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By MARKO JOVANOVIC
GUITARIST Neal Schon has said Jonathan Cain is leaving Journey – but the keyboardist and rhythm guitarist countered almost immediately that he was going nowhere.
“Jonathan Cain announced his farewell to Journey tonight,” Schon posted, before reassuring the band’s devoted fanbase. “I’m nowhere near done! Journey has so much more life ahead! I’m sure we will have a great tour!”
When pressed by followers about who might fill Cain’s considerable shoes for the band’s planned 2025 return to touring, Schon provided clarification on the timeline: “Jon is playing. He’s saying at the end of 26-27 he will move on. We will have a great couple of years.”
A representative for Cain later issued a statement emphasising his commitment to the band’s immediate future: “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.”
According to Schon’s subsequent social media posts, Cain’s decision stems from a desire to pursue faith-based endeavours. “He wants to do his ministry,” the guitarist explained.
In an Instagram video posted Friday, October 10, Cain addressed his dual identity as both rock musician and worship artist. “Some of you may know me as keyboardist and songwriter for the band Journey. But some of you may not know my journey into faith and worship music for the last nine years,” he stated.
The keyboardist then connected his announcement to his latest musical project—a tribute to Charlie Kirk, the Turning Point USA founder who was assassinated on September 10 whilst delivering a speech at Utah Valley University.
“Speaking of faith, I can’t think of anyone else who has stirred the revival in our nation more than our good friend, Charlie Kirk,” Cain said. “With all that has been written and said about Charlie, I felt the need to frame his incredible life and movement he created in a song.”
Cain’s forthcoming single, titled “No One Else,” drops on October 24, with all proceeds directed to Turning Point USA. The track, which Cain produced as a memorial to Kirk, was previewed earlier in the week across his social platforms.
Cain premiered the tribute song in its entirety on October 3 during an appearance on the Christian podcast “Strang Report,” where he discussed Kirk’s political legacy and expressed his intention to honour “his movement and what I believe he stood for.”
The keyboardist’s eventual departure marks a significant shift for Journey, though the band appears set to soldier on with Cain remaining an integral part of their touring lineup through at least 2027.
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