THE GUITAR OF NEAL SCHON KEEPS ON SHREDDING.

I’ve been wanting to see Neal Schon and Journey my whole life, Journey is one of those bands that I haven’t seen yet, and are such a huge part of my life. Neal’s guitar playing still brings back my inter-child.

So that being said I made my way to Royal Farms Arena in Baltimore Maryland, to photograph the legend himself Neal Schon, during Journey and Def Leppard Tour. I was invited by Neal and his wife Michaele Schon to not only get to watch this legend play but also photograph them full set behind the barricade, what a true honor it was.

Neal came out of the gate with Separate Ways, which is one of my all time favorite songs, and wow can this guy play the guitar. Neal plays with such passion and love of the music and crowd. Neal would ask the crowd to pull out their lighters and cell phone lights, for he was about to make this arena gasp with such amazing skills. Neal obviously was about to play Lights.

Neal is a great entertainer as well, playing with the crowd, walking around the catwalk and giving everyone that smile and energy that just makes you feel good. The band as a whole, we’re just a sight needed to be seen in this time of craziness. Open Arms came on and all the emotions poured out, it was a moment of just pure joy.

At one point during the show, Neal had a guitar solo that was just off the chains, very bluesy and just killer shreds. It’s just an awesome experience to get to watch him play and even more gratifying to get to watch him up so close.

Of course it wouldn’t be a Journey Show without Don’t Stop Believing, Faithfully and Wheels in the Sky. The set was over and the band walked off stage, but not before the came back to do one last song for all of us. Ending the night with Anyway you want it, was a perfect ending to a perfect night, there wasn’t anyway I would want it any other way. Journey had some confetti cannons that littered the arena it was just a sight to see.

Anyone who knows me, is aware that I’m a Huge Steve Perry fan, but that being said, Singer Arnel Pineda has definitely earned his way into my heart, playing with such energy and crowd presence, but the hero in my opinion is Neal Schon. Those guitar licks, on all those classic songs are just amazing. While I was in the barricade doing my thing, I got to run into Michaele and what a beautiful and kind woman, showed me nothing but respect and was so thankful for us. This night was a huge highlight of not only my career of doing this music journalism but also a top moment in my life. I can’t wait to get to experience it more often the next time Neal and Journey make it back around.

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Ron

Ron has keen eye for new talent, a love for the underground, and a tremendous passion for music of any genera. You’ll probably bump into him at a horror convention or some seedy club checking out the next need-to-know band.

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