Journey guitarist George Tickner has died aged 76

George Tickner, founding guitarist for '70s classic rock band Journey, has passed away at the age of 76.

The announcement was made by Tickner’s bandmate, Neal Schon on Facebook. “ Rest Peacefully, Dr. George Tickner. You will be missed immensely”, the post read.

The band was formed in 1973, when Tickner and bassist Ross Valory joined Santana's Neal Schon, Gregg Rolie and The Tubes' Prairie Prince. Their first live performance was at the Winterland Ballroom in San Francisco on New Year's Eve 1973.

Before they would be known for their radio hits, Journey were primarily considered a progressive-rock band before Steve Perry’s arrival in 1975. Their self-titled debut album is still held in high regard by prog enthusiasts.

Tickner left an indelible mark on the album, receiving writing credits on ‘Topaz’, ‘Mystery Mountain’, and ‘Of a Lifetime’.

His stint in the group was a brief one, as he left Journey after the release of their debut album and swapped music for medicine, undergoing a full scholarship at Stanford Medical school.

In 2005, Tickner reunited with his former bandmates when they received a star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame.

His cause of death is yet to be reported.