R.I.P.: George Tickner, Journey Co-Founder Was 76

(1947-2023)

George Tickner, the co-founder and original guitarist for Journey, has died at the age of 76.

News of Tickner’s death was confirmed by co-founding member Neal Schon on social media. No cause of death has been given at this time, reports The NY Post.

“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, 69, wrote on Facebook Thursday.

“Godspeed, George… thank you for the music. We will be paying tribute to you on this page indefinitely.”

He continued, “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.”

The Grammy-nominated rock band has sold over 100 million albums — and the stadium anthem “Don’t Stop Believin’” has surpassed 1 billion Spotify streams.

Twenty-five of Journey’s songs — including “Open Arms,” “Who’s Crying Now” and “Separate Ways (Worlds Apart)” — charted on the Billboard Hot 100.  

“Journey’s Greatest Hits” is one of three albums ever to spend 600 weeks on the Billboard 200 — joining Pink Floyd’s “The Dark Side of the Moon” and Bob Marley and the Wailers’ “Legend.”

Tickner, Santana’s Schon, and bassist Ross Valory joined forces in San Francisco to form the band together back in 1973.