Neal Schon, the long-serving guitarist for arena rockers Journey was born in San Mateo on February 27, 1954. As a child prodigy, Schon joined Santana at 17 and made his debut on 1971’s III LP. Along with Gregg Rolie, Schon founded Journey in 1973. Although the early records were influenced by progressive rock, Neal Schon was a Santana alum. However, their commercial success soared after Steve Perry joined the band in 1978. Their hard rock hits “Wheel in the Sky”, “Lovin’ Touchin’ and Squeezin'” and “Anyway You Want it” became radio icons. Jan Hammer, Schon’s keyboard player, joined the Untold Passion fusion-inspired project in 1981. Journey reached megastardom that year with the release the chart-topping Escape. This album produced the Top Ten hits “Who’s Crying Now,” “Open Arms,” as well as “Don’t Stop Believevin'”. In 1983, Schon joined Journey for the fusion-inspired Untold Passion. However, Schon left the band after recording the single Late Nite and forming Bad English with John Waite. Bad English collapsed after two albums. He rejoined the reformed Journey in late 1993 and released the solo acoustic album Beyond the Thunder two year later. In 1997, the two-disc Electric World was released. Schon returned to the scene in 1999 with Piranha Blues. Allmusic
