Neal Schon is an American rock guitarist, composer, and vocalist best known for his work with the bands “Journey” and “Bad English.” Prior to forming “Journey,” he was a part of the rock band “Santana,” as well as being a founding member of “Hardline.”
He’s also renowned for being the husband of Michaele Salahi, who stars in Bravo TV’s hit reality show, “The Real Housewives of D.C.”
Neal Schon's Net Worth
As of April 2022, Neal Schon’s net worth is estimated to be $40 million. His career in the music industry is his main source of income. Neal has built himself a phenomenal career as one of the best rock guitarists. On August 23, 2013, he was welcomed into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame (1), and on April 7, 2017 he was honored into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame as a member of “Journey.” (2)
His wealth is also increasing from his wife’s career as a socialite and television personality best known for her appearance in the reality program, “The Real Housewives of D.C.”
Neal's Early Life
Neal Schon was born on Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma, on February 27, 1954. He is of German and Italian origin and is the son of Matthew and Barbara Schon.
His father was a band player, jazz tenor saxophonist, arranger, and composer who played and taught all reed instruments. On the other hand, his mother was a large band vocalist. (3)
Other details about his early life, such as if he has any siblings, were withheld. We’ll update this page when we learn more.
Neal Schon's Education
Neal Schon went to Aragon High School in San Mateo, California, but dropped out to pursue a career in music. Other information was not made available to the general audience. It is unknown whether he was able to complete his education and obtain a degree. We’ll update this page when we learn more.
Neal Schon's Wife and Family Life
Neal Schon married Michaele Salahi on December 15, 2013 in a live broadcast wedding that was held in the Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco, California. (4) Michaele is a socialite and television personality who is most known for her role on “The Real Housewives of D.C.”
Neal proposed to Michaele Salahi of Real Housewives of DC onstage at a charity performance at the Lyric Opera House in Baltimore, Maryland, and they became engaged in October of 2012. The marriage is the guitarist’s fifth and the real housewife’s second.
Neal Schon's Career
Neal Schon began playing guitar at the age of ten. He joined Santana at the age of 17 in 1971 and has said that Eric Clapton approached him about joining “Derek and the Dominos,” but that he instead joined “Santana,” appearing on the albums “Santana III” and “Caravanserai.”
In 1973, Neal, Gregg Rolie, and Herbie Herbert co-founded the “Golden Gate Rhythm Section,” which was eventually renamed “Journey” when roadie John Villanueva suggested it. (5)
Furthermore, his career consists of a pair of albums with pianist Jan Hammer, brief collaborations with Sammy Hagar and Paul Rodgers, and tenure with Bad English and Hardline, aside from his nine solo albums and fourteen studio albums with “Journey.”
The guitarist may also be heard on other albums, notably three tracks on Michael Bolton’s “The Hunger,” with “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay” being the most recognized.
He subsequently joined Larry Graham in an all-star band for Betty Davis, a cult funk musician and Miles Davis’ ex-wife. Neal notably collaborated with Lenny White’s 1977 album “Big City,” particularly the instrumental jam “And We Meet Again,” alongside then-Journey manager Herbie Herbert.
Neal performed a charity event in San Francisco’s The Independent on February 9, 2018, to aid North Bay Fire Relief. (6) Former Journey drummer Deen Castronovo, who likewise performed parts of the vocals, former Journey keyboardist Gregg Rolie, and Dead Daisies bassist Marco Mendoza were all engaged for the band. (7)
In 2019, he announced a tour entitled “Neal Schon’s Journey Through Time,” which included Castronovo, Rolie, and Mendoza. (8)
Today, Neal Schon continues to enjoy his career in music while living in peace with his wife, Michaele.
Journey Is Set To Release Their First Studio Album After More Than A Decade
Neal Schon’s band, “Journey” is ready to release their first new studio album in almost a decade, with the new track “You Got the Best of Me.”
The song’s release coincides with the renowned Bay Area band’s sold-out arena tour, which featured a local date at Chase Center last month and is titled “Freedom.”
“I wanted kind of a punky rendition of ‘Any Way You Want It,’” Neal said in a statement acquired by Date Book. (9) “I usually don’t go in saying I’m going to look for something like that, but then it just came to me, like “Wheel in the Sky” did years ago. It just kind of flew out of my mouth.”
“You Got the Best of Me” follows the group’s release of “The Way We Used to Be” last year. “Freedom” is Journey’s first new album since 2011’s “Eclipse,” and it was produced with a studio lineup that included keyboardist Jonathan Cain and vocalist Arnel Pineda, as well as bassist Randy Jackson, who appeared briefly on the band’s 1986 album “Raised on Radio.”
Neal Schon's Appearance (Height, Hair, Eyes & More)
| Height | 5 ft 8 in 1.75 m |
|---|---|
| Weight | 141 pounds 64 kg |
| Hair Color | Brown |
| Eye Color | Brown |
| Body Type | Fit |
| Sexual Orientation | Straight |
Facts About Neal Schon
| Nationality | American |
|---|---|
| Estimate Net Worth | $40 million |
| Religion | — |
| Zodiac Sign | Pisces |
| Birthplace | Tinker Air Force Base, Oklahoma |
| Birthday | February 27, 1954 |
References
- Jerry Wofford, Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame inducts 7 artists, retrieved from https://tulsaworld.com/scene/oklahoma-music-hall-of-fame-inducts-artists/article_135c9747-8257-5c65-b289-5fefef4e60e1.html
- Journey, retrieved from https://www.rockhall.com/inductees/journey
- Neal Schon Interview, retrieved from https://www.guitarinteractivemagazine.com/issues/issue-19/features/neal-schon-interview/
The Reliable Source, Michaele Salahi and Neal Schon set a Wedding Date, retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/reliable-source/wp/2013/10/03/michaele-salahi-and-neal-schon-set-a-wedding-date/
- Jim Harrington, Rolie names his own tune, retrieved from https://www.mercurynews.com/2007/01/09/rolie-names-his-own-tune/
- Neal Schon Goes Deep Into His Past at Solo Benefit Show: Set List + Video, retrieved from https://ultimateclassicrock.com/neal-schon-2018-benefit-concert-set-list-video/
- Darren Paltrowitz, Journey’s Neal Schon On Reuniting With Gregg Rolie For “Neal Schon’s Journey Through Time”, retrieved from https://www.thehypemagazine.com/2018/02/journeys-neal-schon-on-reuniting-for-neal-schons-journey-through-time-with-gregg-rolie/
- Scott Bernstein, Neal Schon’s Journey Through Time Adds 2019 Dates, retrieved from https://www.jambase.com/article/neal-schons-journey-through-time-2019-dates
- Aidin Vaziri, Journey releases new single ahead of its first album in 11 years, https://datebook.sfchronicle.com/music/journey-releases-new-single-ahead-of-its-first-album-in-11-years