After the veteran band cancelled an extensive North American tour last year due to the pandemic, Schon says he’s looking forward to returning to live action.
"I'm dying to get on stage again,” Schon tells Eddie Trunk during a December 30 appearance on SiriusXM's Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk while promoting his new solo album, “Universe.” “We have our first date booked for Lollapalooza, and we're headlining in Chicago. And that's supposedly in April [Ed. note: event typically happens in early August] Hopefully that'll not get pushed back, because vaccine is finally here. And hopefully they start dispersing it very quickly so everybody can get back on their feet and can get out and hear music, 'cause that's what heals the world, I think."
When Journey do return to the stage, it will be with a lineup that sees Schon and longtime members Arnel Pineda and Jonathan Cain joined by new additions Randy Jackson on bass, drummer Narada Michael Walden and keyboardist/vocalist Jason Derlatka.
Jackson and Walden were added following the firing of veteran bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith over the pair’s alleged efforts to take control over the band’s name; Valory has since countersued former bandmates Schon and Cain over the issue.
As for Journey’s “fit” headlining the 30th anniversary edition of the legendary alternative music festival, Schon replied: "I have not seen the bill. All I know is we're headlining it. I can guarantee you that with the new blood in the band, when we get together for two weeks of rehearsal before that show, we will be the new alternative. [Laughs] We're gonna add a lot to the show. We're gonna bring some new dynamics and open things up a bit and show people what the musicianship is really like in this band."
Journey have yet to announce any 2021 live dates, and official details regarding Lollapalooza in Chicago have yet to be announced by event organizers.
See also:
Steve Perry working on new album
Steve Perry streams new acoustic version of Beatles classic
Journey guitarist Neal Schon details new solo album Universe
Journey guitarist Neal Schon to release new solo album
Search Journey at hennemusic
