Journey, renowned for iconic hits like ‘Don’t Stop Believin’,’ has navigated a tumultuous journey marked by internal discord, notably involving former frontman Steve Perry. Perry’s departure from the band triggered a complex relationship with other members, especially co-founder and lead guitarist Neal Schon, eventually leading to Schon questioning Perry’s entitlement to earnings from the band.
In a revealing 2008 Q&A with GQ Magazine, Perry shared reflections on his time with the band, conveying a persistent feeling of being the ‘new kid on the block’ and grappling to prove himself despite the band’s success. A particular source of challenge was Neal Schon, given Perry’s comparatively limited experience compared to other members who had previously played with notable artists.
Schon, responding to Perry’s comments, clarified in frustration that no legal constraints prevented him from discussing Perry. He expressed discontent with Perry’s perception that the band speaks negatively about him, stating:
“No. I mean, I didn’t say anything inflammatory to him. I didn’t talk about how he still gets paid like a m*therf*cker even though he shouldn’t be. It’s stuff like that I’m not allowed to talk about. But the facts are the facts, y’know? He sorta just bitches and moans and whines about everything. And he just assumes that every time we bring up his name, we’re sayin’ bad things. Or he thinks we’re hangin’ on to his coattails.”
Schon continued, articulating the importance of sharing the band’s history and his perspective:
“And it’s just not like that. It’s never been like that. He barely ever talks to the public, and he doesn’t want us talking about him, and he doesn’t want to talk about us, but when people ask me for stories about the band’s history and things that went down, I’m gonna talk about it. I mean—we’re completely done. I told you about the VH1 thing, which is true, about crackin’ the stone—I’ve been wanting to set that straight for a while. It’s the truth. So f*ck him.”
The conflict reached a peak in 2022 when Perry took legal action against Schon over trademarks of 20 Journey songs. Schon, in response, detailed the trademark history, emphasizing his efforts to protect the band’s work. Allegations of a takeover attempt and lamentations about corruption in the music industry fueled the dispute. Perry later withdrew the lawsuit, prompting Schon to address accusations from Jonathan Cain about unfair profit, dismissing them as unfounded. The dispute underscores fundamental disagreements about respect, contributions, and rights within the band.
27 comments
If it wasn’t for Steve having any part of journey,journey wouldn’t be where they are today!!! Ask anybody. Steve made journey what it was and what it is!!!
1000% and Neal knows it. Arnel is a great man but make no mistake about it he’s not even close to Steve Perry. Journey is now a cover band with only two of the five original members.
I was completely on Steve’s side, but it just hit me, I think Schons right. It’s no different than any other cover band that sings another artist’s song. I can’t believe I just thought of that.
One original, Neal…Cain not original
B.S.
I agree with you. I spent a little time thinking about his split. If he had left the band after Straight Talk and went solo, can you imagine how much more wonderful music we would have with that beautiful voice?
Sorry Amy Journey started when Gregg Rolie and Neal departed Santana to Start Journey and made a couple of Classic Albums which Got me into them although when Steve joined them their Rocket To Stardom so kudos to Steve
If it wasn’t for Steve Perry, Journey would not be famous. Schon needs to acknowledge that it’s Perry’s vocals that put them in the Hall of Fame. Schon ikes to gripe like a little old man and throw his tantrums. Whatever. Write new songs for Arnel and let him out of Steve’s shadow. Arnold is talented and deserves better from these whiners.
Perry is a premadona prick.
Why would you say something so bad?
He is the voice of journey, he walks the walk and he can talk the talk. Schon is a jealous little school boy.
Well the truth is that the other members had more hands in experience & Herbie Herbert put together the band & they were just a jam band & were touring until their record label threatened to drop them. Herbie was being pestered by Steve Perry while he was going from band to band, job to job & when he was out in Journey, the band members weren’t sure about Steve Perry & pretty much saw right through him! A family friend told me while I was in college told me he was Journeys roadie for Greg Rolie and Neal Schon. He quit when Steve Perry stepped in! He told me Steve Perry isn’t what you think he is & wants to be in control of everything which Karma later played it’s role when he was let go! I see Neal Schon is trying to keep Journey going & doing all he can to keep Journeys memories alive & what the late Herbie Herbert created.
It’s been said over and over that without Steve Perry Journey would have been done years ago.. Neal, when you all go on tour again, leave out the songs that Steve had anything to do with. See where that gets you. I’m sick of your whining like a baby every chance you get. Get over it. Grow up for goodness sake. Let it go. It’s over.Steve made a very savvy business decision when he left the group. Let it go already. Fans are sick of you constantly complaining. And your vulgar comments are so low class and immature.
I totally agree with you!
its the music biz and steve did write alot of the songs when he was with the band so needs to get paid for his part in the band..
Steve didn’t join Journey till the third album.
That means they were already signed and doing alright without him.
And they’re still making money without him,can’t say the same about Steve.
That is not true. Even Neil will tell you that they let the rains go and allow Steve to run the band because success came when Steve entered into the band
Even you have to admit, they didn’t hit the stratosphere until Steve joined.
Actually, Steve didn’t join the band till the fourth album. Their first three were pretty good but they were too wrapped up in being a bit proggy but they didn’t reach the level of Commercial success until Perry joined.
If it wasent to Seteve Perry Neil would be playing every 6 months on a half empty Baked Potato
Steve still owns 12% of Journey….
Nailed it Casey. Perry was Journey. All musician’s can play the music but without the voice, Journey goes bo where.
When Journey has just added Steve Perry, it was profoundly evident why they immediately catapulted into the heights of success and fan Bass.
Sure, no doubt about it, Neil Schon is a phenomenal Guitarist. However, throughout the year’s, also evident, Neil Schon has an underlying vein of arrogance and larceny.
He’s constantly at the forefront of every legal action against his bandmates for greed. Schon’s narcissism, combined with his need and greed, generating divisiveness and remains the root cause of all the bad of Journey in the publics view.
Steve Perry is the cohesive gentleman that holds Schon accountable at last resort. Steve Perry is a World-Class act and admirable Man. Schon remains the poison that infects the brand.
The difference between Neil Schon and Steve Perry is that Journey could easily have survived at the top of their success without Schon, but Journey without Steve Perry, has never been the same. Relegating it to a cover band.
Schon’s guitar techniques are easily matched by replacement. Steve Perry’s Voice – None can match “The Voice”.
Neal is such a whining baby! Journey was on its last leg when Steve joined the band. Without him they would be flipping burgers. Steve wrote most of the songs that Journey still plays today. They’re really just a tribute band now. Why don’t they write new songs and stop singing Steve’s songs. See where that gets them.
I think Neal is just very jealous of Steve and his talent! I also think he resents Steve because he’s nothing without him.
Journey is the Steve Perry tribute band. They wanted Ariel because he sounds like Steve. They should have just evolved instead of trying to stay the same.
Without Steve Perry it’s just a garage band now
Steve was the reason Journey took it to the next level and blew up. It’s Steve and Jonathan that wrote the most important hits that really drove them to success. Neal is too ignorant and full of himself to not realize that.