Page Six has learnt that two members of the iconic rock band Journey are embroiled in a very un-rock ‘n’ roll court dispute involving financial records and an American Express card.
Neal Schon is suing bandmate Jonathan Cain, alleging in court documents that Cain put up the AmEx card without Schon’s knowledge and that “millions of dollars of Journey monies have gone through it.”
In the lawsuit, which was filed in Contra Costa in the Bay Area of California, Schon’s attorneys assert that Cain has not provided financial records that would allow Schon to determine how much the band owes him.
In recent years, tensions within the band have been increasingly strained, with members arguing over everything from Donald Trump to an Aretha Franklin tribute.
Apparently, following a previous legal dispute with former bassist Ross Valory, Cain and Schon established the band’s management company, Nomota, of which they each own fifty percent.
“As a member, manager, founder, and leader of Journey,” the documents state, “Schon has access to and control over Nomota’s financial records. “Sonnen must have complete access to Nomota’s records in order to supervise and manage Nomota/Journey.”
However, the Journey singer claims that Cain has kept him in the dark regarding the band’s finances despite numerous requests.
The papers also state that the lawsuit is “brought to turn on the lights” and to obtain “critical financial information” that Schon allegedly sought but was denied.
The suit states that Nomota’s records contain financial information necessary for Schon and his representatives to determine the proportion of Journey’s profits to which he is entitled as the band’s founder and president.
“Schon’s right to Journey’s profits is controlled by Cain, Schon’s bandmate from the 1980s, and despite all of Schon’s requests and efforts, he has not been granted full access.”
The lawsuit continues, “Among other things, Nomota’s American Express account has been set up so that only Cain has access to its records and control over the account.” According to information and belief, millions of dollars have passed through this AMEX account.
According to court documents, Cain also allegedly repeatedly assures Schon that he will be added to the card, despite the fact that this never occurs.
In fact, according to Schon, he only learned about the card because American Express informed him of its existence.