Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Pays Tribute to Charlie Kirk

HONORING CHARLIE KIRK’S LEGACY

Jonathan Cain, a member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band “Journey,” first met Charlie Kirk when he was 22. Charlie had just started Turning Point USA when he approached Cain and his wife, Paula White-Cain, now Senior Advisor to the President of the White House Faith Office. Jonathan was surprised to see a young man in a suit and bow so serious about God and encouraging people his age to vote. He recalls asking Paula, “Is he for real?” and she replied, “He is!” 

Their paths crossed several times, and they became friends with Charlie. The last time they saw Charlie was only a few months before his death. When they heard the news of his assassination on September 10, 2025, they broke down in tears and were in disbelief for days. 

NO ONE ELSE

To honor Charlie’s life and legacy, Jonathan wrote the song “No One Else” not as a political statement, but as a musical expression of respect and gratitude for the amazing work Charlie did across college campuses around the world.  

“Charlie started out as a political activist and ended up as an evangelist, tackling the questions of social problems of the youth today,” says Cain. “With ‘No One Else,’ I wanted to leave something that framed that story. Music has always been how I express what words alone cannot, and I think everything he did – he was so full of hope, energy and positivity – is worth singing about. I want this song to sort of echo his movement, leaving something behind that musically speaks to what his movement is about.”

“‘No One Else’ is also a pastor appreciation song,” adds Cain. “Charlie became one of the biggest evangelists since Billy Graham. There's nobody like him that had such a profound effect in taking the message of Jesus and conservatism to the younger generation. It was an extraordinary achievement.”

SUCCESS AND RESPONSIBILITY

When asked how Journey’s immense success affected him, especially as a young man, Jonathan responds differently than one would expect.  His focus isn’t on the fame, fortune, or excesses that come with the rock and roll world, though he admits that was all part of the territory.  Instead, Jonathan looks back at those days from his perspective as a committed believer, seeing that God provided tremendous opportunities for five young men.  “With the right mindset, success is satisfying and rewarding; you’re on top of the mountain.  It also represents years of failure to get there and shows perseverance.”  Jonathan says that with success comes the responsibility to use it for good purposes.  He believes that a Christian’s success should be used to strengthen the church by sharing one’s time, talent, and resources.  “The church is the heart of every community,” he states, “and we need to support it.”  He comments on how the church suffered during the pandemic and encourages believers to return to and invest in their local churches.    

JOURNEY BACK TO GOD 

Jonathan was raised in a Catholic family in Chicago and has been a believer since his childhood.  As a little boy, he wanted to help people and planned to become a priest, but after a heartache, he put God on hold for 
most of his adult life.  When he was eight years old, a fellow student set their school on fire, which resulted in the deaths of 92 children and three nuns.  Young Jonathan couldn’t reconcile a loving God with such a senseless tragedy and felt abandoned by Him.  That feeling remained for many years, despite his significant personal and professional successes.  Jonathan’s father, Leonard, a staunch Christian, kept encouraging his son in his faith and music career.  In fact, Journey’s smash hit, “Don’t Stop Believin’” came from Leonard saying those very words to his son when he was struggling to make it in the music business.   

Jonathan married twice and had three children by his second wife.  It was then he decided to take his kids to church, and also found help and comfort for his past hurts in the counsel of his pastor.  Years later, after that marriage ended in divorce, Jonathan started dating Paula White, whom he’d met on a flight.  They talked about faith in God, and she told him that God loves him and “wants his son back.”  That eventually led him to recommit his life to the Lord, and the two married in 2015.  “It’s never too late to return,” Jonathan says. “Look at me.”

MUSIC FOR GOD 

Jonathan still plays keyboards, writes songs, and is set to begin Journey’s Farewell Tour (Final Frontier Tour) in February 2026.  Afterwards, he is closing that chapter of his life.  He has developed a solo career, producing music to express his renewed faith.  He’s written and produced five worship albums in as many years, and is now working on his sixth, which will be released in January 2026.  Jonathan explains, “I consider myself a psalmist; my fruit is my music.”  

For more information on Jonathan Caine, click the LINK! 

CREDITS

Keyboardist, guitarist, background vocalist, and songwriter with Rock and Roll Hall of Fame band Journey since 1980; Latest song, “No One Else,” Co-writer of, “Don’t Stop Believin’” (5X platinum single), “Faithfully,” “Open Arms,” “Who’s Crying Now,” etc. / Numerous Billboard hits, multiple gold, platinum, and diamond-selling records / Star on Hollywood Walk of Fame / Grammy nomination / Podcast host, “Anchored” / Married to Paula White-Cain, Senior Advisor to the President of the White House Faith Office.