Happy Birthday Journey Guitarist, Neal Schon
Born on this day in 1954, Neal Schon, guitar Journey, (1982 US No.2 single ‘Open Arms’) Santana, (1977 UK No.11 single ‘She’s Not There’). More Photos by Nanci images of Neal: http://photosbynanci.smugmug.com/Journey/Journey-in-NH-2001/ Biography The son of a jazz saxophonist, Schon first picked up the guitar at the age of 5. A quick learner, he joined Santana as a teenage prodigy at the age of 15. He went to Aragon High School in San Mateo, but dropped out (with his parents’ blessing) before graduating. Schon had famously been asked by Eric Clapton to join Derek and the Dominos, but since Santana called him first, he decided to join Santana for the album Santana III. Schon also played in Azteca before moving on in 1973 to form Journey, a group he continues to lead today. Schon’s guitar style has been described as soulful, taking inspiration from 1960s-era soul singers such as Aretha Franklin and Gladys Knight, and blending it with blues runs similar to B. B. King. ...