In a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Journey’s guitarist Neal Schon shared his thoughts on the band’s history, its stance on politics and religion, and the continuing legal battles with bandmate Jonathan Cain.

Staying True to Journey's Roots

Schon emphasized his commitment to the band’s original principles, tracing them back to their beginnings and the influence of former manager Herbie Herbert. “I stick by the roots of how we started and what was embedded in me from Herbie Herbert with all the original guys,” he stated. This dedication extends to their artistic philosophy, specifically avoiding political or religious affiliations in their music.

Avoiding Divisive Issues

Schon explained, “We were never going to affiliate politics with our music, and we’re never going to affiliate any one religion, not that we’re unreligious. Everybody has their own religion.” He questioned the divisiveness of such affiliations, asking, “But why attach yourself into one portion of something? Why be red? Why be blue? Why be green?” He believes such actions are counterproductive, potentially alienating fans. “Because you know what? You’re going to lose half your fans when you do that. It’s everybody’s music. I just don’t agree with it. I still don’t. And it’s probably one of the reasons that things are still a bit shaky.”

Ongoing Legal Disputes with Jonathan Cain

The interview also addressed the legal disputes between Schon and Cain, who both co-own the Journey trademark. The core of the issues revolves around the band's corporate credit card and its alleged misuse, leading to disagreements and Cain’s request for a third, neutral director to mediate.

Touring Continues Despite Conflict

Despite these conflicts, Journey – featuring lead singer Arnel Pineda, drummer Deen Castronovo, keyboardist Jason Derlatka, and bassist Todd Jensen – continues to tour and perform. Schon emphasized the importance of celebrating their music and the fans, stating, “The music we’ve created together is amazing. And so, you have to celebrate that music with the fans. The fans are incredible.”

While on stage, Schon focuses on the music and the audience connection, but off-stage realities are different. He described receiving legal challenges frequently, saying, “I feel like I get one served every week from his camp.” He also highlighted his clear memory, attributing it to his 18 years of sobriety, and his thorough understanding of Journey’s contracts and corporate structures, giving him confidence in facing the legal battles.

Seeking Peace and Reflecting on the Future

Schon, who recently turned 72, expressed his continued passion for music and life while acknowledging the toll of the constant legal battles. He expressed a desire for respite from the turmoil, stating, “There’s just so much ongoing noise. And I just want some f—— peace, for real. I’m just really tired of all the legal. It’s meaningless to me. I don’t have any time for it. I turn 72 today. I’m no youngster.”

He added, “I still have a lot of fire in my soul and energy to do things, but I also want to feel comfortable,” emphasizing his desire to continue creating music in a more peaceful environment. Regarding Cain’s previous statement about his farewell from the band, Schon views this as a definitive departure and is acting accordingly. The interview provides insight into the internal dynamics of a legendary band navigating legal issues, artistic principles, and the personal experiences of aging in the public eye.