Neal Schon, the guitarist of the band Journey, has announced the passing of former rhythm guitarist George Tickner at the age of 76. In a Facebook post, Schon expressed his sadness and shared the news with the Journey fans, known as “Journey Junkies.” Tickner was an original member of Journey and contributed to the songwriting on the band’s first three albums.
Schon’s heartfelt message read, “Journey Junkies, I have some very sad news. George Tickner, Journey’s original rhythm guitarist and songwriting contributor on their first three albums, has passed away. He was 76 years old. Godspeed, George… thank you for the music.”
Schon also mentioned that the band would pay tribute to Tickner on their Facebook page indefinitely. He extended his condolences to Tickner’s family, friends, and all the past and present band members. The news deeply saddened Schon, as he described it as heartbreaking. He even suggested a virtual group hug among the Journey Junkies to support one another during this difficult time.
Journey was established in 1973 in San Francisco through the fusion of members from two different musical groups. The band consisted of lead guitarist Neal Schon and keyboardist/vocalist Gregg Rolie, both of whom had previously performed with Santana. Additionally, rhythm guitarist George Tickner and bassist Ross Valory, who were part of the psychedelic rock band Frumious Bandersnatch, joined the lineup. This collaboration brought together talented musicians from diverse backgrounds, setting the foundation for Journey’s unique sound and musical direction.
With their collective experience and connections, including the support of Santana’s manager Herbie Herbert, Journey swiftly began playing to sizable audiences in their early days. In fact, their inaugural concert took place at San Francisco’s renowned Winterland Ballroom, where they performed in front of an impressive audience of 10,000 people. This remarkable start was soon followed by a significant milestone: a performance at a festival in Hawaii, where they captivated an astounding crowd of 100,000 attendees. These early shows demonstrated Journey’s ability to attract and engage large audiences, foreshadowing the success they would achieve in the years to come.
George Tickner was an integral part of Journey from its inception. After the band signed with Columbia, Tickner actively participated in writing and recording their self-titled debut album in 1975. Notable contributions from Tickner on that album include his songwriting credits for tracks like “Topaz,” “Mystery Mountain,” and the expansive opening statement, “Of A Lifetime.”
Following the release of the debut album, Tickner faced a decision between the demanding touring schedule and an opportunity to pursue a medical education at Stanford University on a full scholarship. Ultimately, he chose to leave the group. This transition left Neal Schon as the sole guitarist of Journey. However, Tickner remained involved in music in various capacities. He continued to contribute to the songwriting process for Journey’s next two albums, “Look Into The Future” in 1976 and “Next” in 1977. Additionally, Tickner, along with Ross Valory, co-founded The Hive studio, where various members of Journey recorded their music.
In 2005, Tickner reunited with his former bandmates when Journey was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. This special occasion brought them together once again. Neal Schon expressed his tribute to Tickner on Twitter, sharing a heartfelt message accompanied by a six-string tribute: “Some late nite Strat blues. Prayers for George.” This gesture exemplified the respect and camaraderie shared among the band members.
