Jonathan Cain, keyboardist for the rock band Journey, is planning to leave the group following a forthcoming farewell tour, according to statements from band members and Cain’s management.
Neal Schon, Journey guitarist and longtime bandmate of Cain, appeared to announce Cain’s exit on social media Tuesday night. “Jonathan Cain announced his farewell to Journey tonight. I’m nowhere near done! Journey has so much more life ahead! I’m sure we will have a great tour!” Schon wrote.
The timing of Cain’s departure was initially unclear. On Friday, Schon posted an update, clarifying that Cain would remain with the group throughout tours scheduled for 2026 and 2027. “Jonathan will be touring with us all through those years, celebrating the music we’ve created,” Schon wrote. Journey has not yet announced any tour dates for 2026 or 2027. It remains uncertain if the band will continue without Cain after those tours.
Cain’s management also addressed the situation. “Jonathan Cain remains an active member of Journey, and any reports suggesting otherwise are inaccurate. 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,” the statement read, according to Consequence.
Representatives for Journey did not immediately return a request for comment.
Cain, 73, appeared to hint at his departure last week during an appearance on the Strang Report podcast while promoting a solo EP and a tribute song. “Then of course, we go on the Journey tour in 2026. On our farewell Journey tour. So I’ll be saying goodbye to that. And I’ll probably move into ministry and worship; I feel a calling there,” Cain said. His wife, Paula White-Cain, is a pastor and televangelist.
Cain joined Journey in 1980 and was a principal songwriter during the band’s commercial peak, co-writing hits such as “Don’t Stop Believin’,” “Faithfully,” “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart),” “Open Arms” and “Be Good to Yourself.” He left the band in 1987, performed in a one-off show in 1991 and rejoined the group in 1995 when Journey reunited.
Journey has remained active in recent years, though Cain and Schon have frequently feuded publicly and in court. Disputes have included disagreements over the use of Journey’s music at political rallies and the handling of the band’s finances.
