MR

Hey, Neal just posted this on Myspace this morning, and I thought it was a cool read. Who would have thought that he gets starstruck?


"Just back from our first show in the UK, London. Had a great time tonight and were greeted by a very cool, enthusiastic crowd to say the least. But actually, all the crowds have been great!

But what I'm really writing you about is that before the show (15 min.'s before we went on) the band's hanging out backstage going over our set list. (We added quite a bit of songs tonight). Anyway, in walks...hello! Get this! Jimmy f*$! Page! He calmly walks up to me and says, "Hello Neal"...like I've known him a thousand years or so.

Honestly I have to tell you, I was completely in awe, not quite believing I was standing there talking to Jimmy page about music and continued to you until we had to go on stage. Wow. What a mind-boggling moment for me. Felt like a little kid. What a true gentleman and obviously a brilliant guitar player. He was nice enough to take a photo with the band and I, (which we will be posting here soon). I gave him our new Revelation package, he thanked me, then I shook his hand and went on stage. Honestly I felt like I had the fear of God watching me and didn't want to make one mistake and did the absolute very best performance I could.

I was told later, after we got off the stage, he had said to our manager that he enjoyed my playing. As in the words of Flavor Flav-wow! Then, we came off stage and as we were drying off, in walks Chris Squire from Yes. He told all of us that he enjoyed the show too.

Reflecting back; last year at the same venue, Brian May shows up. This year; Jimmy Page and Chris Squire. Maybe next year Jeff B. or Eric C.?

Anyway, just had to share that with you. We're all having a great time. BTW; sold another 90,000 units. Up to over 200,000 copies now just over 2 weeks out so Thank you, Thank You, Thank You for allowing us to make new music and being there. It means the world to us.

Looking forward to the rest of our gigs over seas as well as getting back to the states and starting the US tour with Heart and Cheap Trick. Will truly be a great summer.

Neal

Neal quoted Flavor Flav.

Awesome story. I wonder what Page thought of his playing. Cool of Neal to thank the fans...again. I see he's keeping an eye on album sales. Next week, and at the latest the following one, Journey will earn their first Gold album in over 10 years. Sweet!

Just a question here folks as I'm quite curious......
Has Eric Clapton and Neal Schon ever shared a stage?

Moon Beam wrote:Just a question here folks as I'm quite curious......
Has Eric Clapton and Neal Schon ever shared a stage?

I believe they did at The Crossroads festival...though I'm not sure if it was at the same time. Definitely the same bill, though. Good question...anyone?

Moon Beam wrote:Just a question here folks as I'm quite curious......
Has Eric Clapton and Neal Schon ever shared a stage?

At 15, Neal had to choose between joining Santana or playing with Clapton. I don't know if there are any recordings of them playing together out there, tho.

Sallee?

NealIsGod wrote:Neal quoted Flavor Flav.

I"m enjoying "happy Neal".

NealIsGod wrote:Neal quoted Flavor Flav.

If Neal ever comes on stage with a huge clock around his neck...

Neat. Must've been the thrill of a lifetime for Neal & band.

BTW, when did these other great guitar players start in life...in other words, were they child prodigies as Neal was?

Saint John wrote: Cool of Neal to thank the fans...again. I see he's keeping an eye on album sales.

Yep.
Did it to open and close his liner remarks for Revelation as well, Neal showing some of the class many jackasses claim that he doesn't have.

Pretty sure that before joining Santana Neal played w/ Clapton at either Cal Berkely or The Filmore?

Happy and enthused note from Neal! Wow!

tammy wrote:Neat. Must've been the thrill of a lifetime for Neal & band.

BTW, when did these other great guitar players start in life...in other words, were they child prodigies as Neal was?

Neal might want to remember that feeling when HIS fans are meeting HIM.
Don't think he'd have liked it if Jimmy Page blew him off.

That is cool

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

tammy wrote:Neat. Must've been the thrill of a lifetime for Neal & band.

BTW, when did these other great guitar players start in life...in other words, were they child prodigies as Neal was?

Neal might want to remember that feeling when HIS fans are meeting HIM.
Don't think he'd have liked it if Jimmy Page blew him off.

Neal has never blown off a fan. But, I'm sure a few female fans over the years has blown him.

Jimmy Page > Brian May.

Tito wrote:Neal has never blown off a fan. But, I'm sure a few female fans over the years has blown him.

Tito wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

tammy wrote:Neat. Must've been the thrill of a lifetime for Neal & band.

BTW, when did these other great guitar players start in life...in other words, were they child prodigies as Neal was?

Neal might want to remember that feeling when HIS fans are meeting HIM.
Don't think he'd have liked it if Jimmy Page blew him off.

Neal has never blown off a fan. But, I'm sure a few female fans over the years has blown him.

unlike Friga

Good read.

As a note...Neal also shared the stage with Clapton at his RRHF (at least I think it was RRHF??) induction ceremony. They had about 10 other guitarists all come up as well and do little solo parts with Clapton. Neal was one of the first people he play alongside.

Red13JoePa wrote:

Saint John wrote: Cool of Neal to thank the fans...again. I see he's keeping an eye on album sales.

Yep.
Did it to open and close his liner remarks for Revelation as well, Neal showing some of the class many jackasses claim that he doesn't have.

Pretty sure that before joining Santana Neal played w/ Clapton at either Cal Berkely or The Filmore?

I believe that early show where Neal joined Clapton (Derrick and the Dominoes) on stage was indeed at the greek theater at Cal Berkely. As the story goes it was the next day that he had to choose between Santana or becoming a "Dominoe". Did he make the correct choice? I think so, what about you guys?

SF-Dano wrote:

Red13JoePa wrote:

Saint John wrote: Cool of Neal to thank the fans...again. I see he's keeping an eye on album sales.

Yep.
Did it to open and close his liner remarks for Revelation as well, Neal showing some of the class many jackasses claim that he doesn't have.

Pretty sure that before joining Santana Neal played w/ Clapton at either Cal Berkely or The Filmore?

I believe that early show where Neal joined Clapton (Derrick and the Dominoes) on stage was indeed at the greek theater at Cal Berkely. As the story goes it was the next day that he had to choose between Santana or becoming a "Dominoe". Did he make the correct choice? I think so, what about you guys?

I thought I had the boot for that show but I can't find it.

Tito wrote:
Neal has never blown off a fan. But, I'm sure a few female fans over the years has blown him.

I got 3 witnesses to the contrary. I'm one of 'em.
Maybe his rule is if don't blow him, you get blown off?

bluejeangirl76 wrote:Maybe his rule is if don't blow him, you get blown off?

Hence the term "taking one for the team".

Ugh, this sorta thing pisses me off. First time I met Neal, I asked to take a picture with the guy, his response "Fuck off Kid. Cant a guy have a drink in peace? Go away!"

Sorta makes me wish that Jimmy went backstage, and said to neal "fuck off, where's the bar!"

Tito wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

tammy wrote:Neat. Must've been the thrill of a lifetime for Neal & band.

BTW, when did these other great guitar players start in life...in other words, were they child prodigies as Neal was?

Neal might want to remember that feeling when HIS fans are meeting HIM.
Don't think he'd have liked it if Jimmy Page blew him off.

Neal has never blown off a fan. But, I'm sure a few female fans over the years has blown him.

What the fuck do you know? Have you been there? Trust me, I know from first hand experience, Neal does it quite often.

strangegrey wrote:Ugh, this sorta thing pisses me off. First time I met Neal, I asked to take a picture with the guy, his response "Fuck off Kid. Cant a guy have a drink in peace? Go away!"

Sorta makes me wish that Jimmy went backstage, and said to neal "fuck off, where's the bar!"

That was my first thought when I read his "awe" remarks Frank. Being gracious with fans who would love to meet you would go a long way.

Neal was great the few times I met him. I thought Friga was a real ass one time, but looking back I think I can understand where he was coming from. At any rate, he still shouldn't have said what he did in public. He mocked Perry a bit. I must add that when we met Friga (Tito and I) walking downtown in Milwaukee he was fucking r=great to us. Stopped, talked, and answered Tito's 3,789 questions.

Saint John wrote:Neal was great the few times I met him. I thought Friga was a real ass one time, but looking back I think I can understand where he was coming from. At any rate, he still shouldn't have said what he did in public. He mocked Perry a bit. I must add that when we met Friga (Tito and I) walking downtown in Milwaukee he was fucking r=great to us. Stopped, talked, and answered Tito's 3,789 questions.

I remember you sharing that experience.

Saint John wrote:Neal was great the few times I met him. I thought Friga was a real ass one time, but looking back I think I can understand where he was coming from. At any rate, he still shouldn't have said what he did in public. He mocked Perry a bit. I must add that when we met Friga (Tito and I) walking downtown in Milwaukee he was fucking r=great to us. Stopped, talked, and answered Tito's 3,789 questions.

I met Neal once with Bad English and he was very cool to me. I met him again after a Journey show after Voice came out. I had him autograph it and he was really sweet and asked me how I liked it, etc.

strangegrey wrote:

Tito wrote:

bluejeangirl76 wrote:

tammy wrote:Neat. Must've been the thrill of a lifetime for Neal & band.

BTW, when did these other great guitar players start in life...in other words, were they child prodigies as Neal was?

Neal might want to remember that feeling when HIS fans are meeting HIM.
Don't think he'd have liked it if Jimmy Page blew him off.

Neal has never blown off a fan. But, I'm sure a few female fans over the years has blown him.

What the fuck do you know? Have you been there? Trust me, I know from first hand experience, Neal does it quite often.

Yeah, I was a little kid - he couldn't even been cool to a CHILD. And I was with two teenagers too. Maybe that was the problem... "pfffft, dont have time for you kiddies... sorry, call me when you're 18."