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Reunited! Randy Jackson Rejoins Journey as Official Bassist: 'The Boys Are Back'

The former American Idol judge was part of the iconic band in the 1980s

Randy Jackson is back to his rock band roots.

On Saturday, Journey guitarist Neal Schon announced the new lineup of band members (following the exit of bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith), including the former American Idol judge, 63, as the new bassist.

Jackson was temporarily part of the "Any Way You Want It" band back in the 1980s.

"Ok Friends word is out! @randyjackson RJ the Big Dawg is our new Bass player again 💪🏾🕶," Schon, 66, wrote on Instagram, adding in another post , "The King is back 💪🏾🕶 @randyjackson 🔥🔥."

Schon, on Twitter , also referred to Journey as an "ever-changing unstoppable force," stating that the group is entering "a completely new chapter for us and can't wait to get to it!"

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The newly restructured Journey — which also includes Narada Michael Walden on drums — performed during UNICEF's Won't Stop benefit on Saturday, playing their hit "Don't Stop Believin'" together.

"Y'all vibe with @journeymusicofficial revival tonight!? The boys are back 😎," Jackson wrote on Instagram, sharing a throwback photo from his Journey glory days.

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In other potential reunion news for Jackson, Simon Cowell said in September that he wants to make another show with his original American Idol cohorts, Jackson and Paula Abdul .

The trio appeared together on The Kelly Clarkson Show to reminisce with the host (who, of course, was the first winner of the competition series back in 2002), when Cowell, 60, shared his wish for a reunion.

"It does make me think," Cowell said at the time. "If I had one wish, it'd be to make another show with us again. That would be my No. 1 wish."

"Let's go, man," Jackson responded.

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Journey Returns with “Freedom”, Featuring Randy Jackson

Fans of the band’s classic sound will be glad to hear tracks like “United We Stand” and “Don’t Give Up On Us”. Check out Jackson’s uncharacteristically fuzzy tone on “Let It Rain”:

Journey is gearing up to tour in support of Freedom , albeit without Jackson as he recovers from surgery. Bassist Todd Jensen is holding down the low end for the trek, which kicks off July 15th in Las Vegas.

Freedom is available now on CD , vinyl and as a digital download ( iTunes and Amazon MP3 ).

Freedom Track List:

• Together We Run
• Don’t Give Up On Us
• Still Believe In Love
• You Got The Best Of Me
• Live To Love Again
• The Way We Used To Be
• Come Away With Me
• Let It Rain
• All Day and All Night
• United We Stand
• Life Rolls On
• Beautiful As You Are

Journey 2022 Tour Dates:

*with symphony orchestra

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Journey Announces “Freedom” 2023 Tour Dates with Toto

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Randy Jackson Rejoins Journey

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The Big Dawg is back: American Idol’s Randy Jackson rejoins Journey as bassist

The Rock Hall of Famers also announced new drummer, jazz-fusion legend Narada Michael Walden

Journey recently parted with bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith, firing the two longtime members following a “coup”  in which founding electric guitar player Neal Schon and keyboardist Jonathan Cain alleged the two had attempted to wrest control of the band’s trademark.

Now, Schon has revealed Valory and Smith’s replacements – and it’s a killer rhythm section, to be sure.

Stepping into the drum slot is Narada Michael Walden, the former Mahavishnu Orchestra member who has also played with ace guitarists like Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth and Robert Fripp.

On bass, meanwhile, is the Big Dawg himself, American Idol judge Randy Jackson.

Jackson, for his part, is returning for his second run with Journey, having replaced Valory once before to perform on the band’s 1986 album, Raised On Radio, as well as the subsequent tour.

In an Instagram post to announce Jackson’s return, guitarist Neal Schon wrote: “Ok Friends word is out! Randy Jackson RJ the Big Dawg is our new Bass player again.”

Ok Friends word is out ! @randyjackson RJ the Big Dawg is our new Bass player again 💪🏾🕶 Neal Schon Music A photo posted by @nealschon on May 23, 2020 at 8:15pm PDT

In a separate post Schon welcomed Walden to the band, writing, “The J Boyz will have a new Strut.”

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The new lineup made their debut with a socially distanced performance of the classic Don’t Stop Believin’ as part of the UNICEF Won’t Stop fundraiser concert.

You can check it out above.

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Rich is the co-author of the best-selling Nöthin' But a Good Time: The Uncensored History of the '80s Hard Rock Explosion. He is also a recording and performing musician, and a former editor of Guitar World magazine and executive editor of Guitar Aficionado magazine. He has authored several additional books, among them Kurt Cobain: Montage of Heck, the companion to the documentary of the same name.

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JOURNEY Returns To Live Stage With Revamped Lineup Featuring DEEN CASTRONOVO, MARCO MENDOZA (Video)

JOURNEY made its return to the live stage last night (Thursday, July 29) during a special "aftershow" at Chicago's Aragon Ballroom. The concert took place just two days before JOURNEY 's appearance Saturday night at Lollapalooza on the Bud Light Seltzer stage at Grant Park in Chicago.

JOURNEY 's lineup for the Aragon show included the return of drummer Deen Castronovo , who shared the drum duties in the band with Narada Michael Walden . Walden , bassist Randy Jackson and keyboardist/backing singer Jason Derlatka all joined JOURNEY last year following the band's acrimonious split with drummer Steve Smith and bassist Ross Valory . Jackson — who previously played with JOURNEY during the mid-1980s — was forced to miss the Aragon gig because he is scheduled to undergo back surgery. Filling in for him was Marco Mendoza , who previously played several shows in 2019 with Castronovo and JOURNEY guitarist Neal Schon under the "Neal Schon's Journey Through Time" banner.

Schon first hinted at Castronovo 's return on Monday (July 26) when he tweeted a photo from the rehearsal sessions for the Aragon show. "Ok … Double trouble Chicago @NaradaMWalden @DeenTheDrummer Narada Michael Walden and the return of Deen Castronovo on Drums @AragonBallroom @lollapalooza," Schon wrote.

Two days later, Schon answered a few questions about Deen 's JOURNEY status below a San Francisco Chronicle story that he shared on Facebook . When fan asked, "So is Deen Castronovo back in the band full time now?" Schon responded, "Yes." After another fan who told Schon to "bring back Deen again," Schon wrote, " Deen is back. We are double (2) drummers now with Narada ." He added: "They are BOTH PLAYING !!! JOURNEY AS YOU'VE NEVER HEARD US BEFORE !!!!"

Castronovo 's 17-year tenure with JOURNEY ended in 2015 when the group fired him after his arrest for a variety of charges involving his now-wife (including physical abuse, coercion, and unlawful use of a weapon).

Last month, JOURNEY shared a new single, "The Way We Used To Be" . The song is the multi-platinum band's first new music since 2011's album "Eclipse" , and the first song released by the band's revamped lineup. "The Way We Used To Be" marks Walden and Derlatka 's first studio recordings with the band, and Jackson 's first since 1986's "Raised On Radio" . The song was produced by Narada Michael Walden at his Tarpan Studios , with co-production by Schon and Cain .

Just returned from a Journey concert at the Aragon in Chicago (for those not from here). Great 2 sets with about 2500 in attendance. Music was great and masks were on about 10 people. “Don’t Stop Believin.” pic.twitter.com/qj6C2KTAQj — CHSChicago (@CHSChicago) July 30, 2021

Jason Derlatka singing “Suzanne” at the Aragon Ballrom in Chicago was outstanding. Highlight of my night hearing that song at the Journey show @JourneyOfficial pic.twitter.com/HkyusjhacC — bob (@rod2518) July 30, 2021

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Journey Reveal Lineup Changes, Randy Jackson’s Return

By Daniel Kreps

Daniel Kreps

Journey ‘s Neal Schon announced a pair of lineup changes — including the return of bassist and American Idol judge Randy Jackson — Saturday following an alleged coup attempt by the band’s now-former bassist and drummer.

“Ok Friends word is out!  @randyjackson RJ the Big Dawg is our new Bass player again,” Schon wrote on social media, adding that Grammy-winning drummer Narada Michael Walden had also joined the latest Journey incarnation.

Jackson previously served as Journey’s bassist in the mid-Eighties, appearing on the band’s 1986 LP Raised on Radio . The new lineup made their debut Saturday with a socially distanced performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” as part of the UNICEF Won’t Stop fundraiser concert.

“Journey is an ever-changing unstoppable force,” Schon added on Twitter. “This is a completely new chapter for us and can’t wait to get to it!”

Fans will have to wait a little longer to see Journey’s new lineup in action after the band canceled their summer tour with the Pretenders due to the coronavirus pandemic.

In March, Journey fired their longtime bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith after the two allegedly attempted to orchestrate a “malicious and very ill-conceived” coup attempt to wrestle control of the Rock Hall-inducted group’s copyright away from Schon and Jonathan Cain; Valory and Smith later countersued their former band mates.

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“The Journey name is controlled by Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain,” a lawyer for Cain and Schon told Rolling Stone at the time. “And for very good cause, they don’t want to perform with Smith or Valory anymore, they don’t want to have anything to do with them, and that’s their right. They’re going to go on with Journey, continue with the great success of the past and these two guys are going to get replaced.”

Valory, a co-founding member of Journey, was previously fired by the band in 1985 ; at that time, he was also replaced by Jackson.

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Former ‘American Idol’ Judge Randy Jackson Returns to Journey

Reading Time: 2 minutes

YO, Dawg! Randy Jackson is back in business! The former American Idol judge will return as a bassist for the iconic rock band, Journey. Guitarist Neal Schon made the announcement after parting ways with founding bassist Ross Valory, and longtime drummer Steve Smith. It was alleged that the two had attempted to take control of the band’s trademark. Jackson performed with the band in the late 1980s, now coming full circle on his new journey (no pun intended).

Back in the day, Jackson temporarily replaced Valory, and played on the 1986  Raised On Radio  album. He joined the band on the subsequent tour amid packed arenas and stadiums. The album produced three Top 20 singles in the United States, “Girl Can’t Help It,” “I’ll Be Alright Without You,” and “Suzanne.” It also managed to muster up a top ten single “Be Good To Yourself.” The song went to number four on the Billboard 200 chart and went certified double platinum in the USA.

Back and Better than Ever

Today the band is back and better than ever! Guitarist Neal Schon took to Instagram to announce Jackson’s second run with the Hall of Fame inductees.

“Ok Friends word is out! Randy Jackson RJ the Big Dawg is our new Bass player again” he shared.

Alongside Jackson is new drummer, Narada Michael Walden. He is a former Mahavishnu Orchestra member who has also played with top guitarists like Jeff Beck, Allan Holdsworth, and Robert Fripp.

Journey Drops a New Single

The band sure didn’t waste any time getting to work. A couple of weeks ago, Journey dropped “The Way We Used To Be” available for streaming on all platforms. They also released a corresponding music video to the track on YouTube , and I have to say, it’s very clever.

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The video is a cartoon that depicts a couple in love, who are forced to separate during the Coronavirus Pandemic. There, we follow the journey of these two characters who are just trying to get back to the way things used to be. Man, we’ve all been there.

The former Idol Judge is definitely doing his thing now with Journey. It’s amazing to see Jackson get back out there and start performing again. They’ve already started off hot with this single, so I cannot wait to see what comes next from the rock icons. I surely won’t “stop believin'” that in 2021, Journey is bringing the heat!

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I saw Randy Jackson with Journey on tour ..In December, 1986 . He was amazing !!!!

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Journey Reunite with Randy Jackson, Perform “Don’t Stop Believin'”: Watch

Journey's new lineup was formed after the band's previous rhythm section was fired for staging a "corporate coup d’état"

Yo dawg, he’s back! Randy Jackson has officially re-joined Journey , the band he played in from 1985 to 1987.

In addition to drummer Narada Michael Walden and keyboardist Jason Delatka, the former American Idol judge is part of the new Journey lineup. The roster shakeup occurred after founding bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith were fired from the band  back in March. Founding guitarist Neal Schon and longtime keyboardist/pianist Jonathan Cain, who hold the rights to the Journey name, accused Valory and Smith of attempting a “corporate coup d’état” to take the brand for themselves.

Featuring a lineup rounded out by singer Arnel Pineda, Journey were set to debut their new lineup on a summer tour with The Pretenders, but those plans were canceled thanks to the pandemic. Instead, the newly configured sextet revealed themselves during UNICEF’s “We Won’t Stop” fundraiser livestream concert. The group played — what else? — “Don’t Stop Believin'”. Watch the performance below.

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View this post on Instagram A post shared by Neal Schon (@nealschon)

Journey is an ever-changing unstoppable force☝🏽🔥🎶 https://t.co/e1eXxe3md7 — NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) May 24, 2020

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Randy Jackson

About randy.

Randy Jackson’s fearless and forward-thinking mentality has guided him from musician, songwriter and Grammy Award-winning producer to revered record-industry executive, business entrepreneur, best-selling author, talent manager, television producer and beloved global television personality. All of this stems from Jackson’s lifelong passion for music. Jackson produced and performed on hit records by Mariah Carey, Celine Dion, Steven Tyler, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Journey, NSYNC and Madonna, to name just a few.  He’s also lived in the rock & roll world, recording and performing with legendary musicians such as Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Billy Joel, Bon Jovi, Keith Richards, Journey, Carlos Santana, Jerry Garcia, Bob Weir, and countless others.

All in all, he has over 1,000 gold and platinum plaques to his name, with collective sales exceeding 200+ million copies. However, it is on television where Randy Jackson became a household name and reached iconic status within pop culture as a judge on American Idol for 13 seasons.   Jackson returned to television this year as the ultimate band leader opposite host Jane Krakowski in the reboot of the iconic game show “Name That Tune” for FOX.

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Do you want to buy some stylish glasses from Randy Jackson? You can find them at Zyloware, Walmart, Costco and other good eyewear shops near you. It's a good idea to treat yourself with a new pair of glasses that make you feel like royalty.

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Randy re-unites with journey, the og cast, name that tune, follow randy on social media, check out his feed.