Neal Schon Quotes

Powerful Neal Schon for Daily Growth

About Neal Schon

Neal Joseph Schon is an eminent American musician, songwriter, and producer, best recognized as the founder and lead guitarist of the band Journey. Born on February 27, 1954, in San Francisco, California, Schon displayed exceptional musical talent from a young age. He began his musical journey by learning to play the piano at four years old and switched to the guitar after hearing the Beatles' music. Schon's professional career took off when he joined Santana as a teenage prodigy, contributing to the iconic album "Abraxas" in 1970. In 1973, Schon co-founded Journey with bassist Ross Valory and drummer Steve Smith. Their debut album, 'Journey,' was released in 1975, followed by a series of successful albums, including "Infinity" (1978), "Escape" (1981) – which sold over nine million copies – and the Grammy-winning "Frontiers" (1983). Schon's innovative guitar style blends elements of classical, rock, and jazz, earning him a place among guitar greats. His signature sound is characterized by melodic solos and intricate arpeggios, as well as the distinctive use of a talk box in some of his performances. In 1986, Schon formed the supergroup Bad English with John Waite, Ricky Phillips, Deen Castronovo, and Jonathan Cain, who was also a Journey bandmate. Their debut album, "Bad English," achieved considerable success, spawning hit singles such as "When I See You Smile" and "Best of What I Got." Throughout his career, Schon has been influenced by guitarists like Jimi Hendrix, Carlos Santana, and Jeff Beck. In 2000, he was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of Journey. Today, Neal Schon continues to perform and record music, showcasing his remarkable talent as a guitarist and composer.

Interpretations of Popular Quotes

"Music is my heart's language."

This quote by Neal Schon expresses a deep connection between the artist himself and his medium - music. Music, in this context, serves as an emotional outlet for the creator, allowing him to express thoughts, feelings, and experiences that may be difficult or impossible to articulate through words alone. It's a universal language that transcends cultural boundaries, connecting people across the globe on a profound and instinctive level. Through music, Neal Schon communicates his heart, revealing a piece of himself to the world.


"I like to express myself and get out of myself, through music."

This quote suggests that for Neal Schon, music is a means of self-expression and personal growth. He uses it as an outlet to communicate his feelings and thoughts, while simultaneously expanding his own emotional and creative boundaries. Music serves as a tool for him to transcend himself, to explore new dimensions of who he is and what he can achieve artistically. This perspective underscores the profound impact that music can have on both the creator and audience alike, making it more than just a form of entertainment but a deeply personal and transformative experience.


"My goal in life has always been to make people feel good."

Neal Schon's quote emphasizes his desire to create positive emotions and uplifting experiences for others, as exemplified through his music. It suggests that his primary objective is to utilize his talents and creativity as a musician to inspire happiness, joy, or simply a good feeling in people. This perspective underscores the transformative power of art and highlights the significance of creating something meaningful and impactful for others.


"When I play guitar, it's like a spiritual experience for me."

This quote suggests that playing the guitar is a deeply personal and profoundly moving experience for Neal Schon. It implies a sense of connection with something larger than himself, possibly his own emotions or creativity, as well as the universal language of music. The use of "spiritual" conveys a feeling of transcendence, suggesting that playing the guitar enables him to access a higher plane or state of consciousness. Overall, it indicates that music, and specifically playing the guitar, is not just an activity but a spiritual journey for Neal Schon.


"There's an endless world inside me waiting to come out through my playing."

Neal Schon's quote signifies that his music is an expression of his inner world, emotions, thoughts, and creativity. He sees his guitar playing as a means to channel the vast, unexplored depths within him into something tangible and shared with others. This perspective underscores the powerful connection between musicians and their artistry – using music as a medium to convey the richness of human experience.


Beyond the Thunder is the closest I've recorded to an acoustic thing.

- Neal Schon

Beyond, Thunder, Acoustic, Recorded

In a lot of aspects it's cooler that we don't have a lot of really overly famous people in the band.

- Neal Schon

Famous, Cooler, Lot, Overly

I haven't stopped playing. If you play all the time, then your chops are up and you tend to grow.

- Neal Schon

Play, Grow, Stopped, Chops

Nobody's perfect. Everyone slides here and there, and they have their ups and downs. When they are down, that is not the time to step all over them.

- Neal Schon

Here, Over, Slides, Ups

You learn at a certain point that you have to focus on the business side of music. After getting ripped off a couple of times, you figure out that you need to get a grip on it.

- Neal Schon

Side, Couple, Certain Point, Ripped

I never got into sports at all until I was in my early 20s, after my music career got going.

- Neal Schon

Sports, Career, Early 20s, Music Career

We are taking close to $10 a CD the way we are doing it, and I think that is a fair amount to split up between five guys. Each of us makes like two bucks a record.

- Neal Schon

Doing, I Think, Bucks, Fair Amount

During the 1970s and 1980s Gibson did use my likeness, but we never signed anything. This new Signature model is the first time we struck a formal written deal for a guitar with my name on it.

- Neal Schon

New, Signature, Deal, Struck

The best part was watching Journey grow into this monster. The band was huge, playing these enormous gigs.

- Neal Schon

Journey, Grow, Part, Best Part

The world now knows that Steve Perry is welcome to come and sing with us anytime he wants.

- Neal Schon

World, Now, Steve, Perry

The heavy guitars are the ones that sound good. They are not that comfortable, but they do sound great.

- Neal Schon

Good, Comfortable, Sound, Guitars

We are doing what Prince did. Everyone that comes to a show billed as An Evening with Journey will get our new CD. We figured that is our best store because they are our biggest fans.

- Neal Schon

Doing, New, CD, Evening

World Play is very '70s arena rock, very raw and in your face, and that's what we wanted. We recorded it in a very off-the-cuff manner and didn't really plan out how we were going to play. My solos are first takes.

- Neal Schon

Play, Very, Arena, Solos

I've never done a solo tour. I feel like getting out there and doing that.

- Neal Schon

Doing, Feel, Like, Solo

What I have is a bunch of really hungry, amazingly talented guys that can kick anybody's rear end.

- Neal Schon

Hungry, Kick, Rear, Talented

I keep on calling them records because they will always be records to me.

- Neal Schon

Will, Always, Records, Calling

I'm just getting older and better.

- Neal Schon

Better, Getting, Older

I am not a pop musician; I don't want to play bubble-gummy pop stuff.

- Neal Schon

I Am, Play, Pop, Musician

There has been the biggest black cloud following me around. People believe it's all my fault that Steve is not here. He has always had an open door, and he doesn't choose to do this any more.

- Neal Schon

Door, Here, Been, Following

I've got the recording process down, and I can knock it out very quickly.

- Neal Schon

Process, Knock, Very, Recording

I met the Santana band when I was 14. By the time I was 15, I was a member of the band.

- Neal Schon

Time, Band, By The Time, Member

I'm not a guy to go in the studio and spend months, let alone years, like some people do. I cannot even be in the studio for a month, it will drive me nuts.

- Neal Schon

Some, Studio, Months, Month

When I go out with Journey, it is a complete cakewalk. I can afford my own bus.

- Neal Schon

Journey, Own, My Own, Bus

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