Journey (band)

===2020–present: Contested lineup changes, lawsuits, and ''Freedom''===
On March 3, 2020, Schon and Cain announced that they had fired Smith and Valory and were suing them for an alleged "attempted corporate ''coup d'état,''" seeking damages in excess of $10 million. The lawsuit alleged Smith and Valory tried to "assume control of Nightmare Productions because they incorrectly believe that Nightmare Productions controls the Journey name and mark" to "hold the Journey name hostage and set themselves up with a guaranteed income stream after they stop performing." Valory and Smith contested the firings, with the support of former manager Herbie Herbert and former lead singer Steve Perry. Court filings revealed that Steve Perry had been paid as a member of the band for years despite not performing. In an open letter dated that same day, Schon and Cain stated Smith and Valory "are no longer members of Journey, and that Schon and Cain have lost confidence in both of them and are not willing to perform with them again."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://theriver107.com/2020/03/06/why-journey-are-paying-steve-perry-not-to-sing/|title=Why Journey Are Paying Steve Perry Not to Sing|publisher=WRRL.com|access-date=March 9, 2020|date=March 6, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823193832/https://theriver107.com/2020/03/06/why-journey-are-paying-steve-perry-not-to-sing/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303006138/en/|title=Miller Barondess Files Lawsuit on Behalf of Key Members of Iconic Rock Band Journey—Neal Schon and Jon Cain—Against Dissident Band Members|date=March 3, 2020|work=Business Wire|access-date=March 4, 2020|archive-date=August 23, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823193833/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200303006138/en/|url-status=live}}</ref> Valory countersued Schon and Cain, among other things, for their partnership's claim of owning the Journey [[trademark]] and [[service mark]] (collectively known as the mark), when that partnership, Elmo Partners, was only the licensee of the mark from 1985 to 1994, when the license was terminated by Herbie Herbert of Nightmare Productions, owners of the mark and name. Valory also sought protection against Schon from using any similarities of the Journey mark and name for his side project, Neal Schon – Journey Through Time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200415005691/en/Attorneys-Fire-Cross-Complaint-Lawsuit-Involving-Journey-Bass|title=Attorneys Fire Back with Cross-Complaint in Lawsuit Involving Journey Bass Player Ross Valory|work=Business Wire|date=April 15, 2020|access-date=June 17, 2020|archive-date=June 11, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611081412/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200415005691/en/Attorneys-Fire-Cross-Complaint-Lawsuit-Involving-Journey-Bass|url-status=live}}</ref> On April 1, 2021 it was announced that an amicable settlement had been reached between Schon/Cain and Valory/Smith <ref>{{cite web | url= https://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey-settlement-ross-valory-steve-smith/| title= Journey Reach 'Amicable Settlement' with Ross Valory, Steve Smith| date= April 2021}}</ref> In May, Schon and Cain announced that bassist Randy Jackson would once again join the band, replacing Valory, and drummer [[Narada Michael Walden]] was announced as an official new member of Journey, replacing Smith.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/music/journey-announce-line-up-change-former-bassist-randy-jackson-rejoins-2676184|title=Journey announce line-up changes as former bassist Randy Jackson rejoins|first=Matthew|last=Neale|website=NME.com|date=May 26, 2020|access-date=2020-12-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Wilkening |first1=Matthew |title=Three New Journey Members Announced by Neal Schon |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey-new-members/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=May 24, 2020 |access-date=3 April 2021 |language=en}}</ref>

In June 2020, Schon announced via his social-media page that a new album with Jackson and Walden was "starting to take shape".<ref name="next album_Blabbermouth">{{cite web|url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/new-journey-album-is-starting-to-take-shape-says-neal-schon/|title=New JOURNEY Album Is 'Starting To Take Shape', Says NEAL SCHON|publisher=Blabbermouth|date=June 17, 2020|access-date=June 23, 2020|archive-date=June 18, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200618214851/https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/new-journey-album-is-starting-to-take-shape-says-neal-schon/|url-status=live}}</ref> The following month, he confirmed the album's progress, and confirmed that they would be releasing new music in early 2021.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.facebook.com/5867843575/posts/10157569926648576/ |title=Archived copy |website=[[Facebook]] |access-date=July 23, 2020 |archive-date=August 23, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200823193922/https://www.facebook.com/5867843575/posts/10157569926648576/ |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=New JOURNEY Music Coming In Early 2021: 'It Sounds Amazing,' Says NEAL SCHON |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/new-journey-music-coming-in-early-2021-it-sounds-amazing-says-neal-schon/ |website=Blabbermouth |access-date=24 October 2020 |date=24 October 2020}}</ref> In January 2021, he announced that the first single of the album would be released later that year, with possibly a worldwide tour to follow.<ref>{{cite web |title=JOURNEY's New Single 'Should Be Coming Out Mid-February', Says NEAL SCHON |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/journeys-new-single-should-be-coming-out-mid-february-says-neal-schon/ |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=January 7, 2021 |date=7 January 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=DeRiso |first1=Nick |title=How Neal Schon Made Peace With Jonathan Cain to Revive Journey |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/neal-schon-jonathan-cain-feud-journey/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=January 10, 2021 |language=en |date=January 8, 2021}}</ref> In April 2021, the band reached an "amicable settlement" with Valory and Smith, confirming their departures.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey-settlement-ross-valory-steve-smith/|publisher=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=April 1, 2021|last=Rolli|first=Bryan|title=Journey Reach 'Amicable Settlement' With Ross Valory and Steve Smith}}</ref> The single "The Way We Used to Be" was released on June 24, 2021.<ref name="new single_Blabbermouth">{{cite web |title=JOURNEY Shares Snippet Of New Single, 'The Way We Used To Be' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/journey-shares-snippet-of-new-single-the-way-we-used-to-be/ |website=BLABBERMOUTH.NET |access-date=June 23, 2021 |date=June 23, 2021}}</ref>

In July 2021, Schon confirmed that Deen Castronovo, who was previously in the band, had rejoined as a second drummer.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rolli |first1=Bryan |title=Neal Schon Confirms Deen Castronovo Is Back in Journey |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/deen-castronovo-back-in-journey/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=August 12, 2021 |language=en |date=July 29, 2021}}</ref> Meanwhile, Jackson's back surgery led to the band bringing in [[Marco Mendoza]] to play bass, with Mendoza having previously played with Schon and Castronovo in Neal Schon's Journey Through Time.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/journey-returns-to-live-stage-with-revamped-lineup-featuring-deen-castronovo-marco-mendoza-video|title=JOURNEY Returns To Live Stage With Revamped Lineup Featuring DEEN CASTRONOVO, MARCO MENDOZA (Video)|work=Blabbermouth|date=July 30, 2021|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>  Mendoza's stint with Journey, though, only lasted a few months due to Schon's feeling that his bass playing did not gel with the band's sound,<ref name=Greene>{{cite magazine|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/neal-schon-journeys-freedom-50th-anniversary-1377180/|title=Neal Schon on Journey's New LP 'Freedom,' Ambitious 50th Anniversary Plans|first=Andy|last=Greene|magazine=Rolling Stone|date=July 6, 2022|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref> and he was replaced by [[Todd Jensen]], who had previously played with Schon and Castronovo in [[Hardline (band)|Hardline]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/journey-introduces-new-bassist-todd-jensen-at-las-vegas-residency-kick-off|title=JOURNEY Introduces New Bassist TODD JENSEN At Las Vegas Residency Kick-Off|work=Blabbermouth|date=December 4, 2021|access-date=July 7, 2022}}</ref>

On February 16, 2022, the band announced the title and track listing of their 15th studio album ''[[Freedom (Journey album)|Freedom]]'', which was released on July 8, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rolli |first1=Bryan |title=Journey Reveal 'Freedom' Album Title and Track Listing |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey-freedom-album-title-track-listing/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=February 16, 2022 |language=en |date=February 16, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Journey Announces New Album, 'Freedom' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/journey-announces-freedom-album/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=February 16, 2022 |date=February 16, 2022}}</ref><ref name="journeyalbumsingle2022">{{cite web |title=Listen To Journey's New Single 'You Got The Best Of Me' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/listen-to-journeys-new-single-you-got-the-best-of-me/ |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=April 26, 2022 |date=26 April 2022}}</ref> The second single from the album, "You Got the Best of Me", was released on April 26, 2022;<ref name="journeyalbumsingle2022"/> the third, "Let It Rain", on May 17;<ref>{{cite web |title=JOURNEY Releases New Single 'Let It Rain' |url=https://www.blabbermouth.net/news/journey-releases-new-single-let-it-rain |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=May 17, 2022 |date=May 17, 2022}}</ref> the fourth, "Don't Give Up on Us", on June 7;<ref>{{cite web |title=Journey Releases New Single 'Don't Give Up On Us' |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/journey-releases-new-single-dont-give-up-on-us |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=June 8, 2022 |language=en |date=June 7, 2022}}</ref> and the fifth, "United We Stand", on July 4.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Irwin |first1=Corey |title=Listen to Journey's New Single 'United We Stand' |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey-united-we-stand/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=July 5, 2022 |language=en |date=July 4, 2022}}</ref>

On March 1, 2022, Cain confirmed that neither Walden nor Jackson remained in the lineup, with Walden's exit following a minor heart attack following a live show in Pennsylvania. Nevertheless, both were still featured on ''Freedom'', as they had completed their parts on the album before their departures.<ref>{{cite web |title=Jonathan Cain Says Journey 'Step Out a Little Bit' on New Album |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/jonathan-cain-journey-interview-2022/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=March 2022 |access-date=1 March 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Why Narada Michael Walden Left Journey |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/narada-michael-walden-health-issues/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |date=May 13, 2022 |access-date=14 May 2022}}</ref> Schon later stated that Walden and Jackson were still "musical members" of the band, and he would certainly write again with Walden in the future.<ref name=Greene /> Schon also did not rule out the possibility of former members Steve Perry and Gregg Rolie returning for a reunion on the band's 50th anniversary.<ref>{{cite web |last1=DiVita |first1=Joe |title=Neal Schon Says Journey Will Play Stadiums for 50th Anniversary, Doesn't Rule Out Steve Perry Return |url=https://loudwire.com/neal-schon-journey-stadium-50th-anniversary-reunion-comments/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=July 20, 2022 |language=en |date=July 20, 2022}}</ref> Although Schon had confirmed that former member Rolie would appear with the band for their tour in January 2023,<ref>{{cite web |title=Neal Schon Says Fans Will See Journey Co-Founder Gregg Rolie On Band's 50th-Anniversary Tour |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/neal-schon-says-fans-will-see-journey-co-founder-gregg-rolie-on-bands-50th-anniversary-tour |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=5 January 2023 |language=en |date=4 January 2023}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://consequence.net/2023/01/gregg-rolie-journey-tour/|title=Journey's original keyboardist Gregg Rolie to join band on upcoming tour|first=Carys|last=Anderson|date=January 5, 2023}}</ref> He later backtracked that same month, stating that Rolie would not be joining for the 50th anniversary tour,<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fooks |first1=Todd |title=Now Neal Schon Says Original Journey Keyboardist Gregg Rolie Won't Be Part of 50th Anniversary Tour |url=https://loudwire.com/neal-schon-journey-keyboardist-gregg-rolie-coming-back/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=January 18, 2023 |language=en |date=January 17, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Neal Schon Now Says Gregg Rolie Won't Be Part Of Journey's Upcoming Tour |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/neal-schon-now-says-gregg-rolie-wont-be-part-of-journeys-upcoming-tour |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=18 January 2023 |language=en |date=17 January 2023}}</ref> although Rolie would later make a guest appearance for the band's performance in Austin on February 22, 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Rolli |first1=Bryan |title=Journey Tears Through Deep Cuts With Gregg Rolie |url=https://ultimateclassicrock.com/journey-gregg-rolie-austin/ |website=Ultimate Classic Rock |access-date=February 23, 2023 |language=en |date=February 23, 2023}}</ref>

Former member Perry filed a lawsuit against Schon and Cain regarding song trademark registrations on September 21, 2022,<ref>{{cite web |title=Steve Perry suing Journey band members over song trademarks |url=https://guitar.com/news/music-news/steve-perry-suing-journey-band-members-over-song-trademarks/ |website=Guitar.com |access-date=27 December 2022 |date=September 21, 2022}}</ref> although he would drop the lawsuit on January 7, 2023.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Kreps |first1=Daniel |title=Steve Perry Withdraws Lawsuit Against Journey Over Band's Trademarks |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/steve-perry-withdraws-lawsuit-journey-band-trademarks-1234657417/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=10 January 2023 |date=7 January 2023}}</ref> Two months later, Schon filed a lawsuit against Cain over a credit card dispute.<ref>{{cite web |title=Neal Schon Sues Jonathan Cain Over Journey Credit Card |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/neal-schon-sues-jonathan-cain-over-journey-credit-card |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=27 December 2022 |language=en |date=21 November 2022}}</ref>

On October 27, 2022, Journey announced its fifth live album, ''Live in Concert at Lollapalooza'', which was released on December 9, 2022.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Lewry |first1=Fraser |title=Watch Journey tear up Lollapalooza with sparkling version of Be Good To Yourself |url=https://www.loudersound.com/news/watch-journey-tear-up-lollapalooza-with-sparkling-version-of-be-good-to-yourself |website=Louder Sound |access-date=November 1, 2022 |language=en |date=October 31, 2022}}</ref>

In December 2022, Schon served Cain with a cease and desist order after he performed "Don't Stop Believin'" for Donald Trump, stating Cain "has no right to use Journey for politics".<ref>{{cite news |last1=IYoungs |first1=Ian |title=Journey star tells his bandmate to stop performing for Donald Trump |work=BBC News |date=December 22, 2022 |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-64063660 |access-date=22 December 2022}}</ref> Throughout 2023 to early 2024, the band toured with [[Toto (band)|Toto]].<ref>{{cite web |last1=Childers |first1=Chad |title=Journey Announce Huge 2023 North American Tour With Toto |url=https://loudwire.com/journey-2023-north-american-tour-toto/ |website=Loudwire |access-date=February 27, 2024 |language=en |date=October 17, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Journey Announces Early 2024 North American Tour With Toto |url=https://blabbermouth.net/news/journey-announces-early-2024-north-american-tour-with-toto |website=Blabbermouth.net |access-date=February 27, 2024 |language=en |date=September 25, 2023}}</ref> On December 7, 2023, it was announced that Journey is set to tour North America again with Def Leppard throughout July to September 2024, as they previously did in 2006 and 2018.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Greene |first1=Andy |title=Def Leppard and Journey Unite for Massive U.S. Stadium Tour |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-news/def-leppard-journey-stadium-tour-1234919475/ |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=December 8, 2023 |date=December 7, 2023}}</ref>