Ross Valory Says He Won’t Rejoin Journey Despite Farewell Tour Reunion Rumors

Former Journey bassist Ross Valory says fans hoping to see him back on stage with the band should not hold their breath. Appearing on SiriusXM’s “Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk” on September 9, 2026, Valory addressed speculation that former members could join Journey during its ongoing Final Frontier farewell tour, stating plainly, “I don’t see that happening.”

Valory told host Eddie Trunk he has not heard of any request for him to rejoin the group. He drew a comparison to the years of fan chatter about former singer Steve Perry returning to the fold, noting that Perry has consistently shut down those rumors himself.

• Valory and drummer Steve Smith left Journey in 2020 following a legal dispute with band leaders Neal Schon and Jonathan Cain.
• Schon and Cain reached what was called “an amicable settlement agreement” with Valory and Smith in April 2021.
• Journey’s current lineup includes Schon, Cain, singer Arnel Pineda, drummer Deen Castronovo, keyboardist and backing vocalist Jason Derlatka, and bassist Todd Jensen.
• Valory put out his debut solo record, “All Of The Above,” in April 2024, which he produced himself alongside co-producers Eric Levy and Jacob Stowe.

Ross Valory Describes His Current Relationship With Journey

Valory characterized the split from Journey as amicable at this point, describing the arrangement he and Smith reached with the band as “a very reasonable settlement.” He said, “everyone moved on with their lives,” adding that he personally has done the same.

Rather than identifying as a member of the group’s inner circle, Valory said he now views the situation from a distance. “I’m no longer a part of the organization or the brand, so my position now, at best, is a casual observer,” he said.

Why Valory Thinks Journey Can Carry On Without Him

Valory argued that audiences attend Journey shows for the music itself rather than for any particular lineup. He said ticket buyers want to hear the songs performed the way they remember them from the records, regardless of who is playing them, and credited the current touring band with delivering exactly that experience.

Valory was part of Journey from the band’s formation in 1973 through 1985, then rejoined from 1994 until his 2020 departure. Over those stretches he played on 13 of the band’s 15 studio albums. Journey formed in 1973, has sold more than 100 million records worldwide, and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.

Journey’s Final Frontier Tour and What Comes After

Journey’s Final Frontier Tour, billed as the band’s farewell run, is scheduled to conclude on November 28, 2026. Neal Schon has previously indicated that Journey plans to keep going after the tour ends, but without Jonathan Cain in the lineup.

More Info

• Ross Valory Shoots Down Potential Journey Reunion | Ultimate Classic Rock
• ROSS VALORY On Possibility Of Playing With JOURNEY Again: I Dont See That Happening | Blabbermouth
• Ross Valory rules out ever rejoining Journey: ‘I’m no longer part of the organisation or the brand’ | femalefirst.co.uk