I’d like to believe that all of the great rock bands formed sometime between the ’60s and the ’80s: The Clash, Guns N’ Roses, The Rolling Stones, Rage Against the Machine, Black Sabbath, The Beatles, and many more. But one thing these bands have in common is that despite the great music they’ve shared with the world, they proved that all good things eventually come to an end.
For The Beatles, many fans claimed it was Yoko Ono who got in the way and ‘split’ the band. As for another classic rock band, Journey, is it Donald Trump?
Lead guitarist and co-founder Neal Schon was not happy when he found out that three other members visited the White House and posed for pictures with Trump. He took to Twitter to express his fury about not getting a heads up and seeing headlines saying that the ‘entire’ band took a trip to the Oval Office added more fuel to the fire.
I don’t care about anyone visiting the WH. They have tours But using Journey in not accepted by my Myself.
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) August 2, 2017
Everybody’s entitled to like and believe what they want but when we’ve had this discussion many many times it was always a no WH All know https://t.co/ZMEbyBK8GN
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) August 4, 2017
Schon also hinted that the veteran group has talked about going on tour without him.
They will not tour with Journey name. Trust me. I’ve spent way too long building to give up the brand https://t.co/XrhqLwqBAn
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) August 3, 2017
How would you feel if u found out that the rest of the band wanted to tour without me? I’ve always been 100%JRNY and made the right choices
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) August 3, 2017
Despite the backlash, Schon remains neutral when it comes to Trump or politics, saying that politics and religion are two sensitive subjects they won’t bring into the band. He said that he’s “never allowed it” and that it’s “not smart to mix.” The feud is more about the band than Trump himself.
Schon’s distress over the band going behind his back is understandable given that he’s the only original member left since the group’s formation in 1972. Many Journey fans, both old and new, believe that Neal is the only thing keeping the band together. Without Schon, Journey would cease to exist.
For now, fans can breathe because the veteran group has no plans of disbanding anytime soon. The members are dealing with the issue privately and only time will tell when they’ll be back on the road again. As for Neal Schon, I hope he won’t stop believing.
I’m not angry anymore just strong and determined to continue to protect our legacy. I don’t c anyone else even caring about it. https://t.co/iEEcHCgADo
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) August 6, 2017
Photos courtesy of Billboard
Writer: BEA LLAGAS
