Neal Schon
Neal George Joseph There ( born February 27, 1954 in Oklahoma City ) is an American blues - rock guitarist and singer. He became famous mainly in the 1970s and 1980s through his work with the band Journey.
Career
Even as a small child began early oboe and guitar. In 1971 he joined the Santana Blues Band and toured with the renowned guitarist Carlos Santana in the years 1971 to 1972 around the world. At the same time he also received an offer from Eric Clapton, but he declined in favor of Santana. In all the Santana albums that time some solos can be heard from Schon.
In 1973 he founded, together with keyboardist Gregg Rolie ex- Santana the band Journey, with which he was known all over the world. By 1987, with the band he celebrated numerous successes with albums and concerts. The best-known pieces of the band are Wheel in the Sky, Anyway You Want It and Do not Stop Believin '. During the existence of the band from 1973 until its interim resolution 1987, he focused almost entirely on the work with his colleagues. Sporadically, he worked on albums of other artists. At the beginning of the 1980s, he published the well-known jazz pianist and keyboardist Jan Hammer three albums. His first two solo albums he made at this time on the market, had with them but initially only limited commercial success.
After the separation of Journey concentrated Even more on his own CDs and other projects. So 1988 founded the band Bad English, which was composed of the former Journey members Jonathan Cain and Deen Castronovo and some other musicians. With them already brought out two albums and later a Greatest Hits album. At the beginning of the 1990s, several other projects were added. For example, Hardline, where he again played with his old band mates Castronovo. Also two more solo albums already brought out at this time and worked on some instrumental guitar CDs.
Of 1996, the reunion of Journey, in which also participated already again. He is the only musician who has participated so far on all Journey albums. But already remained active on many fronts, published today four more solo albums. For Voice (2001) he was nominated for a Grammy. Other projects have included Soul Sirkus - a band that brought out their only album in 2005 and broke up shortly afterwards. Even with Van Halen singer Sammy Hagar, he worked for his solo album together. 2007 was already with Journey again on a big tour, including through Europe. Also, a new album of the band was being planned.
Equipment
Already a play according to his ideas made and named after him Les Paul guitar company Gibson were produced of which only 23 copies. He also used Paul Reed Smith guitars. Earlier he used mainly guitars of the company Godin, for example, on his solo album Beyond the Thunder by 1995.
In the late 1980s he produced and played his own guitar line of Jackson Guitars. Of the guitars simply already mentioned, less than 200 were made . A white Already guitar can be seen, among other things in the Journey - Video to Girl Can not Help It. A golden Already played among others in the video for I'll Be Alright and Be Good To Yourself.
Discography
Solo albums
There are also 18 published albums with the band Journey since 1973.