Classic rock fans were saddened this week to learn that longtime guitarist George Tickner passed away this week at the age of 76. 

According to The New York Post, Tickner helped found the legendary supergroup Journey in San Francisco five decades ago.

From rock star to medical doctor

The Post noted that prior to his membership in Journey, Tickner played with "the psychedelic rock band Frumious Bandersnatch."

He left two years after the band's founding following the release of its 1975 eponymous debut album in order to pursue a medical career.

Tickner attended Stanford Medical School on a full scholarship and continued to write and perform music as a hobby while practicing as a doctor.

The guitarist reunited with other Journey members in 2005 when the band was given a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.

Former bandmate calls Tickner's death "heartbreaking"

Tributes to Tickner quickly appeared on social media, including from fellow Journey founding member and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Neal Schon, who tweeted, "RIP George you now fly with the Angels."

RIP George you now fly with the Angels 🙏🏽✝️🙏🏽 https://t.co/jOug74sJxD

— NEAL SCHON MUSIC (@NealSchonMusic) July 5, 2023

Schon also spoke warmly of his former bandmate on his Facebook page, writing, "Godspeed, George… thank you for the music. We will be paying tribute to you on this page indefinitely."

"Our condolences to his family and friends, and to all past and present band members. So heartbreaking," Schon stressed.

Tickner remembered for his "incredible talent"

Meanwhile, the website iDKMAN declared that Tickner's "incredible talent and contributions to the music industry will forever be remembered and cherished."

"Your legacy will continue to resonate in our hearts and through the timeless melodies you helped create," it went on to add.

💔😢 Heartbroken to hear the news of Journey guitarist George Tickner's passing at the age of 76. 🎸🎵 His incredible talent and contributions to the music industry will forever be remembered and cherished. Let's pay tribute to his influential work by reminiscing about our… pic.twitter.com/CYD7MlsvJ3

— iDKMAN (@BLIN0002) July 6, 2023

Fans weighed in as well, including one who wrote, "George Tickner was the foil to Neal Schon’s rapier like six-string work but he brought so much more to Journey – he knew more chords than most other guitarists out there and was a superb arranger and songwriter."

George Tickner was the foil to Neal Schon’s rapier like six-string work but he brought so much more to Journey – he knew more chords than most other guitarists out there and was a superb arranger and songwriter.https://t.co/PCoIyxopb3

— #ThereIsNoVotingOurWayOutOfACoup2024 (@RSMeyers1776) July 5, 2023