There has been a significant change within Journey. Neal Schon reports that longtime bandmate Jonathan Cain has left after years of conflict.

Cain has been part of the group since the release of the diamond-selling U.S. chart-topping Escape album in 1981. According to Schon, the 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 indicated plans for a tour in 2026, following a rare year off from performing. Their latest album was 2022’s Freedom. Cain was also a key songwriter for 1983’s six-times platinum Frontiers, 1986’s two-million-selling Raised on Radio, and 1996’s platinum comeback Trial by Fire.

READ MORE: Ranking All 52 Journey Songs From the ’80s

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 iconic track, “Don’t Stop Believin’.” However, his relationship with Schon has recently become strained, leading to frequent arguments and legal disputes.

It remains uncertain who will take Cain’s place on stage. “Journey has so much more life ahead!” Schon added. “I’m sure we will have a great tour!” He also promises more new music in the future.

This lineup change has yet to be 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 likely focusing on his solo career, which has centered around faith music since his return 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, but their success skyrocketed after his arrival. Integrating ideas from both Steve Perry and Schon, Journey achieved their first three gold-selling Top 10 singles within just a few months in the early ’80s.

“Coming from an artistic side, everybody’s got ideas and everybody thinks their idea is the best one,” said Ricky Phillips, Cain’s former bandmate from Babys and Bad English, in Journey: Worlds Apart. “But Jonathan unquestionably, undeniably had really good, solid ideas — especially for the time. The first Journey record — in fact, the first couple he did — definitely proved that.”

READ MORE: Top 35 Journey Videos – Together and Apart

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 that I was going to be able to create this kind of lasting longevity when it comes to writing,” Cain told UCR. “I’m most proud of my songwriting and my relationship with Steve [Perry], and how we were able to craft these songs with Neal that mean so much to so many people. That’s pretty overwhelming to think about.”

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 musicians. Cain secured an early record deal, which led to a minor hit single with “Til It’s Time to Say Goodbye” and an appearance on Dick Clark’s American Bandstand in 1976.

Initially recording under the name Johnny Lee, he later adopted a new stage name after discovering another artist was using it. The pseudonym he chose was inspired by a 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. “I went and sold stereos and worked as a warehouseman, forklift operator, and that kind of stuff.” 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 transitioned to his next band after completing two albums that included an opening slot on tour with Journey. “I’ve said this often,” departing Journey co-founder Gregg Rolie told Mixdown, “If Jonathan Cain had not been my replacement and without his writing skills, I don’t think they would have gone on to do half the things they did.”

Cain had developed a narrative style driven by real people’s stories — their concerns, hopes, and dreams — which informed his songwriting. He was already recognized as a brilliant melodicist. As everything came together, he credited his father for inspiring him by saying: “Don’t stop believin’.”

Cain would later collaborate with other ex-members of Babys and Journey in Bad English during a hiatus from Journey. Despite the sweetness of his songs, he also cultivated a tough-minded approach. His ongoing disputes with Schon—both personal and legal—became well-known. However, for several years now, Cain has remained committed to touring with Journey despite any backstage drama.

Cain never seemed concerned about what life might bring him. “When you overcome tragedy, it makes you better in so many ways,” he reflected in Journey: Worlds Apart. “It seems when that’s when God shines, and he blesses us in the biggest ways. Something usually tragic has to happen and all of a sudden change can turn into a miracle.”

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

You Think You Know Journey?