Jonathan Cain, keyboardist and guitarist for rock band Journey, has responded to a cease-and-desist order that bandmate Neal Schon filed against him for performing the hit song “Don’t Stop Believin” during a Trump event in Mar-a-Lago last month .
A Cain representative sent the artist’s statement to Fox News Digital on Thursday, which began by telling Schon to “look in the mirror” as he accused Cain of “damaging the Journey brand.”
In the cease-and-desist letter obtained by Variety, Schon said that Cain’s decision to play the song during the November event politicized the band and “polarized fans and the band’s reach.”
“Mr. Cain has no right to use Journey for political purposes. His politics should be his own personal affair. He should not capitalize on Journey’s brand to further his personal political or religious agenda to the detriment of the band,” the letter continued.
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Keyboardist/guitarist Jonathan Cain of Journey performs live on the first night of the band’s second nine-show residency at The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino on May 3, 2017 in Las Vegas, Nevada (Ethan Miller/Getty Images)
Cain’s response on Thursday accused Schon’s alleged behavior over the years of damaging the brand more than anything else.
“I’ve watched him damage our brand for years and am a victim of both his – and his wife’s – bizarre behavior. Neal has twice sued Live Nation, losing both times and damaging our ability to ever work with them again; Neal is outrageously trying to take trademarks away from Steve Perry; Neal and his wife constantly insult the professionalism of numerous accountants, road managers and management firms with endless legal threats and their bullying, toxic and incoherent emails; Neal argues online with fans who don’t see eye to eye with him; and Neal and his wife spend Journey money recklessly until there are no operating expenses left,” he wrote.
The statement ended by saying, “If anyone destroys the Journey brand, it’s Neal – and Neal alone.”
Journey guitarist Neal Schon (L) and his wife, television personality Michaele Schon, sued Live Nation in 2019 for emotional distress. (Gabe Ginsberg/Getty Images)
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The longtime bandmates have reportedly been at odds for some time, with a recent legal battle over Schon’s alleged denial of access to the band’s American Express card and recordings.
At the time, Cain’s attorney argued that Schön’s access to the company’s account was restricted because he charged more than $1 million in “improper personal expenses” to the card.
Bassist Ross Valory, keyboardist Jonathan Cain and founder and guitarist Neal Schon of the band Journey are seen at the Prudential Center on June 15, 2018 in Newark, New Jersey. (Brian Ach/Getty Images for Travel)
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Despite the tensions, Cain and Schon are expected to perform together on the band’s upcoming Freedom Tour, which celebrates their 50th anniversary and their latest album, according to Journey’s tour announcement.