Rock band Journey has announced the cancellation of their upcoming shows in the U.K. and Ireland, which were part of their 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour. The cancellation follows a recent escalation in the legal dispute between keyboardist Jonathan Cain and band founder and lead guitarist Neal Schon.
The U.K. leg of the tour was set to begin on October 30 in Cardiff, Wales, at Utilita Arena. The itinerary also included performances in Nottingham, Glasgow, Belfast, Dublin, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, and Newcastle, culminating with a final show at The O2 in London on November 17.
Known for their enduring hits such as “Don’t Stop Believin’” and “Open Arms,” Journey has sold over 100 million albums worldwide and achieved 19 top 40 singles along with 25 gold and platinum albums.
The feud between Schon and Cain, which has reportedly been ongoing for years, has intensified recently. According to The Associated Press, Cain has petitioned a Delaware judge to intervene in the management of Freedom 2020, the company that manages tour finances. Both Cain and Schon hold equal stakes in the company, with Schon serving as president.
The court filing reveals a deep-seated disagreement over the operation and management of Freedom 2020. Cain’s legal team has requested an expedited resolution to address what they describe as a “dysfunctional” situation that is impacting the current tour.
In response, Schon’s attorneys have denied Cain’s claims, arguing that many of the allegations lack factual basis. They have specifically refuted claims that the tour’s production company and vendors have not been paid on time, and they will provide a more detailed rebuttal to Cain’s petition in the coming days.
Despite the cancellations, Journey’s Summer Stadium tour in North America, featuring Def Leppard, remains unaffected.
