Ross Valory has confirmed he will not be rejoining Journey, shutting down rumours that former members might return during the band’s ongoing Final Frontier Tour.
The original bassist – who was fired alongside drummer Steve Smith in 2020 – says he has made peace with his departure and has no desire to revisit the past.
Speaking on SiriusXM’s Trunk Nation With Eddie Trunk, he explained that the legal fallout between him and the band is firmly behind him.
He said: “We made what I think is a very reasonable settlement, and everyone moved on with their lives. I certainly have, and I believe that everyone else involved has just moved on. I’m no longer a part of the organisation or the brand, so my position now, at best, is a casual observer. So it was many years ago, and we all move on. Everybody gets on with their lives.”
Asked whether he had been approached about returning, Valory made it clear the answer is no – and compared the speculation to long‑running fan hopes for a Steve Perry comeback.
He said: “Not that I know of, no. And there’s been rumours for years about Steve Perry returning, and he has to keep telling people, ‘No, I’m just not doing it.’ And you understand it from the fans’ standpoint — that’s what they really want. The hardcore fans want to see everybody together. But I don’t see that happening.”
Valory added that Journey’s legacy is ultimately defined by the music, not the lineup, and praised the current incarnation for delivering what audiences expect.
He explained: “It’s about the songs. Regardless of which band has too few, (or) how many original members, it’s a matter of being able to go onto that stage and provide for, let’s say the average ticket buyer, they want to hear the songs, they want to hear them like they heard them on the record. And as long as any band can do that, there’s no reason to consider who’s in the band and who’s not. And Journey’s one of those bands that continues to do that.”
Journey formed in 1973 and have sold more than 100 million records worldwide, earning induction into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2017.
The band’s history has been marked by financial disputes, trademark battles and lawsuits between members.
The Final Frontier Tour is set to wrap on November 28, with Neal Schon previously suggesting Journey will continue without Jonathan Cain once the run ends.