The co-founder and original rhythm guitarist for the 80s rock band Journey, George Tickner, has died. He was 76.
Tickner’s death was confirmed by co-founding member Neal Schon on social media.
No cause of death has been released to the public.
“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.
(L-R) Rock group Journey bandmembers Jonathan Cain, George Tickner (mustache, rear), Steve Perry, Neal Schon, Robert Fleischman, Ross Valory, Steve Augeri, and Steve Smith at their star ceremony where they were honored on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. (Frank Trapper/Corbis via Getty Images)
“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 one billion Spotify streams, the New York Post reports.
More to come…