There has been a significant change with Journey. Neal Schon has announced that longtime bandmate Jonathan Cain will be leaving the band after an upcoming tour.

Cain has been part of the lineup since the diamond-selling U.S. chart-topping Escape album in 1981. According to Schon, the group’s only remaining co-founding member, Journey will continue. “Jonathan Cain announced his farewell to Journey tonight,” Schon stated in a social media post. “I’m nowhere near done!”

Schon had previously mentioned plans to tour again in 2026, following a rare year off for Journey. Their latest album was 2022’s Freedom. Cain was also a key songwriting force on 1983’s six-times platinum Frontiers, 1986’s two-million-selling Raised on Radio, and 1996’s platinum comeback Trial by Fire.

READ MORE: Jonathan Cain Wins Lawsuit Against Neal Schon

Throughout his time with the band, Cain wrote or co-wrote many of Journey’s most famous songs, including the No. 2 hit “Open Arms” and their signature song, “Don’t Stop Believin.'” However, his relationship with Schon has become strained recently, leading to frequent arguments that have often ended up in court.

“Journey has so much more life ahead!” Schon added. “I’m sure we will have a great tour!” He is also promising more new music in the future.

This lineup change has not yet been confirmed by Cain.

Instead, he released a promotional video this morning for a new tribute single titled “No One Else,” dedicated to the late activist Charlie Kirk. He is expected to focus on his solo career, which has centered around faith music since he became active again with 2016’s What God Wants to Hear. “He wants to do his ministry,” Schon mentioned in a follow-up message.

When Did Jonathan Cain Join Journey?

Journey was already selling millions of albums before Cain joined in 1980. Following his arrival, they began selling even more records. Incorporating ideas from both Steve Perry and Schon, Journey released their first three gold-selling Top 10 singles within just a few months in the early ’80s.

“From an artistic perspective, everyone has ideas and believes their idea is the best,” said Ricky Phillips, Cain’s former bandmate from Babys and Bad English, in Journey: Worlds Apart, “but Jonathan undeniably had solid ideas — especially for that time. The first couple of Journey records he worked on definitely proved that.”

Their U.S. Top 10 hits together included “Who’s Crying Now,” “Faithfully,” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” “Only the Young,” and “Be Good to Yourself.” Cain also co-wrote 1996’s platinum-selling “When You Love a Woman,” which was Journey’s most recent Top 20 single.

“Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would achieve this kind of lasting longevity in songwriting,” Cain told UCR. “I take great pride in my songwriting and my collaboration with Steve [Perry], and how we crafted these songs with Neal that resonate deeply with so many people. It’s overwhelming to consider.”

Jonathan Cain’s Career Before Journey

Cain survived a tragic fire at Our Lady of the Angels School in 1958 that claimed the lives of three nuns and 92 of his classmates before attending the Chicago Conservatory of Music at Roosevelt University. He eventually moved westward, like many aspiring artists. Cain secured an early record deal, which led to a minor hit single with “Til It’s Time to Say Goodbye” and a performance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand in 1976.

Initially recording under the name Johnny Lee, he later changed it after discovering another country singer was using that name. He adopted the pseudonym inspired by a clothier’s sign he saw at a red light — Michael Bain on Sunset Boulevard toward Laurel Canyon. The famous border radio rock DJ Wolfman Jack took an interest in him, but his debut album, Windy City Breakdown, failed to gain traction.

“I got kind of sick of the music business for a while,” Cain told the San Bernardino County Sun, “so I sold stereos and worked as a warehouseman and forklift operator.” Eventually, songwriting drew him back into music and led him to join the Babys.

Watch Journey Perform “Don’t Stop Believin'”

Jonathan Cain’s Relationship With Journey Changes

Cain moved on to his next band after a two-album stint that included an opening slot on tour with Journey. (He later joined other former members of the Babys and Journey in Bad English during a subsequent hiatus.) “I’ve often said: If Jonathan Cain had not replaced me,” departing Journey co-founder Gregg Rolie told Mixdown, “and without his writing skills, I don’t believe they would have achieved half of what they did.”

By this time, Cain had developed a sensibility where real people’s stories — their concerns, hopes, and dreams — shaped his narratives. He was already an exceptional melodicist. Cain always credited his father for bolstering his enthusiasm by saying: “Don’t stop believin.'”

Despite the sweetness of his songs, Cain possessed a tough-minded sensibility. His conflicts with Schon, both personal and legal, became legendary. However, for several years now, Cain has remained resilient and continued touring with Journey despite any backstage drama. He had already faced significant challenges as a young person.

“Overcoming tragedy makes you better in many ways,” Cain said in Journey: Worlds Apart. “It seems that’s when God shines and blesses us in profound ways. Often something tragic must happen before change can turn into a miracle.”

Nick DeRiso is the author of the Amazon best-selling rock band biography ‘Journey: Worlds Apart,’ available now at all major bookseller websites.