GUITAR LEGEND NEAL SCHÖN‘S VIDEO “EXOTICA” FROM FORTHCOMING STUDIO ALBUM WITH MARCO MENDOZA
AND DEEN CASTRONOVO HAS EXCLUSIVE WORLDWIDE PREMIERE ON VINTAGE GUITAR TODAY
(New York, NY) – Neal Schön fans can click here to check out the exclusive worldwide premiere of the video for “Exotica” on Vintage Guitar. The psychedelic video, which includes commentary from Schön, Mendoza and Castronovo, is the first from the forthcoming jazz and blues-inspired hard rock studio album, SO U, and is one of two instrumental tracks from the effort. SO U features Schön along with bassist Marco Mendoza (Black Star Riders, Ted Nugent, Whitesnake, Thin Lizzy) and drummer Deen Castronovo (Journey, Ozzy Osbourne, Steve Vai, Hardline) splitting vocal and writing duties, with many of the tracks also co-written by Night Ranger/Damn Yankee’s songwriter, singer and bassist Jack Blades. SO U will be available on May 19th in North America via Frontiers Records. The album can be pre-ordered now via iTunes, Amazonand via the Journey online store; those who purchase SO U now via iTunes will receive “Exotica” as an instant gratification track.
Best known as co-founding member and lead guitarist of Journey, Neal Schönhas enjoyed a remarkable career as one of rock n’ roll’s top virtuosos, with a hand in creating some of the most popular songs of all time. Beginning his career 45 years ago in the San Francisco Bay area, the 15-year-old guitar prodigy left home to join Santana. Schönmoved on in 1973 to form Journey. With Journey and other projects, he has earned 19 Top 40 singles and 25 platinum and gold albums, was awarded the prestigious “Legend Of Live Award” at the 2011 Billboard Touring Awards, received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2005 and was individually inducted into his native state’s Oklahoma Music Hall Of Fame in 2013. Along with Journey band members Steve Perry and Jonathan Cain, Schön is responsible for co-writing “Don’t Stop Believin’,” the 20th century’s most downloaded song. As the only member to record on all of Journey’s albums, Schöncontinues with the band today in its latest incarnation.
In addition to 6 solo albums and 14 studio albums with Journey, Neal Schön has also performed with Joe Cocker, Sammy Hagar, Paul Rodgers, Larry Graham, Betty Davis, Michael Bolton, fusion legend Jan Hammer, Hardline and supergroup Bad English, as well as a variety of side projects. His latest instrumental solo album, THE CALLING, released in 2012 via Frontiers Records, won rave reviews from fans and the media alike, with Vintage Guitar declaring “THE CALLING is a fine piece of work demonstrating that Schönstill has it going on – and then some…The songs are strong and his guitar tones are absolutely luxurious.” In demand as one of the leading guitarists of his generation, Schönalso worked with Gibson to manufacture his own limited edition “Neal SchönSignature Model Custom Les Paul” guitar, but now uses custom PRS Neal Schon LTD Private Stock guitars, made especially for Neal by Paul Reed Smith.
