by Journey guitarist Neal Schon recently opened up about his relationship with former bandmate Steve Perry. He shared his perspective on their lack of communication in a statement on Trunk Nation with Eddie Trunk.
Schon addressed the current state of his relationship with the former Journey vocalist. He explained his recent attempts to reconnect.
“We don’t dialogue, it’s not because I’m not willing to. I reached out and wrote him [Steve Perry] an e-mail, I’m sure it still is his e-mail because he did reach back to me about a year ago through the e-mail,” Schon said. “And I invited him to the Giants game because I knew that he was a fan as well and because he was gonna be there.”
The guitarist expressed his disappointment with Perry’s lack of response to his invitation.
“It’d be cool just to catch up and hang out and watch a ball game. And I never heard anything back,” he continued. “So, I mean you can’t keep chasing something that just not interested in.”
The comments suggest a shift in Schon’s approach to maintaining contact with his former bandmate after what appears to be an unanswered gesture of friendship.
This latest development reflects the complex history between the two Journey legends. Their relationship has experienced both highs and lows over the years. The tension between Schon and Perry has been well-documented. Various professional and personal conflicts have affected their bond since Perry’s departure from the band.
Blabbermouth reported that Schon had previously expressed optimism about their relationship in 2022. He stated they were “talking and getting to know each other again” and hoped to become “even better friends in the future.” However, he clarified at the time that they were not planning to collaborate musically. This suggested the focus was purely on personal reconciliation.
The relationship between the two musicians has been complicated by legal disputes. These include a 2022 lawsuit Perry filed over Journey song trademarks that Schon ultimately defended to protect the band’s interests. These professional conflicts have added another layer of complexity to their personal relationship.
Despite the current distance, Schon has previously reminisced about their past friendship in more positive terms. Brave Words noted that he described Perry as “like brothers” with many enduring on- and offstage moments. This reflected a more positive personal history amid the professional conflicts.
“We spent a lot of nights out way too late doing things we shouldn’t be doing. We overindulged in a lot of stuff,” Schon had previously reflected about their shared experiences. This highlighted the deep personal bond they once shared beyond their musical partnership.
