Matt Schon

[burgerbit]

Sorry if this sounds goofy but, Im from Trenton NJ and Neal Schon was briefely a resident. I hang with some older guys in their late 60's to mid 70's who are musicians. Our musical tastes are rarely in common with one another. We can appriciate each others tastes but rarely do they intersect. One guy is a piano player the other trombone. The trombone player and I were talking one day about music. I was asking him technical questions cant remember what, but he said something about how a song is "arranged" He says out of the blue, (now I NEVER once mentioned Journey) "I knew this guy Matt Schon who used to be the best arranger I ever knew" I was floored. He said Matt wanted to work with him etc He had a bunch of stories about Matt. So I got into Mother Father and Escape which he had no knowledge, he never even heard of the band really. He did say he lost contact with Matt after he moved to San Francisco to be near his son. The only knowlege of Neal to him was he heard Matt died destitute while his son made it big in California. He then said after he did him own research through mutual friends did he learn Neal bought his dad a house and took very good care of him. In all he had alot of inside knowledge into Neals dad. My friend also said Matt was a great guy and very talented musician whom he"ll never forget. I promised to burn him a Mother Father on CD.

[fredinator]

I think his dad arranged "Dream After Dream." Little Girl is on this album--just beautifully done all the way around...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QmL_BcDU0N0

[Saint John]

He then said after he did him own research through mutual friends did he learn Neal bought his dad a house and took very good care of him.

Neal's loyalty is second to none.

[MrsPerry]

SJ, my love, do I detect some sarcasm ?

[steveo777]

SJ, my love, do I detect some sarcasm ?

He's about as real as Perry returning to the band.

[Monker]

Sorry if this sounds goofy but, Im from Trenton NJ and Neal Schon was briefely a resident. I hang with some older guys in their late 60's to mid 70's who are musicians. Our musical tastes are rarely in common with one another. We can appriciate each others tastes but rarely do they intersect. One guy is a piano player the other trombone. The trombone player and I were talking one day about music. I was asking him technical questions cant remember what, but he said something about how a song is "arranged" He says out of the blue, (now I NEVER once mentioned Journey) "I knew this guy Matt Schon who used to be the best arranger I ever knew" I was floored. He said Matt wanted to work with him etc He had a bunch of stories about Matt. So I got into Mother Father and Escape which he had no knowledge, he never even heard of the band really. He did say he lost contact with Matt after he moved to San Francisco to be near his son. The only knowlege of Neal to him was he heard Matt died destitute while his son made it big in California. He then said after he did him own research through mutual friends did he learn Neal bought his dad a house and took very good care of him. In all he had alot of inside knowledge into Neals dad. My friend also said Matt was a great guy and very talented musician whom he"ll never forget. I promised to burn him a Mother Father on CD.

Neal and his dad also worked on "Livin' to Do" on Arrival. The song is basically about Matt dying of cancer. When you look at the lyrics, well, your friend may relate to them:

A message comes down... It's a warning
It's not your time, oh no it ain't but it's coming
Now what makes us think, we're here forever
When life is gone, life is gone, before you know it's over

A church in the rain... A sad congregation
An old friend I knew
When I look at the end... I understand now
I got livin' to do... There's still livin' to do

With every breath, comes deeper meaning
I don't wanna waste, I don't wanna waste, one single minute
Tears fall from the sky, angles are cryin'
They cry for those... Who don't know that they're dyin'

I wait for the sun... A chance at a new day
There's no time to lose
When I look at the end... I understand now
I got lovin' to do... There's still lovin' to do
When I look at the end... I understand now
I got lovin' to do...
Whoa...
There's still livin' to do

[SF-Dano]

I always felt Matt Schon's influence and participation (on occasion) really helped create the Journey sound. Not saying it was the main factor, but definitely a small contributing one. Obviously he was a very talented man.

[Tito]

He then said after he did him own research through mutual friends did he learn Neal bought his dad a house and took very good care of him.

Neal's loyalty is second to none.

Neal is a good person. He would never let his father struggle. He's a good son.

[Don]

Seventh Son of a Seventh Son.

[Saint John]

SJ, my love, do I detect some sarcasm ?

Not one iota. I can't think of one instance where Neal has been anything but loyal.

[Michigan Girl]

Taking care of ones parent/s is a very appropriate thing to do,
and what most loving sons/daughters would do ...money
or no!!

Kudos for doing the right thing ...?!?

[Saint John]

Taking care of ones parent/s is a very appropriate thing to do,
and what most loving sons/daughters would do ...money
or no!!

Kudos for doing the right thing ...?!?

I think he went beyond "the right thing." He co-wrote a song with his dad about his imminent death. What a wonderful spiritual journey of emotions that must have been. That is what I was referring to, MG. Otherwise, I agree with what you said.

[Michigan Girl]

Taking care of ones parent/s is a very appropriate thing to do,
and what most loving sons/daughters would do ...money
or no!!

Kudos for doing the right thing ...?!?

I think he went beyond "the right thing." He co-wrote a song with his dad about his imminent death. What a wonderful spiritual journey of emotions that must have been. That is what I was referring to, MG. Otherwise, I agree with what you said.

Yes, indeed ...that was a beautiful thing and I'm sure he was a good son!!..

[Rockindeano]

I don't think the 'seventh son of a seventh son' connected with too many people Gunbot, but I agree with you 100%.