Journey fans took to social media to express their disappointment after the iconic rock band cancelled their UK and Ireland tour at the last minute.
The members of the band gave no explanation to fans why they had pulled out of their 50th anniversary tour and put the decision down to ‘circumstances beyond their control’.
The rock band, formed in 1973, issued a statement to their fans on Wednesday claiming that ‘refunds will be made’.
The band’s statement said: ‘Due to circumstances beyond the band’s control, Journey’s UK and Ireland tour is unfortunately cancelled.
‘Refunds will be made from your point of purchase.’
Journey fans took to social media to express their disappointment after the iconic rock band cancelled their UK tour at the last minute (pictured in 1980)
The members of the band gave no explanation to fans and put the decision down to ‘circumstances beyond their control’ (pictured in November 2023)
The tour, which has previously travelled across the United States, was set to begin in Cardiff in October before heading to Glasgow, Manchester, Birmingham, and London.
It would have marked the band’s first UK and Ireland tour in more than 10 years, and they were also set to be joined by special guests Cheap Trick.
Fans who had already purchased tickets were also left feeling incredibly devastated after they received an email from Ticketmaster claiming the dates had been cancelled.
Taking to social media to express their dissatisfaction, one fan commented: ‘Tour cancelled without a statement?!?!’; ‘Why have you just cancelled your UK tour!’; ‘Dublin cancelled… flights, hotel, and tickets have already been booked for 3 fans… Thank you Journey.’; ‘Why is your UK tour cancelled? I’m shocked and very sadful’.
According to Coast Reporter, the band is in a series of legal disputes including longtime keyboardist Jonathan Cain, 74, asking a judge to resolve a deadlock involving Freedom 2020, a company formed three years ago to oversee tour-related finances.
The seventies rock band issued a statement to their fans on Wednesday claiming that ‘refunds will be made’ (pictured in 1986)
However, fans were left feeling less than impressed as they took to social media to complain about the lack of explanation
According to court filings, lead guitarist Neal Schon, 70, and Jonathan each hold a 50% stake in the company.
However, in a petition filed last week, Jonathan said he and Neal ‘fundamentally disagree’ on the management and operation of the company.
He also wants the court to appoint a custodian to act as an independent, deadlock-breaking director.
Jonathan’s attorneys also asked the judge to fast-track the case amid the band’s 50th Anniversary Freedom Tour, which was due to end on November 17 in London.
In a court filing Monday, Schons attorneys said many of Cain’s allegations have no basis. They specifically rejected allegations that the tour´s production company and vendors weren´t being paid on time.
‘Petitioner´s allegations that the company faces imminent irreparable harm from a purported inability of the company to meet its financial obligations has no basis in fact,’ according to Schon´s attorneys, who will file a more complete response to Cain´s petition on Monday.
‘Our client denies that there´s been any mismanagement,’ Schon’s attorney Jack Yoskowitz told Laster, adding that any dysfunction has been caused by Cain acting in his own self-interest, including making allegations to the press that harm the band.
Laster scheduled a final hearing in the case to begin on Sept. 3, timed with Labor Day weekend, as sought by Cain´s attorneys. Schon´s attorneys sought a hearing in late September or early October, after the North American leg of the tour ends.
It comes after original guitarist and co-founder of Journey, George Tickner died aged 76 last year.
His passing was confirmed by co-founding member Neal – although no cause of death was given.
‘Journey Junkies, I have some very sad news. George Tickner, Journey’s original rhythm guitarist and songwriting contributor on their first three albums, has passed away. He was 76 years old,’ Neal wrote on Facebook.
George left the band before Journey became a household name so he could become a doctor.
He remained connected to the band, and music, for most of his life. He even appeared with the band for a 2005 Hollywood Walk of Fame ceremony.
The Grammy-nominated rock band has sold more than 100million albums since its founding, and the generational hit ‘Don’t Stop Believin’ has surpassed 1billion streams on Spotify.
Twenty-five of Journey’s songs have charted on the Billboard Hot 100.
George, Neal and bassist Ross Valory came together in San Francisco in 1973 to form the band.
It comes after original guitarist and co-founder of Journey, George Tickner died aged 76 last year (pictured in 1981)
His passing was confirmed by co-founding member Neal Schon – although no cause of death was given
Prior to co-founding Journey, George was a member of psychedelic rock band Fruminous Bandersnatch, along with Ross. He was born in 1946 in Syracuse, New York.
He left the band in 1975, following the release of its eponymous debut album. He pursued a career in medicine after receiving a full ride to Stanford Medical School.
The guitarist co-wrote several Journey songs on their debut album, including ‘Topaz’ and ‘Of a Lifetime,’ according to the San Francisco Chronicle.
Even after leaving the band, he received credits for the songs ‘I’m Gonna Leave You’ and ‘Nickel and Dime’ in the 1970s.
Though he left the band, he stayed connected to music and opened a recording studio called ‘The Hive’ before forming another band that included keyboardists Stevie ‘Keys’ Roseman.
The two released an album in 2005 – the same year George and Journey received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.