by Journey guitarist Neal Schon has revealed that keyboardist Jonathan Cain announced his departure from the band. He shared the news in a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Schon’s statement addressed Cain’s farewell announcement and expressed his own commitment to continuing with Journey.
“Jonathan Cain announced his farewell to Journey tonight,” Schon wrote. “I’m nowhere near done! Journey has so much more life ahead!”
He concluded his message with optimism about the band’s future.
“I’m sure we will have a great tour!” he added.
The announcement comes after years of documented tensions between the two musicians. They have been the driving forces behind Journey’s activities for decades. There hasn’t been any official announcement made by Jonathan Cain or the band.
Jonathan Cain joined Journey in 1980, replacing original keyboardist Gregg Rolie. He became instrumental in shaping the band’s signature sound. American Songwriter reported that Cain co-wrote many of Journey’s biggest hits, including “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Faithfully,” and “Open Arms.” He helped propel the band to massive commercial success throughout the 1980s.
However, the relationship between Cain and Schon has been strained in recent years. Stairway to 11 noted that both musicians publicly acknowledged significant personal and professional disagreements that escalated in 2024–2025. The disputes centered on financial management, touring decisions, and the band’s overall direction. The situation reached a legal climax in July 2024, when Cain filed a lawsuit in Delaware. He alleged that Schon had overspent on the band’s credit card.
Despite these conflicts, there were signs of reconciliation earlier this year. Metal Wani shared that Schon offered an optimistic update in October 2025. He stated, “Everything is cool… I’ve had some great conversations with Jonathan lately and some great meetings with him for the first time in many years.” This suggested that open communication had resumed and both were “on the same page” regarding Journey’s future.
As of now, there has been no official announcement from Jonathan Cain or the band regarding his departure. Further details are expected to follow.
