This is how the story seems to play out.
Guitarist and founding member of Journsey Neal Schon and Keyboardist Jonathan Cain entered into a written agreement with Steve Perry back in 1998 that gives them “the sole, exclusive, irrevocable right to control the Journey Mark, including the Journey name. They are, therefore, authorized to perform together as Journey, with or without anyone else."
A lawsuit filed yesterday says that "Defendants Smith and Valory were members of Journey at various times during the band’s history, Collectively, they only have a very few song credits on Journey albums. Nevertheless, they were compensated generously for many years. Recently, however, defendants attempted to launch an ill-conceived corporate coup d'état to assume control of Nightmare Productions because they incorrectly believe that Nightmare Productions controls the Journey name and Mark."
It also says their goal was to “hold the Journey name hostage and set themselves up with a guaranteed income stream after they stop performing."
The papers go on to say that they began their “campaign to take control of Nightmare Productions in December 2019 by conspiring to oust Schon and Cain from control."
Not only have Ross Valory and Steve Smith been fired but Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain are also looking for damages in excess of $10 Million.
The suit also says “ with their actions, Smith and Valory have destroyed the chemistry, cohesion and rapport necessary for the band to play together. Journey can only tour successfully and succeed creatively if it is united and the band members trust one another. The actions taken by Smith and Valory shattered that trust. ... Schon and Cain have lost confidence in both of them and are not willing to perform with them again."
Plus the lead counsel commented “this is not an action that Neal and Jon wanted to bring against two men that they once considered their brothers, but the devious and truculent behavior of Steve and Ross left them reluctantly with no choice but to act decisively."
This certainly seems to be bad timing with Journey having a tour planned later this year with The Pretenders.
Will this action make you change your mind about going to see the show?
Quotes from the lawsuit provided by Ultimate Classic Rock.
About the Author