Neal George Joseph Schon is an American rock guitarist, vocalist, and songwriter, best known as a founding member of the band Journey. He was born on February 27, 1954, at Tinker Air Force Base near Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He is the son of accomplished jazz musician Matthew Schon and band singer Barbara Schon. Neal began playing guitar at the age of five, showing prodigious talent that would later define his career.
Schon joined the Latin rock band Santana at the age of 17, not 15 as often reported, making his debut on the 1971 album Santana III. His work with Santana showcased his early guitar prowess and gained him industry attention. Following personnel changes within Santana, Schon teamed up with former bandmate Gregg Rolie in 1973 to form Journey. He remains the only consistent member of the group throughout its decades-long history.
In addition to Journey, Neal Schon has performed with several other bands. He co-founded the supergroup Bad English in 1988 and worked with Hardline and the short-lived Hagar, Schon, Aaronson, Shrieve project. He also contributed to projects like Soul SirkUS and the all-star charity collaboration Hear ’n Aid. While Journey and Bad English remain his most commercially successful ventures, these collaborations reflect Schon's broad musical range and consistent presence in rock music.
Schon launched a solo career alongside his band work, releasing multiple albums. Some of his notable solo albums include Here to Stay (1982), Beyond the Thunder (1995), Electric World (1997), and Piranha Blues (1998). Journey’s discography began with their self-titled debut album in 1975 and continued with Look Into the Future (1976), Next (1977), Infinity (1978), Evolution (1979), and Departure (1980). Subsequent releases cemented Journey’s status in rock history. Schon's seventh solo album, The Calling, was released in 2012, followed by So U in May 2014, co-written with Deen Castronovo, Marco Mendoza, and Jack Blades.
Over the span of more than 50 years, Neal Schon has left an enduring impact on rock music. Throughout his career, he has been credited with over 40 singles and numerous best-selling albums, with 25 earning gold or platinum status. In 2013, he was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. Notably, he received the Billboard Legend of Live Award in 2011, recognizing his impact on touring and live performance. Journey was honored with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005, highlighting the band’s cultural significance and Schon's contribution to their sound.
| Birth Date: | 27 Feb, 1954 |
| Age: | 66 yrs |
| Occupations: | Guitarist Jazz musician |
| Citizenship: | United States of America |
| Birth Place: | Tinker Air Force Base |
| Gender: | Male |
| Description: | American musician |
| Twitter Id: | Nealschonmusic |
| Spouse: | Michaele Salahi [M. 2013] |
| Net Worth 2021: | 40 million |
