Neal Schon

Neal Joseph Schon was born at Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, the son of Matthew and Barbara Schon.{{sfn|Daniels|2011|p=4}} He is of German and Italian ancestry.{{cite web|title=EXCLUSIVE: Journey's Neal Schon On His New Album, 'So U'|date=March 19, 2014 |url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/neal-schon-2014-interview/|access-date=July 30, 2014|publisher=Ultimateclassicrock.com}}{{cite magazine|last=Schwartz|first=Missy|date=June 13, 2007|title=Sopranos Journey Ends With Journey|url= https://ew.com/article/2007/06/13/neal-schon-journeys-sopranos-moment/|magazine=EW.com|access-date=July 30, 2014}} 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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.guitarinteractivemagazine.com/issues/issue-19/features/neal-schon-interview/|title=Neal Schon Interview|website=Guitar Interactive Magazine}} Schon started playing guitar at age 10.{{Cite book|last=Zompolis|first=Gregory N.|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=1Y4A9uWMrAYC|title=Images of America, San Mateo|publisher=Arcadia Publishing|year=2004|isbn=0738529567|location=Charleston, SC|pages=62}} He attended Aragon High School in San Mateo, California, later dropping out to pursue his music career.{{sfn|Daniels|2011|p=4}}

A quick learner, he joined Santana at age 17, in 1971.{{sfn|Daniels|2011|p=6}} Schon has said he was asked by Eric Clapton to join Derek and the Dominos,{{sfn|Daniels|2011|p=5}} but that he joined Santana instead, performing on the albums Santana III and Caravanserai.{{sfn|Daniels|2011|pp=6–8}} Schon also played in the band Azteca.

In 1973, he, Gregg Rolie and manager Herbie Herbert co-founded the Golden Gate Rhythm Section, which had later been re-named to Journey after a suggestion by roadie John Villaneuva.{{Cite web|url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/01/09/rolie-names-his-own-tune/|title=Rolie names his own tune|date=January 9, 2007|work=MercuryNews.com}}{{sfn|Daniels|2011|p=9–11}}

Schon's guitar style is influenced by guitarists such as B.B. King, Albert King, Robert Johnson, Muddy Waters, John Lee Hooker, Jeff Beck, Eric Clapton, Carlos Santana, Jimmy Page and Peter Green.{{sfn|Daniels|2011|p=5}}

File:Neal Schon in July 2013.jpg

In addition to several solo albums and his work with Journey, Schon's work also includes: a pair of albums with keyboardist Jan Hammer,{{sfn|Daniels|2011|p=61}} short-term collaborations with Sammy Hagar (HSAS{{sfn|Daniels|2011|p=76}} and Planet Us){{sfn|Daniels|2011|pp=133–134}} and Paul Rodgers, stints with Bad English (a supergroup that featured Journey's Jonathan Cain and Deen Castronovo and Cain's former Babys bandmates John Waite and Ricky Phillips){{sfn|Daniels|2011|p=92}} and Hardline (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 as Piranha Blues (1999); "Black Soup Cracker", a funk outfit that features former Prince associates Rosie Gaines and Michael Bland; and Soul SirkUS with Jeff Scott Soto.

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

On February 9, 2018, Schon played a charity show at San Francisco's The Independent, benefiting North Bay Fire Relief. The group recruited featured former Journey drummer Deen Castronovo (who also sang some of the vocals), former Journey keyboardist Gregg Rolie, and bassist Marco Mendoza of The Dead Daisies.{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/neal-schon-2018-benefit-concert-set-list-video/|title=Neal Schon Goes Deep Into His Past at Solo Benefit Show|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=February 10, 2018 |language=en|access-date=October 31, 2018}} The concert was released as a live album and DVD on May 19, 2023.{{Cite web|url=http://ultimateclassicrock.com/neal-schon-journey-through-time-live-album|title=Neal Schon Announces 'Journey Through Time' Live Album and DVD|website=Ultimate Classic Rock|date=March 21, 2023 |language=en|access-date=June 2, 2023}}

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.{{Cite web|url=https://www.jambase.com/article/neal-schons-journey-through-time-2019-dates|title=Neal Schon's Journey Through Time Adds 2019 Dates|date=February 4, 2019|website=JamBase}}

Schon played "The Star-Spangled Banner" on electric guitar for the opening game of the 2022 NBA Finals.{{Cite news |date=June 2, 2022 |title=ABC TV NBA Finals, Game 1 |work=ABC TV}}

Schon's first guitar was an acoustic Stella, followed two years later by a Gibson ES-335. When the 335 was stolen, he replaced it with a '56 Les Paul Goldtop reissue that he used for many years.{{cite web | url = http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/000524.html | publisher = ModernGuitars.com | date = March 29, 2005 | title = Neal Schon Interview | first = Rick | last = Landers | archive-date = August 23, 2006 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20060823221637/http://www.modernguitars.com/archives/000524.html | url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gibson.com/whatsnew/pressrelease/2004/jun3a.html |title=Gibson News & Lifestyle Landing Page |publisher=Gibson.com |access-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080514075158/http://www.gibson.com/whatsnew/pressrelease/2004/jun3a.html |archive-date=May 14, 2008 |url-status=dead }} Schon has used Gibson guitars over the years, having also used Fender and Ovation guitars during Journey's Departure tour.{{cite magazine |title=The Carefully Plotted Route to Rock's Summit |magazine=Billboard |date=July 12, 1980 |volume=92 |issue=28 |page=J-6 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=kSQEAAAAMBAJ&dq=neal+schon&pg=PT37 |access-date=February 28, 2022 |publisher=Nielsen Business Media, Inc. |language=en |issn=0006-2510}} He had a limited edition signature Les Paul model called the Neal 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). He has previously employed Godin guitars on his 1995 solo album Beyond the Thunder, and more recently uses Paul Reed Smith guitars. In the late 1980s, Schon manufactured (through Jackson Guitars and later Larrivee) and played his own line of guitars. Simply named Schon, about 200 of the Jackson-produced models were made.{{cite web |url=http://www.nsblues.com/gear/ns_gearns.htm |title=The Neal Schon Home Page -Gear : Schon |publisher=Nsblues.com |access-date=July 30, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090111102749/http://www.nsblues.com/gear/ns_gearns.htm |archive-date=January 11, 2009 |url-status=dead }}

As of 2008, Schon currently prefers guitar pedals from Xotic, a Vox Satriani model and occasionally uses a Buddy Guy wah pedal.{{cite magazine |url=http://www.guitarworld.com/the_setlist_neal_schon_of_journey |author=Bowcott, Nick |title=The Setlist: Neal Schon of Journey |magazine=Guitar World |date=June 9, 2009 |access-date=June 12, 2009 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090612212125/http://www.guitarworld.com/the_setlist_neal_schon_of_journey |archive-date=June 12, 2009 }}

File:Palace of Fine Arts during Schon – Holt Salahi wedding.jpg in San Francisco. A white tent (photo) had been erected in the rotunda for the occasion.{{cite news |first=Carolyne |last=Zinko |url=http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/article/Wondrous-wedding-for-Neal-Schon-Michaele-Holt-5067411.php |title=Wondrous wedding for Neal Schon, Michaele Holt Salahi |work=San Francisco Chronicle |date=December 16, 2013|access-date=June 10, 2023 }}]]

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.{{cite news |last=Bashian |first=Lori A. |date=April 22, 2023|url=https://www.foxnews.com/entertainment/journey-celebrates-50th-anniversary-rock-band-members-then-now |title=Journey celebrates 50th anniversary: Rock band members then and now |work=Fox News |access-date=June 9, 2023 }} In September 2011, Schon publicly confirmed he was in a relationship with Michaele Salahi. The two said they had dated years previously in the 1990s.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/what-a-journey-michaele-salahi-and-neal-schon-walk-red-carpet-at-silverdocs-bail-out-early/2012/06/19/gJQACqVHoV_blog.html |title=What a Journey! Michaele Salahi and Neal Schon walk red carpet at Silverdocs, bail out early|type=The Reliable Source blog |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 19, 2012 |access-date=July 30, 2014}}{{cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/michaele-salahi-neal-schon-tampa_n_1833038 |title=Michaele Salahi, Neal Schon Headed To Tampa For Journey Gig |work=HuffPost |date=August 27, 2012 |access-date=January 4, 2022}} On October 14, 2012, Schon proposed to Salahi onstage during a charity concert at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland, offering her an oval 11.42 carat diamond engagement ring.(1) {{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/michaele-salahi-and-neal-schon-get-engaged--onstage-of-course/2012/10/15/7d6a5a96-1682-11e2-a55c-39408fbe6a4b_blog.html|title=Michaele Salahi and Neal Schon get engaged — onstage, of course

|type=The Reliable Source blog |first1=Amy|last1=Argetsinger|author-link=Amy Argetsinger|first2=Roxanne|last2=Roberts|author-link2=Roxanne Roberts|date=October 15, 2012|access-date=November 5, 2014}}
(2) {{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/more-on-neal-schons-engagement-to-michaele-salahi-on-stage-proposal-and-11-carat-diamond/2012/10/15/c3d967e0-16f2-11e2-9855-71f2b202721b_blog.html|title=More on Neal Schon's engagement to Michaele Salahi: On-stage proposal and 11 carat diamond|type=The Reliable Source blog|first1=Amy|last1=Argetsinger|author-link=Amy Argetsinger|first2=Roxanne|last2=Roberts|author-link2=Roxanne Roberts|date=October 15, 2012|access-date=November 5, 2014}} The couple married on December 15, 2013, in a live broadcast wedding that was held in the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California.{{cite news|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/wp/2013/12/16/michaele-salahi-and-neal-schon-tie-the-knot-in-a-pay-per-view-wedding/|title=Michaele Salahi and Neal Schon tie the knot — in a pay-per-view wedding|type=The Reliable Source blog|first1=Amy|last1=Argetsinger|author-link=Amy Argetsinger|first2=Roxanne|last2=Roberts|author-link2=Roxanne Roberts|date=December 16, 2013|access-date=November 5, 2014}}

Schon has confirmed that he has tinnitus, a constant ringing in the ears, common in musicians who have toured extensively.{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/reliable-source/post/update-neal-schon-says-he-didnt-bail-on-silverdocs/2012/06/20/gJQAc2JHrV_blog.html|title=Update: Neal Schon says he didn't bail on Silverdocs|newspaper=The Washington Post|type=The Reliable Source blog |date=June 20, 2012}}

• Late Nite (1989)
• Beyond the Thunder (1995)
• Electric World (1997)
• Piranha Blues (1999)
• Voice (2001)
• I on U (2005)
• The Calling (2012)
• So U (2014)
• Vortex (2015)
• Universe (2020)
• Journey Through Time (2023)

• Santana III (1971)
• Caravanserai (1972)
• Santana IV (2016)

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

• Journey (1975)
• Look into the Future (1976)
• Next (1977)
• Infinity (1978)
• Evolution (1979)
• Departure (1980)
• Dream, After Dream (1980, Japanese movie soundtrack)
• Escape (1981)
• Frontiers (1983)
• Raised on Radio (1986)
• Trial by Fire (1996)
• Arrival (2001)
• Generations (2005)
• Revelation (2008)
• Eclipse (2011)
• Freedom (2022)

• Untold Passion (1981)
• Here to Stay (1982)

• Through the Fire (1984)

• Bad English (1989)
• Backlash (1991)

• Hot Cherie EP (1992)
• Double Eclipse (1992)
• Can't Find My Way EP (1992)
• II (2002)

• Muddy Water Blues: A Tribute to Muddy Waters (1993)
• The Hendrix Set (1993)
• Now (1997; co-writer of "Saving Grace")
• Paul Rodgers & Friends Live at Montreux 1994 (2011)

• All One People (1991)

• Abraxas Pool (1997)

• World Play (2004)

• 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")
• America's Got Talent - "Richard Goodall - finale performance" (2024)AGT 2024 appearance https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HP_RKV7f6o

{{Reflist|30em}}

• {{cite book

|author1=Pete Prown

|author2=HP Newquist

|title=Legends of Rock Guitar

|date=1997

|publisher=Hal Leonard

|isbn=9781476850931

|pages=1947}}

• {{Cite book

| last = Daniels

| first = Neil

| title = The Untold Story of Journey

| location = London

| publisher = Omnibus Press

| year = 2011

| isbn= 978-1-84938-657-9}}

• {{cite book

|last1=Daniels

|first1=Neil

|title=Electric World: A Casual Guide to the Music of Journey's Neal Schon

|date=2014

|publisher=CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform

|isbn=9781494710644

|edition=Paperback

|language=en}}

{{cc}}

• [http://www.schonmusic.com Neal Official website]
• [https://www.facebook.com/schonmusic/ Official Facebook page]
• [https://www.youtube.com/nealschonjourneyfounder Official YouTube channel]
• [https://nealschonbiography.com/ Neal Schon biography]
• {{IBDB name|489287}}
• {{Discogs artist|Neal Schon}}
• {{IMDb name|0774737}}

{{Neal Schon}}

{{Journey}}

{{Bad English}}

{{Santana}}

{{Hardline}}

{{2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Schon, Neal}}

Category:1954 births

Category:American rock guitarists

Category:American male guitarists

Category:Bad English members

Category:Hagar Schon Aaronson Shrieve members

Category:Hardline (band) members

Category:Journey (band) members

Category:American lead guitarists

Category:Living people

Category:American people of German descent

Category:American people of Italian descent

Category:Musicians from Oklahoma City

Category:Planet Us members

Category:Santana (band) members

Category:Soul SirkUS members

Category:American heavy metal guitarists

Category:Guitarists from Oklahoma

Category:20th-century American guitarists

Category:Favored Nations artists

Category:Frontiers Records artists

Category:Higher Octave Music artists

Category:Shrapnel Records artists

Category:Columbia Records artists

Category:People from San Mateo, California

Category:Glam metal musicians

Category:Jazz fusion guitarists

Category:Azteca (band) members