George Tickner, Journey co-founder and rhythm guitarist, dead at 76

George Tickner, the original rhythm guitarist and a co-founder of Journey, has died. He was 76.

Bandmate and friend Neal Schon announced the news Wednesday. Tickner’s cause of death was not immediately reported.

“Rest peacefully, Dr. George Tickner... you will be missed immensely!” Schon wrote. “Thank you for your incomparable contributions to Journey’s early years.”

Tickner played guitar and wrote songs for Journey’s self-titled debut album in 1975. He also received songwriting credits on the band’s second and third albums, but did not perform on them.

After a grueling first tour to promote the initial album, Tickner left the group but remained friendly with his old pals, allowing the remaining members to use some of his lyrics and melodies on their subsequent albums.

Tickner departed to pursue a doctorate at Stanford and eventually earned his Ph.D., according to Schon.

“Godspeed, George… thank you for the music,” Schon wrote on Facebook. “We will be paying tribute to you on this page indefinitely.”

Born Sept. 8, 1946, in Syracuse, Tickner moved across the country to become part of Northern California’s rock ‘n’ roll scene in the early 1960s.

He initially joined psych-rock group Frumious Bandersnatch, but the band split in 1969. Tickner and fellow member Ross Valory joined with Neal Schon and Gregg Rolie to form Journey in 1973.

Tickner was referred to as “the strongest songwriter of the group at the time,” according to British rock journalist Neil Daniels.

But evidently the road was not for Tickner, as Journey was playing nearly nonstop from 1973 through 1975. Tickner left the group before Steve Perry joined as the lead vocalist and Journey soared to massive commercial success. “Any Way You Want It,” “Open Arms” and “Don’t Stop Believin’” all came after Tickner’s tenure in the band.

Tickner remained in touch with his former bandmates, eventually launching a recording studio alongside Valory, which hosted later Journey sessions. In 2005, when the group was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, Tickner was in attendance.

“RIP George,” Schon wrote on Twitter. “You now fly with the Angels.”