Old America On-Line interview with Neal Schon

[Don]

Neal Schon chat on America On-Line




OnlineHost: With the release of his Higher Octave debut BEYOND THE THUNDER,
guitarist Neal Schon reveals an aspect of his musical personality that will
surprise his longtime followers while introducing his distinctive
instrumental voice to legions of new fans.

OnlineHost: Best known as the lead guitarist and songwriter of the
platinum-gilded rock group Journey, the biggest selling band in CBS'
history, Schon investigates gentler and more contemplative moods on this
album of lyrical guitar instrumentals.

OnlineHost: "Everybody says, 'This is so different for you, what have you
been listening to?' It's what I've been listening to my whole life, it's
just that I've never presented this side of myself on record before,"
explains the California-based musician. "I wanted to convey a feeling, not
so much to make a statement of musical genius, but to capture some soul and
feeling on tape in a simple format. I found out it's not as easy as it
appears."

OnlineHost: Playing guitar, however, has always come easily to Schon. He
took up the instrument at the age of ten; he was improvising by the time he
was 13; and he joined the Santana band when he was just 15. Neal's father
had been a jazz saxophonist and band leader, his mother a singer; but Neal
was immediately drawn to rock and roll -- the Beatles and the Dave Clark
Five, but especially Cream and Jimi Hendrix.

OnlineHost: "I really understood that," he says. "I sat with those records
in my bedroom all day long, doing nothing but listening to songs, copping
licks, figuring out where those guys had their fingers on the fret board."

OnlineHost: Schon was so devoted to his music that he would skip school in
order to practice. Eventually he began sneaking away from his home in San
Mateo and slipping into San Francisco, where he could jam with such guitar
giants as Gabor Szabo, B.B. King, Albert King, and Buddy Guy."

OnlineHost: I just got this reputation as the fastest gun in town," he
remembers, "the guy who could shoot anybody down, so they used to bring
these kids from all over the place and the kids got bigger and bigger."

OnlineHost: Schon parlayed his legendary prowess and his many professional
connections into his first high profile role -- along Carlos Santana. In
1973, shortly after he and keyboardist Gregg Rolie left Santana, they
formed JOURNEY, which gradually ascended to the top of the pop charts with
such radio staples as "Lights," "Lovin', Touchin', Squeezin'," "Anyway You
Want It," and "Open Arms."

OnlineHost: I did one track in Journey that reminds me of what I'm doing on
this new album, Schon recalls. "The solo at the end of 'I'll Be Alright
Without You' was a sort of rolling blues over the top of the R-B changes.
It's really a lot of fun to play that way, with a little jazz, blues, R-B,
and Spanish influences, because it's so natural for me."

OnlineHost: The challenge of BEYOND THE THUNDER was to come up with
expressive material to which Schon could apply that fluid technique. To
that end, he called upon his longtime collaborator in Journey, gifted and
versatile keyboardist Jonathan Cain.

OnlineHost: When it came time to flesh out the songs, Schon called on
Journey drummer Steve Smith and paired him with Minneapolis bassist Billy
Peterson. "He plays a lot of upright electric stick bass, which adds a
beautiful dimension to the record," Schon says of Peterson. "Sting is going
to take note of this guy."

OnlineHost: On the other tracks, Schon brought in Oakland drummer Tommy
Bradford and bassist Tony Saunders. "The rest is just Jonathan and myself,"
the guitarist explains, "with original Santana percussionist Chepito Areas
and Mike Carabello on a few tunes."

OnlineHost: The result is an album that flows effortlessly through 13
different moods and grooves, from "Big Moon" through "Cool Breeze,"
reflecting myriad international influences -- on such compositions as
"Bandalero," "Zanzibar," "Espanique," and "Caribbean Blue" -- but always
riding on Schon's distinctive, glistening guitar work.

OnlineHost: "It's easy for me to sound like almost anybody from B.B. King
to Jimi Hendrix," Schon says, "but what I'm really concentrating on is
coming up with my own style and sounding like Neal Schon, trying to
maintain a style that people can recognize."

OnlineHost: And people DO recognize Schon's style. Now, with great
pleasure, America Online welcomes Neal Schon!

CSEmcee4: Good evening and welcome to Center Stage, Neal Schon!

SchonNeal: Thanks and let's get to those questions!

Question: We obviously enjoy listening to your music. Who do you listen to?

SchonNeal: I listen to all different sorts of great music from Aretha
Franklin, who has been a great inspiration for my guitar playing. As far as
players, it goes back to the blues - BB King, Buddy Guy, Eric Clapton and
Jeff Beck. And basically listen to anything that sounds good to my ears.

Question: You seem to always have so many "irons in the fire", how do you
juggle all of your projects, and how do you decide which one is going to be
your main focus?

SchonNeal: That's true. I've got 3 major things going on now and not 1 is
more important than the other. I've got my solo thing going, the Abraxas
Band and the possible Journey reunion. I try to keep ahead of projects by
writing a lot of music all the time.

Question: You've played with a lot of performers. If you could choose
anyone to play with, who would that be?

SchonNeal: I don't think there's any one performer who I could pick. It's
really the group of people that you put together that makes the magic
happen.

Question: Neal, your new CD is GREAT! Very soothing and excellent to
meditate to. Any plans to tour this new sound?

SchonNeal: Yes, actually I wanted to tour right away. I decided to just
continue to write a lot and I want to put out another solo sometime before
Christmas, then I'll probably tour after that. If anyone wants info on
where to get this album, Higher Octave has a number you can call. It's
1-800-5 OCTAVE.

Question: Here's a burning question I bet you never expected to hear
tonight. I was looking back at some of my older Journey albums and how in
the world did you ever get your hair to do that Afro thing in the 70's?
always wondered....

SchonNeal: A lot of blowdrying! Holding your head upside down and it just
sorta pops out. I have very curly hair.

Question: I remember reading an interview of yours, where you discussed
playing with Eddie Van Halen. He was impressed with your ability, but you
mentioned how Journey constrained you from exploring that side -- will you
in the future?

SchonNeal: Maybe that was the way I was feeling at the time. But I think it
was because Eddie and I were on the road together and I saw the freedom he
had playing in a power trio and I was a little envious of that. But I've
got some new and very electric and energetic powerful trio material. It's
very progressive and a lot of heavy playing.

Question: Was Dream After Dream (The Movie) ever released?

SchonNeal: God I hope not! The music was by far better than the movie.

Question: Is your schon guitar still in production and if I wanted to
purchase one how would I go about it?

SchonNeal: No, I'm not producing those guitars any longer. It turn out to
be a pain in the ass. And it took me further away from the music. There was
too much business all the time so I bailed. But I do have a new prototype
that I'm shopping right now!

Question: When is the last time you talked with Steve Perry?

SchonNeal: A couple of days ago.

OnlineHost: To interact with your hosts or their guests, use the Interact
Button and select either "Ask a Question" or "Send a Comment" -- please be
aware that your hosts may not be able to address all items sent to the
stage due to time constraints. Questions or comments sent that are not
relevant to the conference in progress will not be addressed in order to
save you time and charges.

Question: If and when there is a Journey reunion, do you think the band
will reach it's height in popularity it did in the 80's?

SchonNeal: I don't see why not. Every time we played together it was like
we never left. I think all of us have grown quite a bit musically. I see
good things in the future for us.

Question: Even though it been years do you miss Journey?

SchonNeal: Probably because it's been years, yes I do. At the point that we
stopped we were all sort of burnt out. But now I have quite a bit of
material that I've been writing for the last 5 years and setting it off in
a safe place. So I can be ready for it in the event that it happens.

Question: Neal, would you classify your new album as New Age? Why or why
not?

SchonNeal: It's on a New Age label but I don't classify it strictly as a
New Age album. I think of more as a light bluesy R&Bish Jazzy type record.
And I think of it more as World Music.

Question: Does Abraxas have a deal yet? Can't wait to hear it.

SchonNeal: We are very very close. Hopefully by the end of the month, we
should get into the studio and finish the second part of the record. And
man, this is some jammin' material!

Question: Are you still thinking about working with Jan Hammer again?

SchonNeal: Actually I called him yesterday looking to see if he's
interested in working with me on my second solo record - of course for
Higher Octave Music.

Question: Neal, who has been your biggest influence in writing songs when
you were with Journey and now as a solo artist?

SchonNeal: The biggest influence I believe is myself. I get into a writing
mode and if I'm very inspired I pop songs out all day long!

Question: Have you spoken with Greg Rolie lately?

SchonNeal: Greg and I are in Abraxas together, so we hang quite a bit. He's
doing just great.

Question: What is YOUR favorite type or music to listen to - classical,
opera, rock, etc. - which composers/artists?

SchonNeal: It depends on what kind of day it is for me. And to tell you the
truth I don't listen to a lot of radio or music all that often. I'm
constantly in my studio writing and recording.

Question: What's happening with Hardline? I heard they might record a new
album without you? What's the scoop?

SchonNeal: Johnny and Joey are working on a new record. I'm not sure of all
the material - some of it I wrote and some they did, but they are going on
with Hardline with a new guitar, bassist and drummer.

Question: Will you have any acoustic cuts on this CD?

SchonNeal: Yes there is acoustic on Beyond the Thunder. It's mostly
electric though.

Question: Do you miss the music of the eighties?

SchonNeal: I'm trying to remember what that is. I'm brainwashed by all the
crap out there. I'm glad to see Rap is dying out. I'm a big fan of Soul and
R&B and Funk so I didn't dig the whole Rap era.

Question: What are your favorite things to do when not writing or
recording?

SchonNeal: I like to go on long motorcycle rides, play with my kids, play
racket ball and that's about all I have time for.

Question: Is Herbie Herbert still your manager?

SchonNeal: Yes.

Question: Neil, is there any chance of an album with Santana?

SchonNeal: With Carlos. It's been offered to him to play on the Abraxas
record, but he declined.

Question: What advice do you have for aspiring song writers?

SchonNeal: Sit in your little room whoever you are and get into the drum
machine and I use a Roland GR1 to be able to play different instruments
other than guitar. And being able to use other instruments besides the
guitar really opens a lot of doors for me.

Question: What is your favorite song?

SchonNeal: Of lifetime?

Question: What kind of guitar do you recommend?

SchonNeal: Any kind that you like to play. I have very many different
guitars that have different characters to them all. But if I were only to
have 1 or 2 it would have to be the original axes that I've always used,
which are a Strat and a Les Paul. Question: Who taught you to play guitar?

SchonNeal: I was self taught. I took jazz lessons for about 3 months and
the rest was all by ear.

Question: I once heard a quote from you that said that everything you had
ever recorded with Journey was crap. As I listen to some of your work, I
wonder why you would say that. Do you still feel that way?

SchonNeal: That's a good question because probably at the time I said it I
was very pissed off! But now that I've had time to get away from it and
look at the bulk of work that we had done, I think there is some quite
good stuff. When the band decided to not be together any more it just left
a sour taste in my mouth. So that's probably where the negativity of that
statement came from.

Question: What was it like to jam with BB?

SchonNeal: It's always been amazing! The first time I played with him was
at the Fillmore in SF and I was 13. He came over to me after we had sort of
done a play off of each other - he'd play a lick and I'd play one and we
worked off of each other for a song - then he came over to me at the end
and he put his arm around me and said "ladies and gentlemen, this boy has
got the Blues."

Question: Neal - I was there at the Meadowlands in NJ when you were hit
with the bottle -- was it intentional that you went into "Lies" right after
that? It was powerful seeing you singing, playing and bleeding!

SchonNeal: I know it looked intentional but it wasn't. But I did like
looking at the video later!

Question: Obviously, Clapton was one of your influences. What do you think
of his current commitment to playing only the blues?

SchonNeal: I love it! The thing that is really cool about Eric's last
record is that I think I helped inspire him to that. By a record that I
had done called Cyclops Blues Band. When Eric was touring in Japan Mr. Udo
had given him this CD and he was curious to hear it because I had done a
version of Key to the Highway on it. The next day he came back and told Mr
Udo that he was going to do a Blues record! So I though that was very cool!

Question: I enjoy your music do you have any suggestions for people wanting
to make a band that works?

SchonNeal: Being in a band is tough! You just have to play with a lot of
different players, some things gel and some don't and usually that's pretty
obvious. Especially to the people sitting in the room playing together. So
I would say, play with a lot of different musicians. And you'll learn
what's right for you.

Question: Do you have any political beliefs that affect your music?

SchonNeal: No, I try to keep that completely separate. I don't feel like
mixing politics with my music.

CSEmcee4: We have time for one final question.

Question: A silly question, but is it sometimes frustrating to continue
being seen as a part of Journey, regardless of what you're doing now?

SchonNeal: No not really. Because I am a big part of Journey. And whatever
I'm doing now is just adding on to the list of things I've done in the
past. Thanks everyone for being here with me online tonight, this is the
first time I've been here. Thanks everybody, enjoy life and God bless.

CSEmcee4: Thank you for joining us tonight in Center Stage! And thanks to
our audience for some terrific questions! Good night!

OnlineHost: Our thanks to Neal Schon for joining us on America Online to
discuss his career and his latest recording for Higher Octave, BEYOND THE
THUNDER! For your souvenir transcript of tonight's event, be sure to stop
back tomorrow about this time. Thank you and good night!



http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yYAurqlQM6A

[Art Vandelay]

I remember this interview. I also remember the quote that everything that he ever recorded with Journey was crap.