Neal Schon Sheds Light on Journey’s Future, Recalls Bon Jovi and Def Leppard Taking Notes From Band’s Playbook

While many fans remember Neal Schon for helping form the iconic band Journey, the musician also played alongside Santana, Bad English, and Hardline. First taking the stage back during the 1960s, the songwriter watched countless singers come and go over the years. Becoming a pillar in the rock community, Schon gained entry into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame thanks to his time with Journey. And given his long history in the music industry, Schon recently discussed bands like Bon Jovi and Def Leppard and how they took inspiration from Journey. 

Forming Journey during the 1970s, the band entertained fans all over the world for the past 50 years. But while the group continues to expand their fanbase, Schon explained how some of their biggest fans are fellow bands. Speaking with WGN Radio’s Dave Plier, the musician explained how Bon Jovi and Def Leppard took notes from Journey’s playbook. “When we used to play on the East Coast, instead of playing in New York, because the union was so expensive, we played multiple dates in New Jersey in a bigger place, and Jon Bon Jovi and Richie Sambora would come down and they’d check out the show and I’d always say hello.”

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Neal Schon Insists The “Future Is Bright” For Journey

Although sharing kind words to each other, Schon added, “And then the next thing you would know, if we were playing like a cover song, like ‘[Reach Out] I’ll Be There’ by THE FOUR TOPS, they would end up putting it in their set. It was funny. But it was inspiring. They were inspired by it, like we all are by whoever.”

Not taking offense by other bands taking tips from Journey, Schon recalled the band’s long history and the stories made along the way. “I’m very proud of the work that we’ve all done and what we’ve accomplished. Receiving the diamond award just recently for [10 million copies sold of] ‘Escape’, that doesn’t happen to too many just single albums. It does for bigger bands on ‘Greatest Hits’, as it did for us years ago, but it’s a great sign of where things are heading for us. And the future is very bright.”

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