Music Icon Dead at 76

(UnitedVoice.com) – Music fans might not know George Tickner’s name, but they likely know the band he co-founded. Journey is one of the most iconic groups in American music history, and the guitarist/songwriter helped put it on the map. Now, he has passed away.

On July 4, Journey co-founder Neal Schon announced his former bandmate’s death on social media. He shared screenshots of a post that announced Tickner, the band’s “original rhythm guitarist and songwriting contributor” for the first three albums, had passed away. The post gave condolences to Tickner’s loved ones.

RIP George you now fly with the Angels 🙏🏽✝️🙏🏽 https://t.co/jOug74sJxD

— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) July 5, 2023

Tickner was born in Syracuse, New York, on September 8, 1946. He helped co-found the band in the 1970s and wrote three of the first album’s songs: “Of a Lifetime,” “Topaz,” and “Mystery Mountain.” On the second album, he wrote “You’re On Your Own” and “I’m Gonna Leave You.” Finally, he wrote “Nickel and Dime” on the third album released in 1977. Afterward, he left the band to attend Stanford University Medical School, where he was offered a full scholarship to pursue his Ph.D. in medicine.

The group didn’t hit big until singer Steve Perry joined. Journey went on to become one of the most well-known bands of the 1980s, with songs like “Don’t Stop Believin’” constantly blaring from radios across the country.

Nearly 30 years later, the band’s music was heavily featured in the television show “Glee,” which followed a high school glee team.

While the band he co-founded reached stardom, Tickner worked as a doctor. He later co-founded the recording studio, The Hive, with Journey’s original bassist Ross Valory. In 2005, the band was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. Tickner attended the event with other members, past and present.

In his tribute, Schon told his friend to “Fly free above the stars” and said the band’s longtime manager, Herbie Herbert, who died in 2021, would be there to greet him.