A member of the band Journey issued a cease-and-desist order to a bandmate after he performed their hit song “Don’t Stop Believin'” for Donald Trump.
Neal Schon, the guitarist, stated that Jonathan Cain, keyboardist, “had no right to utilize Journey for political purposes.”
Cain, whose wife Paula White is the former president’s advisor, performed the group’s anthem at a function on Mr. Trump’s Florida resort last month.
Cain felt that Schon was responsible for Journey’s reputation damage.
The pair are already embroiled in a court dispute over band credit card usage.
Don’t Stop Believin’ was first released in 1981, but it experienced a revival after being used on The Sopranos and Glee.
It was written by Cain and Schon in conjunction with the band’s former lead singer, Steve Perry, who left in 1998.
It was announced last month that it was the most-streamed song from 1981 in the United Kingdom.
Schon said in a letter obtained by Variety that his bandmate’s performance at the America First Policy Institute’s Experience and Gala at Mar-a-Lago was “damaging to the brand.”
The America First Policy Institute is led by former senior Trump White House staffers and has been described as a “waiting administration” should he be re-elected. During Mr. Trump’s presidency, Paula White-Cain served as his spiritual advisor and currently chairs the AFPI’s Center for American Values.
Schon’s letter said: “Although Mr. Cain is free to express his ideas and affiliations when he does so on behalf of Journey or for the band, such conduct is tremendously detrimental to the Journey brand since it divides the band’s fans and outreach efforts. The journey is not political, nor should it be.”
The letter went on to say: “His political views should be his concern. He should not use Journey’s name to advance his personal political or religious agenda at the expense of the band.”
Later, Schon tweeted about the subject, stating, “You simply cannot do that because you would lose followers.”
Cain stated in a statement that Schon “should look in the mirror” when he accuses him of harming the Journey brand.
He accused his bandmate of taking or threatening legal action against multiple band members and associates, sending “bullying, toxic” emails, and spending Journey’s funds “recklessly.”
Cain said, “If anyone is ruining the Journey brand, it is Neal and only Neal.”
In November, it was reported that Schon was refused access to the group’s American Express card and its records, while Cain accused his bandmate of charging over $1 million in “improper personal spending” to the card.
When they return on the road in January with singer Arnel Pineda, who joined the trio in 2007, their present animosity could lead to chilly relations.
