Neal Schon Reflects on Steve Perry Rift and Journey's Future Plans

Neal Schon understands that fans would welcome a reunion between Steve Perry and Journey. However, the guitarist and co-founder says that door appears to be permanently closed, even on a personal level.

In a 2012 interview with Ultimate Classic Rock, Schon said Perry's departure from Journey in 1998 was his own decision.

"We didn't kick him out - he walked," Schon said. He added that he regrets the lack of contact with his former bandmate.

"I hope that someday we can get to the point where I can pick up the telephone and talk to him without going through management and attorneys," he said in the interview. "I still don't quite realize why we can't just talk one on one, for whatever reason, just to say hello. Not to pressure anybody to do anything - it wouldn't be like that. Just in a friendly manner."

While Schon and Perry stood together during Journey's 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Schon said their communication has not improved since then.

"I have zero dialogue with him presently," Schon said in a recent interview with Eddie Trunk.

Schon said he reached out to Perry via email, inviting him to a San Francisco Giants game, but did not receive a response.

"You can't keep chasing something that's just not interested in connecting with you," Schon said.

Despite the lack of communication, Schon said he wishes Perry well.

"I think we've seen that he still wants to create, and more would be great," Schon said. "I was totally behind his 'Traces' album. I thought there was some very good material on it. I'd like to see him create some more."

Asked about new music from Journey, Schon said he has been working on new material, but emphasized the importance of collaboration with the band.

"I'm always working on new material and I've compiled quite a lot this year," he said. "We need to get in a room, throw ideas around, and see what happens. We get very inspired once we actually rehearse together. Anything could happen."

Schon said that after a break from touring in 2025, Journey, with lead singer Arnel Pineda, plans to return to the road in the new year. The band has up to 120 shows booked over the next two years, including an April 25 appearance at the Stagecoach Music Festival.

"We're going to dig deep and the sets are going to be much longer," Schon said. "I think our fans are really going to enjoy what we're putting together for them."


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