing Journey when I was a kid. I was 10 in 1983. I knew who Perry was. I didn't know any of the other band member names until I got their Greatest Hits cassette. I did know their initials from the Atari game.
I remember when Bad English played the Chestnut Cabaret in Philly. This was either just around or just before the first album was released. It was mentioned in the Daily News as a supergroup featuring John Waite and two guys from Journey.
When I saw Steve Smith and Vital Information back in 2001, there was a table of older couples sitting next to us. Someone asked who was playing that night. One of the others said some band with the drummer from Foreigner.
So yeah, to the everyday fan Journey was Steve Perry.

Wasn't Ron Wikso with The Storm before he was with Foreigner?

I'm fairly sure that the first two times that I ever saw Wikso in concert was with The Storm, and then a few years later I saw him with Foreigner.

I think that Schon, Cain, Rolie, Valory, etc, etc are pretty big names with people who pay attention to music beyond being the casual listener who only cares about hit songs and who doesn't pat very close attention to music in general.

I remember when Bad English formed that I was hearing kind of the opposite of what you mentioned about them. I was hearing Schon and Cain along with that singer whose name I can't remember.

Ha! Yeah, Wikso was with the Storm. But I really doubt that is what these people were referring to. The Storm wasn't on their radar lol. But that's a funny coincidence.
And yes, your point shows that music is totally subjective. It's where your focus lands. My older cousin is a jazz drummer and not so much a Journey fan. When I told him I was listening to them, he said "eh...but their drummer Steve Smith is amazing!"

[The_Noble_Cause]

I think that Schon, Cain, Rolie, Valory, etc, etc are pretty big names with people who pay attention to music beyond being the casual listener who only cares about

Monker is right. None of these people are household names.

[Monker]

Perry was their identity still at this time. I remember hearing Journey when I was a kid. I was 10 in 1983. I knew who Perry was. I didn't know any of the other band member names until I got their Greatest Hits cassette. I did know their initials from the Atari game.
I remember when Bad English played the Chestnut Cabaret in Philly. This was either just around or just before the first album was released. It was mentioned in the Daily News as a supergroup featuring John Waite and two guys from Journey.
When I saw Steve Smith and Vital Information back in 2001, there was a table of older couples sitting next to us. Someone asked who was playing that night. One of the others said some band with the drummer from Foreigner.
So yeah, to the everyday fan Journey was Steve Perry.

Wasn't Ron Wikso with The Storm before he was with Foreigner?

I'm fairly sure that the first two times that I ever saw Wikso in concert was with The Storm, and then a few years later I saw him with Foreigner.

I think that Schon, Cain, Rolie, Valory, etc, etc are pretty big names with people who pay attention to music beyond being the casual listener who only cares about hit songs and who doesn't pat very close attention to music in general.

I remember when Bad English formed that I was hearing kind of the opposite of what you mentioned about them. I was hearing Schon and Cain along with that singer who's name I can't remember.

Yes, Ron Wikso was with the Storm. Steve Smith was on the album but did not want to be a permanent member and tour with the band...because of his involvement in Vital Information. So, they got Wikso. But, they only toured for the first album. Wikso recorded for the second album. But, Interscope changed focus towards alternative/grunge and dropped the band and never released the album. The band broke up after that...and "Eye of the Storm" was released years later under a different label. Chalfant and Josh Ramos then continued as Two Fires, with no other members from The Storm.

[Journey/Survivor]

Ha! Yeah, Wikso was with the Storm. But I really doubt that is what these people were referring to. The Storm wasn't on their radar lol. But that's a funny coincidence.
And yes, your point shows that music is totally subjective. It's where your focus lands. My older cousin is a jazz drummer and not so much a Journey fan. When I told him I was listening to them, he said "eh...but their drummer Steve Smith is amazing!"

Back in the late 80s or early 90s a guy who worked at a record store told me that he always used to go to Journey concerts in the 80s, but that it was mainly to see Steve Smith perform.

[Journey/Survivor]

I think that Schon, Cain, Rolie, Valory, etc, etc are pretty big names with people who pay attention to music beyond being the casual listener who only cares about

Monker is right. None of these people are household names.

Again, I would say that it depends on what you mean by "Household names."

Does the average person who isn't big into music know who they are? No.
But does the average person who is big into Rock music know who they are? Yes, with almost everyone who I've ever discussed music with at length. And that has been tons of people over the last 40 years.

I'm a huge Survivor fan and I consider Frankie Sullivan to be massively underrated as a guitarist But I've had many people over the years tell me "Never heard of him" when I bring him up.

I don't recall having ever heard someone say "Never heard of him" to me about Schon, Cain, Rolie, Valory or Smith.

[Journey/Survivor]

I typed into Google Gemini "Do most big fans of rock music know who Neal Schon is."

Gemini's answer: While casual listeners may not know his name, most big fans of rock music absolutely know who Neal Schon is.
He is a respected and influential figure due to his extensive career and technical skill, particularly among classic rock and guitar-focused audiences.

Gemini then goes on to talk about how Schon is a virtuoso guitarist and a master technical player and how he has written and recorded some of the most famous Rock songs in history. It also mentions his legacy from other bands like Santana, Bad English, HSAS, Schon & Hammer, his work with Paul Rodgers, Sammy Hagar and many others. It mentions the fact that he's a Rock Hall Of Fame member and other accomplishments as well.

It then ends by saying....

Gemini: While major rock fans know Schon by name, more casual listeners who enjoy Journey's biggest hits might not.
For the general public, the bands success is most commonly associated with the distinctive vocals of former lead singer Steve Perry.
However, the iconic guitar riffs and soaring solos that define Journey's sound are all Neal Schon's work.



Again, I stand by my statement that Schon, Cain, Rolie, Smith and Valory are definitely household names among any serious Rock fans.

[JourneyHard]

Rush announced they are going to tour next year with a new drummer. There is too much money out there for classic rock bands to make and they enjoy playing their music. So, Journey will keep touring in one shape or another.

[Monker]

I think that Schon, Cain, Rolie, Valory, etc, etc are pretty big names with people who pay attention to music beyond being the casual listener who only cares about

Monker is right. None of these people are household names.

Again, I would say that it depends on what you mean by "Household names."

Does the average person who isn't big into music know who they are? No.
But does the average person who is big into Rock music know who they are? Yes, with almost everyone who I've ever discussed music with at length. And that has been tons of people over the last 40 years.

I'm a huge Survivor fan and I consider Frankie Sullivan to be massively underrated as a guitarist But I've had many people over the years tell me "Never heard of him" when I bring him up.

I don't recall having ever heard someone say "Never heard of him" to me about Schon, Cain, Rolie, Valory or Smith.

There is just no way that any of the above are "Household names". They were not even household names in the prime of their careers. I just saw a Franz Ferdinand concert...you could probably count on one hand the number of people who know who the members of Journey are and were, and that even includes Steve Perry. in 1983, did you know the members of ANY band from the 1940's? I doubt it VERY much. This band is 50yrs old. Even most 30yr olds don't give a damn about Journey. Journey is "Boomer" music...even though we are Gen X...it's old folks music, the same as Elvis, or Buddy Holly, or the Big Bopper, or Jerry Lee Lewis, or the Platters, or the Everly Brothers were old people music to us back in the 70's and 80's. Did you know the members of those bands 40yrs ago? Did you even care? For people over 50, or people who found Journey late and have stuck around the past 20yrs....ok, maybe it's possible...but we are grandparents now, some even great grandparents...our music is to a 20yr old as Glenn Miller and his orchestra was to us when we were 20. I mean, seriously...Journey members being household names is a bit laughable.

[Journey/Survivor]

There is just no way that any of the above are "Household names". They were not even household names in the prime of their careers. I just saw a Franz Ferdinand concert...you could probably count on one hand the number of people who know who the members of Journey are and were, and that even includes Steve Perry. in 1983, did you know the members of ANY band from the 1940's? I doubt it VERY much. This band is 50yrs old. Even most 30yr olds don't give a damn about Journey. Journey is "Boomer" music...even though we are Gen X...it's old folks music, the same as Elvis, or Buddy Holly, or the Big Bopper, or Jerry Lee Lewis, or the Platters, or the Everly Brothers were old people music to us back in the 70's and 80's. Did you know the members of those bands 40yrs ago? Did you even care? For people over 50, or people who found Journey late and have stuck around the past 20yrs....ok, maybe it's possible...but we are grandparents now, some even great grandparents...our music is to a 20yr old as Glenn Miller and his orchestra was to us when we were 20. I mean, seriously...Journey members being household names is a bit laughable.

Again, like I said, if were talking about casual music fans, then no, they are not household names.

But if we are talking about serious music fans, then Schon is a legend, and the others are absolutely household names as well!

I've literally never mentioned Neal Schon to anyone who pays any attention to music and they never heard of him.

Even the biggest Journey haters who wish the band never existed know who Schon is.

Gregg Rolie is one of the very rare 2 time Hall Of Famers.

Steve Smith is one of the most famous and well respected drummers ever.

I should specify that if the people who we are talking about are under the age of 40, then there are tons of those people who don't have a clue who Schon or even Perry are. But those people are rarely ever serious ROCK fans. They are fans of all of the Taylor Swift pop crap, not ROCK.

I mentioned how I have had some people who pay attention to rock tell me that they don't know who Frankie Sullivan is. But the day that I met my second guitar teacher he asked me who some of my favorite guitarists are. I first named Schon, and his response was "I hate Journey, but I have to admit that Schon is one of the greatest guitarists in the business."

I then told him that he probably won't know who my second favorite guitarist is, and when I said the name Frankie Sullivan, he said "Yeah, the guitarist in Survivor." I then said to him that I was surprised that he knew who Sullivan was, and his response back was to the effect of "I don't know how any guitarist wouldn't know who he is?'

I then asked him if he liked Survivor, and he said that he hated them like he does Journey.

If Schon and the others aren't household names among serious Rock fans, then there are very, very few people who are household names unless their band is named after them and its highly successful.

Schon isn't as massive of a name as Hendrix, Clapton, Van Halen and a small handful of others. But he's a legend for sure!

And you'd be surprised by how many people like Glen Miller, Tommy Dorsey and others that I was aware of in 1983 when I was 11 years old. And my parents never were big into music. I also knew (of) at age 11 lots of famous actors from the 30s, 40s and 50s.

It's the newer music stars and actors that I often never heard of because I'm not interested in them. Especially not the new music stars.

[Monker]

The way you are talking about this is by definition NOT a "household name". First you limit it to people who pay attention to music or "serious music fans". Now you limit it even further by adding that many people under 40 are not rock fans. You are basically admitting that it is old Boomers AND they have to be paying attention to music...which is more restrictive than what I was even saying. That is NOT a household name. You can't walk into a random house with a family and say "Jonathan Cain", and grandpa, the 40yr old mom, the 20yr old daughter, and 15yr old son know who you are talking about...It's just not going to happen. THAT is a "household name". But, yeah, they will all know who Taylor Swift is....because she is a household name.

But, whatever....I think it's getting into schematics and word definitions and such, and just isn't THAT important.

FYI, yes, Gregg Rolie is in the HOF in two bands. But, it's not as rare as you imply...I looked it up a few years ago after Journey was inducted because I also thought it was rare - I was surprised that it's not:

Eric Clapton The Yardbirds (1992) • Cream (1993) • Solo (2000)
Clyde McPhatter Solo Artist (1987) • The Drifters (1988)
John Lennon The Beatles (1988) • Solo Artist (1994)
Paul McCartney The Beatles (1988) • Solo Artist (1999)
George Harrison The Beatles (1988) • Solo Artist (2004)
Michael Jackson The Jackson 5 (1997) • Solo Artist (2001)
Paul Simon Simon & Garfunkel (1990) • Solo Artist (2001)
Curtis Mayfield The Impressions (1991) • Solo Artist (1999)
Lou Reed The Velvet Underground (1996) • Solo Artist (2015)
Peter Gabriel Genesis (2010) • Solo Artist (2014)
Rod Stewart Solo Artist (1994) • The Small Faces / The Faces (2012)
Stevie Nicks Fleetwood Mac (1998) • Solo Artist (2019)
Tina Turner Ike & Tina Turner (1991) • Solo Artist (2021)
Ozzy Osbourne Black Sabbath (2006) • Solo Artist (2024)
Dave Grohl Nirvana (2014) • Foo Fighters (2021)
Graham Nash Crosby, Stills & Nash (1997) • The Hollies (2010)
Jeff Beck The Yardbirds (1992) • Solo Artist (2009)
Neil Young Solo Artist (1995) • Buffalo Springfield (1997)
Johnny Carter The Flamingos (2001) • The Dells (2004)
Sammy Strain The O’Jays (2005) • Little Anthony & the Imperials (2009)
Gregg Rolie Santana (1998) • Journey (2017)
Matt Cameron Pearl Jam (2017) • Soundgarden (2025)
Jimmy Page The Yardbirds (1992) • Led Zeppelin (1995)
Ringo Starr The Beatles (1988) • Solo Artist (2015)
Carole King (with Gerry Goffin) (1990) • Solo Artist (2021)

And, there are others that I think could do this: Sammy Hagar (Van Halen, Montrose, solo), Phil Collins (Genesis, solo), Ritchie Blackmore (Deep Purple and Rainbow)....are the first that come to mind.

[OlHoag]

With the ages of the band members (all my favorite classic rockers...not just Journey) and the shear amount of replacements...I'm to the point I'd be perfectly happy flying to Vegas and checking out a residency of the All-Star Band du jour of the residency. The idea of Sammy with members of Journey and maybe another member or two of other bands would be a fun concert. Time to just go Ringo... but in Residency...playing songs from each of the All-Star members' bands. With the high tech sound and lighting systems in place...I'd keep coming back.

[The_Noble_Cause]

My AEG contact was right all along. Farewell tour confirmed.

https://variety.com/2025/music/news/jou ... 236571114/