Neal Schon Says Recording Upcoming Santana Album with Old Band Mates "Was a Very Special Moment"
July 9, 2015
Courtesy PRNewsFoto/Mascot Label Group
Neal Schon has been an extremely busy man lately. Last month, the guitar whiz released a two-disc solo instrumental album titled Vortex, and he recently hit the road with Journey for a summer tour of Canada. If that weren’t enough, the 61-year-old rocker tells ABC Radio that the much-talked-about Santana reunion album featuring many of the band’s early members is expected out in early 2016, and plans are in the works for a special tour in support of it.
As many rock fans know, Schon joined Santana as a teenager and played on a couple of the band’s albums before he and original singer/keyboardist Greg Rolie exited the group and formed Journey. Schon says he recorded his parts for the new Santana album — which also features Rolie, as well as founding drummer Michael Shrieve and percussionist Michael Carabello — before Journey played its Las Vegas residency in April.
“For me to be able to do a full circle in time now and go back there and rejoin those guys was a very special moment,” declares Schon, who says he approached Carlos Santana with the idea for the reunion project.
“I just wanted to complete that whole cycle…And for me, it was going back and playing with him again, because I just admire the guy,” explains Neal. “I love him, and I love the break that they gave me as a young musician. I wanted to pay respect and also have fun.”
Schon also confirmed that the album will be called Santana 4, pointing out that Carlos chose the title because, in effect, it’s a sequel to the band’s 1971 release Santana 3.
“I think it’s appropriate,” Neal maintains. “It does sound like sort of where left off there, but now.” Schon says Santana 4 likely will be released in early 2016, possibly in the spring.
Meanwhile, Schon tells ABC Radio that in conjunction with the album, Santana and Journey are trying to arrange a unique co-headlining tour.
“[It] would actually be more of a conceptual tour where it’s Journey and Santana and we intermingle from both bands,” Neal reports. He says he envisions each band celebrating different eras of its career during the shows, pointing out that Rolie could hit the stage with Journey to play some songs from the group’s early years. Schon adds that the concerts also could feature a big finale with all the musicians performing together.
While the trek isn’t yet set in stone, Neal says that at least one concert has been lined up that will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“That will be the big show that I think that everybody will come to to check out to see what the whole thing is about,” he maintains. “And then I think we’re off and running…At that point, I have a lot of confidence with it, just knowing what both bands can bring, and also all of us collectively, together, and doing different things as an overall show. I think that people will love it.”
So far, the date of the Madison Square Garden show hasn’t been announced, but keep an eye on JourneyMusic.com and Santana.com for the latest details.
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
July 9, 2015
Courtesy PRNewsFoto/Mascot Label Group
Neal Schon has been an extremely busy man lately. Last month, the guitar whiz released a two-disc solo instrumental album titled Vortex, and he recently hit the road with Journey for a summer tour of Canada. If that weren’t enough, the 61-year-old rocker tells ABC Radio that the much-talked-about Santana reunion album featuring many of the band’s early members is expected out in early 2016, and plans are in the works for a special tour in support of it.
As many rock fans know, Schon joined Santana as a teenager and played on a couple of the band’s albums before he and original singer/keyboardist Greg Rolie exited the group and formed Journey. Schon says he recorded his parts for the new Santana album — which also features Rolie, as well as founding drummer Michael Shrieve and percussionist Michael Carabello — before Journey played its Las Vegas residency in April.
“For me to be able to do a full circle in time now and go back there and rejoin those guys was a very special moment,” declares Schon, who says he approached Carlos Santana with the idea for the reunion project.
“I just wanted to complete that whole cycle…And for me, it was going back and playing with him again, because I just admire the guy,” explains Neal. “I love him, and I love the break that they gave me as a young musician. I wanted to pay respect and also have fun.”
Schon also confirmed that the album will be called Santana 4, pointing out that Carlos chose the title because, in effect, it’s a sequel to the band’s 1971 release Santana 3.
“I think it’s appropriate,” Neal maintains. “It does sound like sort of where left off there, but now.” Schon says Santana 4 likely will be released in early 2016, possibly in the spring.
Meanwhile, Schon tells ABC Radio that in conjunction with the album, Santana and Journey are trying to arrange a unique co-headlining tour.
“[It] would actually be more of a conceptual tour where it’s Journey and Santana and we intermingle from both bands,” Neal reports. He says he envisions each band celebrating different eras of its career during the shows, pointing out that Rolie could hit the stage with Journey to play some songs from the group’s early years. Schon adds that the concerts also could feature a big finale with all the musicians performing together.
While the trek isn’t yet set in stone, Neal says that at least one concert has been lined up that will take place at Madison Square Garden in New York City.
“That will be the big show that I think that everybody will come to to check out to see what the whole thing is about,” he maintains. “And then I think we’re off and running…At that point, I have a lot of confidence with it, just knowing what both bands can bring, and also all of us collectively, together, and doing different things as an overall show. I think that people will love it.”
So far, the date of the Madison Square Garden show hasn’t been announced, but keep an eye on JourneyMusic.com and Santana.com for the latest details.
Copyright © 2015, ABC Radio. All rights reserved.
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