Wikipedia

Neal Schon

Neal Joseph Schon(born February 27, 1954)[1]is an American musician and songwriter, best known as the co-founder and lead guitarist for the rock bandJourney.He is the last original member to remain throughout the group's history. He was a member of the rock bandSantanabefore forming Journey. He was also a member of the groupBad Englishduring Journey's hiatus from 1987 to 1995, as well as an original member ofHardline.

Neal Schon
Schon performing in 2008
Schon performing in 2008
Background information
Birth nameNeal Joseph Schon
Born(1954-02-27)February 27, 1954(age 70)
Tinker Air Force Base,Oklahoma,U.S.
Genres
OccupationGuitarist
Years active1968–present
Labels
Member of
Formerly of
Websiteschonmusic.com

Schon was inducted into theOklahoma Music Hall of Famein 2013,[2]and into theRock and Roll Hall of Fameas a member of Journey in 2017.[3]

Early life and career

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Neal Joseph Schon was born atTinker Air Force Base,Oklahoma,the son of Matthew and Barbara Schon.[4]He is of German and Italian ancestry.[5][6]His father was a big band musician, arranger, and composer, and played and taught all reed instruments with emphasis on jazz tenor saxophone; his mother was a big band singer.[7]Schon started playing guitar at age 10.[8]He attendedAragon High SchoolinSan Mateo, California,[8]later dropping out to pursue his music career.[4]

A quick learner, he joinedSantanaat age 17, in 1971.[1][8][9]Schon has said he was asked byEric Claptonto joinDerek and the Dominos,[10]but that he joined Santana instead, performing on the albumsSantana IIIandCaravanserai.[11]Schon also played in the bandAzteca.

In 1973, he,Gregg Rolieand managerHerbie Herbertco-founded the Golden Gate Rhythm Section, which had later been re-named to Journey after a suggestion by roadie John Villaneuva.[12][13]

Schon's guitar style is influenced by guitarists such asB.B. King,Albert King, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Page and Jimmy Green.[10]

Schon in 2013

In addition to several solo albums and his work with Journey, Schon's work also includes: a pair of albums with keyboardistJan Hammer,[14]short-term collaborations withSammy Hagar(HSAS[15]andPlanet Us)[16]andPaul Rodgers,stints withBad English(a supergroup that featured Journey'sJonathan CainandDeen Castronovoand Cain's formerBabysbandmatesJohn WaiteandRicky Phillips)[17]andHardline(which also featured Castronovo). Even as Journey's latest lineup plays to a still-faithful body of fans, Schon has immersed himself in side projects such asPiranha Blues(1999); "Black Soup Cracker", a funk outfit that features former Prince associatesRosie GainesandMichael Bland;andSoul SirkUSwithJeff Scott Soto.

Schon can be heard on other albums including three tracks onMichael Bolton'sThe Hunger,with the Schon sound most recognizable on "(Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay". He also joinedLarry Grahamto play in an all-star band for cult funk artist and ex-wife ofMiles Davis,Betty Davis.In addition, Schon (along with then Journey manager Herbie Herbert) also contributed toLenny White's 1977 albumBig City,specifically the instrumental jam "And We Meet Again".

On February 9, 2018, Schon played a charity show at San Francisco'sThe Independent,benefiting North Bay Fire Relief. The group recruited featured former Journey drummerDeen Castronovo(who also sang some of the vocals), former Journey keyboardistGregg Rolie,and bassist Marco Mendoza ofThe Dead Daisies.[18]The concert was released as a live album and DVD on May 19, 2023.[19]

In 2019, Schon announced a tour to be called Neal Schon's Journey Through Time. The tour was stated to feature Castronovo, Rolie and Mendoza.[20]

Schon played "The Star-Spangled Banner"on electric guitar for the opening game of the 2022 NBA Finals.[21]

Guitars

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Schon's first guitar was an acousticStella,followed two years later by aGibson ES-335.When the 335 was stolen, he replaced it with a '56Les Paul Goldtopreissue that he used for many years.[22][23]Schon has usedGibsonguitars over the years, having also used Fender and Ovation guitars during Journey's Departure tour.[24]He had a limited edition signature Les Paul model called theNeal Schon Signature Model Custom Les Paul,of which Gibson made only 35, according to the Gibson Custom website (80 according to Neal Schon's website).[22]He has previously employedGodinguitars on his 1995 solo albumBeyond the Thunder,and more recently usesPaul Reed Smithguitars. In the late 1980s, Schon manufactured (throughJackson Guitarsand laterLarrivee) and played his own line of guitars. Simply named Schon, about 200 of the Jackson-produced models were made.[25]

As of 2008, Schon currently prefers guitar pedals from Xotic, aVoxSatrianimodel and occasionally uses aBuddy Guywah pedal.[26]

Personal life

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In December 2013, Schon married Michaele Salahi at thePalace of Fine Artsin San Francisco. A white tent (photo) had been erected in the rotunda for the occasion.[27]

Schon's first marriage was to Tena Austin in 1976. After divorcing Austin in 1986, Schon married Beth Buckley a year later. They were together for approximately five years and had two children together. In 1993 he married Dina Gioeli, divorcing in 1999. In 2001, he married Amber Kozan, with whom he had two more children. They divorced in 2008.[28]In September 2011, Schon publicly confirmed he was in a relationship withMichaele Salahi.The two said they had dated years previously in the 1990s.[29][30]On October 14, 2012, Schon proposed to Salahi onstage during a charity concert at theLyric Opera Housein Baltimore, Maryland, offering her an oval 11.42 carat diamond engagement ring.[31]The couple married on December 15, 2013, in a live broadcast wedding that was held in thePalace of Fine Artsin San Francisco, California.[27][32]

Schon has confirmed that he hastinnitus,a constant ringing in the ears, common in musicians who have toured extensively.[33]

Discography

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Solo albums

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with Santana

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with Azteca

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  • Azteca(1972)
  • Pyramid of the Moon(1973)

with Journey

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with Jan Hammer

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with HSAS

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with Bad English

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with Hardline

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with Paul Rodgers

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with Just·If·I

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  • All One People(1991)

with Abraxas Pool

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with Soul SirkUS

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Guest appearances

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  • Betty Davis –Betty Davis(1973)
  • Robert Fleischman -Perfect Stranger(1979)
  • Sammy Hagar -Danger Zone(1980)
  • Tané Cain -Tané Cain(1983)
  • Silver Condor -Trouble at Home(1983)
  • Hear 'n Aid-Stars(1985)
  • Gregg Rolie -Gregg Rolie(1985)
  • Eric Martin -Eric Martin(1985; co-writer of "Just One Night" )
  • Joe Cocker -Cocker(1986)
  • Gregg Rolie -Gringo(1987)
  • Michael Bolton-The Hunger(1987)
  • Jimmy Barnes -Freight Train Heart(1987)
  • Glen Burtnick (ex Styx) -Heroes and Zeroes(1987)
  • The Allman Brothers Band -Where It All Begins(1994; co-writer of "Temptation Is a Gun" )
  • Frederiksen/Phillips -Frederiksen/Phillips(1995)
  • Fergie Frederiksen –Equilibrium(1999)
  • Carmine Appice -Guitar Zeus - Safe(1996)
  • Various artists -Merry Axemas, Vol. 2: More Guitars for Christmas(1998)
  • Trichromes -Trichromes(2002)
  • Jeff Scott Soto-Lost in the Translation(2004)
  • Mickey Thomas -Over the Edge(2004)
  • Beth Hart - "Les Paul & Friends: American Made World Played" (2005)
  • Radioactive -Taken(2005)
  • Sammy Hagar -Cosmic Universal Fashion(2008)
  • Gary Schutt -Loss 4 Words(2008; guitar solo on "Road Trip" )
  • Lee Ritenour-Lee Ritenour's 6 String Theory(2010)
  • Two Fires-Burning Bright(2011; co-writer of "Some Things Are Better Left Unsaid" )
  • Eric Martin-Mr. Rock Vocalist(2012)
  • Sammy Hagar -Sammy Hagar & Friends(2013)
  • Jimmy Barnes -30:30 Hindsight(2014)
  • Revolution Saints -Revolution Saints(2015)
  • Jason Becker -Triumphant Hearts(2018)
  • Steve Augeri -Seven Ways 'til Sunday(2022; co-writer of "Desert Moon" )

References

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  1. ^abAnkeny, Jason."Neal Schon: Artist Biography".AllMusic.RetrievedNovember 26,2013.
  2. ^Wofford, Jerry (October 16, 2013)."Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inducts 7 artists".Tulsa World.Archived fromthe originalon November 27, 2013.RetrievedNovember 26,2013.
  3. ^"Inductees: Journey".Rock & Roll Hall of Fame.RetrievedDecember 20,2016.
  4. ^abDaniels 2011,p. 4.
  5. ^"EXCLUSIVE: Journey's Neal Schon On His New Album, 'So U'".Ultimateclassicrock.com. March 19, 2014.RetrievedJuly 30,2014.
  6. ^Schwartz, Missy (June 13, 2007)."SopranosJourney Ends With Journey ".EW.com.RetrievedJuly 30,2014.
  7. ^"Neal Schon Interview".Guitar Interactive Magazine.
  8. ^abcZompolis, Gregory N. (2004).Images of America, San Mateo.Charleston, SC: Arcadia Publishing. p. 62.ISBN0738529567.
  9. ^Daniels 2011,p. 6.
  10. ^abDaniels 2011,p. 5.
  11. ^Daniels 2011,pp. 6–8.
  12. ^"Rolie names his own tune".MercuryNews.com.January 9, 2007.
  13. ^Daniels 2011,p. 9–11.
  14. ^Daniels 2011,p. 61.
  15. ^Daniels 2011,p. 76.
  16. ^Daniels 2011,pp. 133–134.
  17. ^Daniels 2011,p. 92.
  18. ^"Neal Schon Goes Deep Into His Past at Solo Benefit Show".Ultimate Classic Rock.February 10, 2018.RetrievedOctober 31,2018.
  19. ^"Neal Schon Announces 'Journey Through Time' Live Album and DVD".Ultimate Classic Rock.March 21, 2023.RetrievedJune 2,2023.
  20. ^"Neal Schon's Journey Through Time Adds 2019 Dates".JamBase.February 4, 2019.
  21. ^"ABC TV NBA Finals, Game 1".ABC TV.June 2, 2022.
  22. ^abLanders, Rick (March 29, 2005)."Neal Schon Interview".ModernGuitars.com. Archived fromthe originalon August 23, 2006.
  23. ^"Gibson News & Lifestyle Landing Page".Gibson.com. Archived fromthe originalon May 14, 2008.RetrievedJuly 30,2014.
  24. ^"The Carefully Plotted Route to Rock's Summit".Billboard.Vol. 92, no. 28. Nielsen Business Media, Inc. July 12, 1980. p. J-6.ISSN0006-2510.RetrievedFebruary 28,2022.
  25. ^"The Neal Schon Home Page -Gear: Schon".Nsblues.com. Archived fromthe originalon January 11, 2009.RetrievedJuly 30,2014.
  26. ^Bowcott, Nick (June 9, 2009)."The Setlist: Neal Schon of Journey".Guitar World.Archived fromthe originalon June 12, 2009.RetrievedJune 12,2009.
  27. ^abZinko, Carolyne (December 16, 2013)."Wondrous wedding for Neal Schon, Michaele Holt Salahi".San Francisco Chronicle.RetrievedJune 10,2023.
  28. ^Bashian, Lori A. (April 22, 2023)."Journey celebrates 50th anniversary: Rock band members then and now".Fox News.RetrievedJune 9,2023.
  29. ^"What a Journey! Michaele Salahi and Neal Schon walk red carpet at Silverdocs, bail out early".The Washington Post(The Reliable Source blog). June 19, 2012.RetrievedJuly 30,2014.
  30. ^"Michaele Salahi, Neal Schon Headed To Tampa For Journey Gig".HuffPost.August 27, 2012.RetrievedJanuary 4,2022.
  31. ^(1)Argetsinger, Amy;Roberts, Roxanne(October 15, 2012)."Michaele Salahi and Neal Schon get engaged — onstage, of course".The Washington Post(The Reliable Source blog).RetrievedNovember 5,2014.
    (2)Argetsinger, Amy;Roberts, Roxanne(October 15, 2012)."More on Neal Schon's engagement to Michaele Salahi: On-stage proposal and 11 carat diamond".The Washington Post(The Reliable Source blog).RetrievedNovember 5,2014.
  32. ^Argetsinger, Amy;Roberts, Roxanne(December 16, 2013)."Michaele Salahi and Neal Schon tie the knot — in a pay-per-view wedding".The Washington Post(The Reliable Source blog).RetrievedNovember 5,2014.
  33. ^"Update: Neal Schon says he didn't bail on Silverdocs".The Washington Post(The Reliable Source blog). June 20, 2012.

Sources

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  • Pete Prown; HP Newquist (1997).Legends of Rock Guitar.Hal Leonard. p. 1947.ISBN9781476850931.
  • Daniels, Neil (2011).The Untold Story of Journey.London: Omnibus Press.ISBN978-1-84938-657-9.
  • Daniels, Neil (2014).Electric World: A Casual Guide to the Music of Journey's Neal Schon(Paperback ed.). CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform.ISBN9781494710644.
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