One massively popular rock band cannot stop suing each other

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As a long-time fan who’s grown up with Journey’s timeless tunes as my soundtrack, it’s disheartening to witness the endless legal battles that seem to consume this iconic band more than their harmonious melodies these days. I remember saving up for concert tickets and singing “Don’t Stop Believin'” at the top of my lungs with a crowd of like-minded fans, not keeping track of lawsuits and financial mismanagement.

The members of Journey find themselves obliged to pay a significant amount to their lawyers due to the band’s history of frequent lawsuits among its own members. Over time, fans may grow disillusioned by the continuous disputes within the group. However, given their past success and substantial wealth, they might choose to retire from touring without any financial repercussions.

In this current scenario, Neal Schon, the last original member of the band who joined in 1973, is being taken to court by fellow long-standing member Jonathan Cain, who came on board in 1980. The lawsuit alleges that Schon has exceeded the budget by spending up to $10,000 per night on hotel accommodations during tours. The band’s policy sets a limit of $1,500 for such expenses.

Here are a few observations: Initially, it’s hard to imagine finding a hotel room priced at $10,000, especially when the band is performing in an ordinary place like Knoxville, TN. Moreover, even $1,500 can seem like a significant sum to many people around the globe.

Members of Journey cannot seem to stop suing one another

In a collaborative role, Cain and Schon function as business associates. They manage their collective team via an organization known as Freedom 2020 Inc. This business entity is governed by a small board with only two seats, which, unsurprisingly, are held by none other than Cain and Schon themselves.

It seems that the band’s current tour has been poorly handled financially, resulting in instances where the crew and production company hired by the group couldn’t receive their wages. This situation led a few crew members to resign, as they had put in significant effort in setting up and moving things, but without payment, there was little incentive for them to continue working with the band.

On multiple occasions, members of the band Journey have found themselves embroiled in legal disputes with each other. Just last year, for instance, Schon took Cain to court over alleged misuse of a credit card that had a potential limit of $1 million. The rapid depletion of such a substantial amount of money has raised concerns about the management of Journey’s finances, leading some to suggest they might need an outsider to monitor their funds.

For enthusiasts, such unnecessary theatrics are unwelcome. Instead, let’s focus on the classics and move forward. To be honest, Journey hasn’t made significant musical strides in years, if at all.

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2024-08-05 16:00