Former ‘American Idol’ Judge Randy Jackson Back in Journey

Former American Idol judge Randy Jackson is back at bass duties for the band, Journey, Journey founder and guitarist Neal Schon announced.

Jackson–who recorded and toured with the group in the ’80s for the 1986 “Raised on Radio” album and tour–will be joined by new drummer Narada Michael Walden.

“Ok Friends word is out! @randyjackson RJ the Big Dawg is our new Bass player again,” Schon announced on social media.

The new lineup made their debut Saturday with a socially distanced performance of “Don’t Stop Believin’” as part of the UNICEF Won’t Stop fundraiser concert.

“Journey is an ever-changing unstoppable force,” Schon wrote on Twitter. “This is a completely new chapter for us and can’t wait to get to it!”

Journey: (YouTube)

The announcement comes just two months after the firing of longtime bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith after the two allegedly attempted to orchestrate a “malicious and very ill-conceived” coup attempt to take control of the Rock Hall-inducted group’s name and copyright from Schon and Jonathan Cain; Valory and Smith later countersued their former band mates.

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