Journey Bassist Randy Jackson rejoins the band
A recent “coup attempt” led the firing of bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith.
Photo: Paul Natkin / Getty Images
Following an alleged “coup attempt” which ended in the firing of bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith from Journey, the band have announced its new rhythm section to include American Idol judge Randy Jackson on bass and Narada Michael Walden on drums.
Jackson had once been a member of Journey, recording on the band’s 1986 album, Raised On Radio. In an Instagram post to announce Jackson’s return to the lineup, guitarist Neal Schon wrote: “Ok Friends word is out! @randyjackson RJ the Big Dawg is our new Bass player again”. See his full post below.
Journey’s new line-up made its live stream debut on 24 May, as part of UNICEF’s Won’t Stop fundraiser concert. The band performed Don’t Stop Believin’ from separate remote locations. Take a look below.
On 3 March, a lawsuit was filed by lawyers of Schon and keyboardist Cain, alleging that Valory and Smith had attempted to seize the Journey trademark via “a coup to assume control of one of the band’s corporate entities, Nightmare Productions, Inc.”
The lawsuit claimed that Valory and Smith operated under the false impression that the Journey trademark belonged to Nightmare Productions, Inc – and by owning the entity, they would be able to “hold the trademark hostage in order to force Cain, Schon and Nightmare Productions to provide them with wind-fall payments for their retirement.”
A cross complaint has since been filed by Valory, rebutting the allegations that he and Smith had tried to improperly seize control of the trademark.
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