Journey guitarist Neal Schon has addressed accusations that vocalist Arnel Pineda was coerced into the band’s ongoing farewell tour. Pineda, who joined Journey in 2007 at age 40, revealed he twice attempted to leave before the Final Frontier dates launched in February. He cited vocal struggles in cold weather and personal issues including divorce proceedings with domestic abuse allegations. Pineda said he told bandmates about wanting to retire but received no response. “As they say, silence can be louder than explaining,” he noted. Schon clarified that contractual obligations with touring giant AEG specifically require Pineda’s participation. “No one was ever prevented by me from making their own personal decisions,” Schon stated. Journey has adapted by having others handle vocals for six songs per concert. The tour includes 60 confirmed U.S. dates in 2026 with 40 more expected in 2027. Story URL
Tool frontman Maynard James Keenan posted a lengthy Instagram statement supporting his former West Point classmate, General Randy George, who was recently forced into immediate retirement by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The four-star general and Army Chief of Staff was approaching his 40th year of service when asked to retire early amid grievances between Hegseth and Army personnel. Keenan and George attended the U.S. Military Academy together in the early 1980s as cross country teammates, and George supported his decision to pivot to music, despite peers calling it a “huge mistake.” Keenan shared photos from their academy days, writing, “I can’t even imagine how disappointed and upset he must feel for having been ‘asked’ to retire early. So I’m just here to return that favor of support.” He concluded by inviting George for drinks, saying “We’re here for you, Randy.” Story URL
Electronic music pioneer Gary Numan revealed his significant hearing impairment during an interview on the I’m ADHD! No You’re Not podcast. The “Cars” hitmaker, 68, disclosed he is approximately “90%” deaf and stated “I’ve got hearing aids on so I can hear what you’re doing.” Numan also recently endured personal hardships, including his brother John Webb’s sudden death in November, which caused him to break down during a Birmingham performance. His wife Gemma also faced health issues, experiencing left arm paralysis following spinal surgery for a herniated disc. The couple, married since 1997, has three daughters. Numan continues touring through November. Story URL
The Strokes officially revealed their upcoming album Reality Awaits will arrive this summer, marking their first studio release since 2020’s The New Abnormal. The timing coincides with their Coachella 2026 performances and warm-up shows in San Francisco. Producer Rick Rubin, who worked on their previous album, confirmed in 2022 that he completed recording sessions with the band in Costa Rica, calling the experience “incredible.” Frontman Julian Casablancas had previously told fans the next record was “extremely v far off” and to “check back in a year or two.” Guitarist Albert Hammond Jr described the sessions with Rubin as “magical” and expressed confidence the acclaimed New York band hasn’t written their best songs yet. Story URL