JONATHAN CAIN Confirms He Will Leave JOURNEY After A Two-Year Tour
Архив новостей | Русская версия
During an appearance on the October 17 episode of "Nashville's Morning News" with Dan Mandis, JOURNEY keyboardist Jonathan Cain was asked to clarify recent reports that he was planning to leave the band. The 75-year-old musician said (as transcribed by BLABBERMOUTH.NET): "Well, that was kind of misinformation. What was really said in the article I did for Charisma [Media CEO and founder Stephen Strang as part of the 'Strang Report' podcast] was that I was gonna do these next two tours [with JOURNEY] and just kind of wrap it up. 'Cause I felt like I didn't wanna die on the road in my sleep at 80 years old, like John Lodge did, of THE MOODY BLUES. I was very, very disturbed when I saw that [John had recently died]. But it just feels like a good time to enjoy my grandkids and my family. I've given a lot. I've given enough."
He added: "I would never, ever duck out on my fans without saying goodbye, because I'm grateful for them and I always, always planned on doing one last hurrah. So this is gonna be it for me."
Asked by Mandis if that means that his next run of shows with JOURNEY will be his last, Cain said: "Well, it'll be two years... So two different tours will be [my last run with JOURNEY], yeah. I don't know what Neal [Schon, JOURNEY's founding guitarist] is planning. I think Neal said he wants to go on and go on. And that's not me."
The initial confusion about the exact details of Cain's departure stemmed from a social media post by Schon, who wrote on October 9: "Jonathan Cain announced his farewell to JOURNEY tonight. I'm nowhere near done! JOURNEY has so much more life ahead! I'm sure we will have a great tour!"
Schon later shared another post clarifying that Cain would be touring with the band "all through" 2026 and 2027 "celebrating the music we've created."
Cain's spokesperson also released a statement, saying: "Jonathan Cain remains an active member of JOURNEY, and any reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate. He is fully dedicated to touring with the band over the next couple of years and has only expressed plans to retire at a later time."
Cain previously hinted at his exit from JOURNEY earlier in the month during an appearance on the aforementioned "Strang Report" podcast, where he was promoting his tribute song to right-wing American activist and influencer Charlie Kirk. After indicating that he will release a solo EP before the end of the year, he said: "Then, of course, we go on the JOURNEY tour in 2026. On our farewell JOURNEY tour. So I'll be saying goodbye to that. And I'll probably move into ministry and worship; I feel a calling there."
JOURNEY has yet to announce any tour dates for 2026 and 2027.
Cain is a devout born-again Christian whose minister wife Paula White-Cain became the first female clergy member to pray at a presidential inauguration following U.S. president Donald Trump's latest victory and now serves as the first female primary spiritual adviser to a U.S. president.
Jonathan embraced faith-based music with 2016's "What God Wants To Hear" and released a Christmas LP, "Unsung Noel", the following year.
In 1976, Cain released his first solo record, "Windy City Breakdown". Three years later, he joined the band THE BABYS, and in 1980 became a member of JOURNEY, rounding out the songwriting genius behind the defining album "Escape".
Schon and Cain have publicly feuded over several issues, including Neal allegedly causing over $1 million in personal expenses to be charged to the band's shared American Express card and Schon demanding that Cain stop playing events for Trump.
Earlier this month, Schon said that "everything" was "cool" between him and Cain, adding that he has "had some great conversations with Jonathan lately and some great meetings with him for the first time in many years."
Back in December 2022, Schon blasted Cain as a "hypocrite" after the JOURNEY keyboardist performed the band's 1981 hit song "Don't Stop Believin'" at Donald Trump's Mar-a-Lago property. Cain played the track with a backup chorus of U.S. Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, Donald Trump Jr.'s then-fiancée Kimberly Guilfoyle and former Arizona gubernatorial candidate Kari Lake.
In the past, Schon has also publicly voiced his opposition to having JOURNEY's music associated with political or religious causes. Back in 2017, he derided Cain on social media after the keyboardist, singer Arnel Pineda and then-bassist Ross Valory were photographed with Trump in the White House.
