George Tickner, a founding member of the Bay Area Rock and Roll Hall of Fame act Journey, reportedly died on July 5.
He was 76.
Many fans learned about his death via social media postings from Journey guitarist Neal Schon.
“RIP George you now fly with the Angels,” Schon wrote on Twitter.
He also added on Facebook: “Rest peacefully, Dr. George Tickner … you will be missed immensely. Thank you for your incomparable contributions to Journey’s early years.”
No cause of death has been given.
RIP George you now fly with the Angels
https://t.co/jOug74sJxD
— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) July 5, 2023
Tickner, a New York native, played rhythm guitar with the Journey from its start in 1973 through 1975. Prior to that, he was a member of the Bay Area psychedelic rock outfit Frumious Bandersnatch, which also included another future Journey star — Ross Valory.
The guitarist was a key contributor to Journey’s self-titled major label debut, which served up “Of a Lifetime” — which Tickner co-wrote with bandmates Schon and Gregg Rollie, as the first song on Side 1.
“Dear George — ‘Of a Lifetime’ is still one of my favorite songs ever,” Schon wrote on Facebook. “RIP brother God Speed.”
Tickner left the band in 1975, well before Journey scaled multiplatinum heights with the help of vocalist Steve Perry.
“The reason he left Journey was to attend Stanford University on a full scholarship, earning his PhD,” Schon wrote on Facebook.