June 14th 2024.
"Hey, where are you?" Jonathan Cain, the keyboardist for Journey, asked me. "London," I replied. "Ah, a sensible city," he responded. I couldn't help but be skeptical, considering the high rent prices and miserable weather we were experiencing in June. "Do you think so?" I asked, unsure. "Well, you just have to work on your borders a little, like we do," he added.
As it turns out, the 74-year-old musician is a strong supporter of Donald Trump, despite the former president's conviction as a felon. "I was shocked by what happened in London," Cain explained. "But the culture here is resilient and able to absorb it all. I see all the different cultures coming in and blending together. London is a big enough city to handle it all. But, I do notice a difference from the 80s."
I couldn't quite decipher what he meant by "it," but I didn't press further. "Who knows, maybe London needed a bit of a shake-up," he said diplomatically. "But it's still a great town. Go London!" It was clear that Cain wasn't just here to talk about his own band, Journey, but also his appreciation for the UK.
Journey has been making music since 1973 and they are still going strong, with a slight lineup change after 50 years. I had planned to ask Cain about his memories as an 80s rockstar, their upcoming UK tour, and their iconic song "Don't Stop Believin'," which Forbes has named the Biggest Song of All Time.
"It's been a long time since we've been to Europe," Cain shared. He explained how the band exploded in the UK in 1981, but due to limited concerts, their fanbase suffered. It wasn't until Steve Augeri joined as the lead singer in 1998 that "Don't Stop Believin'" became an international hit, thanks to its inclusion in the musical Rock of Ages, the TV series Glee, and The Sopranos.
Now, over 50 years later, Journey is finally coming back to the UK for a tour in October, with stops in Cardiff, Nottingham, Glasgow, Belfast, Manchester, Leeds, Liverpool, Birmingham, Newcastle, and London. When asked about the possibility of performing at festivals, Cain admitted that their manager's retirement has caused uncertainty, but their UK fanbase has grown organically through online platforms in the 2000s.
Journey may not be a political band, but Cain isn't afraid to share his own political views. When asked if he thinks Trump is innocent, like his red hat-wearing supporters, Cain replied, "Yes, I do." Despite Trump's conviction as a felon and inability to vote in the upcoming election, Cain believes he still has a chance and could even run for president from jail. "It will make him a legend," Cain added.
In 2022, Cain caused controversy with Journey founder Neal Schon when he played "Don't Stop Believin'" at one of Trump's political events. Schon's lawyer wrote an open letter stating that Cain's actions caused "irreparable harm to the Journey brand" by associating it with a political viewpoint. However, Cain maintains that Journey is not a political band, which is why they never initially broke into the UK market.
Cain delved into the reasons behind the band's lack of UK shows in the 80s, citing former lead singer Steve Perry's concerns about safety due to unrest in Europe, particularly in Ireland. "He was always worried about something happening at one of our shows," Cain shared. "But we're not a political band. We just come and play our hits. 'Don't Stop Believin'' was our ticket to success in the UK. That's all we needed to do."
Cain also opened up about Perry's departure from the band in the 1980s and again in 1998. He explained that the band worked Perry too hard and didn't give him enough breaks, which also contributed to their lack of UK concerts. Arnel Pineda, who joined Journey in 2007, is now the lead singer at 56 years old.
"We had a similar dynamic to John Lennon and Paul McCartney," Cain shared, comparing the band's relationship to the iconic Beatles duo. "We would go away and then come back together to write a song." He also revealed that when Perry took time off, he would often not hear from him for a year. "It was strange," he said. "But he would come back and say, 'Time to make another album.'"
Cain believes that taking breaks is essential for a band's longevity, using Perry's famous quote, "How can you miss me if I don't go away?" as an example. As for Trump, Cain believes he could learn a thing or two from Perry's approach.
Journey's 50th Anniversary Arena Headline Tour of the UK and Ireland kicks off on October 30th. And if you have a story, video, or pictures to share, don't hesitate to reach out to their entertainment team. They would love to hear from you.
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