
George Tickner, co-founder and original rhythm guitarist of Journey, has died. He was 76.
Neal Schon, the co-founding lead guitarist of the Grammy-nominated rock band, announced the news on Facebook, writing, “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.”
Schon added, “Godspeed, George… thank you for the music. We will be paying tribute to you on this page indefinitely. Our condolences to his family and friends, and to all past and present band members. So heartbreaking. I think we need to do a group hug, JJ’s.”
Related Stories
VIP+Summer Movie Season Testing 3D Cinema’s Recoverability

'How to Have Sex' Star Mia McKenna-Bruce to Lead Netflix Agatha Christie Series 'The Seven Dials Mystery' With Helena Bonham Carter and Martin Freeman (EXCLUSIVE)
After playing in the psychedelic rock band Frumious Bandersnatch with Ross Valory, Tickner co-founded Journey with Valory, Schon and Gregg Rolie in San Francisco in February 1973. Their first public performance was to an audience of 10,000 at San Francisco’s Winterland Ballroom on New Year’s Eve, later that year. In 1974, the band teamed with produced Roy Halee to record its self-titled debut album, which was released in April 1975 and charted at No. 138.
Popular on Variety
Due to the band’s heavy touring schedule, Tickner departed from Journey following the record release to pursue a career in medicine, attending Stanford Medical School on a full scholarship. Journey would go on to become one of the world’s bestselling rock bands, with timeless hits like “Don’t Stop Believing” and “Any Way You Want It,” and 25 gold and platinum albums and a 15-time platinum RIAA Diamond Certified greatest hits compilation.
Tickner stayed in contact with the band, later founding a recording studio called The Hive with Valory, where they recorded music with past and present members of Journey including Schon, the only original member still in the band.
In 2005, Tickner reunited with Journey as the band received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.
Read More About:
Jump to CommentsMore from Variety

John Mulaney on Whether He Will Make More ‘Everybody’s in L.A.,’ Return for ‘The Bear’ Season 3 or Host the Oscars

What Netflix Learned From ‘Fallout’ Success Apparent in New Synced-Up Games & Unscripted Strategy

Quincy Jones, James Bond Producers Barbara Broccoli and Michael G. Wilson and More to Receive Honorary Oscars at Governors Awards

Oscar Winner Youn Yuh-jung Reflects on Korean Cinema’s Early Days in Academy Retrospective

‘Sight’ and Upcoming Films Demonstrate Angel Studios’ Tricky Leap of Faith

Film Academy Board Adds Andy Nelson, Jennifer Fox, Patricia Cardoso and More
Most Popular
Justin Timberlake Arrested for DWI in New York

‘Spaceballs’ Sequel in Development at Amazon MGM With Josh Gad Starring, Mel Brooks Producing

Kevin Costner ‘Would Love to Go Back’ to ‘Yellowstone’ as Final Episodes Film Without Him, but It’s Got to Be ‘Under the Right Circumstances…

Netflix to Open Massive Entertainment, Dining and Shopping Complexes in Two Cities in 2025

Jeff Probst on His Future on 'Survivor,' the Format Change He Was Told Would 'Kill the Franchise' and Already Planning for 51

‘Game of Thrones’ Spinoff ‘A Knight of the Seven Kingdoms’ Begins Filming as ‘The Crown,’ ‘True Detective’ Actors Join…

Matt Bomer, Nathan Lane to Star in ‘Golden Girls’-Like Hulu Sitcom From Ryan Murphy and ‘Will & Grace’ Creators…

Billy Joel on Why He’s Not Making a New Album and ‘Wasn’t Surprised’ by His CBS Concert Special Snafu: 'I've Always Kind of Been Cut Short by…

‘The Commandant’s Shadow,’ True Account of Holocaust Horrors Fictionalized in ‘The Zone of Interest,’ Unpacked by Filmmakers at Mumbai Festival…

Chris Rock, Terry Crews, Tichina Arnold Reprise Roles in Comedy Central’s 'Everybody Still Hates Chris' Animated Revival (EXCLUSIVE)

Must Read
- TV
Matt Smith Pulls Back the Curtain on ‘House of the Dragon’ Season 2, From Losing a Showrunner to Playing a 'Much Weaker' Daemon in Crisis
By Andrew Wallenstein 3 weeks
- Film
After ‘Furiosa’ Misfires, When Will Summer Movie Season Rebound?

- TV
Welcome to ‘Ren Faire’: Lance Oppenheim’s HBO Docuseries Follows a Festival Trapped in a Real-Life Game of Thrones

- Film
Controversial Donald Trump Movie ‘The Apprentice’ Made a Splash in Cannes. Is Hollywood Too Scared to Release It?

- TV
Inside the 'Star Trek: Discovery' Series Finale

Sign Up for Variety Newsletters
By providing your information, you agree to our Terms of Use and our Privacy Policy.We use vendors that may also process your information to help provide our services. // This site is protected by reCAPTCHA Enterprise and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.Variety Confidential
ncG1vNJzZmiukae2psDYZ5qopV9nfXN%2FjqasrKGTZLumw9Jonp6nopyybsDInKKnnaJisaatw2ahqK2io7K6ecauoK2Zop7AtXmQa2pubmZnhHGDjg%3D%3D